Good Hunting Rifle for 13 year old

[doggunit]

I was just wondering what a good first hunting rifle and scope for 13 year old would be. My son is interested in going hunting for white tail deer this year and I am not sure what would be a good starter for him. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[Twisted Canuck]

7mm08 is just the ticket. Low recoil, and hard hitting enough for anything you want to hunt. Also readily available in a youth model with a shorter length of pull, you want something that fits him, IMO that is more important than the cartridge you chose. I believe Remington packages a 700 SPS with scope in a youth rifle.

Edit: Yup, here you go:

http://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?page...=1952&ID=36188

If you don't like the scope that comes with it look at the Vortex Diamondback, a great scope for around $250. Also nice that this rifle has a detachable mag, easy and safe to unload.

[harv3589]

.243 gets my vote. What I started on when I was 14yrs old. Shot my first deer and many more with it.

[gear04ipod]

.270win thats what i used starting out good all around rifle..still use it and nearly 16

[Faststeel]

dog

What caliber rifles has your son been shooting. A bud of mine just went out and bought his boy a 270 with factory 150gr bullets and never gave any thought to his son's previous shooting experience. Sure a 7mm-08 is a lighter recoiling rifle round, but some fellas make it sound like its hardly much of a step up from 223. A hard rifle to locate perhaps but a 257 Roberts or a 250 Savage are much easier for a beginner to shoot. IMHO. FS

I agree that his level of shooting experience will dicate but if he is experienced with centrefire rifles then I think I'd throw a nod to the 7mm08. If not, or even if he has, perhaps a 260. I'd worry way more about getting a rifle that fits than how much recoil the cartridge has. If he is of smaller staure, there are a few youth model options out there.

[honda450]

708 gets my vote. A rifle for a lifetime. Not only for deer. Great cartridge.

My Ruger 2506 sits now, dang heavy. Great shooter though. Its mad since the new kid on the block showed up. hehehe

I would not go with the youth model as my son outgrew his in 2 years. Now he is taller than me. I learned on an old Model 1917 Remington. Still got it too. Grandpas then my Dads now mine. That old rifle has not seen duty for a while.

[Cal]

7-08 is probably a good choice if he can handle the recoil. If not I'd go with a 30-30.

[dogslayer403]

Originally Posted by honda450

I would not go with the youth model as my son outgrew his in 2 years. Now he is taller than me. I learned on an old Model 1917 Remington. Still got it too. Grandpas then my Dads now mine. That old rifle has not seen duty for a while.

I understand your theory but Id say go with the youth and have a rifle that properly fits him at the time when he outgrows it just sell the youth rifle and buy a different one as he may be ready for a more powerful round by then, not that the 7-08 is not enough I love mine but peoples tastes change. JMO

[Heavyhunter]

Take your boy shopping.. let him handle the guns, see what he likes, see what fits him..
as for a caliber, a 7mm08 is a great all around gun. I have a savage axis stainless synthetic, bought an aftermarket adjustable trigger, and upgraded the scope..
It's very light recoil, will knock down anything in North America, and available in a youth size.
I highly recommend a high quality of shell though.. It is a very fast round, last year I shot my 3 white tails with it, all lung shots. and all of them ran for 80+yards..this year I switched to the Berger HSM gold trophy shells, $40 a box,
Filled both my supplementary white tail tags and got a bull moose..both deer dropped on the spot. The moose took about 10 steps and dropped.. Just something to think about, great all around gun, highly recommend it!!

[Kale_M]

.243, 25-06, 7-08

[solocam3]

30-06 with reduced loads that you can buy. You dont even have to reload them. That is what a young lady (14 at the time) started with.