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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/18/2024 11:28:30 PM EDT
So my son is 8 yrs old and I’ve been indoctrinating him into guns and gun safety since he was 6. He’s able to shoot the AR’s but is a bit intimidated by the AK’s as of yet.
Today I bought him his first deer rifle, a Savage Axis in .243, very nice looking gun with a composite stock and comes with a 3x9 scope. I bought some Federal powershock 100 grain amm with soft point. My question is… with this light of a caliber, what would be the best ammo for a Texas deer, which is usually around 70-120 lbs? Are tgr federal soft points in 100 grain a good choice? Thank you for your responses. |
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Posted: 5/18/2024 11:31:40 PM EDT
[#1]
100gr is fine. 85gr would be fine too
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Posted: 5/18/2024 11:31:55 PM EDT
[#2]
I have killed 200 lb deer with a .22mag. Teach him anatomy and bullet placement. Get him a lighter load so he doesnt flinch
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Posted: 5/18/2024 11:38:46 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By renegade509: 100gr is fine. 85gr would be fine too This ^^^ Savage 243 was my first deer rifle also in the 1960's. Dad had one also. We hand loaded all are hunting ammo and preferred Hornady bullets. I don't have a clue what is the best now. |
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Posted: 5/18/2024 11:40:15 PM EDT
[#4]
I would find a lighter recoiling cartridge and a stock that fits the kid.
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Posted: 5/19/2024 12:27:35 AM EDT
[#5]
.243will be fine, its all about shot placement. Spend time getting him comfortable with the rifle and teach him accuracy.
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Posted: 5/19/2024 12:38:12 AM EDT
[#6]
I’ve killed KS mulies with a .243.
.243 is no slouch, accurate, and harder hitting than people think. TX deer would be easy with any hunting .243 load. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 12:42:25 AM EDT
[Last Edit: AeroEngineer]
[#7]
A 100 gr .243 bullet will kill the hell out of a 120 lb deer.
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Posted: 5/19/2024 12:54:17 AM EDT
[#8]
Perfect rifle for the kid. Well done.
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Posted: 5/19/2024 1:23:44 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AeroE: I would find a lighter recoiling cartridge and a stock that fits the kid. Lighter recoil than a .243? You usually make posts that make sense. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 1:28:29 AM EDT
[#10]
.243 is more than adequate for deer. Friend of mine's son, a 16 year old took a spike elk with his .243.
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UT, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 1:28:31 AM EDT
[#11]
Powershok 100gr is great on deer sized game with a .243. I have killed a few mullies with it and always had a pass through exit on a broad side shot and decent expansion. Shot a few with the Powershok 80gr and they didn't exit on good sized deer broadside.
Watched my nephew make a "Texas Heartshot" with the 100gr Powershok and it dropped the deer. Really good penetration, almost exited out its chest from 300yds. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 1:36:21 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Scar811]
[#12]
Thank you for the helpful responses.
Now I just need to find an affordable day hunt for the fall season here in Texas. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 1:36:22 AM EDT
[#13]
My grandmother hunted with a 243. Winchester model 100 in fact. Sits in my safe right now.
She always nailed the deer on the spot. I even knew a woman whose husband took her elk hunting every year in the seventies. She nailed her bulls with a 243. Just knowing the gun and shot placement at reasonable ranges. They had a Colorado ranch btw. |
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NY, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 6:29:56 AM EDT
[Last Edit: frozenny]
[#14]
.243 is awesome...
There are two general loads for 243. The first are varmint loads. Almost anything in the lighter end will generally be a varmint load. Avoid the 60, 70, 80 grain loads for deer. Impact speeds are higher, bullet jackets are thinner, and many of these are designed for explosive expansion on little critters. The only exception here would be something like a 80 Barnes TTSX or Hornady CX . These two have totally different construction. The second are heavy for caliber loads, which is generally 100 grainers in 243. Or heavier. These are going to be suitable for deer. A 100 soft point is fairly low tech, but it's reliable and it works. Have the kid shoot, a lot, and learn to place the bullet properly. I'd have zero issues using this on a 225 lb Canadian buck, let alone a 100 lb Texas one . No issues. If you use 100 grain or heavier soft points, (or lighter, faster Barnes TTSX or Hornady CX), your new 243 will put venison in the freezer quite nicely. No issues. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 6:38:43 AM EDT
[Last Edit: FoxValleyTacDriver]
[#15]
I've killed plenty of whitetail with .243
My first rifle as a kid was a savage model 10 in .243 |
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USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 7:20:08 AM EDT
[#16]
If you can still find them the Hornady Custom Lite 87gr load is excellent.
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Posted: 5/19/2024 7:20:47 AM EDT
[#17]
Y’all have puppies for deer in Texas. Any 243 will kill them the question is which won’t you have to pull out of your steaks later.
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Posted: 5/19/2024 7:23:05 AM EDT
[Last Edit: pale_pony]
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AeroE: I would find a lighter recoiling cartridge and a stock that fits the kid.  thanks, i need a good laugh in the morningthe 10-year old son I once had, who is now 30, is laughing while shooting golf balls with his scoped AR10 |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 8:34:33 AM EDT
[#19]
I'm comfortable shooting deer that size with .223.
Depending on the terrain you hunt in you might consider getting the best BC possible but probably just anything in the normal weight range that expands is fine. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 9:35:25 AM EDT
[#20]
80 grain TTSX worked very well on a couple of Texas deer and a few hogs. Great penetration, accuracy with plenty of expansion. They're not cheap, but they won't nuke either. Couldn't be happier with how they perform. Don't let the lighter weight scare you. They retain most of it due to their construction. A bit less recoil too. Good luck hunting with the kiddo!
In stock at Midway. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001615523?pid=538587 |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 9:45:27 AM EDT
[Last Edit: AeroE]
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rickesis: Lighter recoil than a .243? You usually make posts that make sense. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Rickesis: Originally Posted By AeroE: I would find a lighter recoiling cartridge and a stock that fits the kid. Lighter recoil than a .243? You usually make posts that make sense. The kid is 8 years old. An adult size rifle will smack hell out of him, he can't shoot it off hand due to weight and length, and he can't manage the stock length to shoot from a rest. The only worse choice is a single shot break open rifle. This isn't the first time I have written this comment here. Make a short stock designed for butt plate spacers that grows with the kid. Keep the weight moderate so he can shoot offhand without the backwards lean common to women and kids. Use a broad shotgun butt plate to spread recoil along with a good elastomeric pad. Or put the kid off from shooting after experiencing an awkward rifle that is no fun, especially after getting smacked two or three times. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:06:10 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Levi24]
[#22]
The blue box Federal 100 grains are just fine for TX deer. Buy multiple boxes. You do not need fancy designed rounds that are not relatively easy to find. Finding fancy expensive rounds during the next ammo shortage will not be fun. Sight in with the 100 grain and stick with it. It is doing nearly 3000 fps leaving the muzzle so it will do just fine.
If you do not mind, I also offer the following: I highly recommend NOT training him for head and/or neck shots for deer. Rather, train him to hit the bread basket or shoulder-heart lungs. It becomes muscle memory and when the adrenalin dumps, it works very well. I recommend taking shots at only standing deer at decent distance/range and deer that present a quality target (not severe quartered positions, etc.) Nothing is worse for his morale and interest than losing multiple deer. It happens to most of us, but keeping it to a minimum is key. Always let him look for blood / sign of a hit and never shoot at a deer and say "oh, I must have missed" and do not do the work of checking and tracking. PM for any questions. I have trained up both youngsters and adults to be successful deer killers (harvesters for you elite sportsmen ) |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:15:36 AM EDT
[Last Edit: jos51700]
[#23]
I ONLY hunt Missouri deer with .223/5.56, Barnes 62gr.
I aim for heart/lungs My freezer is full of venison. He'll be fine. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:25:26 AM EDT
[#24]
Thanks again for all the helpful replies.
One of the biggest rewards in life is teaching your son to do the things you didn’t get to do when you were a kid. I’m getting a bit older now (53), but hopefully, when he’s fourteen, I’ll be able to do an Elk hunt with him. I have a .300 Weatherby waiting for that trip. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:27:22 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Scar811: Thank you for the helpful responses. Now I just need to find an affordable day hunt for the fall season here in Texas. I know a deer guide service in oklahoma. Pm me if you want their info. They are good people |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:29:34 AM EDT
[#26]
I would worry about bullet construction and not weight. 243 will do great on deer. Just use a good soft point or bonded/monolithic if able. Nothing resembling a varmint type bullet and you'll be fine.
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:41:41 AM EDT
[#27]
Any .243 bullet that is made to both expand and penetrate (in other words, not a varmint bullet) will work just fine. Most will be 80-100gr.
FWIW i've killed good bucks the past two seasons with a 10.5" 5.56 pistol, both were easily over twice the weight of your average TX deer. Put the bullet in a good spot and break out the gutting knife. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:43:09 AM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AeroEngineer: A 100 gr .243 bullet will kill the hell out of a 120 lb deer. All day long. It’s not even a question. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:45:19 AM EDT
[#29]
I would use a copper bullet to save meat.
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MN, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:48:52 AM EDT
[#30]
Texas = mini deer
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:51:01 AM EDT
[#31]
.243 in any quality brand hunting load is going to preform outstanding and kill anything in Texas. It will kill anything 30-06 will in Texas like mentioned above shot placement matters more. .243 is one of the old school cartridges everyone is copying now day in the all these 6mm wonder loads.
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:52:16 AM EDT
[Last Edit: OKnativeson]
[#32]
a 100gr bonded bullet out of a .243 will kill any whitetail or mule deer under 300-400 yards when put into the heart or lungs. I would recommend trying to find a youth stock for it or possibly cutting down the current stock.
get that boy to the range! fun time. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 10:52:33 AM EDT
[#33]
My dad’s old Remington 788 in .243 with cheapo 3-9x40 Bushbell scope is a tack driver.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 11:01:18 AM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By syclone170: Texas = mini deer Very true. I was disappointed when I started hunting in Texas. Whoever said “everything’s big in Texas” hadn’t seen the deer yet. |
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WY, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 11:03:46 AM EDT
[#35]
80 grain Barnes TSX.
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Posted: 5/19/2024 11:06:24 AM EDT
[Last Edit: OKnativeson]
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By pale_pony: thanks, i need a good laugh in the morningthe 10-year old son I once had, who is now 30, is laughing while shooting golf balls with his scoped AR10 we have 10 year olds shooting everything in the safe. 44 mags 357's 30-06's 444's 50 BP rifles they have already killed numerous deer by 7-8. by the time they are 10- they will smoke many adult men. make them marksmen. they will soon learn the magic of the lower neck shot. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 11:09:59 AM EDT
[#37]
Originally Posted By Scar811: ...composite stock and comes with a 3x9 scope. Please learn for yourself and then teach your son that the scope is 3-9 (say "three to nine") and not 3x9 ("three by nine") which doesn't make any sense. Example: https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-3-9x50-hunt-plex-riflescope |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 11:12:20 AM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By oulufinn: 80 grain TTSX worked very well on a couple of Texas deer and a few hogs. Great penetration, accuracy with plenty of expansion. They're not cheap, but they won't nuke either. Couldn't be happier with how they perform. Don't let the lighter weight scare you. They retain most of it due to their construction. A bit less recoil too. Good luck hunting with the kiddo! In stock at Midway. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001615523?pid=538587 I've heard very good things about that load. supposedly it punches very heavy for a 80 gr load. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 11:17:23 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By deuce_22: Please learn for yourself and then teach your son that the scope is 3-9 (say "three to nine") and not 3x9 ("three by nine") which doesn't make any sense. Example: https://www.leupold.com/vx-freedom-3-9x50-hunt-plex-riflescope telling us all that you have the Tism without telling us you have the "Tism" how many Clips do you have? |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 11:18:11 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By AeroE: I would find a lighter recoiling cartridge and a stock that fits the kid. I have a Winchester Model 70 featherweight in .243 that recoils harder than most of my long action rifles. So I know where you are coming from. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 11:21:38 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By OKnativeson: telling us all that you have the Tism without telling us you have the "Tism" how many Clips do you have? Stripper clips? Why can't we just speak proper and teach each other if they don't know any better? It's akin to calling a cartridge a bullet, if you don't know any better. |
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UT, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 11:33:42 AM EDT
[#42]
Originally Posted By Scar811: So my son is 8 yrs old and I’ve been indoctrinating him into guns and gun safety since he was 6. He’s able to shoot the AR’s but is a bit intimidated by the AK’s as of yet. Today I bought him his first deer rifle, a Savage Axis in .243, very nice looking gun with a composite stock and comes with a 3x9 scope. I bought some Federal powershock 100 grain amm with soft point. My question is… with this light of a caliber, what would be the best ammo for a Texas deer, which is usually around 70-120 lbs? Are tgr federal soft points in 100 grain a good choice? Thank you for your responses. Solid rifles out of the box. I have the older Axis in .243 without the accutrigger, which is my only complaint. Even with a less than stellar trigger they’re accurate rifles. Here’s a 5 shot group at 100 using the same ammo you’re asking about:  |
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USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 12:22:27 PM EDT
[#43]
Know your gun, know your range.
Killed deer at 10 yds, & shot them on the run at 75 yds approximately. With a 12 ga rem express magnum. rifled slugs. |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 12:31:31 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Scar811: Thank you for the helpful responses. Now I just need to find an affordable day hunt for the fall season here in Texas. Have him shoot the hell out of the rifle, early in the AM and late in the day, mimicking the low light conditions. I suspect you'll find the included scope....lacking. Good luck to the young man! |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 12:54:13 PM EDT
[#45]
Did someone tell you .243 won't work for deer?
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TN, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 3:01:55 PM EDT
[#46]
Grandson killed his first deer at 7YO.
Remy Model 7 stainless synthetic with youth wood stock,bought off ebay,hand loaded 100gr CoreLokt bullets Doe outweighed him by several pounds,grandson was a little 7YO. Last season he took a 10pnt 130 class 180lb buck with the same rifle,same ammo,youth stock was replaced with the synthetic the rifle came with.He's 27yo and 210lbs now. So yes 243 will kill deer  ,and no it's not too much rifle
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Posted: 5/19/2024 3:11:35 PM EDT
[#47]
The biggest issue with an 8-year-old shooting a deer rifle is going to be size. Unless he’s really big for his age, he’s going to have a hard time getting into decent field positions to shoot effectively because of the LOP and size of the rifle.
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IA, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2024 3:12:59 PM EDT
[#48]
I took 3 pigs with a .243 last January. All 3 pigs were right at 150 lbs. My loads were hand loads with a 90-grain bullet. The .243 is a very versatile round with varmint options and heavier game options. My load was not particularly hot and the recoil is very manageable. I used 40 grains of AA2700 with a 90 grain Speer soft point. For an 8-year-old downloading by 5 grains should be even more manageable for the youngster. It should put the bullet at about 2500 fps verses the 2850 for the full 40 grains. That is more than enough to kill a 90 lb. deer with minimal recoil.
kwg |
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Posted: 5/19/2024 3:17:29 PM EDT
[#49]
100 grain is perfect deer killer.
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Posted: 5/19/2024 3:24:30 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By FightingHellfish: The biggest issue with an 8-year-old shooting a deer rifle is going to be size. Unless he's really big for his age, he's going to have a hard time getting into decent field positions to shoot effectively because of the LOP and size of the rifle. Phooey, this is an ARFcom child. |
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