Deer rifle suggestions for a 13-year old grandson?

[limpetmine]

I think a lever action is the single worst choice for a kid. When unloading, they have to rack each round through the chamber, (and the hammer is back) and the finger is pretty doggon close to the trigger! I think a 788 in .243 or 7MM-08 would be a good choice. My .02 c.

[mike webb]

For a new hunter on the small side I don't think you can go far wrong with a sporter Swedish mauser 6.5x55. It's inexpensive and accurate and very deadly on deer.

[Jim in Salt Lake]

I really struggled to find something for my very recoil sensitive son when he was 13. I settled on a 7mm-08 as we go for antelope, deer, and elk here in Utah. When he first got the rifle, I loaded up light loads with 120gr bullets and he had no problem with them. Now that he's 17, I'm using 140gr bullets and what I'd consider normal loads.

I ran into the Vanguard Youth model (Vanguard® Youth/Compact | Rifles | Products | Weatherby.com) by accident in a gun store. It has a 17" barrel, I think, and came with TWO stocks, one youth sized and one adult sized. That took care of the "out grow" it issue and it's a really handy sized rifle, even now that he's using the adult stock. He already plans to use it for his kids (hopefully some time in the future!). Another advantage is that it has a short action that saves a little weight and overall length.

We just finished a range session to get ready for an antelope hunt and Evan was getting 2" groups (3 shot) at 300 yards no sweat. The rifle/cartridge is real accurate and with a 200 yard zero, he can hold hard at any range to 300 yards and take his animal.

[campperrykid]

Depending on the young man's size , recoil tolerance , and the animals/hunting conditions :
Either a a 7mm'08 , a .308 , or a 243. I stay away from anything but Nosler Partitions in the .243 for deer .
A .308 with the heavier military style cases , loaded with a medium/mild charge of 3031 and a 150 Nosler has done well on deer in the the hands of wives and kids. Another possibility is to replace the 172 BT FMJ bullets in LC 7.62 Match with 150 Partitions . The NP mushrooms well at somewhat slower than typical .308 velocity.
Something like a .260 Rem might be great ,too. But I have zero experience with that cartridge.
Hope this helps.

[m777]

A couple of years ago I loaned my niece, who is a light weight, my marlin lever in .357 mag ( they also come in 44) and she shot a nice sized doe with it. NO recoil, light and cheap ammo. She has since moved on to a BLR in 308.

Clint

[Harlan (Deceased)]

That would be a good choice Clint for someone who has a small frame.

My dad had a rifle just like your's and you are correct, there is very little recoil and they are light.

When my son was about 9 year old I bought him a Ruger semi-auto in .44 cal. and it had very little recoil at all.
Don't remember what Ruger called it and this is the only photo I have of it.
It looked like a Ruger 10/22 on steroids and was also a pretty good rifle for a small person.
He sold it to get money for his 1903 when he was 13 though and all he cares about are milsurps today. (Go figure)

[jmoore]

The stupid thing is that I have failed to plant deer as securely w/ a 44 mag than w/ .223 rem on multiple occasions. Shot placement was fine, just wasn't a DRT situation. I HATE tracking deer, partly because I usually sleep during the day and tracking EATS daylight. I also don't use ATV's so between dragging and processing, there's not a lot of extra time to get everything done in a 25(!) hour waking period.

ETA No deer today (Oct 17)! Will be using .223 until deer 1, then maybe my super secret load for my 25-35 Win '94, then who knows? 10 deer limit in Ga., plus there's Tennessee (near Oak Ridge) now until Jan 1. Keep enough meat then donate some to friends and Hunters for the Hungry. Dang things breed like rabbits down here, heck, I've seen way more deer than rabbits in these parts.

[jon_norstog]

Moore,

10 deer? I'll be right down, soon aS i CAN SELL MY HOUSE!

JN

[jmoore]

Oops! Sorry, not 10. ITS 12!!! Tasty, tasty! And low fat too...

BTW No one that I know has brought anything home yet. You get overrun w/ the critters until opening day and then, POOF! No deer. How do they know?

[Wullie]

I built a 6.55X55 sporter in 1968.

I worked at a gunshop after school and the smith guided me through the conversion.

I can't count the deer and antelope that have been bagged with that little darling. I sold it twice and bought it back twice. It's a man sized rifle with mild recoil and will reach out and touch things.

Mine is the carbine version and it is handy. The short barrel makes it a natural for tree stands.

Ammo price is the downside, but it likes re-loads.