PA Deer Hunting

I have agreed to take my 15 year old nephew (lives in Pa) deer hunting this year. This is his 1st time so I want it to be a pleasant experience. I was looking at a Savage 243 combo package using federal 125 gr round. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I live in Ohio (a shotgun state).

That combo sounds pretty good. I will offer one suggestion. My experience with a .243, and from reading on the subject, is that the load is excellent for a competent marksman- you've got to hit the heart/lung area. Another consideration for a starting or small framed hunter is the 7mm-08. You can get factory loads with 140 or 150 grain bullets and the recoil is not significantly higher than a .243. The heavier bullet gives you a little more power on marginal hits.

Good Hunting.

The .243 is definitely enough rifle. And a 7mm has appreciably more recoil than the 6mm. Further, if he's not capable of hitting the heart/lung area of a deer within reasonable range the young man is not ready to hunt. Marginal hits are not acceptable. A gut shot/leg shot deer is not acceptable even with one of those monstrous magnums. So forget running shots. In a few hours the young man should be able to learn to hit a tea cup at 100 yds with his .243 if someone teaches him about using a rest and not try off-hand untill he's more experienced.

Bill Van Houten (USA Ret)

Thermopylae had it's messenger of defeat, COME AND GET THEM ! The Alamo had none.

I have seen many deer taken in PA with both the .243 and the 6mm. Being a big fan of 30 caliber guns, I would probably look at the .308. However, whatever gun you choose I would get together for as much practice shooting with the gun as possible. I have also seen as many deer get away in PA, with 30-06s and 300 mags as with .243 and 6 mm.

I agree completely with Marc's suggestion. While it is practical for some experienced deer hunters to carry a .243, in your situation a little more gun is probably a more responsible choice. In the real word we don't all make perfect shots, and in particular a kid hunting for the first time may need that added margin for error. (No matter how much he practices on the range, everything's going to change the first time he has a deer in his sights.)

Take it from someone who started out with a .243 and a single-shot

The greatest favor one can do for the beginning hunter is to impress on him/her to forget shooting at 'the deer' but to shoot at and hit a 'particular spot' on the deer. That does wonders for inhibiting 'Buck Fever' Handing a youngster a rifle that can rattle his/her teeth is NOT a way to encourage practice, practice, practice. Using the lightest cal. that will do the job when used responsibly is.

Bill Van Houten (USA Ret)

Thermopylae had it's messenger of defeat, COME AND GET THEM ! The Alamo had none.

Thanks for all the advice, I will post the results. Fritz

Very few deer are lost in the area of Pennsylvania that I hunt. Most of the hunters in that area (probably about 70%) use Model 760 Remington pumps (usually in .30-06) in case a quick followup shot is needed (autoloading rifles and pistols may not be used for hunting in Pennsylvania). Shots are close (usually well within 70 yards) and the deer may be moving. Baiting is not allowed in Pennsylvania and I do not allow tree stands on my farm, although a few neighbors use them. Two years ago I shot a buck early on the opening morning with a new 24 inch barrel .270 bolt action. I started hunting with it again in last year's season and after about 2 days decided it was NOT ideal for the thick vegetation, although it is excellent for western hunting in more open terrain. I exchanged it for my 30 year old Model 760 Carbine .30-06 to shoot the 2 deer I harvested there last year. One shot each - just because quick followup shots are available, they most often are not needed. The last time I needed the follow-up capability was 4 years ago when a young buck jumped up in front of me on the last day of the season and bounded away - the third shot killed him cleanly.

Another consideration for choice of a cartridge for Pennsylvania deer hunting is that black bear are considered a prime trophy there and many young hunters eventually want to hunt them. I don't consider a .243 to be a good choice for black bear, although many have been killed by it. I would also consider the older less powerful cartridges such as the .30-30 and .35 Remington which are also popular in Pennsylvania; certainly adequate for the short ranges; and in my opinion better for short range shots at black bear. Magnum cartridges are NOT needed in Pennsylvania.

Thanks Irv we will be hunting state game land 245 in management unit 2b (I believe).

Fritz, .243 is a good gun for beginners, being that it is a combo package make sure to sight it in and let him practice with it plenty, in order to build up his confidence. Remember, because it is his first hunt success is not as important as the enjoyable experience. If it's enjoyable he will want to continue hunting for many years to come.

Thad Brewer