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Author Topic: What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243 or 7mm-08?  (Read 2011 times)

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Offline PEPAW

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Caliber for youngsters.
« Reply #30 on: March 11, 2005, 01:56:45 AM »
I went with a .270 for my family.   I plan on using the recoil managed loads which should have approx. same recoil as a 100 grain .243.   The 115 grain bullet has same approx. POI as the full .270 load.    I have tried the reduced recoil  load in my 7 mag and they worked as claimed.

The .243 barrel I have did not give me the accuracy I wanted and since I already had another .243 that the family uses, I went for a larger caliber.

Anxiously waiting my new barrel from the factory and already have a Bushnell Elite 3200 waiting to be mounted.

pepaw
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Offline biglmbass

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #31 on: March 11, 2005, 02:58:00 AM »
Wow, this thread really took off.  Thanks to all for the good info/advice and especially to Mitchell for his kind offer.  

I don't own a Handi Rifle and never have and have zero experience with them, though I've heard/read great things about their products.  My plan is to get my son a complete (barrel & gun) youth model Handi Rifle with the plain wood stock in either 7mm-08 or .243 caliber.  I want  the wood version since it will be heavier and will dampen recoil better than the synthetic stock.

We'll be shooting factory loads as I'm not a reloader.  (just haven't made that leap yet)

After reading all of the above, I wish I could say my mind was made up on caliber choice.   :grin:  

I do know that I have to decide soon as the big birthday is coming up Saturday the 19th.  

Thanks again for all the help.
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Offline BKS

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #32 on: March 11, 2005, 03:35:13 AM »
My 8 year old has a superlight youth Handi in 243 and doesn't seem to be bothered by the recoil, BUT recoil is a personal subjective thing, some people aren't really bothered by it and some are.

  Overall I think I would start with the 243.
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Offline PEPAW

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RIFLE FOR YOUNGSTER
« Reply #33 on: March 11, 2005, 05:46:39 AM »
I am not a reloader either.
In case you weren't aware, the reduced recoil loads are factory loads sold by several manufacturers.   I have used the Remingtons so far.   They actually designed new bullets to perform on game at the lower velocity.   The reduction in recoil is advertised as 1/2 and I believe it in my 7 mag.
In my case, I feel like I get two (2) "guns"  in one with these loads.

pepaw
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Offline Varminter

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #34 on: March 11, 2005, 11:13:01 AM »
I myself am not a father as you can see by my age but if i were going to start a youngster out i would definately consider the 44 mag. I have one and let me tell you it will NEVER leave my collection. Recoil is compariable to the 223. With your son just starting out hunting he will be limited on the distance he can shoot accurately so the 44 mag. would be great. With the right factory or handloads and a low power scope i would not be afraid to shoot at deer 100 yards away. And as your son progresses you can send the frame back to the factory or check the classifeds here to get other barrels. Just my  :money: . My sister is 10 and she loves to shoot it.
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Offline Gusman14

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Go with the .243
« Reply #35 on: March 11, 2005, 05:09:41 PM »
My son started off at 11 years old with a Handi .243 and he loves it.  We take it out and shoot at the range and he has never complained about the recoil after many, many shots.  As far as hunting, never a complaint, lightweight, flat shooter.  I dropped my buck this year dead in his tracks at 338 yards.  I used his rifle because mine was still in the tent.  Great gun that both he and I highly recommend.

Just my opinion.

Gusman
:jeep:
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Offline MSP Ret

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #36 on: March 11, 2005, 06:05:58 PM »
Gusman14, That was a great shot with your sons .243, congratulations!!!

Also, it looks as if Jason Burns is the lucky one to get Mitchells 7mm-08 barrel, congratulations to he and his lucky son also!!!!....<><.... :grin:

Don't you Just love it when it all comes together....:grin:  :grin:
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"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline jason burns

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #37 on: March 12, 2005, 12:45:38 AM »
Quote from: MSP Ret
Don't you Just love it when it all comes together....:grin:  :grin:


You better believe it!!!!!! :grin:  :grin:  :grin:
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Offline biglmbass

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #38 on: March 14, 2005, 08:40:01 AM »
Ordererd the .243 Youth Handi Rifle from Wal-Mart today.  I believe it will best serve my son's needs without the sharper recoil of larger calibers.  Thanks to all for the info and advice.
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Offline jason burns

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #39 on: March 14, 2005, 08:52:27 AM »
Congrats!  I hope he enjoys it!!
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Offline MSP Ret

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #40 on: March 14, 2005, 03:10:23 PM »
:D, Thats great biglmbass!!!, I hope you and your son have many happy
times together with that rifle. Enjoy your time with your son!!!....<><.... :grin:
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"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline biglmbass

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #41 on: March 18, 2005, 08:05:12 AM »
Just got off the phone w/ Wal-Mart; the .243 Youth Handi came in today.   :-D   Just in time, as he'll be opening his presents tonight, though his birthday is tomorrow.  (Considering I ordered the gun Monday at noon, I thought WM did good.)  He'll also be getting youth shooting glasses, a slip-on Allen neoprene ammo carrier for the stock, and a box of 100 grain CoreLoks.  Sadly the youth ear muffs I ordered for him haven't arrived yet.  (We'll put off shooting the gun till we have them)
All told this should make for a very happy nine year old.
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Offline MSP Ret

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #42 on: March 18, 2005, 09:13:12 AM »
Thats great biglmbass, it sounds as if this will be a birthday and a gift he will never forget!!! Did you end up ordering the .243 or the youth 7mm-08 you said came in?....<><.... :grin:
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"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline biglmbass

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What's the better youth Handi-Rifle? .243
« Reply #43 on: March 21, 2005, 02:45:13 AM »
I goofed, I meant to say .243 (now corrected in the above post).

He was one happy camper after opening that box!
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