First rifle

[WhiskeyJack]

My son has just finished his hunters ed and that’s a great reason to get a new gun. I had bought him a 270 because that was my first gun but now I’m starting to think I might keep that one and buy him a brand new one.

What are peoples opinion on a caliber for a new young hunter for big game?

[SouthWestRanger]

How big is the young man? Is he larger framed? 7mm-08 would be a great choice in a quality but well priced rifle like a tikka or weatherby vanguard.

[WhiskeyJack]

He’s bigger for sure but a softey. Can you find shells for 7mm08 in smaller towns?

[fishnguy]

Don’t think you can go wrong with either 7-08, 243, or 6.5.

Some smaller towns have more than cities do nowadays.

Voted for .243.

[WhiskeyJack]

What’s the difference between a 708 vs 270 I thought they were almost the same.

[SouthWestRanger]

Shorter case, based off the .308, efficient little cartridge, pushes a 7mm bullet at good velocities that make it an excellent hunting round to 300-400yards. Less recoil than a .270, similar performance to moderate distances, .270 beats it at range for sure.

[Smoky buck]

What calibers has your son shot comfortably is probably the biggest factor

My wife shoots a 7mm08 and it’s a great caliber but ammo is tougher to find right now. Availability of ammo is the only downside right now

308 is probably the easiest ammo to find right now and lots of variety. It will definitely get the job done

No personal experience with 243

270 is another well tested caliber and how I started ammo is somewhat available right now.

6.5 well no good father would let their son shoot a 6.5 and is a much better caliber for a daughter lol

It really depends on what your son is comfortable with in my opinion. If he is comfortable with a 308 I would go that route because it will get the job done and there is ammo available everywhere I have looked. And I look for ammo everywhere I go lol

[Savage Bacon]

7mm08
That could be the one caliber your son shoots forever. Very capable. And it won't beat the crap out of him. I'm sure someone would have some ammo. I found the remington core lokt to be very accurate so you're not going to waste a lot sighting it in.

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[klammer]

7-08 / 6.5x55 if you reload and are looking to minimize recoil without giving up too much killing power.

.308 / .270 for ammo availability and price

I just cant understand 6.5 creedmore - once I shot it and someone called it "need more" you could see where there was a lot of hype for something that really didnt give you much in return...

[LeroyvdH]

Bought my son a Blr 243 to use starting out. Now i'm finding myself using it Full circle rifle

[~altiplano~]

If you're reloading, how about 6mm creed? Capable with heavier bullets than .243 win and faster and flatter shooting than .243 or 6.5 creed.

As for 6.5CM it's a fine cartridge, might have been hyped up at one point, which seems to drive the hate on it, but who cares? There is no end all be all cartridge. And take it for what it is, 6.5CM is capable, mild to shoot, has good ammo availability, and it kills game...

Have fun shooting with your son!

[Trochu]

I suppose it depends on what big game your going after, but if deer sized animals, 6.5. Available in a wide variety of rifles, very mild recoil, dare say it outperforms the options listed (check this yourself, depending on your typical hunting situation...), and ammo is readily available.

[obsessed1]

All of my kids started shooting 22lr at 4-5 years old. By 8-10 they where/are shooting 22-250 @ 12 they use a 243 and so far by 14 my oldest is shooting a 308. My #2 is 12 and still using the 243.. biggest thing for them is rifle fit. All my 6 started off on a TC hot shot as 4-5 year olds and by 10 they all get their own grown up sized 22lr of their choosing. The 22-250 they use for targets/ coyotes from 8-12 years old is a single shot HR cut down for smaller shooters. The 243 they use is my wife's micro midas so again small. Then when they are ready it's a 20" 308.with 12.5" lop.We just came into possession of a 18" rem mod 7 in 7-08 that they will probably jump to before the 308 from now on.
My kids shoot often so getting used to recoil is just something that happens at their own pace... its different for them than some of their friends who only shoot 3-5 rounds a year...

More important than what caliber is how does the gun fit... find that for your son and he will develop great marksmanship skills.

[300magman]

Originally Posted by ~altiplano~

If you're reloading, how about 6mm creed? Capable with heavier bullets than .243 win and faster and flatter shooting than .243 or 6.5 creed.

As for 6.5CM it's a fine cartridge, might have been hyped up at one point, which seems to drive the hate on it, but who cares? There is no end all be all cartridge. And take it for what it is, 6.5CM is capable, mild to shoot, has good ammo availability, and it kills game...

Have fun shooting with your son!

x2. Like it or not, 6.5CM is here to stay for a while, ammo options are great and it does flat out kill game within reason.

[WinefredCommander]

Every hunter has a right of passage and it’s the 30-30.

[summit151]

30-06 is the easy answer

[bezzola]

257 weatherby
7mm/08

[Chowdowncowtown]

Originally Posted by ~altiplano~

As for 6.5CM it's a fine cartridge, might have been hyped up at one point, which seems to drive the hate on it, but who cares? There is no end all be all cartridge. And take it for what it is, 6.5CM is capable, mild to shoot, has good ammo availability, and it kills game...

This is why I went with 6.5CM - the ammo is available, it has factory loads suitable for every kind of large game in North America (within a reasonable range, you're not going to be magically dropping a moose at 400 yards), and could be rebuilt into a long-range precision platform if I decide to get a different hunting rifle down the line.

[338wea]

My brother has a tx3 in 270 and it's very pleasant to shoot. Very similar in recoil to my savage 110 in 243

[Etownpaul]

Originally Posted by 338wea

My brother has a tx3 in 270 and it's very pleasant to shoot. Very similar in recoil to my savage 110 in 243

I recently purchased a t3x super light in 270. Scoped it weighs in at 7.5 Lbs. I was worried it would be rough on the shoulder since it was so light, but the felt recoil is honestly less than my much heavier savage axis in 270.

[raab]

I think you should plan on buying him two guns. One for deer and one for Moose/Elk. That said I'll put forward the 25-06 for a first deer gun. I do not personally own one, but I have watched 50+ deer fall to the round and wish I did.

Light recoil, and flat trajectory define the round. P&D has a Browning X-Bolt, and Prophet River has a Weatherby Vanguard in 25-06 available. In my experience both are excellent firearms.

[stob]

I have used most everything. Including a 6.5 x 55 for 20+ years and now reach for a 243win all the time. With todays bullets it is good to go for everything to 300m, but placement is always key regardless of calibre

[Big Sky]

If only there was a mild recoiling 6.5 that someone could promote on here.

[DirtShooter]

6.5 Grendel!


OR

308Win. That was my first rifle after a 22lr and I never had issues with recoil.

[biggelaar22]

I would pick 308 all day.

Lots of bullet selection whether you reload or not. If you do reload, 125 grain class projectiles are a great starting point if you can make reduced loads. Then he can grow into different bullet weights such as 180 to 200 grain for game larger than deer.

Lots of rifle options. Lots of variety with some offering threaded muzzles, allowing muzzle brakes to be put on, which sounds like it may be the best option if you do reload or not to control recoil.

The 308 is a well respected target round, meaning lots of development has already been done and lots of manufactures offer great target ammunition, which also will help teach on the range; developing better shooting habits that will translate to the field. This is where most new hunters (or even experienced hunters) fall flat. They don't practice and it shows.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is another good option, but the biggest issue will be bullet selection options. I may be wrong but for hunting projects, the 6.5 caps at about 140 grains or about 150 grains, which can be limiting if he wants to go for bigger game.

There are lots of good options already mentioned, such as the 300 savage, But for a first rifle, something common, easy to shoot, affordable, and easy to find ammo for is always the best way to go. 308 hits all these categories.

Just my 2 cents.

[Smokinyotes]

IMO if the kid is only going to hunt deer a 243 is sufficient. Anything bigger than deer there are better choices. First would be a 6.5x55 second a 7/08.

[reddeerhunter]

.270


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[JD848]

You seem to like the 270 so why not get another so you both have the same ammo, no mistakes can be made with wrong cartridge ammo getting mixed up.


The 270 is a great cartridge for deer to moose ,black bear . You guys can compare bullets used on how well they work etc.

Don't look to fix something good you already have.

Fit is very important ,but buying in the spring by the time fall arrives that may change or it will ever other year.

I now hunt with my grandson ,he's takes a size 14 boot at 14 years of age 6foot 4 inchs and he's still growing .Hell I can't keep up with shopping for all the sports he enjoys. Yet it's the most satisfying thing I do now. . But we both shot matching cartridges . Both 270's.

My wife use to hunt moose and shot 3 bulls with a 6.5 x55 and a couple bulls with a 270 also, during those times we both had matching cartridges each time.

I would go with the 6.5 x55 way before the 243. He will grow into it and get use to it . Specially for elk and such the 6.5's or the 270. Plus if shooting 130 grn bullets or so the recoil is mild . Lotsa reloading stuff for both .

one thing I did when my GS started shooting I started very low on the powder loads like 2600 fps on the 270 and slowly raise the amount without telling him till around 2950 at hunting season . Just adjust a few clicks on the scope .This way he gradually adjust to the feel of the rifle without being afraid it.


Cheers
JD

[AltaBorn]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyJack

My son has just finished his hunters ed and that’s a great reason to get a new gun. I had bought him a 270 because that was my first gun but now I’m starting to think I might keep that one and buy him a brand new one.

What are peoples opinion on a caliber for a new young hunter for big game?

Take him out and let him shoot your 270. If he’s comfortable with it, then you don’t need to go down the rabbit hole of driving yourself crazy choosing the right caliber Lol. And you’ll benefit with the two of you shooting the same thing.

If you want to jump down the rabbit hole, I would skip the 243. Go up to a 6.5 Creed (yuck) or 6.5x55 (yum). If not, the 7mm08 or 308 win. I doubt he’d feel much difference between the 7mm08, 270, or 308.