Which gun for a youth?

[phillyphan]

I'm going through this same dilemma. I thought I was settled on a 7mm-08 for my 10 year old, but the ammo isn't readily available like other calibers. Not trying to hijack this thread, but what do you all think about the .308. I'm not too educated on this stuff, but when trying to buy a youth model rifle the options are limited.

[AKretschmer]

+1 for the Savage Axis Youth. I have a savage Model 10 and it is a great shooting gun. You cant go wrong with a 243, that is what I shot my first deer with and many more after that. Also one to consider is a .257

[corkin it]

My son used a 7mm-08 savage. He killed javalina,deer, Oryx and elk with it. Great round and very little recoil. I would stay away from 30-06. Recoil will be a factor in IMHO. Have fun and good luck! He still uses the same rifle for deer every year.

[PRDATR]

I'm going through this same dilemma. I thought I was settled on a 7mm-08 for my 10 year old, but the ammo isn't readily available like other calibers. Not trying to hijack this thread, but what do you all think about the .308. I'm not too educated on this stuff, but when trying to buy a youth model rifle the options are limited.

Sent you a PM.

 

The 7-08 has factory loads available in 120gr and 140gr but Double Tap offers a 160. I handloaded for it and used everything from 100gr up to 168gr. If you handload it is a fairly straight forward caliber to load for and I've used IMR4064, W748 and W760.

[phillyphan]

What do you all think about the Savage Model 11 7mm-08? Sportsmans has it for $499 with the Nikon 3-9x40 scope and accutrigger.

[PRDATR]

Savage is highly regarded as one of the most accurate rifles you can get right out of the box. I had a 110 in 7mm Mag and was very consistent. The only reason I sold it was to buy a stainless one a couple of years later when Remington debuted the model 700.

Last year I put together a Model 110 for a relative in 30.06 and it was also very accurate. That 111 sounds like a good deal to me and Nikon is a good scope. The BDC feature makes it all the better.

[phillyphan]

Savage is highly regarded as one of the most accurate rifles you can get right out of the box. I had a 110 in 7mm Mag and was very consistent. The only reason I sold it was to buy a stainless one a couple of years later when Remington debuted the model 700.

Last year I put together a Model 110 for a relative in 30.06 and it was also very accurate. That 111 sounds like a good deal to me and Nikon is a good scope. The BDC feature makes it all the better.

Thanks for the input and other help. Going today with my son to check it out. It's the last one they have so I gotta get there soon.

[DNS]

My kids both use the 7mm-08 and have both killed deer and elk with it using 140gr bullets. It has very light recoil and enough knock down power to get the job done.

[sjvcon]

My boys started with a 7-08 at 10. It is a great caliber that can be loaded for deer or elk. I have one if you are interested in letting him squeeze off some rounds. I think I have a couple of boxes of 120 grain (though they may be 140.....my memory isn't what it used to be).

 

.243 is good for deer ... but I think it is light for elk (similar to a .223 for deer ... it'll do the job with the right shot, but will the shot be right???).

 

Good on you for stepping up. Hope the old man gets a bleeding ulcer and has a rotten year. What a D _ CK.

[Guest akaspecials]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

PM sent Prdatr.