Alternatives to .243 for youth...

[mdmorrow]

And times a million on getting it suppressed. My 7-08 with a can is not much worse recoil and sound wise than a 22.

[CrossTimbers]

Can't go wrong with a .243. It's a straight shooting caliber with minimal recoil for someone that age. You could always go up to a .270, but it sounds like more time at target practice and controlling the adrenaline of buck fever is in order.

[gusman]

I say keep the 243 fix your blind where
He will have a good rest on both ends
Of the rifle so good shots can happen

[bbqfan5909]

Had mulitple 308 guns, would not say they have much kick and pretty similar to a 243.

[Hughiam]

Here is her rifle

[grizzman]

My son is 15 and tall but still likes his Marlin 336 in 30-30.

[96ags]

I agree with all of those saying the .243 is plenty big for Texas Whitetail, but I'd certainly never begrudge somebody expanding their options!

I am a big fan of 25-06 and 7mm-08 both. Hard to go wrong with either one.

[Tex1986]

I used a Youth Model 6mm as a yougster. It's a pretty hot little bullet. Never had trouble killing anything. Still tote it from time to time.

[huntingjunkie]

7/08
25/06

^^^^

[SETXoutdoorsman]

Id go with a .270 or 25-06. I began deer hunting at 10 with my dads 25-06 and never lost a deer. Then at 12, I bought my own .270 and never lost a deer with it. Spend hours at the range getting him comfortable with a bigger caliber, slowly going over the fundamentals.

[OPC Patrick]

my 9YO son can shoot my AR10 in 308, because its semi auto there is very little kick and the stock adjusts... It does have a loud bang, and it is heavy. So we use one of these

http://www.basspro.com/Caldwell-DeadShot-FieldPod-LTD-Collapsible-Shooting-Rest/product/1406171211/

[stickman]

I love the .243... I am not sure if I would move up in caliber or concentrate on shooting deer in the neck. I do know that a 7-08 is what i would recommend if you moved up.

[Curtis32]

25-06, 7mm-08 or a 308. In that order is what I would look at.

[hopedale]

Remington managed recoil loads are available for 9/08, .308 and .270
I bought my son a youth model 7/08 and he shot the managed recoil loads until he grew a little and could shoot the regulars. One deer rifle for a lifetime (with a new stock at some point).

In addition to the Remington Managed Recoil Hornady makes what they call Cutom Lite in .270 and .308

I was going to buy my daughter a .243, but opted for this route. She's yet to take a deer, so I'm going to hold off getting her own rifle until I know its something she is really interested in.

What .243 ammo are you using?

Sorry if you posted and I missed it.

[Walding1989]

Move up to the 6.5 calibers.