308 and it's popular derivatives.
.350 Legend is really intended for states that have a straight wall cartridge rule. It kind of falls off after about 100 yards, so if you possibly have to take a shot farther than that its not ideal. Leupold does make a scope that is matched for .350 Legend so you can quickly turn the turret at the top and it will automatically adjust for said distance. The recoil is definitely manageable for a kid, I know lots of guys who bought .350 Legends for their kids but I would agree with most a say 7mm-08 would be a good choice. You can pick up a 7mm-08 in a Ruger American for a good price.What do you think about a .350 Legend
I’ve been researching this same topic pretty extensively lately. I have 5 year old twin boys who are showing interest in hunting with me and some family members. I’m as green as it gets when it comes to deer hunting. I’ve only been hunting once just this year and have yet to have the chance to put some meet in the freezer. I’ve hunted small game my entire life mainly squirrels, doves, and rabbits. From what I’ve been able to gather 7mm-08 seems to be the most recommended followed by .243.
THIS!! Tikka T3 in the .243 win -- Add a nice Vortex scope and you have a meat slayer.IMO and experience with my three kids, it’s been hard to beat the ole Tikka T3 youth model .243. It’s a tack driver, the trigger and action are both butter and of all the deer taken with that rifle by my kids, only one has run close to 100 yards before dropping dead. The majority of them dropped where they stood when they were shot. Don’t let the “small” caliber moniker fool you, .243 is a deadly round for white tail deer. Side note, the longest kill they have with that little gun is about 200 yards, dropped dead in its tracks.
I got both of my kids .243 caliber rifles. The easy availability of the round in stores and the variety of bullet weights and configurations was a selling point for me. Son got the Savage 111 and daughter got the Weatherby Camila. Both have harvested several deer with the rifles and caliber. No regrets.I am looking for the best caliber and rifle to buy for my youth hunter. I am looking for caliber that will be fatal at 150 yards and a rifle that they can use as they grow older. Thanks for all opinions in this matter.
This is a factual statement about .243's. I've seen deer shot with it that didn't even bleed!I've never been a fan of the 243, but that's just me. The most challenging tracking jobs I've ever been involved with were deer shot with 243....and I've been asked to help track too many wounded deer to count. Small entry wound and no exit wound with less than perfect shot placements. With good shot placement and the right bullet it will do the job, but many younger folks (and some older folks) aren't capable of good shot placement in real life hunting conditions. I would suggest the 7-08 with reduced recoil loads as others have in this thread.
This is a factual statement about .243's. I've seen deer shot with it that didn't even bleed!
I know shooting can damage hearing but I have never seen a single hunter use ear plugs while shooting when hunting. I do not even know how it is possible. I have been hunting for almost 35 years and done way too many jump shots that I have no time to put in plugs. Tried muffs and walker game ears and they all get very uncomfortable after wearing for a couple of hours. Fortunately with hunting you don't shoot as much as you would at a range. Plugs are always used at the range for me and my boys.Long Rant..
"Not Very Loud"
When I read something like this , I cringe...
My hearing was fine for the majority of my life ,then about 15 years back I started having problems . Came on kinda suddenly. Wife started telling me to turn the TV down. Then really couldn't understand people unless they were talking directly at my face.
All you Dads.... you really need to educate yourself and your children on hearing loss from gunfire. How many times I've heard....I've been shooting since I was a kid and my hears are fine, and just shake my head. It's gonna roll up on you like it did me and others I know.
There are plenty of electronic muffs , over the ear and in the ear for sale. They actually enhance you ability to hear while hunting and protect your ears when firing. Do yourself and your children a favor and wear them. There's no logical excuse to justify not wearing hearing protection. This is 2024 not 1964 when I started to shoot a lot and people were ignorant of the dangers
It ain't no fun going deaf.
Even with some of the best hearing aids on the market, my social life has changed for the worse. Can't go out to eat, movies , anywhere groups of people are talking cause all you hear is.. everyone.. talking. No way to isolate the different voices. I can use certain cell phones , but landlines are useless. I have to wear a $300 set of headphones just to watch tv now. If my wife passes before me , I'll have to get a big guard dog to sleep at night to warn me of any noises,, cause now when there are unusual noises she alerts me to check. I can't hear sh&t at night after taking them out
The internet has dozens of websites to explain how gunfire is some of the most dangerous type of exposure out there.
You and anyone else out there can continue to ignore the danger, but that don't mean is ain't real.
You know why it's "Not Very Loud"
cause the damage has already started
Rant Off
BTW.... 30-30 Is an excellent 150 yd deer rifle