.243 vs. 7mm-08 for my daughter

250shooter

250shooter

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I am looking for information on the pros/cons between a .243 and 7mm-08 for deer hunting for my daughter who will be 9 next year for deer season.
 
I think either one would work. The 243 will have less recoil. I love my 243 I picked a 25-06 a couple years ago. Just another option.
 
.243
.243
.243

It is the single most popular deer cartridge for a reason counted as to how many people use them compared to any other cartridge.

Women and kids use them, men switch to them once they've seen how they perform and how accurate they tend to be. I can't count the number of guys who talked trash about my Sako Forrester until they saw how it performs, and ended up with their own .243's.

More factory load availability, friendly to reload for.

In a plus and minus list it rules. There isn't anything that the 7mm does better, nothing.
 
Have a .243. My dad has 7mm-08. Shot and killed deer with both. 7mm-08 kicks a little more but we have only had 2 out of the 10 we shot with the 7mm-08 run anywhere.
 
Pick one. My daughter shoots a 243 and has since about 9. I had a practice load, which I think was with 70gr Ballistic tips and a hunting load with the Barnes 85gr TSX that is an absolutely outstanding deer bullet in the 243.

My son started with a 7mm-08. We started him with the Remington 140gr managed recoil loads. Hardly any recoil. Found a load with 120 Ballistic Tips and 21gr of SR4759 that shoot the same and has the same limited recoil. Have shot deer with both of these loads and they do a great job on deer. Great load for kids and the 7mm-08.

Either one will do what you are looking to do. I personally like the 7mm-08 for a lifetime cartridge for her. Just edges the 243 IMO.
 
I've owned and hunted with .243's for over 50 years and also have a 7mm-08. I consider both to be lifetime cartridges for deer sized game. I've shot a lot deer with the .243 and the .260 Rem (6.5mm-08). I started my sons with the .243 and I'd personally give the edge to the .243 because there is generally significantly less recoil in a .243 shooting 80-100 gr. bullets compared to a 7mm shooting 120-140 gr. bullets. However, felt recoil also depends on the fit and weight of the rifle. I think it's absolutely critical to teach a youngster good shooting form and many times poor rifle fit, extra recoil and the crack of the rifle are deterents to that.

If she is going to hunt anything smaller than deer like predators or groundhogs/ prairie dogs, the versatility of lighter loads available for the .243 is a plus. If she's going to hunt just deer and bigger game in the near future then maybe the 7mm-08 is a better choice. If you go that route, jdunham's suggestion on reduced recoil loads is a good one.
 
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Basdjs's comments about the recoil and muzzle blast are probably the most important points here. My daughter was very recoil sensitive and loud rifles intimidated her. We spent most of the summer shooting 17 Ackley Hornets and a 17 Fireball. Zero recoil and shoots like a lazer as far as she could shoot. She really enjoyed shooting them at 20 ounce water bottles filled with water at various distances. Instant feedback for a kid.

Make sure she LIKES shooting whatever gun she is shooting. My daughter was very anxious about her 243 and we went to shoot it twice , with her deciding not to shoot and shooting the smaller rifles both times, before she decided she wanted to shoot the 243.

I went with the 243 due to the recoil issue. It is an absolute hammer with the Barnes 85gr TSX and has made me a believer. She loves the rifle now and shoots better than most men I know.

My son never had any recoil issues and will shoot whatever you put in front of him.

Whatever you do, just make sure they enjoy it.
 
I have a 243 & 7-08 rem. I habe shot der with both. My 10 yr. old grandson shot his first with the 243 100 gr. psp. fed. It went 30 yds. took out booth lungs, pushed blood out booth sides big time. The last one I shot with 7-08 rem was hit in same place 140 gr.blt. blewup inside. Hammerd booth lungs went 40-50 yrds. there booth great rounds.
 
The 7-08 is my favorite deer cartridge.

That said, for a youngster, I'd go 243. Everybody needs at least one, and it is the best "combo" cartridge of all time. At least 1 deer is taken with a 243 at our camp every year.

She can get something a bit larger when she gets older, if she feels the need/want......
 
I'm in the process of putting a 6mm rem (243) on a remmy 788 action togather for my 8 year old daughter. It was the rifle I shot my first couple deer with, and it'll go down to my son as soon as he's old enough to handle it. Once they're both big enough to shoot 270win, I'll hopefully get my 6mm back. If you're looking at 7mm08, you might as well go 25-06 or 6.5 creedmore, similiar recoil, but with better BC and terminal performance. I think the 7mm08 is very effective for deer, and would be just fine for a new shooter, it's just that there's a couple better choices out there.
 
I'd rate the 7mm-08 having the edge for deer but the .243 is an outstanding all around caliber.

That said, for a 9 year old girl and her dad ......... I'd opt for the .243 first.

As she grows up and that will be all too soon ....... LOL! ........ then opt up in caliber as her physical capabilities increase.

KEEP the .243 for coyotes and back up!!

You'll be glad you bought both over time!!

And the best choice is one you did not offer as a choice:

The .257 Roberts

Three 44s
 
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I bought my 16 year old daughter a Savage Axis 7-08. Even with reduced recoil loads it was a bit too much recoil for her. I traded for the same rifle in .223 and the problem was solved. She is coyote/deer deadly at any reasonable range and enjoys shooting the gun. Not so much with 7-08.
 
A 243 will probably be a better choice for a youngster, but a lot will depend on the rifle as far as recoil goes. In a real lightweight rifle, a 243 will have enough recoil that it might affect a kid's shooting. While in a heavier rifle in 7-08, the recoil would be comparable to the 243 in the lighter rifle. With all that being said, the 243 is an adequate deer caliber, but the 7-08 is better......IMO a lot better.
 
I have both , love the 243 for deer , i use a 95 grain nosler. The 7mm08 is a perfect deer round but for your
daughter a 243 generates a little less recoil and will get
the
job done its all about bullet placement with a 243 on deer size game not taking poor shots.This debate reminds of a 3006 308 debate
 
Thanks to everyone for your input. A friend has a 243 that we can use to see if that way will work. If she can handle the recoil, I will look into buying a rifle for her. She is already shooting my 22mag accurately even though the length of pull is to long for her. Again, thanks for all the comments.
 
woodguru where did you see the .243 listed as the most popular deer cartridge?There's no question it's a good cal but the 7-08 is a superior cartridge for any big game animal.
 


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