With about 70 days left before leaving for RSA my 9 year old son still does not have a rifle that suits him. I have been thinking of getting him a Remington Model Seven in .260 Remington. Does anyone on this forum have any experience with that cartridge in Africa? For what game?

I do have a Remington Model Seven in .308 Win but my boy just can't handle it very well. It's been to Africa already and my other young sons have used it effectively on game ranging from warthog to Springbok. Maybe I can just have him shoot Remington's Managed Recoil cartridge in .308. Anyone have any experience with that cartridge on game up to impala in size?

BTW, I am not considering the .243 Win at all.

Namibiahunter

Probably a better choice to use a 7-08 in the same rifle, better selecction of bullets/ammo. Have you checked out the Ruger compact? They're pretty much a youth sized rifle and come in the same line of 308 based calibers. I'd stay away from any ultralight type rifles like the Browning Micro...while they might fit, the light weight really increases the recoil. Shot a friends 7-08 Micro A-bolt and that thing kicked more then that little cartridge should have.

I started my daughter on the 270 using the reduced recoil loads by Remington. If you pick the shots, actually the range, out to 100 yards, they do a fine job. When we got to more open country I snuck the reg shells in. Yes, she did feel a small difference, but she did fine at 10 yrs old with it.

If you go this route make sure you personally use the reduced rounds at the range and then the reg cartridges to determine the difference in POI.

My daughters shoot a M70 Classic compact in 7mm-08. A great caliber for kids......so great I shoot one too.

Download it a easy shooting 120 gr or bump it up to a 162 or 175 gr bullet for bigger stuff. 139 gr for all around stuff.

quote:

Probably a better choice to use a 7-08 in the same rifle, better selection of bullets/ammo.

My son used this exact rifle at/about your sons age, 140gr bullets and a 2.5-8x36 Leupold scope. Worked out well and it was right-sized for him (to shoot and carry) up until he could handle the .30's.

Very fond of the CZ in 7.62x39. Works well on most things out to 100m or so

I can highly recommend the 308 Remington Managed Recoil 125gr load.

I have killed 2deer and pigs with it, and my 11 year old nephew has killed 4 deer and a wild pig as well.

The only bullet recovered was one shot into a deer running away that the nephew hit a little far back with a full power 168gr Ballistic Tip.

It penetrated from the ham into the chest cavity, mushroomed well and had a good retained weight. Knocked the running deer right down.

The recoil is less than full power 243 loads.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:

quote:

Probably a better choice to use a 7-08 in the same rifle, better selection of bullets/ammo.

My son used this exact rifle at/about your sons age, 140gr bullets and a 2.5-8x36 Leupold scope. Worked out well and it was right-sized for him (to shoot and carry) up until he could handle the .30's.

+3
7mm-08 in the Ruger compact is a great rifle, my daughter has one. use the 148 or 160 grain nosler's or swifts. It will get the job done. Seen 600+lb bull elk shot with such a load at 200 yds with a 160 grain swift aframe, it traveled 50 yds and piled up.

+4 on the 7-08. Personally, I like the Remington M7, but be sure and look at the Howa 1500 youth in the same caliber.

My son (14) took a nice Grants Gazelle and I (over 14) took an Impala with a Winchester M70 Compact in .243 Win.. 20" barrel, very handy. Though I bought it for my sons, I've come to love the rifle. Carry a CZ550 in .375 H&H around all day and you'll come to love these little things.

I agree with those that cautioned that a 70-80 pound child feels the recoil more than you think. Despite it's critics, I think the .243 is perfect for a first centerfire. If it were for me, I'd get the 7-08 or .308.

You may want to look at the Ruger M77 International. I have one in .308 and it is about as handy as they come. Perfect for smaller statured. I put an NECG peep sight on mine (goes right on Ruger scope ring slot). You may find a child actually does better with this arrangement. Many young shooters seem to fear the scope for some reason. In any case, don't go overboard on scope magnification. Image shake and blackout disturbs new shooters.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I can highly recommend the 308 Remington Managed Recoil 125gr load.

I have killed 2deer and pigs with it, and my 11 year old nephew has killed 4 deer and a wild pig as well.

The only bullet recovered was one shot into a deer running away that the nephew hit a little far back with a full power 168gr Ballistic Tip.

It penetrated from the ham into the chest cavity, mushroomed well and had a good retained weight. Knocked the running deer right down.

The recoil is less than full power 243 loads.

+1 on the 308 w/ managed recoil ammo

+1 for 7-08

A 260 Remington will work great, just make sure he can shoot it well.

I have a friend who has taken every plains game in Africa with a 260 I have built for him.

I would also go with the managed recoil. I got some of these for a nephew who was hunting first time. Recoil was about equal to a 30-30 and less than a 20 guage trap load. He gained confidence with the gun and shot it well.

I bought my 12 year-old son a Kimber 84 in 7-08 with a 2.5x8 Leuppy for our trip in July. I imagine it will work perfect for the plains game we have on the menu...

I bought my wife a 260 in a Sako 75 wonderful light rifle.

One of my nephews shoots a 260, and with 140's it is a killing SOB.

Ed

[quote]My daughters shoot a M70 Classic compact in 7mm-08. A great caliber for kids......so great I shoot one too.

Download it a easy shooting 120 gr or bump it up to a 162 or 175 gr bullet for bigger stuff. 139 gr for all around stuff.

+1 on the M70 Classic compact in 7-08. that's what my son started out with. I added a nice pad.
To tell the truth, I put my 7mm mag in the closet and now use my son's little 7-08 (when he is not using it). It's short, light and a joy to carry while trudging up the hills here in Idaho. Plenty of gun for deer and elk. Shot placement, as always is what counts.
Only drawback, is with the short barrel, it's kinda loud.

I recently went through this same thought process only for a mule deer hunt here in OR. But with a view to future African trips. My son is a beefy 13 year old who has done a lot of sage rat and prairie dog shooting with a 22mag and a 222.

Started out thinking I would build him a 250 Savage. I have one and he has shot it a couple of times and likes it. I considered the 7-08. Also have a 6.8SPC that I considered. But then I figured, since I am a reloader, that a Rem 722 in 300 Savage was the ticket. I loaded some mild loads with lighter slugs and they worked fine.

My main rationale was that the 300 had more potential for future hunts (Africa or Elk) than the 7-08 or any of the others.

I picked this model/caliber because I found one with a shortened stock for a good price. I hand checkered the stock, engraved a border and his initial on the bottom metal and color cased the bottom metal and bolt shroud. A first rifle is something one should treat as special.

However, same logic could have led me to a 308. I would also do a 6.5x55 with a view to adding a 30 caliber at some time in the future.

Main point: don't lose any time! You must practice with the new rifle before getting on the plane. Very very important. Make sure that scope is positioned well forward.

Seems kind of late to be getting a new rifle up and ready. Try the managed recoil ammo first.

I have a M70 Classic Compact 7MM-08 for sale in the Classifieds with a leupold compact 2-7x on it.

quote:

Originally posted by Mikelravy:
Seems kind of late to be getting a new rifle up and ready. Try the managed recoil ammo first.

Two months?

How long does it take?

Why not just use the 308 with 150 grain A-frames loaded down a little? Probably the same recoil level as the 7-08, no need for a new gun and he'll be familiar as hell with it when he uses full-house loads. Just an idea... BN

If you handload, the 308 is a great suggestion!

So was the Howa youth model...I just didn't think it was chambered in 7-08, only have seen .243 and 308 Win. The great thing about the Howa Youth model is, you can get the Howa 2 in 1, it comes with 2 stocks, a youth sized stock and a standard adult stock (both are Hogue rubber grip stocks, very nice) so that way you buy 1 gun, and when he out grows the youth stock you put the new one on and he gets to keep his same familiar rifle! Its like 100$ more then just a youth model, but you're getting a gun that will last his lifetime. Cheaper then buying 2 thats for sure!

http://www.legacysports.com/pr.../specs_youth2n1.html

I went to the page after I made my post so I'm editing that YES, it IS available in 7-08! You can even order the package for an extra 25$ and it comes with a Nikko-Sterling Nighteater 3-9x42 scope with rings and bases. I've used these scopes, they're great for the price. MSRP is 625$ w/scope so figure on spending like 525$ or probably 450 w/o scope. 8lbs w/scope, so it'll be heavy enough to soak up some recoil, but not too much for him to carry.

My 13 year old son used a .308 this past year to take everything from impalla to black wildebeast. We used 150 grain Accubonds and had no zero problems.

My 14yo son managed all the game you mentioned with a .243 so a .260 would be no problem.

I'm intrigued why you don't consider the .243 ?

Your call of course as you know your son better than anyone.

Started by wife w/a 3006 w/Remington RR in it. DRT a 100lb pig w/no problems....nickle size exit wound. I'd think the 308 RR would do the same. My first choice.

Second: 6.5 X 55 and 260 are supposed to be very close.
Go to Buckmasters.com I just read an article on the 6.5 and the comparision of the two. No mention of sectional denisity though.

Robert

Get him a 7 x57 or load the 308 with 180gr hornady interlocks at 2300feet/sec i get it with 38gr S335 idont know the american equvilent it shoots great with very little recoil my ten year nephew uses it with no problems and it kills up to wildebeest