Shooters Forum banner

.243 for daughter?

24K views 142 replies 59 participants last post by  First Shirt 
#1 ·
Need to get my daughter her own rifle. She has shot one deer with a borrowed .243 and likes the cartridge. I need to find the right rifle for her. She is smaller in stature (about 5' 3"). I have been looking at the Remington Model 7 Youth and the Savage Youth (can't remember the model #) w/ Accutrigger. I have fondled the Accutrigger, but I am not sure if I like it or not, but this is not a gun for me. I am not committed to either of these and will look at others if recommended.

Personally, I am big Winchester M70 fan, but I am not aware of any Youth models that would suit her from Winchester. I have done a lot of searches on here. Are there any recoil issues with the shorter, compact guns that I should be aware of for her?

I want the rifle to fit her. She is 14 and will most likely not grow anymore. Thanks for any help.
Dan
 
#2 ·
I've got two grand daughters now 14 and 15 and they've been shooting since they were 6 and 7. The older one has my Ruger #1 243 and the younger one has a Rem model 7 carbine in 308. I load the 308 down to 30-30 velocities, but she doesn't seem to have any problems with full power 308's.

The oldest is 5'2" inches tall and loves to shoot. Here she is sighing in her 243.



Here's the youngest blowing up cans with my CZ 452 22. We put lots of 22's downrange.



Both these girls have about reached their full growth and though I offered to get a bolt gun for the oldest she loves shooting the #1.

Most all the bolt guns sold today are pretty good quality and the accu-trigger allows a good trigger pull with much more safety than setting many factory triggers under 3 pounds. I'm a Remington fan, but there's lots of good rifles around. You might check out what's used in your area at some of the gun shops. Both the guns I gave the girls were used guns and both shoot under one inch groups.
 
#3 ·
I bought my wife (5'1") just a plain stevens .243 with a composite stock and put a nice wide scope on it, she already had a custom .243 and found it too heavy for the hikes we take, she LOVES this gun, it weighs nothing and has pretty light recoil, you are probably looking for somethin' fancier but we really USE our guns, and wanted one that would ride along, stay true and not scuff up too much. The mold on the stock had some sharp edges, I just sanded them off, shoots like a breeze-and the stock is solid enough to cut it WAY back, no way your daughter has arms as short as my little huntin' wife. Have fun!
 
#6 ·
That is the one I was leaning towards, but I have read a lot on here about the shorter guns "barking" more, even in the lighter calibers.

LOL, I am actually looking at getting a 7MM-08 for myself. Thanks to everyone for the advice.
Dan
 
#5 ·
My first hunting rifle was a Weatherby Vanguard in .243 and it was a sweet shooting gun. I was 12 when I got it and probably about the size that your daughter is now. All the other kids in the deer camp where older than me and had 30-06's...oh I wanted one so bad but the recoil was just too much for me to handle. So Dad did his research and got me the .243. It was an accurate sucker too. Dad got himself a Mark V 7 mag that was pretty accurate...3 inside a quarter, but I could put three inside a dime with mine. One of the dumbest things I ever did was get rid of that gun.
 
#8 ·
The good thing about the 700 is it is a regular SA, so if the person out grows the stock you can get a regular size 700 SA stock and keep right on shooten!:cool:
And I might add, they make in both RH and LH!
 
#9 ·
my son shoots '59 Sako 243 :)
it was mine and since I had bought myself a different gun and I knew what a tackdriver it was, I cut the stock down to size and put on a new recoil pad

I also scoured up a new old stock full sized stock for it

he's 11 and has killed 2 deer with it
 
#10 ·
a model 7 youth would be nice, as far as the trigger goes you ought to let her try them both and see what she thinks. i would go with a different cartridge tho, i've talked to 2 different people in 2 days now that have put multiple shots into deer with a 243 and had trouble putting them on the ground.
if you reload and are willing to use a barnes bullets or one of the new nosler e-tip bullets that would make a big difference but there really are much better cartridges than the 243 for deer. it'll do in a pinch but i think that a person has to be willing to pass up marginal shots and be willing to pass on longer range stuff.
i'm going thru this myself with my two oldest daughters. i am a big fan of the 7/08 and wish so badly that i could find a 6.5x55 in a nice light package. i can't believe that remington doesn't offer the 260 in the sps line. the 6.5 really is much better than the 6mm for deer.
i see that howa is offering 6.5x55 rifles and bbl'd actions, i might try one of those actions in a high tech specialties stock. the stock only weighs 20 oz. so that would definately help keep the weight down. plus if it doesn't suit the girls i know i'd like it!!:D
 
#11 ·
Don't know about other guys experience, but since the 243 was introduced it has killed a really big pile of deer all across the US. Heck I've got a friend whose wife has killed a pile of elk with hers. Use the right bullet and good shot placement and you have dead deer. If it didn't do the job there wouldn't be so many out in the field and so many sold. I didn't hesitate letting my grand daughter use one. Some folks consider it an experts rifle, but like I've said there's lots of deer being killed out there every year with them. I don't recommend elk hunting with the 243, but don't underestimate it.

Heck If you look at statistics more deer are wounded with the 06 than any other cartridge. Know why? because more deer are shot at with the 06 than about any other cartridge.
 
#12 ·
Use good 100gr. bullets in any 6mm bore. Just saw a doe shot with a 6mm Rem last weekend with 100gr. factory Remington ammo. Broke onside leg and wrecked the heart and lungs. Good exit hole.

It's all about the bullet.....
 
#13 ·
yeah bob it's kinda caught in the middle. if people use good judgement when they shoot game with it it does work out well most all the time. i think that the new 90gr e-tip from nosler and the barnes tsx will make the 243 a horse of a different color IF people will use them. that has long been the downfall of the 243 in my opinion, bullets that tend to come apart too easy and i think that a 110gr to 120gr bullet would also help a bunch.
in the end in my opinion it is better just to simply move to a larger bore... that is what i will probably do for my daughters.
 
#14 ·
The .243 issue is just one that will never die it seems. I've been carrying one for better than 25 years and have taken more deer than I care to talk about. I have to say, that little rifle kills deer IMHO better than most anything else I can think of. There seems to be a real love/hate for this cartridge and I don't understand why. I personally have never had a deer walk away from it nor do I know anyone who has. Seems to me that people who shoot it love it and folks who don't shoot it stand on the thought it's too little a bullet to do the job. For deer, I shoot mostly the Sierra 85 gr HPBT Gameking and have never needed a second shot and the farthest I've had one move was max 10 yards (and that was a 205 lb hoss of a whitetail). Let the debate roll on, but for me, I know the .243 works super.
 
#16 ·
Depends upon the distance you are REGULARLY going to get a shot at deer.

But you shouldn't leave out the venerable 30-30 from consideratin. This fits most younger folks well and they do make synthetic youth stocks etc. It is a known deer killer and with the new Hornady gummie tipped bullets adds another 50 yards or more to what most believe is a short range killer for deer. 200 Yards is not out of the question. So the real questions is: How often will this youngster have the opportunity or the skill to take a hunting shot in the field over 200 yards?
 
#69 ·
30-30 is a wonderful caliber, but it does have more recoil than a .243. That can be managed with a good recoil pad. I think range would be a consideration if you do more "beanfield" hunting. My .243 is easily good to 350 yards and has the accuracy to make that work (Ruger M77 with a Leupy 4x12). With Nosler 95gr partitions I see no problem taking deer to that range with very mild recoil.

just give it some time. i'm seeing more and more black rifles going to the .243 foremat and as that happens th erun on .243 ammo (it has already started) will drive the price and demand up. my .02 anyway. heck you can't even buy .223 bullets just about anywhere anymore. :confused:
i do love my .243 but also yearn for a 7-08, just-so-because :D
I saw an interesting article at Chuck Hawks site:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/243_service_rifle.htm

It suggests replacing the current service rifle caliber with the .243.

You ought to know that even if they are fat, they don't like to be reminded about it. If they make some comment like "I must be putting on weight", the best thing to do is make like you never heard her.:D
or fake an epileptic seizure. :D
 
#19 ·
The .243 is an acceptable load for deer sized game and a youth Remington Model 7 is a great gun for both children and ladies. I recently purchased one for my girlfriend in 7mm-08. She is 5' 5" and can handle the gun easily. Had I known the price difference of the .243 vs. the 7mm-08 I would have gotten a .243 but the 7mm seems like it will perform nicely (just cost a few more dollars for shells).
 
#22 ·
Had I known the price difference of the .243 vs. the 7mm-08 I would have gotten a .243 but the 7mm seems like it will perform nicely (just cost a few more dollars for shells).
just give it some time. i'm seeing more and more black rifles going to the .243 foremat and as that happens th erun on .243 ammo (it has already started) will drive the price and demand up. my .02 anyway. heck you can't even buy .223 bullets just about anywhere anymore. :confused:
i do love my .243 but also yearn for a 7-08, just-so-because :D
 
#21 ·
I would take a look at the TC Encore Rifle with it's interchangeable barrels you can have your cake and eat it too. The .243 has been killing deer for many years. I, however, think the .257 diameter is a better choice. The nice thing with the TC Encore you can get barrels to suit what ever you are shooting. This way your Daughter will have a basic rifle that can grow with her

.http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/encore.php
 

Attachments

#23 ·
I would take a look at the TC Encore Rifle with it's interchangeable barrels you can have your cake and eat it too. The .243 has been killing deer for many years. I, however, think the .257 diameter is a better choice. The nice thing with the TC Encore you can get barrels to suit what ever you are shooting. This way your Daughter will have a basic rifle that can grow with her

.http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/encore.php
I actually have one of these already. I bought it with the muzzleloader barrel, but I think I may try out some centerfire barrels too.

My current configuration is too long for my daughter though. Do they make a youth stock for the Encores?
Dan
 
#24 · (Edited)
Indeed they do make a short butt stock for the encore.:D One of the new and very interesting cartridges the Encore is Chambered in is the 6.8 Remington. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.8_SPC )

http://www.directoutdoorsupply.com/THOMPSON-CENTER-ARMS-ENCORE-BUTTSTOCK-BANTAM-WLNT-p/tc7623.htm

Encore Chamberings

Encore Rifle w/adj. sights Cartridges 24" Barrel Only

Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 22 Hornet
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 223 Rem
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 22-250 Rem
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 243 Win
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 25-06 Rem
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 270 Win
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 7mm-08 Rem
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 308 Win
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 30/06 Sprgfld
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 45/70 Gov't
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 280 Rem
Encore Rifle 24" Blue/ 405 Win


Encore Rifle w/ adj sights Cartridges 24" Barrel Only

Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 22-250
Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 22 Hornet
Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 223
Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 243
Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 25-06
Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 270
Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 280 Rem
Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 7mm-08 Rem
Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 308 Win
Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 30/06 Sprgfld
Encore Rifle 24" SST/ 45/70

Encore Rifle, no sights, heavy 26" bbl. Cartridges 26" Barrel Only

Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 223 Rem
Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 204 Ruger
Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 22-250 Rem
Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 25-06 Rem
Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 6.8 Rem
Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 7mm Rem Mag
Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 308 Win
Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 30-06 Springfield
Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 300 Win Mag
Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 375 ADJ
Encore Rifle 26" Blue/ 375 H and H

Encore Rifle, no sights, heavy 26" stainless bbl. Cartridges 26" Barrel Only

Encore Rifle 26" SST/ 204 Ruger
Encore Rifle 26" SST/ 223 Rem
Encore Rifle 26" SST/ 22-250 Rem
Encore Rifle 26" SST/ 25-06 Rem
Encore Rifle 26" SST/ 7mm Rem Mag
Encore Rifle 26" SST/ 308 Win
Encore Rifle 26" SST/ 30-06 Springfield
Encore Rifle 26" SST/ 300 Win Mag
Encore Rifle 26" SST/ 375 H & H
Encore Rifle 26" SST/ 375 JDJ

Shot Gun Barrels

20 ga. 26 inch, blue, w/tubes Cyl, Mod. and Full chokes, vent rib, 3 inch chamber, smooth bore, bead sight
20 ga. rifled w/fiber optic sights, 3 inch chamber
20 ga. 26 inch, blue with tubes
12 ga. 24 inch, blue, rifled slug barrel, 3 inch chamber, fiber optic sgts.
12 ga. muzzleloader, full turkey choke tube, fiber optic sights, Realtree Hardwoods Camo finish
12 ga. 24 inch, extra full turkey choke tube, fiber optic sights, blue finish
12 ga. 24 inch Turkey, fiber optic sights, ex. full turkey tube, hardwoods camo , smooth bore
12 ga. 26 inch, blue with vent rib and three screw-in Choke tubes

Scope Base for Encore 12 ga Shotgun Barrels, blue
 
#25 ·
My daughter took her first deer with a 22-250 Model 70...moved on to a Custom Mauser 243 and now shoots a T/C 7mm-08....all there have not been a problem for her. I hand load for the 22-250 and the 243....25 years ago an old gunsmith told me to load 42 grains of 4350 and top it with a 90gr speer.
That load has taken all types of game and you can cover five shots with a quarter...on the other hand I have never had good luck with factory loads....
 
#27 · (Edited)
My wife is 5' 0". We did a lot of looking before we settled on a Browning A bolt Micro Hunter only because she likes a wooden stock better than a plastic one. Remington used to make the Model 7 in wood stock with some grain but stopped for a plain wood then plastic. Savage/Stevens where "clumsy" to her and Weatherby makes a plastic stocked rifle. Outside that there is very little choice. Simply cutting down a full size rifle was not suitable because drop at comb and heel is too much compared to one designed for a smaller stature person.

With the increased numbers of women getting into the shooting sports of all kinds including hunting I can only hope the manufacturers pay attention and start designing and building both shotguns and rifles for the growing numbers of women entering the shooting sports.

My wife would just love to get a O/U built for her size. A Ruger Red Lable, Browning Citori or Beretta 686 with correct dimentions at Drop at heal and comb, LOP, Trigger pull length and reach to forend would be marketable and profitable for the manufaturers and dealers and increase the numbers of new shooters both on the range and in the field. As well can you imagine being able to get a Remington 700 in good highly figured wood or a Ruger 77 in correct dimentions in any calibre for your daugher of wife? Perhaps a new Winchester Model 70 Featherweight .270 in a nice grain wood dimentially correct for her? My wife can handle the recoil but can't get the rifle.

I have contacted a number of manufacurers and importers on this missed opportunity on thier part and if other interested parties would do the same it would show them the potential out in the shooting world and perhaps they would start producing rifles and shotguns for smallers shooters in a wide range of firearms from low cost to high quality.

Savage, Mossberg and Browning have shown they are willing to offer some of thier firearms in "youth" models but all are in the lower end of thier quality and price ranges and a lot more effort would be appreciated by shooters like my wife.
 
#28 · (Edited)
I thought the Remington Model 7 was still available in the wood? Can't speak to the quality of grain though.

I agree with you on the potential market out there. My daughter is really into hunting and will be a potential gun buyer for many years to come.
Dan
 
#29 · (Edited)
I neglected to include Remington in my post. Remington offers a number of rifles and shotguns in "Youth" style. Thier "Youth" line includes a model 7, the 700, a number of 870's, and a model 11 autoloading shotgun.

From our perspective, though, all of Remington's "Youth" line is not what we are looking for as all are synthetic stocks, except the Model 5 .22 rimfire. None are close to what my wife would like. Admittedly synthetic stocks are all the rage right now but if you desire a "nice looking" gun wood is the only way to go.


The manufacurers have come a long way in the last decade in "Youth" style firearms. I hope they start to cater to the older person of smaller stature. 50+ people have a lot of disposable income and free time to use it. I think the manufacutrers are missing the boat.
 
#121 ·
I just bought a new Mossberg 100ATR Bantam short action 243. I haven't shot it but love the way it fits. (Bantom is a youth) I can't wait for it to warm up so I can enjoy sighting it in with the Redfield 3x9 Revolution scope I put on it. The walnut is fantastic and so was the price. I am way past 50, small and have shot guns all my life that don't fit. Finally got one that does and also bought a youth stock for my Wingmaster 12 gauge. You are right, I also didn't want one of those synthetics and the wood (especially walnut) was hard to find. It also has an adjustable trigger system on it. The bolt is not fancy like my Win 70 jeweled, but then how many shots am I going to take at a whitetail. Not more than 1 I hope.
 
#30 ·
I too prefer wood stocks to plastic. For some reason, I thought the Remington Model 7 Youth was available in wood stock, but I see that it is not. Sorry for my confusion.

I will have to check out the Browning Micro Bolt. Perhaps I could look at a barreled action and them find an aftermarket stock to fit her.
Dan
 
#33 · (Edited)
I too prefer wood stocks to plastic. For some reason, I thought the Remington Model 7 Youth was available in wood stock, but I see that it is not. Sorry for my confusion.

I will have to check out the Browning Micro Bolt. Perhaps I could look at a barreled action and them find an aftermarket stock to fit her.
Dan

Remington changes it's lineup several times a year, it seems. Last year the Model 7 was available in a hardwood stock, very plain with no grain and no checkering. A few years ago it offered the "Youth" in a nice walnut with a sain finnish and a black recoil pad. Remington should repeat that one and keep in production as it looked good.

My wife really likes her A-bolt Micro Hunter in 7mm-08 Rem. I'm impressed how well it shoots as she manages groups around 1" at 100 yds. It has a pleasing appearance and the wood has some grain. We may strip the finish and apply an oil finish this winter. I find the A-bolt a little stiff opperating but it should smooth out with use.

I would believe you might like it for your daughter as well.
 
#31 ·
the micro hunters are nice. i have 3 daughters that are interested in hunting so i'm in the same predicament. i'd like to get them each a nice bolt gun as they get old enough but i too like fine wood as opposed to cheap plastic. now if h-s precision made a scaled down stock for ladies wouldn't be so bad. my 17 year old is 5' and maybe 105lbs soaking wet, the 13 year old is a couple inches taller and at this point about as skinny as a rail.
i like the model 7, i'd like to have one for myself but for these girls i'm thinking ruger compacts. from what i've read they are scaled down in all aspects but i have not handled one and naturally ruger doesn't list the length of pull so if any of you guys happen to know or have handled one let me know.
 
#32 ·
the micro hunters are nice. i have 3 daughters that are interested in hunting so i'm in the same predicament. i'd like to get them each a nice bolt gun as they get old enough but i too like fine wood as opposed to cheap plastic. now if h-s precision made a scaled down stock for ladies wouldn't be so bad. my 17 year old is 5' and maybe 105lbs soaking wet, the 13 year old is a couple inches taller and at this point about as skinny as a rail.
i like the model 7, i'd like to have one for myself but for these girls i'm thinking ruger compacts. from what i've read they are scaled down in all aspects but i have not handled one and naturally ruger doesn't list the length of pull so if any of you guys happen to know or have handled one let me know.
Sounds like we are in the same boat. Of course, yours is a little more crowded ;)

Luckily (I think), my son is nearly identically built as me so he simply uses everything I have in the gun cabinet :eek:

I too would like to hear more about the Ruger Compacts. I saw on a previous thread that someone thought they had recoil issues, but I wouldn't think that would be the case in the .243.
Dan
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top