What is a good youth caliber for big game hunting?

[papabearxx]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to decide on a caliber for my 13 year old son. Mainly for mule deer and antelope. Over the last couple of years he has been shooting a Savage Model 11 predator hunter in .243. This rifle is OK but it definitely likes the lower grain bullets. I have loaded several different bullets in the 90-100 grain range without much luck in accuracy. Plus the rifle is very heavy for him. He is a small kid for his age. So I have decided to have a rifle built for him. I have a Rem 700 short action that I picked up a while back. It has a standard 308 bolt face. I want to build him something that he can use for the rest of his life. I am just torn on what caliber to build. Initially I though another .243, but then I though about the fact that he could draw a cow elk tag soon and .243, in my opinion, is not a good fit for that. What are your kids using? Any help with this decision would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Musket Man]

260 Rem or 6.5 Creedmooe would be good options along with the 7mm08.

 

[go_deep]

Shared Elk camp with a group this year, and there was a 77 year old in camp that has used the same rifle his whole life. He had killed over 50 elk he figured, some cows, some rag horns, some big bulls, everyone was killed with his .243. Shot placement is key. A .270 would also be a very good option.

Good luck on your decision!

 

[hoshour]

There is low recoil ammo now for the 7mm-08 and the .308. Those are both good cartridges.

Make sure the rifle has a really good recoil pad. That can make a big difference.

Remember that if you go lighter in rifle weight, it increases the felt recoil.

You can also reduce recoil with a muzzle brake, but it makes it a lot louder.

 

[HuskyMusky]

a .243 with a 85gr TSX is capable of quite a bit, but probably not on my elk loads list.

possibly a .270win w/ 130gr TSX for elk,

but 260rem, 7mm-08 and .308 also sound nice.

 

[papabearxx]

Thanks guys! I did not think about the 6.5's. That may be a good way to go. The 7mm-08 has been my front runner recently. I am trying to be careful about a lot of extra recoil. He is a little recoil sensitive at this time. He is getting better and building some tolerance. This is part of the problem that I am having. I want a lighter rifle that he can handle a little better. But I am concerned about the extra recoil factor. I really don't want to go with a muzzle brake, but in order to get what I am looking for I may have to. I have had braked rifles in the past, and I hated hunting with them. Mainly because I am not a fan of wearing hearing protection while hunting.

 

[CoHiCntry]

My daughter grew up with a 7mm 08. Killed elk with it. I've been mentoring a friends boy & he also uses this caliber. Has taken elk and mule deer now. Big fan of 7mm 08 for youth.

 

[HuskyMusky]

Lighter bullets do kick a little less, ie a .270 130gr should kick a bit les than 150gr, I think sometimes this can be noticeable, and for a youngster every bit might help.

With that in mind a 6.5 might be perfect, higher sectional densities, lighter bullets.

as for muzzle brakes/ear protection, I always have ear plugs with me, though they don't always make it in my ears, but I do try to use them. either way I'd try to have them/use them. Hearing loss is accumulative.

btw my goto antelope rig is a .243 w/ 85gr TSX, and I'd be very confident with that load on antelope to 400yds and think it could do the job on a deer at 300-400yds probably.

 

[Calbuck]

I vote 7mm-08. Looking at one for my 13 y/o at this time.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

7mm-08 we just got it done this morning on my daughters first buck.

Savage youth 7mm-08 250 yard shot.

 

[AKaviator]

What a great first buck!! Congrats! Sure can't argue against the merits of a well placed 7mm-08!

 

[papabearxx]

Ikeepitcold,

Great buck! Congrats to your daughter! I live in Reno as well. If you don't mind me asking, what area is that in?

 

[Musket Man]

Ikeepitcold,

Great buck! Congrats to your daughter! I live in Reno as well. If you don't mind me asking, what area is that in?

Its by the little tree by the big rock where all deer are killed in Nevada

 

[papabearxx]

Its by the little tree by the big rock where all deer are killed in Nevada

haha. Thanks! The only reason I asked is because from the picture it looks very close to where I live.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Ikeepitcold,

Great buck! Congrats to your daughter! I live in Reno as well. If you don't mind me asking, what area is that in?

202 South of Yerington

Never again. Deer numbers are horrible unless you can hunt private land your in for a lot of nothing. It's supposedly a migration area but nothing is moving.

 

[papabearxx]

202 South of Yerington

Never again. Deer numbers are horrible unless you can hunt private land your in for a lot of nothing. It's supposedly a migration area but nothing is moving.

OK not the area that I thought. The picture looked like Peavine in the background. I have seen a lot of deer in 202 in years past. But you are right, there is a lot of private property. I haven't scouted that area in several years. Still a great first buck!

 

[Musket Man]

202 South of Yerington

Never again. Deer numbers are horrible unless you can hunt private land your in for a lot of nothing. It's supposedly a migration area but nothing is moving.

It doesnt look like that bad of a hunt. The deer dont score all that well but the smile is atleast 247 2/8 B&C

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I really don't want to go with a muzzle brake, but in order to get what I am looking for I may have to. I have had braked rifles in the past, and I hated hunting with them. Mainly because I am not a fan of wearing hearing protection while hunting.

I have a MB on my .300 Wby. It is a screw on that I use at the range bench shooting and working on loads. When I am hunting I unscrew it and leave it at home. No change in point of impact or ballistics. Works for me................

 

[papabearxx]

I have seen some point of impact changes with the MB's that I have used in the past. They are great at reducing recoil but terrible on the hearing. When my son shoots and hunts he does use hearing protection so that part does not bother me. Maybe its time for me to start doing the same.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

haha. Thanks! The only reason I asked is because from the picture it looks very close to where I live.

Sorry. Didn't mean to Hihjack your thread with the pic but I thought it would be appropriate and show it's a great caliber for the youth.