Author Topic: What to get my son? (Read 2111 times)

Leatherstocking · « **on:** December 20, 2009, 05:12:24 PM »

Been thinking of getting my son (14 yrs old) an H&R Handi rifle in .243 for deer hunting next year and for an antelope hunt we are planning for next fall. Other than a single shot H&R, what other models are worth looking at? I should mention that he is a lefty, one reason I was thinking about the H&R Handi. Thanks.

mrbigtexan · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2009, 02:44:40 PM »

i bought my daughter a rossi and she loves it. it is in 7.62x39. she has harvested 2 mule deer with it.

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2009, 02:48:45 PM »

I swore off Rossi a couple of years ago after I had problems with a muzzleloader. Maybe I had a lemon and will check them out again.

tigercat · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2009, 03:21:14 PM »

just bought my 12 year old daughter one of the new marlin xs7c bolt action rifle in 243 nice gun comes in a youth model or a full size one both are nice

lostintexas · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2009, 11:41:58 AM »

Remington model 7 (have a left handed model now)
TC encore with bantam stock set

Are both ones I would check into.

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2009, 04:15:10 PM »

I like the Encore, but a bit pricey. Can't go wrong with a Marlin or Remington. What do those models go for?

okieshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2009, 03:19:40 AM »

My son is a lefty and shoots an encore in 25-06. I love the caliber. May want to check into the 25-06, light recoil and smoking performance on deer sized game. I figure it has some distance on the 243 for antelope too. My son is 13 and weighs pretty close to 100 lbs.

steve708 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2009, 02:30:47 PM »

I bought my 9 year old son a Superlight compact Handi in 243 for Christmas last year. Really accurate. He killed a doe with it this year at a little over 200 yds, according to my range finder. Bang - Flop!! I put a 2-7 Nikon on it, fits that little rifle perfect.

I bought my 12 year old an encore rifle in 243, I would be a little big, but it sure is a shooter too!!

Good luck!!

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #8 on:** December 25, 2009, 05:57:11 AM »

Hmmm. That's why I love this website. I was mindlocked onto a .243, but I will check out the 25-06. Thanks.

kodiakemt · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2009, 10:32:15 AM »

Savage has a nice selection of lefties in youth size.

varmitbob · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2009, 03:43:31 PM »

It's hard to beat the trusty old .308. I have two teen age daughters, and they do great with them. NEF .308 HB Survivor is a real tack driver. The great thing about the .308 is that you can go with a managed recoil load and work your way up to full loads as they get older. The only thing I did was to get a Simms vibration slip on recoil pad. You can get bullets or loads from coyote to moose.
These are the ultimate rifle for a youth or a woman. They are short, and easy to balance with the limited upper body strength they have. Even after they develop the strength, they are really quick to manuver due to their length.
Right Rifle, Caliber, and Price!

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2010, 07:31:56 AM »

;)While I am not looking at a Handi rifle, I have decided to barrel up a 7mm-08 on a 700 action...My girlfriends grandson is very interested in hunting...this fall he carried a 110 '06. But I figure I can have this made up, and load some 100 grain Serria HP's for the summers shooting, come fall load a heavier bullet and he will be set...It has more bullet weight than a .243 and less recoil than a .308...

varmitbob · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2010, 07:24:55 AM »

That sounds like a good plan. I am not sure about the recoil though. I download a 130 gr SP to what is called a managed recoil round. It has significantly less recoil, yet the point of impact at 100 yards is only 1" below the full loads. Girls do not have as much meat on their bones in the shoulder area, so they can definately feel the recoil. This round is mild on recoil and it works quite well on whitetail. You may want to see if there are some managed recoil loads for your choice.

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2010, 03:26:49 PM »

ive been taking a nephew of mine deer hunting he is 9 so i loaded some 110 grain bullets for him in my .308
but he somehow got to try my 150 grain factory federal and loves it

Cheesehead · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2010, 03:46:04 PM »

How well does the 110 grain bullets work in the 308?

Cheese

Bigeasy · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2010, 03:46:10 PM »

The Handi in 243 is a fine choice for a new hunter. A trigger job is about the only change that may be needed. Use a premium bonded bullet and it will kill any deer walking.

Larry

lil_hunter12 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2010, 08:53:49 AM »

they shoot great but he tried the 150 grain federals so we never tried them on game to see how they done. he was able to handle the 150 grain loads without flinching and produce some great accuracy for a 9 year old shooting open sights

lostintexas · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2010, 06:55:56 PM »

Another thing is the reduced recoil loads . This would give them growing room. My son used an encore in .270 when he was 13 and used the reduced recoil loads. We hunt in East Texas so most of our shots are 75 yards are less so distance wasn't a concern with the reduced loads. This year he moved to the regular loads (his choice not mine) and he did fine. You could also get whatever you decide on ported which will reduce the recoil even more making it more enjoyable for a small framed shooter.

I don't have prices on the Marlin or Remingtons but a quick search over on one of the auction sites should give you a good ballpark.

Good luck and post pics once they get it!

Old Fart · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2010, 03:09:08 AM »

If you are set up to reload you might do a little research on available bullets for several calibers.
Try and find one with multiple weight bullets that can be loaded at different velocities.
Small bullets small game, larger bullets large game.
Go about it with this in mind you can pretty well look at all caliblers within reason.

If you are not set up for reloading then you might want to consider that also.
First my son and I enjoyed additional time bonding at the reloading bench.
Now my grandson and I enjoy this time.

Just something to think about.

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2010, 04:46:21 PM »

Hey Old Fart - I like your advice about getting into reloading. I have been thinking about it lately. I am leaning toward the .308 for him for greater versatility.

We stopped by a local shop this afternoon and my son handled numerous guns. I wanted him to get a feel for several. A surprising revelation came when he said he likes a bolt action wood stock gun. Now I am kind of a traditionalist and that is what I typically like, but I was surprised that he didn't want a new fangled synthetic thing. He did not like the Handi he handled, and I must admit, I was not crazy about it either. He definitely does not like the single shots, and would prefer a bolt action (even thought he is a lefty). He shoots my 30-06 now with no trouble (a Ruger M77), my only concern is whether he can carry that gun all day comfortably.

Bottom line might just be that I should give him my 30-06 (has the versatility and is the style gun he wants) and get myself a single shot Encore in .308?

Old Fart · « **Reply #20 on:** January 18, 2010, 02:42:58 AM »

You know most of my left handed buddies have just adjusted to the right handed word.
Fair? No, but very practical. Let's face it just about anytime you buy left handed you pay a premium.

Glad to hear he appreciates a good bolt gun. You might remind him that in times of war those guys usually get to set back and pick off the bad guys.

I realize the firearms industry is changing and more and more of the rifles are going syn/ss. But you got to love an old bolt on timber. One reason I never traded off my old Sako.

On a side note, my oldest grandson called last night and wanted to come over today (MLK day). So we're gonna spend some time out in the reloading shack and probably do some plinking. His mom said this was his first choice of things to do.

Yup we'll have a little fun today.

Jon in TN · « **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2010, 05:49:51 AM »

My son took his first deer Sunday with a 223 Handi....

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,196319.0.html

I was worried about it being too small, but it dropped right there in his tracks. I wanted a 243 for him as well, but I found a deal on it and it's a real shooter so we used it. Another great thing about it. The ammo is cheap and you can really let them practice allot without getting beat up and breaking the bank for ammo. Because of this, he's very comfortable with the gun and shoots it well. I bought a 7mm-08 barrel for it and if you look at the recoil data in the FAQ's, they're great for a small framed kid. If he grows a little, I'll have him using it next season with reduced recoil ammo. I also bought a 44 mag barrel for hunting some thick stuff next year. I love how versital these things are......

I have a 25-06 handi as well, but they have a 26" barrel and that's to much front end weight for him to deal with. Great caliber though...

varmitbob · « **Reply #22 on:** February 04, 2010, 02:37:51 PM »

If you like the singles, you may want to try the Handi .308 Heavy Barrel. The ones my daughters have are extremely accurate. I am not sure how much more a encore is, but I do not think it could be much more accurate. To each their own, encore makes a beautiful weapon.

mbopp · « **Reply #23 on:** February 05, 2010, 11:59:58 PM »

Another vote for a .308. I use 110gr Carbine bullets over Harris's "The Load" of Red Dot for plinking. You can reduce extruded powder loads 30-40% for practice or 30-30 velocities or load all-up 308 loads when he grows into it. Somebody (Hodgdon?) has "youth loads" posted also.

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #24 on:** February 15, 2010, 02:32:49 PM »

Well, the decision was............. Encore in 243. My friend at work is a gun dealer and specializes in T/C so I spoke with him and looked at what he had today. Finally decided on an Encore with Walnut stock and since he had no 308 barrels I convinced myself I should go with the 243. heck I could always get a 308 later anyway. He put the gun together and off we went. Stopped by Gander Mtn to pick up some 243 ammo, but fortunately (I'll explain in a minute why that was fortunate!) they had limited supply of only some real expensive stuff so I passed. Then on to the gun club to do some shooting with the old Ruger 30-06. My son shoots that great. Not driving tacks, but pretty good. When we get home we take out the new baby and look at it more closely. On the barrel where it should have said 2-4-3 it says 3-0-8!!!! Holy smokes, fate is an amazing thing - we end up with the 308 afterall! (Or should I return it to get the 243?? $:-\$ ). Probably will keep the 308.

Now the only question will be whether that gun will by mine and he sticks with the 06 or if my son will fall in love with the Encore and I get the 06 back. Either way I think it will work out OK

Swampman · « **Reply #25 on:** February 15, 2010, 02:38:23 PM »

Quote from: Leatherstocking on December 20, 2009, 05:12:24 PM

Been thinking of getting my son (14 yrs old) an H&R Handi rifle in .243 for deer hunting next year and for an antelope hunt we are planning for next fall. Other than a single shot H&R, what other models are worth looking at? I should mention that he is a lefty, one reason I was thinking about the H&R Handi. Thanks.

A Marlin 336 in .30-30 would be perfect. The .308 is too much for him and the .243 Handis are problematic.

Leatherstocking · « **Reply #26 on:** February 15, 2010, 03:10:33 PM »

Well, like I said the deed I done. And he handles the 30-06 rounds no problem so I think he'll handle the 308 OK.

I should have clarified my last post with one thing. The label on the package for the barrel says 243 so that's why we left there thinking we bought a 243. It was only when we got home and inspected the barrel more closely. Funny thing is the same thing happened to me once before. I bought a .50 cal Omega and when I got home it morphed into a .45, despite the labeling on the package saying .50. I would question the quality control at T/C; however, that Omega is THE most accurate gun I have ever owned. So I am hoping this Encore will be the same, notwithstanding lack of quality control on the packaging.

Old Fart · « **Reply #27 on:** February 15, 2010, 03:24:58 PM »

What is it they say?

The old blind sow finds an acorn every now and then......

Hope you guys enjoy.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #28 on:** February 15, 2010, 03:40:34 PM »

If you reload, or have a friend who does, you should be able to drop the .308 to .30-30levels very easily...and havethe advantage of pointed bullets, and later load up to .308.. You can load down very easy, but it is impossible to load a little case up......hope you enjoy...

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 16, 2010, 05:54:47 AM »

i would buy my son in encore 243 6mm 7m08 when he is 50yrs old he can still use them get him a gun he can growe with buy it once