ElkDeer Report post Posted November 15, 2016 Ok guys! My son turns 10 in April so I'm planning on getting him a coues rifle for his birthday. I would like to get him a .243. Any suggestions on brand, model? I'm looking at the Remington 700 SPS Youth .243 but don't like that it's synthetic. Thanks for any information you may have! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted November 15, 2016 Synthetic is the way to go. Don't have to worry about weather, or scratching it up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
metau Report post Posted November 15, 2016 Great caliber. Just match the twist rate for the bullets you want to use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZ RANGER Report post Posted November 15, 2016 Check out the Ruger American in .243. My 10-year-old son who is pretty small framed and somewhat recoil sensitive handles it just fine. In fact he loves shooting it. I load the 95 grain Berger classics and it shoots Sub moa all day. He just shot his first buck with it on the early November hunt. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted November 15, 2016 get him a full size so he can shoot it forever. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Basser15 Report post Posted November 15, 2016 My buddy got his kids the Howa .243 several years ago and it's been a great gun for him. It came with 2 stocks and is easily interchangeable so he is able to use it himself and the kids can keep using it as they grow. As for synthetic, I love the look of a wood grain rifle but prefer the synthetic for my main hunting rifle. Especially for kids. I will be setting up a 7mm-08 for my girls next year with a synthetic stock. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SunDevil Report post Posted November 15, 2016 +1 for the Ruger American Compact. Got that for my daughter and am very pleased. .75 inch groups at 100 yards out of the box with factory ammo. Trigger is a little stiff but I think that is okay for a kid. Very light. My only surprise was it has a plastic magazine. Thought it would have been metal. I went with the 7mm-08 so she can use it on elk in a couple of years. 120 grain reduced recoil rounds for now for deer and javelina. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 15, 2016 Don't overlook the 6.5 Creedmoor or .260 Rem. It will be enough for the elk hunts he will grow into, and any of the AZ deer will easily fall to a 130-140 bullet if put in the right spot. Recoil won't be much more, but bullet weight is a big plus when you jump to .264 vs. .243. A .257 of some sort might fit the bill well also. I had a .250 Ackley for years for my girls. It took a few deer, javelina, and a cow elk with authority. I used the 100-115gr. bullets with great results. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NMBPMAN Report post Posted November 15, 2016 Don't overlook the 6.5 Creedmoor or .260 Rem. It will be enough for the elk hunts he will grow into, and any of the AZ deer will easily fall to a 130-140 bullet if put in the right spot. Recoil won't be much more, but bullet weight is a big plus when you jump to .264 vs. .243. A .257 of some sort might fit the bill well also. I had a .250 Ackley for years for my girls. It took a few deer, javelina, and a cow elk with authority. I used the 100-115gr. bullets with great results. +1 on the 6.5 calibers. This is the very reason I went that route. I figure it will be a great rifle for my kids up until they are old enough to buy they're own rifle of their choice. My 10 year old daughter just shot a buck with a 260 rem. I put a muzzle break on it so there is no recoil whatsoever. I favor the 260 over the 243 because of the bullet options and I wouldn't be worried about the kids shooting elk with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted November 15, 2016 My son won a RMEF 700 Youth in 243 a long time ago and it has been a great rifle, in fact I have used it a couple of times on Javelina hunts because it is so handy and light. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
10Turkeys Report post Posted November 15, 2016 +2 On some sort of a 6.5. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted November 15, 2016 Can't go wrong with Savage either. Trophy Hunter XP youth is a great first rifle. Have a couple buddies that bought these for their kids and very pleased with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
208muley Report post Posted November 15, 2016 +1 on the 6.5. My small framed 10 yr old shoots a savage model 11 6.5 CM and shoots it well. He doesn't get jumpy after 20 rounds at the range either. Just food for thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allforelk Report post Posted November 15, 2016 +1 for The Creedmoor. Can't go wrong with an inherently accurate round that is readily available in factory ammo. I love my Sako .243, but I would absolutely pick the Creedmoor if I had to pick just one (thankfully I dont). 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PowellSixO Report post Posted November 15, 2016 Can't beet this right here. http://www.legacysports.com/catalog/howa/howa-hogue-youth-scope-package/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
