New deer rifle

[Lakenut]

Needing something kid friendly (12 y.o.+). I have been borrowing an A bolt chambered in .243 but I need something in my safe that isn' borrowed. The browning is a tack driver (as far as factory out if the box goes). Would love to buy a carbon copy but the abolt is no more.

2 questions....1.What guns should I look At? I don't want to go the ultra cheapo route but don't want to drop huge dollars. Can a solid 1"moa rifle be had under $700 w/o glass?
2. Caliber....243 is good. What would be better? Shots on ok white tails 300yrds or less.

Thanks

 

[deerwhacker444]

My $.02 worth. Ruger Americans can be had for well under $400 bucks. Toss in a $250 VX-1 Leupold or similar scope and they can use that for the rest of their life.

Browning is still around..

.243 is a good cartridge, I own one myself. Something like a 7mm-08 might provide a little more room for error and growth, but both are just fine.

 

[jarrettszcz]

I just picked up a Thompson Center Compass in .243 for $158 after mail in rebate they have a rebate until the end of December $75 off. Barrel is threaded if you wanted to throw a muzzle device on it and I shot MOA with 100gr hornaday softpoints. Save you some money for some good glass and ammo

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/thompson-center-compass™-243-win-bolt-action-rifle#repChildCatid=3644733

https://www.tcarms.com/rebates

 

[Lakenut]

Yes browning is still around but it's either the xbolt or the cheaply built/Over priced ab3.

 

[deerwhacker444]

Yes browning is still around but it's either the xbolt or the cheaply built/Over priced ab3.

Ah, got it. Never owned a Browning..

 

[beastep]

You could always go AR, but not in 223. Go to a 300 Blackout or 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 or many others. Plus if its not in 223 there is no magazine limit of 7 when deer hunting in Oklahoma. If you want to change calibers later its super easy to do and cheap. 6 position stock will fit from now through adulthood.
But the American line of Rugers is also a fine choice as well as many others.

 

[Lakenut]

Thoughts on tikka rifles????

 

[Lakenut]

Thoughts on the 6.5 creedmore for ballistics and recoil vs the 243?

 

[NikatKimber]

In general, more bullet mass equals more recoil. A good stock though and there won’t be a big difference. In the “Short Action” class of guns, other than a short action magnum I wouldn’t worry about recoil as a factor.

 

[swampratt]

I started with 20 gauge single shot with slug. I was a puny guy 4 foot 11 " until 10th grade.
Nothing wrong with .243 I got one for the wife and she said it kicked too hard.I loaded cast in my 30-06.. that fixed the recoil issues.
I loaded reduced loads in .243 with H4895 and 87 v max.. this now kicked like a .223 bolt gun. and nothing wrong with that .223 bolt either.. teach shot placement and just about any caliber will kill.
As a kid i was given 1 bullet and told not to come back to camp without a dead animal.

I had to hunt. Dang drunk Sioux Indian meant what he said..DO NOT come back.