Hi folks, longtime lurker of this forum, finally getting back into deer hunting. I hunted one season back in the late 90s and killed a huge doe. Life happened and I never continued in the sport for whatever reason. I now have a 10 year old son who is getting into deer hunting. It's also rekindling my deer hunting desires. I need to buy him a rifle, actually maybe a rifle we can both use. Someone today told me to get a 6.5 creedmore?? I was going to buy a 30 30 Marlin? When I hunted up in Indiana, we could just use shotguns, that's why I don't have a rifle. Thoughts and opinions appreciated!!!
All of these are good choices. I would also add .270 to the list of excellent choices. It would be best if you had a buddy or two that had some different caliber rifles you and your son could shoot to see what you guys like the best.
I have killed a ton of deer over the years with a .243. All my boys started out with that rifle. It’s very easy to shoot accurately due to the low recoil and is very effective in producing clean humane kills.
270 and 30 06 pretty good recoil for a kid to shoot. Might make a ringed eye and not want to shoot it again.
That’s what my 7 yr old hunts with. Killed with it last year at 6 also. We load it with 120 grain hornady custom lite and it’s not much different than his .223 he started off with recoil wise.
I bought my son a 7mm-08 Youth Rem 700 a few years ago. Recoil is less than that of his 870 20ga, and ballistics are great. Gun was hard to find, and a bit pricey, but worth it.
The .30-30 will get the job done. I’d just buy a used 336 if it were me. If I didn’t want the old .30-30. I’d go with the .243 or .7mm-08 with the nod towards the 08. The only reason I’d say .7mm-08 over the .243 is because the deer that I’ve shot with the .243 bullet died but didn’t have much of a blood trail.
Good news is that there are many calibers now that can be purchased with a scope already attached for around $300. You are not getting top of the line but if you start with something and don’t like it, you can trade and not be out to much. I just bought a Savage 110 6.5 Creedmoor with the accufit yesterday. It seems great and it can be easily adjusted for different sizes if you are both wanting to use it. You can find the gun here for a good price. https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsupers...lt-action-rifle-with-realtree-max-1-accustock
Big fan of 6.5 creedmore, when my son was 8 got him a 270 Win, used Federal reduced recoil ammo, very effective for deer and recoil is about what a 243 is and you have the advantage of using hotter loads as he ages if you think you need them. Lot of good choices and advice posted.
I shoot a 300 wsm just because I prefer major knockdown power. With that said I purchased my son a remington 308 for 249.99 with a scope. It was extremely affordable and I dont have to worry about him scratching it up dropping it etc as he learns the ropes we secured the scope and sighted it in the day we bought it, and it was highly accurate 1"groupings @100yds with my 11yr old shooting it. The action is a little tough but other than that I have no complaints at all, not to mention 308cal is very inexpensive to shoot 14.99 a box . Hope this gives insight
I see that you’re from Western KY. Check the VCI classifieds for used guns. 30-30 Marlins in great shape usually sell for $250-300 on there. I’d start looking now because folks will start offloading deer rifles after season. There’s a bunch of deer rifles on there now. https://www.vci-classifieds.com/
Thank you!! All great responses!! I'm not sure what to do! I was leaning toward a 30 30 for selfish reasons, haha. I've just always wanted a John Wayne gun.
Nothing wrong with 30 30 and nothing wrong with John Wayne either. LOL Just glad you are willing to give it a try again and get son involved.
