Barrel Length

[Specklebelly]

I am in the market for a new bolt. 

What are your thoughts on how long the barrel should be?  For shotgun, I like the longer 28"ers but was not sure about rifles.

Thoughts?

[hunt-m-up]

How will you be using it, stand-hunting, stalking, etc. and in what cartridge? I'm sure you'll get plenty of replies with a little more info.

[Specklebelly]

How will you be using it, stand-hunting, stalking, etc. and in what cartridge? I'm sure you'll get plenty of replies with a little more info.

Good point. 

Mostly target and deer hunting from ground blinds or stands.  It is for my son and he uses a single shot now but I want to move him to a bolt and he agrees. 

He is 14 but don't let that skew your recommendation because he is 6'4" and 205.

My thoughts for caliber are .243 or 25-06 but really don't know yet.  My range that I will look for is basically .243 to .280.

I have just began the search this evening and noticed barrels from 20" to 26" on one website.  I can tell you anything you want to know about shotguns but know very little about rifles.  So any feed back would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Frank46]

How about the 30-06? 24" bbl will do just fine. If you don't reload then start out with some of the managed recoil loads that remington puts out. Once he feels comfortable then maybe 150 grain hunting ammo. You can never go wrong with the '06. Frank

[Dave in WV]

IMHO a non-magnum barrel length should be no longer than 24" and 20"-22" is better (24" for a 25-06). The reasons for a long barrel on a shotgun don't really apply to a rifle. A .243 is a great deer hunting cartridge but is a bit limited for larger game. A 7mm-08, .308 Win, 7mm Mauser (7x57), .270, 280 Rem, and 30-06 are great all around cartridges. If you don't reload the .308, .270, and 30-06  may be the best choices. "There's not much you can't fix with a pickup truck and a 30-06."

 If you have him comfortable with a pump shotgun a Remington 760 or 7600 pump rifle may be the ticket. They can be had in .243, .270, 308 Win, and 30-06 new. Older models can be had in other chamberings. The Remington pumps are great hunting rifles.

[drdougrx]

Good suggestions all!  I agree and will also chime in with the choice of a non-magnum 30cal.  Barrel length of 22 or 24 is really a preference and IMO makes no practical difference in performance.

[the jigger]

 IMHO For a 14yr old already over 200lbs a 243 won't satisfy him for long.
If more target shooting than hunting I suggest a 308.
If the other way around a 25/06 or 280.
For stand or ground blind hunting a 24" barrel is great.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

[Specklebelly]

Great suggestions.  Many thanks and I really appreciate it.

[Rangr44]

JMO, but a 6.5x55 should fit your son's needs for the next 60 years or so.......................

It recoils lightly, takes game much larger than usually thought (Moose, etc), and was used regularly for formal target shooting in Scandanavia (an accurate ctg).

.

[hunt-m-up]

While it's not as flashy as some of the newer cartridges, the .270 Win. with a 22-24" barrel fits your requirements, has taken a lot of game and shoots cheaper than most except maybe .308 or 30-06.