First gun for 9 yr. old

[Allaroundhunt]

My brother turned 9 this year and I'm looking to buy him his first deer gun for this coming Christmas. I started out with a Stevens 200 .30-06 but was 16. Any caliber, brand, and model suggestions would be much appreciated.

[snipermedic]

Do you reload?

[Allaroundhunt]

I'm looking into it. Any suggestions

[BrandonH]

.243

[JustinJ]

I'd suggest a 22-250or a 243 in a bolt gun. Or you can set up an AR for hunting in 5.56, 6.8, or 300blk.

Does he have any experience shooting guns? If none, you kight let him shoot a ton of 22 at the range.

[snipermedic]

If you reload then a 308 loaded down. If not ruger american in 243 is a great place to start.

[Allaroundhunt]

I'd suggest a 22-250or a 243 in a bolt gun. Or you can set up an AR for hunting in 5.56, 6.8, or 300blk.

Does he have any experience shooting guns? If none, you kight let him shoot a ton of 22 at the range.

I got him started last year with pellet rifles and air soft focusing on shooting fundamentals and basic safety. He's a crack shot for his age. Moved to the .22 and hand guns at the range this year and its time to get him out in the woods. We don't own any land so we will do all public hunting.

I'm leaning towards the bolt gun for sure. Do any of you guys reload specifically for your kids?

[snipermedic]

You can also buy reduced loads. I recommend starting with a 308 in reduced loads. A 308 and a 243 are on the same case. So reduce loads equeal about a 243 which is a good choice. But when the kid grows up and wants more power you either haft to sell the 243 it buy a new gun. But if you shoot reduced 308 all you do is change the bullet. My 2 cents.

[Patton]

.243 is a great gun for kids, 22-250 as well. Won't kick much and if he puts it on the vitals it's going down

.270 if he is a bigger 9yr old and you want him shooting that rifle for a long time. But it does kick more

[Pullersboy]

Bought son his 1st deer rifle at 10. .243 was the ticket. He's now on a full sized gun and still shootin' a .243. He really likes it.

[BigL]

Bought my 9 yr old a 243. He hasn't shot it but should handle it just fine. He has shot his youth 20 gauge a few times during dove season with no problems.

[bm22]

Reload .308. It won't be long before he wants full power. Especially if you buy him a nice rifle like a Remington 700 sendaro or Remington 700 varmint/sps.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/product/41046/remington_700_sps_synthetic_var_308_26

Add a Harris bipod, leupold vx3 and he is set-up from now on. Academy has the reduced load .308.

[EdO]

My brother turned 9 this year and I'm looking to buy him his first deer gun for this coming Christmas. I started out with a Stevens 200 .30-06 but was 16. Any caliber, brand, and model suggestions would be much appreciated.

From your post, I'm assuming you've got more than one rifle. Take him to the range and let him shoot what you have and what you can borrow. He'll tell you which one he likes. Can't speak to your son, but neither of my daughters were recoil concience when they were nine. One opted for a .35 Remington the other a .270. Both were shooting 12 ga's at 9. Kids will surprise you. Get black and blue shoulders while they are at it.

[mgbuff]

How big of a 9yo is he?

[westtexducks]

Stick with either the .243 or .22-250 no matter how big he is. Less noise and recoil and last thing you want to do is have him develop a flinch at that age.