RM1993 said:

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One more thought I'd throw out, regardless of what caliber is chosen, is to not get a youth model unless you are talking about 6 & 7 year olds or younger. My oldest son shot his first deer at 8 with a 22-250, but it was a Thompson Contender with a heavy octagon barrel - not a youth model. My youngest son killed his first deet a few days past his 9th birthday with a regular sized .243. The shots for both were right around 100 yds. Neither would have likely been able to free-hand that size rifle at that age and make the same shot, but resting out of a blind window it was no problem. The 22-250 was their grandfather's gun that we used and I have since gotten a .243 for each. The good thing about the .243s is that they each can use it into adulthood with no problem and pass it along to their kids some day. The alternative is a youth model that the older child would have all but outgrown by now and the younger wouldn't be far behind......then it is a (hopefully) 20 year wait until they have kids that are old enough to give it good use.

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Thank you! Great advice!

I'd agree with those advocating the .243. I have shot all but 2 of my deer with 6mm Rem which is a .243 variant. You will find a better range of ammo and will have more energy at longer ranges with the .243. It is just a more versatile round than the 22-250 and one they can continue using as adults.

I use a .243 and bought my son a 22-250. I killed a really nice 9 at about 60 yards with it this year. He ran about 25 yards but there was zero blood trail. I mean not a drop. I like both and the 22-250 will be a great truck gun in a few years.

Overall, I still love my Smith and Wesson .243.

.223?

Have used both, can't really go wrong with either. I shot my first deer with a 243 as a kid but used a 22-250 to kill a ton of deer since! My $0.02 is splurge for a good (accurate) rifle and a decent scope (forgiving on eye relief, etc). That way you don't have to worry about whether the equipment will perform or not... the kids just put it where they want the bullet to go, squeeze, and that's where it'll go.

My kids have shot both, the smaller recoil on the 22 250 is what they like the most. I have one I'm willing to part with that has killed dozens of "first deer" for kids on my old lease. If it was for me, I'd pick the 243.

DVM

DVM97 said:

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My kids have shot both, the smaller recoil on the 22 250 is what they like the most. I have one I'm willing to part with that has killed dozens of "first deer" for kids on my old lease. If it was for me, I'd pick the 243.

DVM

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If OP is not interested I may be willing to buy or trade. I bought a 7mm-08 I am not sure I want to keep.

tx4guns said:

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7mm-08 would be my vote. If a midget like DVM can shoot it, anyone can.

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7mm-08 is a fantastic and unfortunately lesser known round. Easy shooting with great ballistics. My grandfather bought me one for my first hunting rifle over 20 years ago and I still use it to this day. I have since purchased several other rifles in various other calibers but I always go back to that 7mm-08 he bought me. Part of it is nostalgia and the rest is that round just works. I have taken numerous deer and large hogs over the years and it has never failed me. It wasn't too much of a round back then, is still easy to manage today and has plenty of knock down.

If you are dead set on a 243 or 22-250 my choice would be the 243. Another great round that your kid should not ever really outgrow. Buy a quality rifle in a 243 and it would likely be the last they ever needed to buy to hunt anything in Texas.

Still I would not hesitate to recommend a 7mm-08 to anyone. I would definitely see what CTGilley had to offer.