Youth - 243 or 7mm-08 (break & sub pressed)?

[PlumberED]

You can’t go wrong with any of the suggestions, 243, 7mm08 or 223 suppressed. The .223 is an ideal cartridge for training a young person to shoot, especially when suppressed. No recoil and no muzzle blast. Reduced loads in a .243 or 7mm08 will probably give similar effects.

 

[flyfisher117]

243. That's what my dad started me on. Still my favorite deer rifle. Even though the internet says it's a "women's" gun or it's too small. Thankfully it makes me fit right in on Rokslide. Lol

Go supressed.

 

[Ringbill27]

If they weren’t 7 I’d recommend either the 243 or the 7mm08. 7mm08 is what I’d choose and is what I consider a forever deer cartridge.

But they are 7 and probably can’t hold up the rifle so I guess I’d say the 223. If ranges are long what not a go 300blk, 350legend, 7.62x39. Then you could go with Ruger American gen2 and take the spacer out. I think the rifle comes in 6arc as well.
Ruger American Ranch gen1 in 7.62x39 w/ Hornady black with the 123gr SSTs is my go to deer rifle. It’s killed every deer I shoot at.

Id give them a couple more years to grow. But I grew up in the day when you needed a firearms training certificate to hunt deer. Sound Fuddy I know but it’s how I was raised and I wouldn’t trust my 7-10year old nephews and nieces to hold a rifle let alone point a loaded on at anything.

 

[chaser_2332]

another one to throw out there is a 6.5 Grendel surpassed is very pleasant.

 

[Toneloc]

.243, recoil is minimal, its effective, and I believe underrated today. Still use mine for deer, 80gr TTSX is good medicine for deer.

+1.....243 with 80gr TTSX is an awesome setup for deer. A few more options down the road for the .243 as well.

 

[Sooner]

I started my son with a compact Ruger American 243 when he was six. I wouldn't take anything for that gun. He's 14 now and it has killed more deer that I can count. I find myself taking it if he isn't home. I killed my biggest buck to date with that rifle.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

 

[CMF]

My kids(11,14,16) have a .243, .270 and I just got a 6.5cm for my 11yo. They also shoot .50 cal muzzies and 300wm.

I went with the 6.5cm because of the range of ammo and the ease of finding ammo.
It came with a break and I recently got a suppressor. I can put 95grain varmit rounds and it has zero kick with the suppressor. We're probably taking it Oryx hunting this weekend with 143eldx's, but I could put 125's in for deer or even the 95's would work and probably be similar to the biggest factory 243 ammo.
If you're stuck between those two only though, I would go 7mm-08 and start with the 120grn lite recoil

 

[TaperPin]

I like to have a progression of cartridges. If they shoot a 223 ok, try a 6mm, if they shoot that ok try a 6.5 or 7mm. Being that small a 223 would be a good starting point. If reloads are available any of them can be down loaded for similar recoil. Heck, a 22 creed can easily be loaded down to 223 velocities.

Our default rifle for new shooters has always been a 243 and it works well with any factory load, but I can see 22 creed being good if a person is careful about bullet choice. I picked up a 22 creed barrel for the newest grandson’s first rifle, but after sitting on it a while it will be changed out for a 243. When he’s a little older and hunting with teenage friends, they tend to shoot whatever is available, and off the shelf ammo will get used sometimes.