Returning Hunter Needs advice

[turner]

Try to keep in mind that such calibers as the .260 Rem, 7/08, .270 & .308 (plus more) also have reduced recoil ammo that still is very effective to 200 yards or more, but allows young shooters the low recoil they'd prefer. Later on, as they grow, full power loads are there with rifles more useful for big game.

[Okie]

Originally Posted by Karl.Luhr

I have no idea what your DNR requires but I would stay away from the .223 for Deer hunting. Many require a minimum of 6mm/.243 caliber for Deer hunting. I don't think that you would want to hunt with the .223 even if you could. Ask around if you don't have access to one so that you could let your son shoot a 22 rifle first. All of the lessons he would learn on the 22 rifle would transfer over to the Deer rifle. Spending a couple of dollars a box for 50 22s is alot better than 20.xx per box for 20 rounds of rifle ammo. Just my thoughts, go with your instincts....

Karl

Oklahoma Reg's says anything above 50gr. On a side note My first rifle at age 10 was a 410 single shot. Used that killing thousands of glass bottles and cans. About 6 months later around deer season time I graduated to a 223 that I used until I think age 14 where I went to 30-30. While hunting with the 223 I never had issues killing deer (all Doe's), with the 55gr rounds and definitely had no issues with the 30/30. Got my first Buck at age 15 with the 30/30.

5 years to kill a buck now seems like a long time but honestly at the time it's amazing I killed anything, as noisy and impatient as I was :)

[rdrader2002]

My oldest son's first buck was with a .30/30. It was an impressive (for Texas) 8-pt and we had the head mounted. My youngest son has a .270, but wants to go "back" to the .30/30 since he finds it more fun to shoot. (no idea why, but who knows with teenagers)

Personal recommendation is the youth model Marlin in .243. My youngest son's first deer was with a Savage Model 11 in .243. He wasn't much more than 10 at the time, either. If he has the reach for an "adult" size stock, then so much the better - get him the full sized (adult) one. If you're going to go with a Savage, get the Model 110 series (Long Action) or Model 11 series (Short Action). The quality of workmanship and the options of Accu-Trigger and Accu-Stock (that came out AFTER my wife bought my rifle) are well worth the extra $$ to invest. (again, personal recommendation)

Best thing of all of this is that you're getting your son into a family adventure, one that he will remember for a lifetime. I still cherish the memories of hunting with my dad and my grandfather. I can only hope that someday, my children will have those same memories of hunting with me.

Best of luck with your son and your dad. Good hunting!!

RR

[okfa]

I read the article of the upper post. I kinda know his hunting life in his early years. If I were him,not only would I choose a rifle scope of $500, but I would choose a pratical not-big-branded scope of $140.

check out on this link

ZOS Rifle Scopes and other scopes

[Hunting Man]

Just my 2 cents worth, a 223 is for everything smaller than a deer, not a round I would consider for deer hunting. Some may argue but we all get an opinion.

[3212]

I have been very happy with a .243 since 1991.Killed more than 40 deer between 20 and 270 yards with it.I can shoot 20 practice shots if need be and no sore shoulder.