7mm-08 or .243?

[beagler]

Think I'm going to purchase a Ruger American Compact for my 9yr old daughter. Now my question is a 7mm-08 or .243? Was considering the 7mm-08 with managed recoil ammo (I don't reload). She isn't a tiny framed girl, she took her first turkey a few weeks back shooting a 20ga Mossberg 510 Mini. I'd like to get her a deer this year next.

[Gooserbat]

.243, no need for special ammo. 

[Model 37]

Get the 7mm-08. My son has shot the manage recoil since he was 9 and it's a great load. He has killed a bunch of deer that gun.

[wisconsinteacher]

I would go with the 7mm-08 personally.  I like having a little more lead traveling down range.

[reynolds243]

243 but both are great rounds. 243 can go from deer hunting to crow hunting all using the same ammo which is nice


Joshua 24:15
"But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."


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[Xtrema30]

all I've ever shot is a 7mm08 and you can't go wrong with it. I've been in camp and trailed way to many deer with a 243. i still shoot a 7mm08 and will continue too. If you can make the shot theres a good deal most of your deer will be right there or within 50 or 60 yards.  I've killed my share and id say over 75% have laid in their tracks. you will get those that say a 7mm08 is a kids gun but i mean with a 7mm bullet and a 308 casing whats kids about that. plus the recoil with the winchester power point 140 grain i shoot is hardly any.

[mikejd]

all I've ever shot is a 7mm08 and you can't go wrong with it. I've been in camp and trailed way to many deer with a 243. i still shoot a 7mm08 and will continue too. If you can make the shot theres a good deal most of your deer will be right there or within 50 or 60 yards.  I've killed my share and id say over 75% have laid in their tracks. you will get those that say a 7mm08 is a kids gun but i mean with a 7mm bullet and a 308 casing whats kids about that. plus the recoil with the winchester power point 140 grain i shoot is hardly any.

Same here. I dont think 243 is enough gun for deer. I know there will be some disagreement but unless your shot is perfect your going to be out in the dark with flashlights. 7MM-08 great deer round.

[30_06]

Another vote for the .243 here. Have killed a lot of whitetail, mule deer, antelope, and black bear across several states with that caliber. My oldest daughter uses it as well.
If you make a bad shot with any caliber you will be looking for game. It's the Indian, not the arrow.

[FL-Boss]

7mm08 is what I hunt with most the time. Also like the 25-06 on the long action side...

If she is ok shooting that 20ga and turkey load, she will be just fine with a 7mm08 .

[Chilly]

7mm-08.  Recoil isn't that much different.

[Greg Massey]

Get the 308 with the horndy lite ammo...308 ammo will always be easy to fine and cheaper... ive got a 9 yr. Old that loves it...

[davisd9]

I love my little 243 win. With Barnes 80 gr bullets she is as deadly on deer sized game as any other rifle out there, and no where the punch. I am a hard follower of the 270 win but my 243 is not far behind.

7mm-08 is a great round as well! Either will do a great job. Just make sure the stock fits the shooter.


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[ccleroy]

7mm-08, and get some Barnes TTSX 120 grains........thank me later

[SteelerFan]

I'm a .270 man myself, BUT I started my deer career with a 6mm (.244) and killed plenty with that 100 gr. nosler partition. That being said, for my son when he first started, I bought him a Browning A-Bolt Micro Hunter in 7mm-08. He still loves that rifle. He's grown, and we've added a sims recoil pad to lengthen the stock, but man-o-man what a sweet deer rifle to tote around the mountains. I had hoped that he would "outgrow" that rifle and want Dad's .270 (and I would take his)...but no such luck!

Hard to argue against the 7mm-08 as the perfect whitetail caliber. Good luck in your quest!

(perfect scenario: find a buddy or two that has one of each and let her shoot at the range before you buy)

[USMC0331]

Either will work just as good as the other. 243 ammo will be easier to find than 7mm-08. A soft point or the Barnes Vortex or TTSX in either will kill deer. Shot placement is king.