Which caliber for a 12 year old - .243 or .270?

[Belo]

My oldest is turning 11, which means next year he can start out mentored youth deer hunting and this Christmas I'll have a choice to make. He's not a big kid weight wise, but not small either. He's tall and athletic, decent frame and I'm thinking the .270 would be good as it's probably the perfect whitetail gun from everything I've ever read and a gun he can use the rest of his life. I myself shoot a .30-06 as I hunted bear a few times, but it's really not necessary for where I hunt as most shots are under 100 yards and only one stand sits over a field with 200+ yard opportunities.

Anyhow, talk me into or out of which caliber, thanks!

[mowin]

I'd choose a 270, only because it's more versatile. 

I'd consider 7mm08. Lighter recoil then the 270, but not much more than the 243.  

243 with the right bullet is very effective.  

[Skillet]

I'm not a fan of 243. I've not lost a deer with it, but blood trails are pretty sparse. 

270. 

[JohnPlav]

I have a .270 that I've hunted with since I was a young teen without issue with recoil.  That being said, I agree with @mowin about checking out a 7mm-08.  Less recoil and ideal for whitetail at 139 grain, with larger bullets options available. 

Edited July 21 by JohnPlav

[Buckmaster7600]

Between those choices I’d go 243 but it wouldn’t be my first choice! I would pick 7mm-08, 6.5 creedemore or 308  over the 243 or 270. 
 

308 and 7-08 are the ideal deer cartridges, the 6.5 is close enough to the 7-08 that it has to be included. Ammo availability has to be considered and the 308 and 6.5 have to be the most available cartridges in the US. 

[Belo]

What's ammo look like for the 7mm-08? Not too familiar with this cartridge. 

[Lawdwaz]

You have other boys coming up too?

Easy choice is the 243.  They can all start shooting it when ready, ammo is plentiful, recoil is mild and it kills like lightning.   
 

Remember; Shoot more, shoot more often.   Trigger time trumps all.   

[2BuckBizCT]

3 minutes ago, Lawdwaz said:

You have other boys coming up too?

Easy choice is the 243.  They can all start shooting it when ready, ammo is plentiful, recoil is mild and it kills like lightning.   
 

Remember; Shoot more, shoot more often.   Trigger time trumps all.   

Agree, same. Perfect for NY. sight it in right and they're holding dead on for any shot distance.

[grampy]

15 minutes ago, Buckmaster7600 said:

Between those choices I’d go 243 but it wouldn’t be my first choice! I would pick 7mm-08, 6.5 creedemore or 308  over the 243 or 270. 
 

308 and 7-08 are the ideal deer cartridges, the 6.5 is close enough to the 7-08 that it has to be included. Ammo availability has to be considered and the 308 and 6.5 have to be the most available cartridges in the US. 

I shoot 270 and absolutely love it for deer!! I also have a 7mm-08 that I bought for my grandson.. That 7mm-08 will do just about all the 270 will, but with a little less recoil. I think the 7mm-08 may just be the "PERFECT" whitetail cartridge. It will be great in either 120 0r 140 grain bullets. Will fit Belo's young hunter now, and for years to come.  That's my vote!!

My opinion is that the 243 is a bit on the light side. An experienced shooter can drop deer with a 243 easy enough. But there is little room for error. You must be sure to put the shot right in the boiler room. 

[2BuckBizCT]

if you're set on the .270 might as well get the .270 weatherby magnum, which you can use for almost anything in North America.

[Ogee]

4 minutes ago, 2BuckBizCT said:

if you're set on the .270 might as well get the .270 weatherby magnum, which you can use for almost anything in North America.

Cause ammo is cheap and plentiful……

AND theres hardly any recoil.

[Buckmaster7600]

36 minutes ago, grampy said:

I shoot 270 and absolutely love it for deer!! I also have a 7mm-08 that I bought for my grandson.. That 7mm-08 will do just about all the 270 will, but with a little less recoil. I think the 7mm-08 may just be the "PERFECT" whitetail cartridge. It will be great in either 120 0r 140 grain bullets. Will fit Belo's young hunter now, and for years to come.  That's my vote!!

My opinion is that the 243 is a bit on the light side. An experienced shooter can drop deer with a 243 easy enough. But there is little room for error. You must be sure to put the shot right in the boiler room. 

7mm-08 is also my favorite deer cartridge. The only reason I can’t recommend it is for non reloaders ammo has been scarce, although it’s getting better we all know we’re one issue away from being in another ammo shortage. 
 

I agree 243 is too small of a hole for my liking. They’re plenty when things go right but that’s not always the case and I want a little more mass and diameter.

Edited July 21 by Buckmaster7600

[IM Hooked]

270, but I would let him shoot one first.

[corydd7]

Another vote for 7mm08. Dropped a decent sized bear in its tracks. I have an AB3 and like it except for the loud safety. Lite to carry for tracking, little recoil, plenty of power. 

I hunt with that most times over my .270 or 30/30.

[2BuckBizCT]

23 minutes ago, Ogee said:

Cause ammo is cheap and plentiful……

AND theres hardly any recoil.

see above. i suggested .243 first