270 WSM. vs. 243 Win. for kid

[CLP308]

I'm getting a new rifle for my 12 yr old daughter who is 5'-3" @ 125#. Looking @ Micro A or X bolt & Model Seven. Where we hunt whitetail most shots are 100-200 yds. I know the .243 is adequate because I have one. I like what Im reading about the 270 Wsm plus it has alot more energy and range. I would also consider rebarreling my 308 model seven if the 270 wsm works out. What is the recoil like? Would it need a brake for her. Any other rifles to look at?
Thanks,
Chris

 

[Shortmagman]

Two of my grandsons have taken deer in the last couple of years and both have used my Ruger 77 in 243 to take them. So I think that a 243 Win is a great caliber for a small teenager. If you want more power you can go up to a 260 Rem, a 7mm-08 or a 270 Winchester and get more without too much recoil. However, I think that a 270 WSM is too much gun for a 12 year old. I was just shooting my Winchester Model 70 in 270 WSM at the range this week along with my 7mmSAUM and I found that the recoil was close on these two guns. I was shooting 140 grain bullets out of the 270WSM and 168 bullets out of the 7mmSAUM.

 

[bigngreen]

The 270 WSM may be a little much but if I were to do it for a youngster I would have the stock fitted correctly, recoil reducer in the butt stock, and load 110 TTSX bullets at a moderate velocity and see if that would do it, then a brake if needed.

My wife shoots mine all the time with full round house loads with 150 gr BT's and 165 Matrix but it's braked and 14 lbs.

 

[bruce_ventura]

For 12 yo girl, I recommend the .243 over the .270 wsm as well. A brake on a .270 wsm will reduce the bite, but increase the bark. Not much fun for the person shooting and hunting with her. I would get the stock fitted correctly for her.

 

[Booney]

270 WSM for sure you can down load it and then when she gets older she will have more gun. I shoot a 165 gr bullet at close to 3000 fps. And the recoil is very light. You could get it a lot less withe a lite bullet at the same speed.

 

[winmag]

I started shooting an -06 with 180's when I was 13, & it kicks harder than my 270WSM loaded Hot with 140Accubonds.

The 243 is a cool round. But not even in the same league as the 270win, or WSM.
I'm sure the 243 would knock a deer on its butt, but the 270 will do the same thing quite a ways further out, plus can be used as an Elk rifle if she ever needed one. It's a bit more versatile is all.
Of course you never even mentioned Elk, so, the good news is you can't go wrong with either. Guess you better buy both. Haha.
Id second bigngreen's advise for recoil reduction, & run with the 270WSM, but that's me.
My boys will start out with either 300WSM or 270WSM, loaded light,or standard -06 or 270win cause Elk are on the menue where we hunt, & bears are a regular occurance as well.

Best of luck with your choice, & with your lil huntin buddy

 

[CogburnR]

Get her a 243.

A lightweight 270WSM will end her desire to go shooting.

I have a permanent dent in my nose from my 270wsm's repeatedly smacking my nose.

If she ever wants something bigger she can get one...they are

A 260 or 7/08 would be a good compromise.

 

[mephistopeles]

For 12 yo girl, I recommend the .243 over the .270 wsm as well. A brake on a .270 wsm will reduce the bite, but increase the bark. Not much fun for the person shooting and hunting with her. I would get the stock fitted correctly for her.

Agreed.

 

[Sully2]

Model 7 in .243. Dont really know how you can beat it for your needs.

 

[gillettehunter]

For just deer hunting the .243 does a good job. I have a friend w/ a 7mm 08. It has less recoil than my sons .243. All in the gun and loads I guess. If the potential is there to ever use it for other than deer I'd definitely look at the .260 or the 7mm 08. Lots of bullet choices that will work better.
My son took his .243 to Africa last may. Killed 3 impala, 1 springbuck and a Bushbuck with 1 shot. He also killed 2 Lechwe in 1 shot with the .243. The guide said to shoot and he did just as a young Lechwe jumped in front the big bull. Complete pass through on both animals! Neck only on the younger one. Barnes 80 gr. TTSX. Depends on what what you like. Bruce

 

[Bravo 4]

I would also consider rebarreling my 308 model seven if the 270 wsm works out.

How about this, give her the model 7 .308. You can load it up or down or if you don't reload you can buy reduced loads. Then buy yourself the .270 WSM, sounds like a win-win.

 

[Glass4days]

You guys that are shooting the 165 matrix through the 270 wsm
What twist rate are you using to stabalize them? Thanks

 

[Booney]

You guys that think a 270wsm has too much kick are nuts. Do the math, a 130 gr bullet with an 8 pound rifle has 16 pounds of recoil, the 243 with a 90 gr bullet has 13 pounds. 3 pounds is nothing and you could load it down to 13 pounds. Yes, I understand that you could load the 243 down even further to probably 8 or 9 pounds but a girl that is 5'3'' and a 125 lbs can handle 13 pounds of recoil. Shoot, my sister that weighs 105 shoots my Allen Mag all the time. For the guy that got scoped by a 270 wsm, check your eye relief. Hold onto that rifle a little bit because with a rifle that has less than 20 lbs of recoil you should not have a problem getting scoped. Not trying to be rude but that's just how it is.

 

[chucknbach]

You guys that think a 270wsm has too much kick are nuts. Do the math, a 130 gr bullet with an 8 pound rifle has 16 pounds of recoil, the 243 with a 90 gr bullet has 13 pounds. 3 pounds is nothing and you could load it down to 13 pounds. Yes, I understand that you could load the 243 down even further to probably 8 or 9 pounds but a girl that is 5'3'' and a 125 lbs can handle 13 pounds of recoil. Shoot, my sister that weighs 105 shoots my Allen Mag all the time. For the guy that got scoped by a 270 wsm, check your eye relief. Hold onto that rifle a little bit because with a rifle that has less than 20 lbs of recoil you should not have a problem getting scoped. Not trying to be rude but that's just how it is.

Problem is it's not going in an 8 lbs gun. Youth guns are not as heavy and barrels not as long. A .243 in youth gun is going to kick harder than a full size .243.