re: Starter Deer Rifle????

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i just got my boys some of those Rossi combos with the .22/.410...thinking about purchasing the additional .243 so they can use them for deer...any thoughts on those from the OB?

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That's what my nephew has. It shoots 1.5" groups at 100 yards with the .243. He killed a doe @150yds with it last year.

WRS,

While there are lots of hunters who are fans of using 243s and 22 caliber center fires for youth hunters, I'm not one of them. I read a lot about extremely deadly shots made w/ smaller rounds, but every now and then there'll be an unexpected disappointing result. I think larger rounds are more consistent and a little more forgiving w/ shot placement (no one makes a good shot every time).

The 300 BlackOut, 300/221 or 300 Whisper would be a great youth gun. Originally I intended to buy my son a 300/221 in a Contender carbine when he started deer hunting, but that didn't work out. W/ the BO, you're basically getting 30-30 performance but w/ less recoil

If you don't get the 300 BO, my personal rec is to get a 260 Rem, 7-08 Rem or 308 Win and start your son(s) out on reduced recoil loads. A reduced recoil 308 Win actually recoils less than a full power 243 Win. When my son started hunting at 10 y/o I bought him a full size Savage bolt action (308 Win) package gun w/ regular stock. Started out w/ reduced recoil loads that I handloaded. He's done fine w/ this gun. Whatever you buy, use reduced recoil loads. At the bench, consider a sandbag between shoulder and butt of gun and use both plugs and muffs. Sure, he won't notice the recoil in the field, but if he develops bad habits in practice, it will carry over to the field and probably result in a flinch (no matter how big he may be).

No personal experience w/ the H&R or Rossi crack barrels. From reading on the 'net, quality control seem to be either hit or miss. One of my friends (who's an accomplished shooter and handloader) has one; he gave up on over getting it to shoot better than 2" groups at 100 yds. He'll prolly get more lifetime use w/ a bolt action than the Rossi.

My vote is 7mm-08. My son grew up with it and still shoots it as a young man. We have never lost a deer with it and farthest track was 50 yds about a week ago. Moving buck and he shot a little high but excellent blood trail. Lot of load options as well. Shot placement is key with anything so get them comfortable with it. Great caliber IMO. Search this topic - several recent threads. Start slow, focus on safety and make it fun for them. Good luck.

Save your money and skip the Rossi. For a starter rifle my 3 boys (5yrs, 3yrs and 6mo) will be using the Henry Big Boy .357 lever action. That is what i recommend for young'uns to start with.

They will learn to shoot iron sights and get bigger before they get a scoped rifle (each of the 3 has a rifle/scope combo already waiting for them in the gun safe)

My next rifle will be an AR-10. I've wanted a .308 forever. Something magical about a 168grain bullet coming out of a .308.

I've been saving for a long time so I can go full tard on the glass when I get the AR-10.

30-378 Weatherby magnum. Really shines on those close up shots.

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30-378 Weatherby magnum. Really shines on those close up shots.

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Need slo-mo please.

I have the Rossi combo and would not waste my money again. Highly un accurate is putting it mildly. I bought a Tikka 3 light in 7mm08 and love it, dead on accuracy. My son who is now 10 has taken 4 deer and one >200 lb hog starting at age 7 and he has zero issue with recoil and he is not a bruiser size kid. If you want to do it right get a Trjicon scope and your child will have a lifetime deer rifle. Another note the 7mm08 has same balistics out to 200 yds as 270.

Serious question. Why would you want a .300 blackout over let's say a 30-30 for regular deer hunting.

Good choice........

No thoyghts either way on the ammo other than to tell you to get as many different types as ammo as you can shot. Some bullets shoot better than others in certain guns.