Suggestion wanted

[wigmaster0]

My son just turned 12 and is growing interested in hunting deer. My 1st rifle was a Remington 6mm. My concern is my son has a tendency to start something then become disinterested. I am looking for a good beginner rifle much like the 6mm but with ammo that isn't quite as pricey. I was thinking along the lines of a 243 but I am unsure as to which model I should get. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Triggerjerk]

Get him a single shot .410 gauge shotgun. The older H&R, now New England Firearms, can be had for less than $100 used. There is one at a local dealer right now for $85. Recoil is not near as much as the 12 gauge. Also, he can use it for rabbit or bird. Should deliver a slug out to 50 yards okay. Trying to find something that is not too long or heavy for a 12 year old is tricky. That's what .410's are for.

[gunney_m]

I agree, the 410 is a good caliber for a beginer, and New England Firearms are inexpensive.

[Triggerjerk]

And wigmaster0, we saved up for our single shots with money from paper routes. It may be too late for this season, but if he wants a nicer gun in the future...

[samuel]

A .410 is not a good firearm for a beginner.Due to the greatly reduced power in a .410 slug and the small# of shot in a shell it takes an exelent shot to be proficient with a .410 and most kids started with one get discouraged and either upgrade or quit hunting.I believe that .243 for deer is an exelent idea. sam.

[ArkansasHunter]

I would definitly check out the H&R firearm line, I would check out all the H&R single shot rifles that are available.
They even have youth models and maybe consider bumping the caliber up a notch to a 308 caliber.
Marlin firearms now owns H&R and NEF which are the same guns so you really can't go wrong with one of these fine guns if you want a singleshot...A.H
P.S. I'm maybe fiddin to buy there Sidekick muzzleloader.

[killer]

Looks like .223 is a legal caliber in Oregon for deer?
Hunting Big Game: Weapons Restrictions - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Based on your question a .223 cal would be a good caliber to learn the basics and the ammo is not as pricey as 6mm. And although I have shot deer in States that allowed .223 as the minimal caliber it is a debate that this forum probably has 500 posts on.
Some would recommend he practice with the .223 but hunt with the .243

If you got duplicate rifles, triggers, etcetera it might be better. But if he simply shot both rifles enough at the range and field it would work too.

Since the NEF single shot was mentioned and I own one in 30-06 and 12 gauge I would second the vote for a NEF in .223 cal and get the second barrel (.243) for under $90.00 and you have killed two birds with one stone. The barrels change out in seconds. I carry my NEFs on my motorcycle all the time broken down. Not as obvious plus broken down less likely to snag a tree branch negotiating a trail.

The NEF rifle comes in a "youth line." Such smart people to hook us young and guarantee a buyer for years to come.
H & R Firearms: Firearms: Rifles

[jerry]

I won't give advice on bringing up a kid for anything, didn't do so good a job on mine.

[JBS]

Me too, Jerry.

[Triggerjerk]

Well, fellows, he's looking for firearms advice, not parenting advice. I don't have any kids and I can still recommend a gun. Jump in with your firearms opinions.

[Longshot]

My first was a Marlin bolt action .22. Usta shoot jack rabbits with it all the time! They are fairly inexpensive and they are easy to maintain.

[Triggerjerk]

Originally Posted by Longshot

My first was a Marlin bolt action .22. Usta shoot jack rabbits with it all the time! They are fairly inexpensive and they are easy to maintain.

I agree with that, but he's looking for a deer rifle.

[Longshot]

Whoa, got off subject a little. The .243 is a good choice. Got one for my wife's first hunting rifle.

[Triggerjerk]

Well, as price seems to be a consideration, here, and some have disagreed with my .410 opinion, I'll say go with a 20 gauge. If the youngster does not stay interested...you're out a hundred bucks. No biggie.

[trapfreek]

When my daughter wanted to go deer huntingI bought her a 20 ga Mossberg combo with the slug barrel. She could handle the recoil of that gun just fine.

[genwinters]

I had to earn my first rifle a Rossi .22/.410. Like 160 bucks or something. Good way to learn.

[wigmaster0]

Thanks for all the great recommendations! I never thought about a 20ga Shotgun. That may be a good idea!!! Heck if he doesn't like it at least I'll have a 2nd shotgun!!! Either way it's a bonus. I really appreciate all your feedback!!!!

[Cyrille]

When I was comming up the thuty-thuty was a very popular deer rifle. I bought a Marlin 30-30 lever action back in the 70s for well under $100.00. Still use it or at least I did the last time I rifle hunted.
I don't know what they're going for today. But the 30-30 is a good starter deer gun IMO.

[Triggerjerk]

Cyrille, nice Marlin and Winchesters are selling in NH for $300 used right now. 10 years ago they were like $180...

Besides being a good deer rifle, the late Jeff Cooper endorsed them as one of the original "scout rifle" types of rifle. Light, handy, and a decent .30 caliber cartridge, proven in the woods and saddle scabbards.

[Bravo]

My first gun was a single shot .410. My grandfather bought it for me when I mentioned interest in hunting. I never got a deer with that gun, but loved everything about so much that I bought a few (15) more guns since then.

The .410 is great, because chances are the first time they take a shot at a deer with it, they will miss. The gun itself is difficult to shoot, even for an experienced hunter, and with beginners nerves (the nerves that I sometimes even get to this day), they are more likely to do something wrong.

The simpleness of the gun (bead sight, smooth bore), accents all flaws in the shooter.

Like sam said, if and when they miss with the .410, they will either say one of two things:

Hunting is hard, I don't want to do it anymore.
Or
I almost had him, I can't wait to try again tomorrow.

Also, the .410 is great for a multipurpose hunting gun. I've taken lots of squirrel and partridge with mine.

Originally Posted by Cyrille

When I was comming up the thuty-thuty was a very popular deer rifle. I bought a Marlin 30-30 lever action back in the 70s for well under $100.00. Still use it or at least I did the last time I rifle hunted.
I don't know what they're going for today. But the 30-30 is a good starter deer gun IMO.

Like Trigger said, they're going for well over $300 now. I paid $350 for my Marlin 30/30 a couple of years ago.

A Marlin .410 Single shot, NEF .410, or H&R .410 is still pretty cheap. A used one can be found for under $100, and a new one can be found for under $150.