My boy's first centerfire caliber, .243 or 7mm-08??

[C.Noble]

Just like the title says, what would the ideal first centerfire caliber be for my soon to be 12 year old son? Options would be .243 and 7-08

[Diesel_wiesel]

7mm08
it will last him a lifetime and good to go for any and everything
especially if you reload

[Madman1]

I have one of each and like them both a bunch. Both light recoiling, and more than adequate for deer-sized game. I'd suggest getting him something that he wholeheartedly thinks is the bomb, something he'll shoot confidently. Tough to go wrong either way choosing between those two!

[3blade]

Depends on his size and recoil tolerance. Either way ensure the rifle fits him, this is no place for the "grow into it" mentality.

The 243 with modern (read: ttsx) bullets can cleanly kill every game animal in alberta with a minimum of recoil and meat damage. It's cheap(er) and fun to shoot, and therefore highly likely to result in more/better practice and results on game.

The 7-08 does provide some margin for error on moose or elk at longer ranges, and is a pretty good all around cartridge. The recoil is light in a normal 8-10 lb rifle, but might be at the upper end of what a 12 year old can tolerate in a lighter youth sized gun. Ymmv

my vote is 243 and lots of shooting.

[elkdump]

Originally Posted by Madman1

I have one of each and like them both a bunch. Both light recoiling, and more than adequate for deer-sized game. I'd suggest getting him something that he wholeheartedly thinks is the bomb, something he'll shoot confidently. Tough to go wrong either way choosing between those two!

100 gr .243 Soft point spitzer killed mature cow elk about 2 months ago, cow dropped on the spot, 1bullet, a bit over 100 meters, broke front shoulder, mushed vitals, stopped at the far side against skin, retained about 60 gr perfect mushroom
It works just as good on moose or bear with well placed shot

So will a 7mm08 with 130 140 gr bullets, just the .243 is flatter,

And you can get MULTIPLE choice.243 ammo at ANY store selling ammo,,

7mm08 is another story,

7mm08 vs.243 Win ammo price is almost double for the scarce found 7mm08 stuff, wether you are talking generic ammo or comparing premium ammo

Practice makes perfect for marksmanship, economical shooting is very important ,

[purgatory.sv]

Is he doing well in school and towing the line in life?

Both.

[Rio56]

go with the 243 and move on from there .... at 12 shooting technique and comfort is priority and I believe the 243 is the way to start ...JMT

[warriorboy10]

I picked up a 243 for my boys when they wanted to start shooting but if I was to do it again I think I would go with 7-08. They had shot lots with a 22 prior to the 243 so I felt they outgrew the 243 quicker than I expected. I was cautious as I didn't want to get them a calibre that they would be apprehensive to shoot outta the gate but tons of 22 shooting sure helped their confidence with a bigger rifle. 22 to 243 was an easy transition for them. Who knows if it would have worked out the same with a 7-08.

[overhere]

I would go with .243 great caliber and easy to reload can shoot anything in alberta just watch the range 300 yards with 80g ttsx on deer is my max

[3blade]

Originally Posted by warriorboy10

I picked up a 243 for my boys when they wanted to start shooting but if I was to do it again I think I would go with 7-08. They had shot lots with a 22 prior to the 243 so I felt they outgrew the 243 quicker than I expected. I was cautious as I didn't want to get them a calibre that they would be apprehensive to shoot outta the gate but tons of 22 shooting sure helped their confidence with a bigger rifle. 22 to 243 was an easy transition for them. Who knows if it would have worked out the same with a 7-08.

That's the problem. It only takes one bad experience for a kid (or anyone really) to develop a flinch. A 243 can be kept as a backup, used for plinking and coyotes, handed down to their kids etc.

I think you chose well.

[elkdump]

A long time acquaintance ( 20 yrs a CO in BC) has been dispatching problem bears ( some man eaters) in northern and coastal BC using a Rem bolt action .243 win with a short barrel,

Why do so many people think a 6mm 100 gr Nosler partition isn't good medicine for anything bigger than deer or yoties ?

Theory Must be Bigger bullets to make up for poor marksmanship, me thinks

[Lefty]

For deer hunting either will do fine. If you are hunting elk or moose then I would lean towards the 7-08. Other options would be the 308 as there is very little difference between the 7-08 and it and one can buy reduced loads for it, or split the difference with one of the 6.5's.

[rembo]

260

[sns2]

No wrong answer to your question, Dad. I went 7-08 for my son and daughter and loaded reduced recoil rounds. No problem at all. I would suggest you get one of the youth rifles, so you can adjust length of pull which may be the most important part of the equation. I made a mistake in getting a Marlin XS7, which was a super accurate rifle, but had a blind mag, which I later felt was sketchy for a young kid to unload safely. I sold it and bought him a Weatherby Vanguard last year in 308 instead.

If I had to do it over again, I would get this for a first rifle in a heartbeat...

http://store.prophetriver.com/weathe...n-bl-youth-20/

They also have 243 youth models in stock.

Even if you end up selling it in a few years, you won't lose much, as the youth models hold their value quite well.

Oh ya, I also should mention that it may end up being the most accurate gun in your safe. Vanguards always seem to shoot really well.

[dogslayer403]

Which ever one you can get the best deal on a rifle that fits him. Either cartridge will do fine focus more on the rifle

[double gun]

No wrong answer

[Slicktricker]

I met an elderly guy yesterday who in 40 years has 25 bull moose and over 30 elk all taken with a 243 win

[Scottmisfits]

I bought my son a 243. For him the recoil is not an issue. He shoot's my 308 (a little over 11lbs), my wife's 308 (a hair under 9lbs), and he has his own 12 gauge. Recoil won't be a huge factor if the rifle fits him right.

I also just recently made a trade for a Remington 700 ADL in 243. I'm not wild on the ADL as there is no floor plate and is top load only but that's really not a big deal. I do like the "youth" stock. It has spacers that you can add or remove to get the LOP right for almost any shooter.

[Boogerfart]

having been down this road already I strongly recommend the 243, I've owned both and the 243 is a great starting rifle, the last one I had ended up getting used by several young or small shooters, minimal recoil is key in getting people into the sport, if they don't enjoy it they won't be interested in staying with it. Make things fun and easy, life will be good.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by C.Noble

Just like the title says, what would the ideal first centerfire caliber be for my soon to be 12 year old son? Options would be .243 and 7-08

16!years ago was at the same question that a very wise man I know wanted to buy his grandson his first big game rifle...tikka 7-08 with a Burris 3-9x40 on it compkete with case and sling...he still carries it and I tell ya he has taken everything with it from yotes to moose.

He had no issues with recoil etc

[elkhunter11]

My preference would be a 7mm08, but the 260rem would be a great compromise.

[bubba 96]

Bought my 12 yr old son a tikka lite in 7-08, took him to buddys to practice he was hitting his 300 yrd gong within a box of shells, took his firs wt with it last yr..he's not a bulky kid but a tall and lanky kid, I told him he had the choice of 243 or 7-08 and he chose the 7-08..works well for him..


http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=270923

[SamSteele]

Bought an x-bolt in 7-08 for my 12 year old to use. He handled a bunch of different rifles and said that one felt right to him. His criteria was that it needed a wood stock. Mine was that it had a detachable mag for ease of loading and unloading. He took a coyote and a deer with it last year on the same day and the big grin on his face was priceless!

I have used the 7-08 to take coyotes, deer, elk and moose. My go to bullet was a 140 grain partition. Obviously, the 'yotes weren't for pelts...

SS

[Jeron Kahyar]

I will vote for the 7-08 never did like the 243 myself.

If you plan on hunting Deer sized game as well as Predator hunting the 243 bridges the two decently. May make it the smarter choice instead of two rifles.

[Xbolt7mm]

Originally Posted by elkdump

A long time acquaintance ( 20 yrs a CO in BC) has been dispatching problem bears ( some man eaters) in northern and coastal BC using a Rem bolt action .243 win with a short barrel,

Why do so many people think a 6mm 100 gr Nosler partition isn't good medicine for anything bigger than deer or yoties ?

Theory Must be Bigger bullets to make up for poor marksmanship, me thinks

[Xbolt7mm]

As much as I hate the 243, if he is not a real big boy thats where I would start him off. If he is a fair size then go straight to a 260 or a 25-06. Barring that then ya the 7mm-08. Some youth models seem to fit the little fellas better as well or even the BLR in one of those calibers is a short gun. Maybe look at the youth models and see what they offer in calibers/cartridges. Be kinda nostalgic to start out with a 30-30, lots better out there but nostalgic.

[Smokinyotes]

If your kid is only going to shoot coyotes or deer get him a 243. Anything bigger get a 7-08. I know many feel the 243 is sufficient for moose or Elk but there are a lot of better options for the larger animals.

When my son turned 12 i bought him a T3 243, he lung shot 3 deer with it and they did run 2-300 yards. When he turned 14 i bought him a T3 300wm. He only uses the 243 for coyotes now.

[super7mag]

I like the 243win & the 6mm Rem loaded with good bullets they work well , great on deer and have seen them used on bigger game on occasion.
Don't go out and buy an axis or some other low dollar throw away rifle, there are several rifles that I consider value for your dollar eons above some of the budget guns. Do your research buy him something he can pass down to his kids.

[bigbaddad]

The 7mm08 all the way. Punches way above its weight and is a dream to shoot. Started my boy with a Model 7 youth.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

[C.Noble]

Should probably specify, he is a lefty for starters. At 11 he's 5 foot 2 and a half, can palm an NBA basketball and wears a mens 9 shoe. All while weighing a whopping 95 pounds. I'd assume at that height he will need a youth sized stock, was thinking the axis because I can get a left handed youth easily enough.