Hunting rifle for my 12 year old....

[bobs94formula]

I am looking for something my son can use to go deer hunting with. I was thinking a single shot .243 or something similar. What brands would you recommend, which one's should I stay away from? I don't want to spend too much, because we'll upgrade to something bigger later on, which is why I was thinking about a single shot.

[CJ]

I am looking for something my son can use to go deer hunting with. I was thinking a single shot .243 or something similar. What brands would you recommend, which one's should I stay away from? I don't want to spend too much, because we'll upgrade to something bigger later on, which is why I was thinking about a single shot.

Yeah get him something cheap like a savage .243 or something.

[Chopped54]

Why not go with a 7-08 and not have to worry about getting anything bigger. Recoil is going to be similar, and for any hunting in Texas it is more than fine.
Single shot look at the Encores. It is what I hunt with and if you do decide you want another caliber it can be changed for a couple hundred bucks.

[dee]

Get a rifle that fits him. One thing to remember about the .243 (if you choose it) is to make sure and get a good solid base hunting style bullet not the varmint bullets since it's a dual purpose round.

[bobs94formula]

I never really thought about the 7-08, because I was looking into calibers I can run to walmart and get. Another reason for the single shot, he is left handed, and I want to make sure he is going to really enjoy it and stick with it before I spend more money for a lefty bolt action. He just went on his first dove hunt a few weeks back and had fun, even though he only saw one dove and his gun wasn't loaded at the time!

[BajaBob]

Are you loading him with hormones? If not, he's a boy. He'll like it no matter what. I shot competition lefty with a right handed for years. He'll get used to it.

[dee]

7mm-08 is a great round (just built a bench gun chambered in it) exspecially here in Texas loaded with 120gr bullets it'll minimal diffrence in felt recoil than a .243 with the heavier bullets.

On a side note be carefull with some of the single shots most I've seen are hit and miss in the accuracy deparment, besides the T/C's they are GTG.

[Chopped54]

I never really thought about the 7-08, because I was looking into calibers I can run to walmart and get. Another reason for the single shot, he is left handed, and I want to make sure he is going to really enjoy it and stick with it before I spend more money for a lefty bolt action. He just went on his first dove hunt a few weeks back and had fun, even though he only saw one dove and his gun wasn't loaded at the time!

You can get 7-08 at any Walmart I have been too, most have a few brands.

I love my Encore ProHunter and for a kid it can grow with him.

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/encore.php

[Marss]

I'd go with a .30-30 lever rifle. Levers work great for southpaws (coming from one), the .30-30 is relatively inexpensive very readily available round, and its a rifle he can use his whole life.

[IHaveAMustang]

AK-47, if you must kill it, kill it excessively.

[Chopped54]

AK-47, if you must kill it, kill it excessively.

AK-47, the very best there is. When you absolutely, positively, got to kill every motherfucker in the room; accept no substitutes

[68RR]

I'd go with a .30-30 lever rifle. Levers work great for southpaws (coming from one), the .30-30 is relatively inexpensive very readily available round, and its a rifle he can use his whole life.

X2 on the 30-30... good gun for a southpaw (I'm one too!) My dad bought me a Marlin when I was 12 and I still have it. Little 4X scope makes a great combo.

[2000 vert]

Rossi makes a .223 single shot. Got one for my 10 year old girl. Great gun to start with. And there not expensive.

[YALE]

I'll add my vote for 7mm-08. In point of fact, I'll sell you mine (I'm upgrading). PM sent.

[Pewter Y2K Z28]

There is some good advice here. Whatever you pick make sure to practice, practice and practice some more. Make sure your kid is comfortable behind the rifle and uses the proper techniques. I love to hear young kids wanting to get out in the field, happy hunting!