Ruger #1 .308 For Kid

Originally Posted by sestoppelman

Code4,

Hope to not sound argumentative but thats hooey. Loaded up to snuff the .308 can drive a 180 gr bullet to over 2600 fps in a strong gun. I have the rifle you describe in 7x57. A 175 gr bullet (the heaviest normal weight) can only realisticly acheive about 2500 fps. Would any animal know the difference? Of course not. So to say one is better than the other is just showing bias. I love the 7x57 but its no better than the .308.

Not argumentative at all mate. Appreciate your post. I will admit I'm biased however. Guilty as charged.

PS If you can get a .308W to stabilise a 200 grain good luck. The .308 with 180 will never equal the 7MM 175 grain on game at achievable velocities I base this statement on actual in-field experience.

Originally Posted by PHOENIX PHIL

Just so there isn't confusion, .308 will be the caliber. He has as mentioned shot full power loads in 165gr pills and has handled that just fine. I took the time to work him up from lightly loaded 150gr loads up to the 165's. I already have a .270 that someday he'll be a bit bigger to handle, talking rifle fit, not recoil here.

I did a little more thinking about this today and was on Winchester's website and they may have the best choice. They make a Featherweight "Compact". The length of pull is 13" and would probably fit my son just a bit better and it can always be lengthened later with shims. It also has a shorter 20" barrel, so it should handle better for him. And, he's got a younger brother coming up behind him, only 8 years old now. But, he's by my side every time I go scouting for elk. He's going to be as loony as his old man about hunting it looks like.

The Ruger #1? Well, maybe Mrs. Claus will purchase one for me in .300H&H this year?

I think this sounds super logical!

Originally Posted by PHOENIX PHIL

Just so there isn't confusion, .308 will be the caliber. He has as mentioned shot full power loads in 165gr pills and has handled that just fine. I took the time to work him up from lightly loaded 150gr loads up to the 165's. I already have a .270 that someday he'll be a bit bigger to handle, talking rifle fit, not recoil here.

I did a little more thinking about this today and was on Winchester's website and they may have the best choice. They make a Featherweight "Compact". The length of pull is 13" and would probably fit my son just a bit better and it can always be lengthened later with shims. It also has a shorter 20" barrel, so it should handle better for him. And, he's got a younger brother coming up behind him, only 8 years old now. But, he's by my side every time I go scouting for elk. He's going to be as loony as his old man about hunting it looks like.

The Ruger #1? Well, maybe Mrs. Claus will purchase one for me in .300H&H this year?

The Winchester FWT compact sounds like a good choice. If you're going to let him hunt Elk sized with a .308 with 165's, I highly reccomend something similar to a Sierra Gameking or a Nosler Partition. These 2 bullets will help to make up for the 165's reduced penetration in comparison to 180's, while still expanding well enough to leave a decent wound channel.