Considering a handi rifle for my 11 yr old son 1st deer gun. 308 win. comments

[MSP Ret]

I agree also, the 30-30 is by far the very BEST for what you want and for your son, and while your at it
think about why you could so easily and so quickly trade a 30-30 barrel to get a .308 or a 30-06 barrel. It's  because a 30-30 will shoot just as straight, and kill deer just as dead as a .308 or 30-06 with less recoil and less expensive ammo!!! A 30-30 barrel in a Handi is almost as much of a "must have" barrel as a 45-70 or a  .223, come to think of it, for a reloader, a 45-70, 30-30, .280, .223, 12 gauge barrel w/choke tubes, and a rimfire of choice you could cover any need you might ever have....<><.... 

[tuxdad]

I'd also have to go with the 243, but set it up with a scope with LOTS of eye relief to help get rid of the flinch.. Let's face it a good kiss by a scope on a high powered rifle will give you a flinch for a good while afterwards no matter what..  I'm speaking from experience on that..

Once you get the gun fitted and scoped with it get him out as much as possible shooting before switching up scopes on it so that he's used to the recoil of the gun.. That'd be one of the best ways IMO of getting rid of that flinch.. It worked for me as well as 3 of my cousins when being taught by my uncle to shoot...

Also you might wanna look into 20 gauge slug guns also... Either way he needs to get out and shoot as much as possible to get used to it, once it's fitted to him..

Best of luck to you and your son on his gun..

Tux

[joshco84]

I hate to be the one to break the bad news, but there are probably more deer taken around me with a 243 than any others.  I do also have to agree that with the wrong rifle a 243 has a very sharp crack in the recoil department (i have no idea why and i looked at quicks info also)  Even though it has that sharp little whip to it, i dont know why people think the 243 is inadequate for a youth rifle.  it has more potential for accuracy than any others if i am not mistaken is it not what the bench rest guys use?

josh

[Mac11700]

it has more potential for accuracy than any others if i am not mistaken is it not what the bench rest guys use?

Right caliber...wrong cartridge...Most of the BR guys are using a 6mm BR or derivative...some are using it in the improved version..and some are using it in the tactical version...but most don't use the standard version...

I like the 243...and would normally suggest it..but I prefer the 24" bull barrel in the Handi and it might be too heavy for a youngster to lug around...

Mac

[George K]

I want to thank you all again for your advise.  I have an opportunity to buy a used handi rifle with both a 30 30 and .243 barrel.  The 30 30 barrel has a Simmons 2.5X  scope on it.  I hope it ok for me to ask what is a fair price to pay for this gun with 2 barrels.  Any guidance on questions to ask would also be appriciated.  Does it really make a difference if it is ejectors verses extractor?
George K

[MSP Ret]

It might be easier if you told us how much was being asked for the gun w/2 barrels and we could comment on that. I would not spend much money on any barrel for hunting with an extractor. And again it would be easier if you told us if the barrels were ejector or extractor instead of having to guess and then comment, that's the extent of my comments for now, but good luck.....<><....

[saltydog]

IMO You have got to fix the flinch before he goes hunting - for both personal and ethical reasons. Your consideration of a 308 in a handi with the additional information honestly shocked me. A 243 would be a better way to go for hunting mid size game. First I recommend you buy a 22 Hornet or 204 Ruger ( both have low felt recoil in a handi but are loud) and put a Choate survival stock on it as it is adjustable for lop and has the handgrip for additional support.  Then you should run several sessions (at least 10) of ball and dummy practice for about 10 minutes (20 cycles) a session - no longer or it will be boring for him. Follow up the ball and dummy session with 20-50 rounds of 22 LR shooting to give him some fun time. New barrels are from H&R factory only and take about a month - they are inexpensive at $90 ish a bbl.