Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Kids deer/antelope rifle

There are plenty of rifles to choose from these days. As stated read the regs where you're choosing to hunt and use what's legal. I live in Colorado so you need a 6mm minimum, that said the first deer my daughter took was in Oklahoma with a .223 Rem at 9 years old.

I let her use the .223 three years and then moved her to a .300 Savage at 12 years old so she could hunt elk. She now hunts almost exclusively with a Howa Alpine in .308 Win. We used 125 grain NBT in the Savage and .308 for her first Mule Deer and Pronghorn and a pretty big pile of whitetails down in Oklahoma. She's 21 now and about the only thing she doesn't shoot is 180 grain ammunition.

I'd look at 6 and 6.5mm rifles first, it's hard to go wrong with a Tikka. However, you might look at the 6 ARC and 6.5 Grendel options out there as well. There are a lot more factory options for smaller framed hunters these days.

Very nice!

243 boys. 243.
Sumbich flat ass eats!
My boy is 10 and I got him a 280 and he shoots it great. He killed 6 deer this year from 120 to 375 yards. Could have done it all with his 243. A 100 interlock or a 105 berger will kill any deer or goat. Lost count on the numbers with a 243 win/ack but it's over 200 deer. Tried a 25-06 for a while. Not a bad deal, but I honestly could tell a difference from a .243.

A 223 ack is stupid. Don't even consider that. If your gonna build one, a .22-243 is more like it. I ran a fast twist 22-250 for several years and it was a dog. 3000 and an 80 grain bullet is weak sauce. Run that 22-243 and an 80 and you'll see what a laser is.

Then again, a 243 win with an 80 stock, right out of the wrapper will get your rocks off too.

😎👍👍

First problem here is that the 243 was invented before 2002. So we all know you're lying that it killed game and these images are all AI generated. Second problem is that you just won't listen to Stick. HE IS TRYING TO TEACH YOU THAT RIFLES YOU *THINK* HAVE BEEN KILLING ANIMALS FOR DECADES OR EVEN CENTURIES ARE FAKE. Back in the 70s, I was running twin Yamaha 16000cc saws with 87 inch bars on the Klondike. One of the guys in camp tried to kill a bobcat with a .243 at 75 yards. The bullet was carrying -47 foot pounds of energy at 50 yards. Think about it. At 2000 yards, even if you have a village person mustache, a 30-06 drops 700 feet. Taping the scope might get you an extra 200fps but how could you possibly kill deer with it at 100 yards? THE ANSWER IS YOU CAN'T. AND STICK IS GOING TO KEEP THROWING RIFLES IN THE CREEK UNTIL YOU FINALLY LISTEN. NEVER STOP STICK. KEEP TEACHING. THEY WILL LISTEN EVENTUALLY.

Man, if they still had the 6mm creed barreled action Howa's at Brownell's I'd get one in a heartbeat and throw it in that B&C youth stock for the ultimate kids/loaner deer rifle.

Deer are not exactly hard to kill.

1-7" Mike Rock 223AI. Hint.



Fhuqking LAUGHING!..........

If you have the time, this is a fun read:

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/223-for-bear-deer-elk-and-moose.130488/


I’m in there somewhere, having used my T3 and 75 ELDM to fill my deer tag last year.

The .223 Rem is easy to shoot well and it’s fun. Two crucial components when you want to get kids involved.

And it’s lethal, too.





P

Lots of good options and suggestions. A 22lr 223 and then 243/6.5 creedmoor tikkas would be a great trio.

I think the 6 ARC Howa in a stocky stock timney trigger JO floor plate and nomad ti is just excellent too. I can’t say enough about it for adults or kids.

1-7" Mike Rock 223AI. Hint.



Fhuqking LAUGHING!..........

Don't forget the 7mm-08 worth looking at.

Pretty easy to start them on a PSA 22LR upper on a AR15 for learning, then 6mm ARC for deer.

Adjustable carbine stock = forever rifle.

Village people mustache? Ha ha ha.
I like a 223 rem with heavies. Everybody does. But it ain't a hunting cartridge. I quit calling at coyotes and whatnot with one due to the fact it just don't buck wind. A 20 mph wind is the norm. When your bullet is blowing a foot at 250, it's time for powder. Now that same 80 grain bullet in a 250 will work great, but step up to a 243 and you've hit the sweet spot. Plus, one year I was calling song dogs during a general rifle season and came across a good buck. Shot his azz at 375 with that 243 on a cold, windy morning. Buck was 24 inches wide and score up in the 160s. That 223 ain't getting that deal done cleanly 100 percent of the time. Behind the shoulder, lung, blah blah, whatever. It's like elk hunting with a 243. It can be done, but step up to the 06 or 280 ya know? I've been shooting coyotes and deer with a 243 win or ack for 30 years. Never wanted more. Great cartridge, and for prairie goats? All day, every day.

Funny thing, I have a howa mini in 7.62x39 in the safe with an 18” 6arc barrel on its way to swap over. I’m on waiting list for JO bottom metal. Have thought of that route too but dad needs some toys to him self

Do you enjoy being so frequently incorrect?

In order to have a 223 powered 80 grain eld drift a foot at 250 you’re looking at a 30 mph wind. Funny thing….an 80 grain Ballistic Tip or TTSX from a 243 drifts further in the same wind.

And don’t forget, Coyote, the OP is talking about kids, not experienced shooters. Too much wind is a pass for a newbie.

Not to mention, prairie goat is right.





P

Good point. In a 30 mph crosswind with a new hunter, the answer is not to get a bigger gun, the best remedy is to refrain from shooting. A 30 mph wind isn’t only affecting the bullet, it’s physically pushing around the rifle and shooter. Not great for any shooter, and especially problematic for a lightly built inexperienced kid.

105s in my 243s. Didn't get much wind drift on those. Also, a 223 rem in no way, shape or form, is a better hunting cartridge than a 243 winchester. Doesn't matter if it's an 8 year old or an 80 year old behind the gun. Also, if your gonna hunt antelope, and you think the wind ain't gonna blow then your mistaken. You'll have a couple decent days, but you don't want to limit junior with a 223 hunting antelope, when he could have a better cartridge in a .243. Also, that 223 at 2850 with 75s IS drifting a foot at 250 in 20 mph! Keep hunting with your 223s lmao!

And don't think I encourage a young hunter to take stupid shots. But, he's not gonna get too many shots broadside at 100 yards, there will be wind 9 times out of 10, and he may want dad to lay his rear end down with whatever rifle he gets and shoot that rifle out to 3 or 400 yards to get some practice in. Work with a 22 lr, then grab that 243 and make him get on targets quickly and practice making the shot. I like a 10 to 14 power scope with a reticle that has hash marks. Figure it out, them goats ain't easy to get close to, and you'll be way better off with a cartridge such as a 243 or I hate to say it, a dang creedmore.

Savage Storm. Stainless, and stock has removable spacers for length of pull adjustment and height of comb.