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Caliber for a 13/14 y/o

Posted on 10/15/20 at 3:45 pm
Posted by Cash
Vail
Member since Feb 2005
37247 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 3:45 pm
I have 13 y/o in need of his first deer rifle. He's not huge but definitely above average size, so imo he's too big for a youth model. I'm looking to get him a full size riffle on the lighter kick side. I don't want something he will grow out of in 2-3 years. I was thinking 7mm-08 or 6.5 Creedmoor? possibly .270?

If it matters I'll probably get something on the budget side like a Savage or a Thompson.

Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
11335 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 3:48 pm to
quote:

7mm-08


Either this or a .308 with a brake on it. I'd go for the .308 with the brake if you want it to be a lifetime rifle. My dad did that for me when I was 13 and I still shoot that rifle 20 years later.
Posted by DeoreDX
Member since Oct 2010
4055 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 3:50 pm to
AR in 6.5 Grendel
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
20481 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 3:51 pm to
Has he shot a rifle much? If not a ton, I’d err on the side of caution with a smaller caliber even with the reduced recoil rounds. I may have just been a huge wimp when I was a kid but I was recoil shy and it would seriously effect my shooting.

There’s adults that use a .243 and 7mm-08 to hunt deer with. You have plenty of options, I just personally wouldn’t recommend trying to make the first rifle also the long term plan.
Posted by hophead
Member since Nov 2007
1971 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 3:54 pm to
308
Posted by REB BEER
Laffy Yet
Member since Dec 2010
16212 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 3:54 pm to
I bought my son a 308 when he was about the same age. I would go with something like that or a 270 like you mentioned.
Posted by Flats
Member since Jul 2019
21797 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 3:58 pm to
For southeastern white-tail I'd say .243 and he can use it his entire life, but if you're in Colorado that might have to be a transition caliber.
Posted by commode
North Shore
Member since Dec 2012
1145 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:00 pm to
What about a semi auto? That would eliminate the recoil, except for the last shot.
Posted by Cash
Vail
Member since Feb 2005
37247 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:00 pm to
quote:

Has he shot a rifle much?


Limited, we are going this weekend with a few different rifles to see what he is comfortable with.

quote:

I just personally wouldn’t recommend trying to make the first rifle also the long term plan.


I don't intend for him to still be shooting it in 10-15 years. If he can get 4-5 years out of it then hand off to his brother, I'm happy.
Posted by Ron Cheramie
The Cajun Hedgehog
Member since Aug 2016
5143 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:05 pm to
7mm-08 is a fine caliber. Have two of them for me, wife, and child. Child has a .308 his grandfather gave him last year

All great calibers. If you go .308, let him shoot some reduced recoil rounds to get used to it, then up the bullet grain

quote:

6.5 creedmore


Wish this fad would die
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
81654 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:05 pm to
quote:

For southeastern white-tail I'd say .243 and he can use it his entire life
Posted by Cash
Vail
Member since Feb 2005
37247 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:14 pm to
quote:

6.5 creedmore


Wish this fad would die


Full disclosure- I've never shoot one. I know this board hates it, but I know others that swear by it.
Posted by Rebnbama
East Alabama
Member since Jan 2014
121 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:15 pm to
I got my son a .308 when he was around 10. He was not really a big kid either. He never once complained about recoil. He was always too excited to feel it! He's grown now and still shoots that rifle.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:20 pm to
7mm-08 is the perfect kids caliber.

Don't get a .243 or 6.5 cripplemore
Posted by lv2bowhntAU
God's Country,a.k.a N. Alabama
Member since Jan 2011
3301 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:25 pm to
quote:

7mm-08 is the perfect deer caliber for any age hunter.

FIFY
Posted by DeoreDX
Member since Oct 2010
4055 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:26 pm to
quote:

AR in 6.5 Grendel


Curious on the downvotes because of the caliber or the AR platform? 6.5G lies somewhere between the 30-30 and 243. Plenty for southern white tail inside 250 yards. AR platform is cheap and highly customizable so you know the rifle will always fit. My son has been shooting his since he was 11 and can tear up the 6" steel plate at 100 yards with cheap Wolf ammo.
Posted by Mahootney
Lovin' My German Footprint
Member since Sep 2008
11875 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:29 pm to
7mm-08, 270, 308, 30-30 are all great options.
Nothing wrong with getting him a second gun later. That way he can pass it on to his son/daughter.

Of them all as a one size fits all, i'd lean towards 270 or 308.
But he could use any of them his whole life for deer.

If going for kid gun with intent to go bigger later, i'd go 7mm-08.
Posted by Sparty3131
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2019
647 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:33 pm to
30-30
Posted by Ol boy
Member since Oct 2018
2934 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:42 pm to
308 or 7mm08 in a savage axis is hard to beat for a starter budget gun that he can use forever.
Both my son and daughter were shooting a 308 and killing deer at 9-10yrs old.
Posted by Cash
Vail
Member since Feb 2005
37247 posts
Posted on 10/15/20 at 4:48 pm to
quote:

If going for kid gun with intent to go bigger later, i'd go 7mm-08.


I'm leaning this way.
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