Youth Deer Rifle

TomAnsley · 02-01-2008, 06:35 PM

This is complicated for me and may be simple to others.My son is going to be 9 years old this coming season and want him to sit with me when I hunt-occasionally.The options at hand-He loves shooting my AR-15-so an option is get an upper in a 6.8 spc,Probably $600.00 and expensive ammo.Already bought him a Rossi triple threat which is .22,.243, and a 20 gauge.The 243 is useless after 35 yards-Accuracy is not there-even tried different scopes-10 inches at 100 yds.Other options-chop down an SKS stock to fit-I have 2-Then there is the scope mounting issue as the saddle types move.Probably best option-Weatherby youth combo-$510.00.Comes with youth and adult stocks,Recoil a big issue at his age-what caliber-would like 7mm-08-I think I may be able to get a muzzle break for extra cost.Any advice would be appreciated,Thanks

samuel · 02-01-2008, 06:51 PM

Too bad you didnt get the .243 to work.A .243win. is an excelent beginner cartridge.It,s a good experienced hunters cartridge.I would go for a Rem.orStevens/Savage in .243.

two-70 · 02-01-2008, 06:51 PM

the 7mm-08 is an awesome whitetail cartridge, and the weatherby guns are awesome as well

rasterman77 · 02-01-2008, 07:02 PM

Here is a good look at recoil of different calibers
Rifle Recoil Table
There is a fairly decent difference in recoil from .243 to 7mm-08 but the 7-08 would do till he's 90.. I use mine for all big game.
You will want it to be lighter, smaller for his stature and this means recoil is going to magnified.. .243 would be my suggestion.
Check out this link, it's the one I would buy for my offspring
Remington.com -- Products

TomAnsley · 02-01-2008, 07:07 PM

The reasoning for the weatherby is 1)Resale value-even though I rarely sell any of my guns.2)comes with youth and adult stocks.3)weight 4)accuracy. I really need for my son to shoot the SKS to see if it is a viable option.It would be really nice to have him set up for several years with this purchase.Hunting in North Florida and South Georgia a .243 would probably be fine,My nephew started with a 7mm-08 as the recoil-to me -is similar to my .270 the ballistics-energy look good.If I can get a factory muzzle break-thats the way I am leaning.As much as i would like to modify the AR-15 I dont think it will be cost effective.

ClayMan · 02-01-2008, 07:37 PM

Why not try 64 grain Winchester Super-X PowerPoints in .223 in the AR?

You already have the AR, your son likes to shoot it, and the .223 most definitely kills deer. I use my AR with the Winchester 64 grainers with perfect success on deer.

ClayMan

TomAnsley · 02-01-2008, 07:56 PM

Probably would be the most logical solution,He will be with me in the stand for at least 2 more years,I think I will try to find a good deal on the Weatherby-Which I think is made by Howa -In a Larger caliber than .243.I have been looking at the recoil chart for several days and there are considerable differences.Even a .410 is too much recoil for him at this stage.His Favorite gun to shoot is a .17m2 I built from a 10/22-This one is teaching him accuracy at 100 yds without side effects.They grow so fast and I really would like to see him enjoy these outdoor sports.Thanks Guys

samuel · 02-01-2008, 08:29 PM

Always proud to hear about a father having trouble deciding on equipment to get their child started right in the hunting/shooting field.We wouldnt have so many youths in trouble if we had more fathers like you.Besides,those kids are worth it.Those Japanese Weatherby,s are pretty nice. sam.

Houston · 02-01-2008, 09:54 PM

New England Firearms make youth rifles. I have a regular size in 270 and i love it. You could get him a 243 or 25-06 or 7mm-08. They come in alot of different calibers too.

SwedeSteve · 02-02-2008, 05:36 AM

If he likes the AR and can shoot it well, let him. If you're set on getting him a different rifle, a .243 is my choice. Enjoy your days afield, they'll last you both a lifetime!

nathangdad · 02-02-2008, 05:40 AM

You should return under warranty as this is not my experience with Rossi products. At least have a gunsmith look at it. The combo you mention is Rossi's largest seller therefore it is illogical they would put a sub-standard rifle on the market. I am well pleased with my Rossi.

Also, you mention various scoping attempts but not various bullet weight attemps yet a number of weights are available in commercial loadings. If you reload the options to match various bullets to powders and/or various powder charges are vast. This may just be a case of a gun not shooting well with a particluar bullet weight which does sometimes happen with any manufacturer's rifled barrel.

win39 · 02-02-2008, 07:04 AM

I would have to agree on a 243 Win. maybe in the Remington youth model. You can usually find them used in real good shape. When my son first started hunting He wanted an AR-15. I ended up getting him a Remington 700 stainless 243win. and buying a cheep synthetic stock and having it cut down. As he grew I put he original stock back on. Now he still has his first rifle.

ArkansasHunter · 02-02-2008, 07:49 AM

Have you tried other brands of ammo in the Rossi 243 rifle ? To see if accurancy will improve ?

I would go ahead and buy him a rifle that will last him for years. Though I know little about the 7mm08 this may be the right choice.
The 308 and 7mm08 are similar BUT the 7mm being a smaller bullet than 30 caliber would give a little less kick.

There are some Hi-tech recoil pads today such as Limb Savers and Tru-Glow or HI Viz I don't remember which has a Hi-tech recoil pad.

At 9 years old I was blasting away with a Marlin 30-30 but I was to Dumb to notice recoil.
LOL...A.H

turkn8r1 · 02-02-2008, 08:28 AM

I would first scrub the barrel on the Rossi with some CR-10 and make sure it doesn't have some fouling. Then double check my optics or open sights to make sure that the rings are true and have good contact and everything is tight. If that doesn't fix it I would contact Rossi and possibly send it to them as that should be unacceptable to them also and I would hope they would want to fix it as well. If that doen't work why not get a 243 flat top upper for your AR?

TomAnsley · 02-02-2008, 08:59 AM

I have tried all of the above on the rossi,Plan on sending it back.It does shoot great with the .22 barrel.There is a gun show this weekend and I will be looking for options there.I do have time on my side.Well for now-off to the woods,Got to pull stands and feeders.Will have the son try some target practice as well.Thanks

02-01-2008, 06:35 PM	#1
TomAnsley Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 47	Youth Deer Rifle This is complicated for me and may be simple to others.My son is going to be 9 years old this coming season and want him to sit with me when I hunt-occasionally.The options at hand-He loves shooting my AR-15-so an option is get an upper in a 6.8 spc,Probably $600.00 and expensive ammo.Already bought him a Rossi triple threat which is .22,.243, and a 20 gauge.The 243 is useless after 35 yards-Accuracy is not there-even tried different scopes-10 inches at 100 yds.Other options-chop down an SKS stock to fit-I have 2-Then there is the scope mounting issue as the saddle types move.Probably best option-Weatherby youth combo-$510.00.Comes with youth and adult stocks,Recoil a big issue at his age-what caliber-would like 7mm-08-I think I may be able to get a muzzle break for extra cost.Any advice would be appreciated,Thanks

02-01-2008, 06:51 PM	#3
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,778	the 7mm-08 is an awesome whitetail cartridge, and the weatherby guns are awesome as well __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

02-01-2008, 07:02 PM	#4
rasterman77 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 298	Here is a good look at recoil of different calibers Rifle Recoil Table There is a fairly decent difference in recoil from .243 to 7mm-08 but the 7-08 would do till he's 90.. I use mine for all big game. You will want it to be lighter, smaller for his stature and this means recoil is going to magnified.. .243 would be my suggestion. Check out this link, it's the one I would buy for my offspring Remington.com -- Products __________________ 2 things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, I'm not sure about the former. Einstein

02-01-2008, 08:29 PM	#8
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	Always proud to hear about a father having trouble deciding on equipment to get their child started right in the hunting/shooting field.We wouldnt have so many youths in trouble if we had more fathers like you.Besides,those kids are worth it.Those Japanese Weatherby,s are pretty nice. sam. Last edited by samuel; 02-01-2008 at 08:31 PM.

02-02-2008, 05:36 AM	#10
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,257 Images: 1	If he likes the AR and can shoot it well, let him. If you're set on getting him a different rifle, a .243 is my choice. Enjoy your days afield, they'll last you both a lifetime! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

02-01-2008, 07:07 PM	#5
TomAnsley Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 47	The reasoning for the weatherby is 1)Resale value-even though I rarely sell any of my guns.2)comes with youth and adult stocks.3)weight 4)accuracy. I really need for my son to shoot the SKS to see if it is a viable option.It would be really nice to have him set up for several years with this purchase.Hunting in North Florida and South Georgia a .243 would probably be fine,My nephew started with a 7mm-08 as the recoil-to me -is similar to my .270 the ballistics-energy look good.If I can get a factory muzzle break-thats the way I am leaning.As much as i would like to modify the AR-15 I dont think it will be cost effective.

02-01-2008, 07:37 PM	#6
ClayMan Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 86	Why not try 64 grain Winchester Super-X PowerPoints in .223 in the AR? You already have the AR, your son likes to shoot it, and the .223 most definitely kills deer. I use my AR with the Winchester 64 grainers with perfect success on deer. ClayMan

02-01-2008, 07:56 PM	#7
TomAnsley Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 47	Probably would be the most logical solution,He will be with me in the stand for at least 2 more years,I think I will try to find a good deal on the Weatherby-Which I think is made by Howa -In a Larger caliber than .243.I have been looking at the recoil chart for several days and there are considerable differences.Even a .410 is too much recoil for him at this stage.His Favorite gun to shoot is a .17m2 I built from a 10/22-This one is teaching him accuracy at 100 yds without side effects.They grow so fast and I really would like to see him enjoy these outdoor sports.Thanks Guys

02-01-2008, 09:54 PM	#9
Houston Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 60	New England Firearms make youth rifles. I have a regular size in 270 and i love it. You could get him a 243 or 25-06 or 7mm-08. They come in alot of different calibers too.

02-02-2008, 05:40 AM	#11
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,434	Rossi You should return under warranty as this is not my experience with Rossi products. At least have a gunsmith look at it. The combo you mention is Rossi's largest seller therefore it is illogical they would put a sub-standard rifle on the market. I am well pleased with my Rossi. Also, you mention various scoping attempts but not various bullet weight attemps yet a number of weights are available in commercial loadings. If you reload the options to match various bullets to powders and/or various powder charges are vast. This may just be a case of a gun not shooting well with a particluar bullet weight which does sometimes happen with any manufacturer's rifled barrel. Last edited by nathangdad; 02-02-2008 at 06:48 AM. Reason: addition

02-02-2008, 07:04 AM	#12
win39 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 201	I would have to agree on a 243 Win. maybe in the Remington youth model. You can usually find them used in real good shape. When my son first started hunting He wanted an AR-15. I ended up getting him a Remington 700 stainless 243win. and buying a cheep synthetic stock and having it cut down. As he grew I put he original stock back on. Now he still has his first rifle. __________________ Benny

02-02-2008, 07:49 AM	#13
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,675	Have you tried other brands of ammo in the Rossi 243 rifle ? To see if accurancy will improve ? I would go ahead and buy him a rifle that will last him for years. Though I know little about the 7mm08 this may be the right choice. The 308 and 7mm08 are similar BUT the 7mm being a smaller bullet than 30 caliber would give a little less kick. There are some Hi-tech recoil pads today such as Limb Savers and Tru-Glow or HI Viz I don't remember which has a Hi-tech recoil pad. At 9 years old I was blasting away with a Marlin 30-30 but I was to Dumb to notice recoil. LOL...A.H

02-02-2008, 08:28 AM	#14
turkn8r1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Mississippi Posts: 144	I would first scrub the barrel on the Rossi with some CR-10 and make sure it doesn't have some fouling. Then double check my optics or open sights to make sure that the rings are true and have good contact and everything is tight. If that doesn't fix it I would contact Rossi and possibly send it to them as that should be unacceptable to them also and I would hope they would want to fix it as well. If that doen't work why not get a 243 flat top upper for your AR?

02-02-2008, 08:59 AM	#15
TomAnsley Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 47	I have tried all of the above on the rossi,Plan on sending it back.It does shoot great with the .22 barrel.There is a gun show this weekend and I will be looking for options there.I do have time on my side.Well for now-off to the woods,Got to pull stands and feeders.Will have the son try some target practice as well.Thanks