6 year-old's first deer rifle...

[Guest Bronker]

OK dads (and moms), hoping for some great advice on the first deer rifle for my 6 year-old.

I'm pretty sure that we'll go with the .243 Win.

Single-shot, lever or bolt ---up for grabs.

Thanks... and, it's not too early to be thinking about football and deer!!!

[ShaunM]

I remember at that age I was shooting a 30-30

[Guest Bronker]

For real?

He has a Marlin 336 ready for his 10th birthday. I got it on mine from my dad, and so on. My son will be the 4th generation to have it. But I'm afraid it is too much for him right now. Heavy gun, big recoil.

A good thought tho', thanks.

[KahrMan]

OK dads (and moms), hoping for some great advice on the first deer rifle for my 6 year-old.

I'm pretty sure that we'll go with the .243 Win.

Single-shot, lever or bolt ---up for grabs.

Thanks... and, it's not too early to be thinking about football and deer!!!

.243 is a good starting round. It has plenty of power for the deer in TN. I started my son and daughter off on a TC Encore in .243. They are now 13 and 14 and still shoot with it.

[dcloudy777]

Rossi makes an excellent little 3-barrel package in a youth model... it comes with .22LR, 20ga., and .243 barrels. I sold quite a few of them around Christmas last year. The whole thing runs around $320 or so... really all the gun a kid would need until he's old enough to pick out his own (or her own).

DanO

[bushfox25]

I agree on the .243for a good starting round it could be used for years.

[nightrunner]

as for a lever gun only a .30-30.

i think either a single shot like a H&R handi rifle or a TC encore or a bolt action would be best. those single shots have interchangeable barrels so they can be swapped for larger calibers if needed.

.243 would be a good starter round

[mrming]

A friend just went through this too. ended up with a 243 for his 7 year old... think it was one of the Rossi.

Everyone seems happy so far, and his son does manage the recoil just fine. I don't think there is really much question to it..

[Guest grimel]

A 357mag single shot or trapper lever gun is good. If you get a Contender frame and reload, a 16" 223 and 60+gr TBBC will kill any deer in Tn.

[Guest Abominable_Hillbilly]

I agree with the guy above.

http://www.rossiusa.com/products/matchedsets.cfm

This is what I'm getting for my nephew. I handled one of these sets last fall, and, for the money, I was impressed. Won't have to worry about him beating them up, either.

[R1100R]

My son has a Rossi also. When they get older all you have to do is order an

adult stock.

[Guest Bronker]

The Rossi matched pair looks great. I'm leaning toward the .243/20G combo, as he already has a sweet Henry lever .22 we got from the Rabbi.

[Guest Brian@GunDepot]

as for a lever gun only a .30-30.

i think either a single shot like a H&R handi rifle or a TC encore or a bolt action would be best. those single shots have interchangeable barrels so they can be swapped for larger calibers if needed.

.243 would be a good starter round

Those T/C Encore/Pro Hunter rifles are super nice hunting weapons. The ability to change barrels is very handy. I agree with Nightrunner 100%.

I have a friend that has every caliber barrel made for his and enjoys it the throughout the entire hunting season.

[strob2000]

+1 for the NEF handi rifle, lots of versatility in a compact package, and they do make a "youth" model that is even smaller.

[Guest Smitty]

When I was 8 years old, my father started me off with a .357 magnum lever action rifle that I used for years and did the job well for deer hunting. When I got older he transferred me to the .308 which I currently use. Good luck deer hunting with your son this fall.