cgturner7

For my son I bought a H&R Ultra in .308. I like the single for the good hunting eithic it teaches- make one good shot instead of maybe relying on a second. I went with H&R/NEF because it gives me the option to move up or down in calibers. If, when he gets old enough to hunt, I feel the .308 is too much then I buy the .243 barrel and we are set. When he gets older and might want a larger caliber he's all set there, too. I also like the H&R because it has the feel of a smaller rifle while still holding its weight so recoil won't be bad for him. I think .308 might suit your son just fine. There are lots of rifle options out there to find one that fits your son. Good luck.

PaJack

Now that you picked the caliber,take a good look at the Remington Model Seven,you can't go wrong...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hunt Safe!

Jack

Pauly

I use a Ruger Mark II bolt action in 308 and have had great success with accuracy and qucik one shot kills on whitetails. My oldest son shot it when he was around 13 or 14 with no problems and my wife even tried a few shots without to much trouble, and she hadn't shot a gun in years.

Good Luck

Deleted User

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Booches

John G.:

Thanks for your input. I can see that I left the impression that I was expecting him to take 300 yd. shots right out of the box, but that's not the case. As you said, I'm thinking ahead. I just want something that he can when he is 13 or 14 for whitetail and elk that he will have confidence in the rest of his life. If he's still using the .308 when he's on his own, and thinks he can make a kill at 300 yds, and wants to hunt where that is a possibility, I don't want him to have buy a new rifle. This past year, I set him uo in spots where he wouldn' have a shot farther than 50 yds, and most would be within 30. Next year he might get a little more range, but I'll probably put him in the same place. I'm not going to set him up on a stand where he would be tempted to go beyond 100 yds for a couple of years. I agree with your kill, noy hurt philosophy. That's why I like the bigger calibers. My new rifle is a .300 WSM. Some people say that's too much gun for whitetail. I killed two this year with it - one dropeed in its tracks (shot it inthe neck, and it almost took its head clean off - really) and the other ran about 20 yds, dropped, and kicked the life out of itself. Didn't ruin any meat, and very quick kills from the newer caliber. I'd rather risk losing a little meat, and have a quicker kill. I know, placement is the most important thing. No argument. But the right placement with a bigger thump can mean qicker death, and less suffering for the animal. That old .35 Rem. has taken a lot of deer, but it has never made the shattering wounds the .300 WSM made on thosed two this year. Gettin off track, but I truly appreciate your comments John G., and everyone else who answered. I think we're going to start looking for a .308 for Little Booche's. Anybody got a good deal on one?

mike bell

I've been shooting a 308 for about fifteen years (I'm 30 now) started with a 30-30. We are pretty much a 308 family since my dad was in law enforcment. I think the 308 is about the only calibar a guy needs for the hunting in Eastern US. For deer I would say the 150gr. Soft point is about all you need. But for elk, I would move up to a good 180 gr. bullet.

I started my son out three years ago when he was 10, on a Marlin Lever action 44 mag. He shot a doe that first year, and missed one this year. He would get alot more chances if he would get up and go hunting. And then if he would stay in the stand long enough!
<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> He likes a warm bed.

Bud Light

The 308 is sweet, but you will scare him with that. Maybe start him on something lighter preferably in an auto. He's got a lot of years to work his way up. My boy can not stand the concusion but he really likes to watch the stuff that gets hit.

SnoBall57

I bought My son a Winchester Mod. 70 Jr. model when He was 11, and He killed His first buck with it. It was a dandy gun to start Him off with, but He was a big kid for His age. He had no problem handling the kick, even out of that lightweight rifle. I roll My own, and lightened up the powder in His shells. But I think most young'uns at 13 years of age can handle the kick of a .308.
I'm with PAJack on recommending the Rem. model 7. When My son outgrew the Model 70 Jr., I bought Him a model 7. He loves it. My next rifle is going to be a Model 7.