Youth model rifles

[ducknbuck1]

Go with either a .223 or 243. With modern bullets they will be fine for any whitetail in the southern US...

I would agree with 243, but I dont agree with a 223 for a kid. You really have to be spot on with the 223 on a deer. They can shoot it all day long and hit where they want it on paper, but shooting at a deer is a whole other story. I started my daughter many years ago with 223 and after losing 2 I changed her to 7mm-08. That is what I started my 7 year old son off with is the 7mm-08

[kevinw]

The one miss was not his fault. I had sighted the gun in. After he missed I shot the gun and it was 6 inches low. Ranges were 102 yards (doe) and 98 yards (buck).


Pond

Why you sighting his gun in 6" low? Well come to think of it, I have seen you shoot and that is pretty good for you.

[Dutch Dog]

We had (and sold due to the kids not caring for the recoil) a Remington Youth model 7mm-08, I can tell you that it CERTAINLY recoils more than the .243. My youngest shoots the .243 like you wouldn't believe (3 for 3 on clay pigeons at 220 yards a couple weekends ago) as far as size goes, he only weighs about 50 lbs. He loves shooting it, and killed 2 deer with it this past year, my oldest daughter killed one, and I killed a nice 8 point with it as well. I've been hit or miss fan of the .243, but after handloading my own bullets this year we've found some keepers. IF you decide to get the 7mm-08, I would certainly start him out with the managed recoil loads. Of the 2 guns, the 7mm-08 will do far more damage than a .243, but with that, comes the price of added recoil. There has been a lot of good info shared with you thus far, pick and choose what you think will work best for you.