best first centerfield rifle?

[SCREAMINREELS]

Getting my oldest nephew one this year.

I started on a 243.

Main thing im interested in is recoil but not by caliber if that makes sense. I have an old sake that was my first rifle 243 that is a really light kicker...I owned a savage in 243 that kicked alot harder. I want him to happy and not scared of it caliber is open but thinking 243, 223, 22-350 and possibly 7mm-08 which ive never shot.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

[wickll]

.243 is a great first rifle, but I sure like the ballistics of the 7mm-08. I

[Seacoal]

If your hand loading, your options are wide open, with factory, I would stick in the ballpark of what you have there, add a 25-06 though. Just make sure you don't buy a rifle that is extremely light, because that'll increase the recoil

[rjs68]

Bought my 9 yr old, 70lb son , a Savage Trophy 7mm-08 w/nikon scope , he uses the Remington Reduced Recoil loads and has no problems handling the recoil. He has managed to kill a WT buck and doe as well as a Mouflon ram with these rounds , all three folded up within 30 yards of where shot. He will move into the regular loads as he gets bigger.

[30-30]

Keep it simple with a 243, imo. Ammo should be relatively cheap and available anywhere. As someone said, an ultralight rifle will kick harder than standard or heavier guns.

It's a good thing you're doing for your nephew!

[esp]

I started my son out with a lever action 357 mag. Loaded with XTP bullets. It has virtually no recoil and dropped every deer he shot. Good out to 100yds.

[captainsling]

7mm-08. Ammo is everywhere and he can still use it as an adult. Very good caliber. Will kil any deer in Texas.

[Dushon]

Start him out with a .270 with no kick pad and that's relatively light. He'll develop a nice flinch everytime he pulls the trigger, that'll take years to work out. Thanks Dad!

[EdO]

Have had at least a dozen. My two favorites are the 94 Win in 30-30 and a .265 Swedish Mauser. Both were wonderful rounds.

[skeeter]

25-06

[Bowyer]

Keep it simple with a 243, imo. Ammo should be relatively cheap and available anywhere. As someone said, an ultralight rifle will kick harder than standard or heavier guns.

It's a good thing you're doing for your nephew!

This. 243 will serve him for a lifetime.

[BtheBuck]

243 is a great round.

[Dusand]

Have a ruger American. Very good for the money

[SCREAMINREELS]

Have had at least a dozen. My two favorites are the 94 Win in 30-30 and a .265 Swedish Mauser. Both were wonderful rounds.

I was considering giving him my 30-30 i got off of here in a trade

Thanks guys i have a soft spot in my heart for the 243, i own a few awesome rifles that shoot lights out but i still go back to my 243 my dad gave me when its time to hunt. im guessing thats what hes gonna get and ittl probrably be a Remington 700 so he can customize later if he gets into that.

either way ive looked at buttpads and found a gunsmith that grinds/fits them so thattl be a must i figure 243 with a proper pad and hell be fine...thanks for all the tips I have one more nephew (his younger brother) interested in hunting a few years too young and a son on the way so ill consider this first one a test run.