My son is currently 12 and passed his hunter safety program earlier this year. He will be deer hunting for this first time this year. After considering different rifles and calibers, we decided on the Ruger American in .243, added a Nikon Buckmasters scope in 3x9x40. Hoping to get it sighted in the next couple of weeks so he can spend some time practicing...look out deer!!!:)
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Great minds think alike;) I chose the same rifle for my son, wife or whoever else wants to use it. I grabbed a cheaper bushnell trophy XLT due to a good sale at a big box store. The cool thing is the ruger american rimfire is really similar size and feel of the center fire compact which is great for lots of cheap trigger time.. Heck I think Im gonna leave my custom rem 700 308 in the safe and hunt with this 243 this yr...
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In wooded country....I like that high-shoulder shot. Really puts the deer down IME. You may lose a little meat.....but not enough to be a game changer for me. I'm colorblind... and not very good at tracking in the brush.I've been going for double lung the last few years and have gotten pass thru shots and great blood trails. Before that I'd always put it right on the shoulder. Deer usually dropped w/in 10 yards if not on the spot but there wasn't many exit holes.
How do you guys like the Ruger American now that you've had it for a few months? Maybe hunted with it this past year?
Like it so far. Only sited mine in havnt drew blood with it yet. Shoots great with hornady 100 grain so. If I could do it over I would go with 7mm08 or 308. I was suprised at the kick the 243 had in the compact Ruger American
Like it so far. Only sited mine in havnt drew blood with it yet. Shoots great with hornady 100 grain so. If I could do it over I would go with 7mm08 or 308. I was suprised at the kick the 243 had in the compact Ruger American
More than I thoughtMeaning more or less recoil than you originally thought? I am still leaning 7mm-08 for my guy here in a year or so.
Thanks Jordan.
My son just turned 10 and we're probably going to go with the compact Ruger American with a Vortex Diamondback scope. I just wanted to hear your overall thoughts, regardless of caliber, on the gun after having it a few months.
My daughter used the reduced recoil Remington 30-06 loads for 3 years in her 7600, now she shoots the same rounds as dad without issue.FYI....This months issue (march '15) og Outdoor Life lists reduced loads for the morst popular youth calibers. Most of the loads listed are 1/2 the recoil of the standard ammo.....yet have enough power for deer at reasonable ranges. GREAT for the recoil sensative shooters. ;)
FYI....This months issue (march '15) og Outdoor Life lists reduced loads for the morst popular youth calibers. Most of the loads listed are 1/2 the recoil of the standard ammo.....yet have enough power for deer at reasonable ranges. GREAT for the recoil sensative shooters. ;)
With my experience shooting the 30-06 loads from Remington, I would be very surprised if it wasn't the same or less with the .308 rounds vs. the 7-08. There is a marked difference in the reduced 120 gr 30-06 and the 165 gr standard factory loads I shoot. I will ask my uncle, he shoots a .308 pump and I believe he has tried them both in his gun. I will ask how the reduced .308's compare to his .243, which I assume has about the equivalent recoil as a 7-08?Anyone have any idea who a reduced recoil 308 at 120 grains would compare to a 7mm-08 at 140 grains?