243 for deer

[ElkHornFlyman]

is a 243 agood deer gun for a child under 10? will it stop a deer without a perfect shot?

[CATCHEMALL]

Nothing wrong with a 243. I know some older people who hunt with one. Very capable of killing deer and very little recoil.

[DaveR]

lots of people kill deer every year with a far from perfect shot. Its not going to stop a deer dead in its tracks, neither will many larger calibers depending on where its been shot. You may have to track it for 50 yards or so and that is a good thing for a child to learn about from the start. can't comment on the recoil, but I think thats probably a good choice\ for you.

[DJD]

I can handle a .243 with no problem but I wouldn't say very little recoil.(JMO) A youngster will feel it for sure. What about a .223? Has a decent punch but they gotta start somewhere. It's a flat shooting fast bullet.

[CATCHEMALL]

I should also mention get a scope with a good eye relief. He can probably handle the recoil but we have all had scope eye and it hurts. And if this was to happen to a 10 year old he probably wont want to shoot it again.

[fishincreek]

My son took his 1st with a ,243 at age 10 or 11(and a skinny young lad to boot). He has taken several nore since. None went further than 30 yards. If you are in the market for buying a good long-term deer rifle for the lad- then look at the 7mm/.08, esp with the 120 grain cartridge. A friend of mine got one each for his boys and they are a reputed low-recoil rifle(Model 7- not youth). Will last him forever.

[Tim_T]

My son just turned 13 and he has taken 4 deer with his .243. It doesn't make a large hole but it does the job. The recoil is very manageable, there are only two loads produced for a .243, either 80 grain or 100 grain.