Deer rifle suggestions for a 13-year old grandson?

[Rick the Librarian]

I have a 13-year old grandson who wants to start deer hunting with his dad (I don't hunt) and we wanted some suggestions for a deer rifle. Something economical and something that would fit with his slender build.

Ideas? Thanks in advance!

RtL

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[Stevo]

A new Savage in .243 would be a good choice. You could get one in a wood stock and shorten the LOP if needed.

[jjroth]

What deer being hunted?

Something here on the Sound side or east?
And something try for Elk??

How big is the grand son?

Maybe a bolt action using a 7-08 or 270? get a youth stock then replace when he's finished growing.


Or what red-blooded Americn boy, wouldn't be appreciative of a 30/30 lever action???

[gunner]

I think a rifle, new or used, in the .264 caliber group isnt a bad choice. It belongs for the deers (normal sice) and its easy to handle also for a 13 year old boy. The ammo is cheap and you have a great choice like norma, lapua federal and so on.

Regards

Gunner

[jmoore]

I've had FANTASTIC success w/ .223 Rem on deer the past couple of years. Just have to ensure proper bullet construction. Winchester makes a good 62gr deer load if your sticking to factory ammo. Nosler 60gr Partitions are hard to beat, but I don't know of a factory load w/ this bullet. Either way, they work fine as long as shots are in the chest cavity SOMEWHERE. I actually prefer forward shoulder/ low neck shots as the deer have yet to take another step w/ shots in this area. I tried some farther back (high lung shot aft of shoulder but still fwd of the diaphragm) for experimental purposes and can't tell any difference from the 30 cals. Its quite amazing! (Actually DEVASTATING was my impression- 20" bbl rifles run the velocity up enough to liquify the lungs- they've all sloshed when moved!)

If your boy can shoot well under pressure I reckon most any caliber will work given proper bullet construction, but 223 and 243 have less recoil than most rounds so it may make him a better shot.

BTW I'm now using a well constructed 55gr bullet that stops 'em like nothing I've ever seen. Scary!

[Emri]

I have a 13-year old grandson who wants to start deer hunting with his dad (I don't hunt) and we wanted some suggestions for a deer rifle. Something economical and something that would fit with his slender build.

Ideas? Thanks in advance!

RtL

If you are looking at new merchandise look at H&R Handi Rifles. They aren't very expensive and shoot quite accurately.

Another rifle that represents excellent value for money spent is the Marlin XL7 bolt action rifle. They sell for $319 in our store. They have a good trigger similar to the Savage "accu-trigger". You can spend the savings on a good scope and have a very nice rig.

Like another poster stated, get a youth model (if necessary for his size) and they can be up-dated later.

If you are looking at previously owned, you will just have to see what is available.

HTH,

Emri

[Rick the Librarian]

Deer in Eastern Washington -no elk or anything big. The .243 might be interesting, if I could find one for less than an arm and a leg. The .223 is intriguing, as he has shot mine - I still wonder about the killing power, not that I'm an expert or anything.

Appreciate the suggestions and any more that people might have.

[BruceV]

I have hunted eastern whitetailed deer for over 30 years. I have killed them at any distance from hard off the muzzle to across a peanut patch. I have had to shoot a few more than once. With care a .223 will do fine on small and up to even medium sized deer. You do have to put the bullet into the right spot, but then that is true with any caliber. A .243 w/ good quality bullets will be very effective. If you anticipate a "raking" shot may be necessary, then use something a little heavier. A Swedish 6.5mm w/ 140 gr. bullets would be excellent. The same is true of the 7-08 w/ 140 gr. bullets. A .30-30 in either Marlin (my favorite) or Winchester would be very good. A .270 w/ 130 gr. bullets on up to a .308/.30-06 is right at the top end of what is needed to effectively kill deer.

Realistically any of the above calibers will be fine up to 100 yds. Beyond that distance, one might want to drop the .223 and look at the .30-30. Beyond 150 yds., a .243 is about the minimum.

Given my own experience with my daughters, I would suggest you select a rifle/caliber that your g.son will be able to physically handle w/o difficulty. Also try to see to it that they get to practice with it at some reasonable range so that they can build confidence in their own shooting skills. Shooting at game targets will help them learn proper bullet placement. JMVHO. Good luck and good hunting! Sincerely. BruceV.

[Amatikulu]

It's hard to answer your question without knowing a little more about your grandson and some of the earlier posters have commented on this. That's because not all rifles or calibers fit all people - you have to take several factors into consideration.

I started my sons out shooting .22 rifle at targets until they could consistently hit the target at 100yards. Then I moved them up to .243 which I consider as minimum for whitetail deer hunting (even though lesser calibers are quite capable). I let them shoot does with the .243 but always stressed the importance of shot placement with such a light bullet. The .243 has low recoil, and is a great starter hunter caliber for light game. Once my boys wanted to shoot bucks, knowing how pumped up they are in the rut, I consider .243 to be marginal and moved them up to shooting 6.5 X 55 Swedish rifles made by Ruger and using 140 grain bullets. This calibre is a very competent calibre when it comes to hunting in North America and my boys do all their hunting with these rifles now - they never found the need to move up to the 30 calibres and the increased recoil.

[Gibbs505]

Look for a sporterised swede in 6.5x55.