What is a good, cheap first hunting rifle for a 13 year old?

Dont skimp on the glass! Getting a decent $150 scope is still under your budget! I have gone through my share of cheap scopes when I was young.

I highly recommend a Nikon Prostaff. Excellent scope for the money.
 
As the very first responder to your post stated, I also highly recommend the Weatherby Vanguard II in the caliber of your choice - .223 Rem, .243 Win, or 7mm-08. It is a fantastic rifle for the money. I bought one last season for my 12 year old son, and it has worked out fantastic. In one weekend, he bagged 1 deer, 3 hogs, and 2 turkeys in South Texas! I like it so much that I have considered buying another one in a caliber that I do not own.
 
It's not cheap but because its something ill want him to keep forever...Winchester Model 70 in .243.

The current mfg Mod 70's are reported to be possibly the best ever.
 
At first you said deer rifle. Then you added black bear to the equation.
For just deer, a .243 would be hands down choice. Perfect deer caliber. But not enough gun for black bear, IMHO.
Go with the .308. It will handle anything on the continent up to grizzly bears. Some would argue for the 30-06, my personal choice, but it does have some kick a 13 year old might not want to handle. Any of the brands mentioned are fine. But, I often reccomend the "Pawn Shop" brand. Bargains can be found in pawn shops. Shop with care and don't be afraid to negotiate.
 
There's not a black bear in NY that you couldn't cleanly kill with a .243. Most of them are smaller than a good buck. A 300 pound boar would be high average, you'd be lucky to find a female that hit 200.
 
So im turning 13, and i want to buy myself a good hunting rifle for deer.
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Not quite that simple. Unless Federal Laws have changed overnight you will need to be 18 before you can purchase one for yourself. That said, if your parents will get one for you to use (you can not own one yourself till 18). Second you will be required to take a Hunting Education (gun safety) course within your state in-order to get a hunting license. Generally if you are under 16 years of age, you will have to have an adult hunting with you that also has a hunting license.

I am not that familiar with the regulations of NY, but in Illinois you can only use a shotgun or muzzle loader for hunting deer, what the regs are in NY you will need to re-search.

Since deer hunting is for a really short period (three or four days a year) I would suggest that you look for a target rifle that will be cheaper to shoot and you can use at a rifle range much more often. While I love the 243, it is expensive to shoot and a 22 LR or 223 would be much cheaper to use and allow you to shoot more often. (your parents will thank you for that, maybe)

If your dad is into rifles or an uncle, I am sure they will lend you a rifle to use and you could save your cash for a new Xbox or something that will be used more than a rifle. Sorry i know you don't want to hear that, but until you start working (age 16) shooting is just too expensive for one your age.

You may want to get into a Youth program with your State rifle association that would give you the opportunity to get on one of their teams, or if you live in the country a 4H club might be the way to go.

Take it to heart that hunting is not the way to learn how to shoot and take it slow and learn the basic first, there will be plenty of years for you to get your first buck.

Good luck and stay safe.
Jim
 
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Jim,

Gun season in NY is almost a month long.;)

True, he can't buy the gun himself.

He will have to be 14 before he can partake in the Youth Hunt, which IS only 3 days. At 16, he can hunt during regular season on his own.

Rifles are legal for deer in most of NY now. I assume the OP will now the rules in his specific area.
 
Brian

Like I said, I do not know what the rules are in NY. Ours is only 3 days for season 1, 2 or 3 (3 days each). If the question was posted by a parent then the caliber would be more pertinent, but i am a strong believer that the basics need to be learned BEFORE one goes out in the woods with a high powered rifle.

Squirrel hunting with a 22 LR is a different story and I would encourage him to do that first.

Just my view on it.
Jim
 
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OEF-Vet said:
One observation is none of us asked if this was Bharrigan915's first rifle. He said it was his first deer rifle so I assumed it was not his first rifle, I could be wrong. I am also as I type assuming Bharrigan915 is a male, I could be wrong about that as well.

If I am wrong in the assumption this is not Bharrigan915's first rifle I still recommend the 308 as an all purpose rifle for a hunter on a budget, but would also recommend a used 22LR for learning to shoot. I honestly don't advocate deer hunting with any rifle for someone with no shooting experience.
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Agreed jim243 I said the same thing much earlier in this thread
 
I don't disagree with any of the sentiment, in theory. In practice, it's a lot of assumptions and feels a lot like "Johnny Do-Good". I prefer to answer the question as asked and leave the other questions to the OP and his family, unless asked specifically. Mentioning a .308 when someone says they want a .243 is one thing, that's options. Giving them a book for properly raising our version of a good hunter when all they want to know is what rifle to buy, is quite another thing. It's all part of being on a public forum but I really don't think it's any of my (our) business.
 
Why anyone on this site would tell the boys to get an Xbox instead of learning to shoot/hunt at age 13 is beyond me. I started shooting at age 5, shot in my first Pwee shoot at age 7 and accompanied my father on hunting trips from then on.

If the boys mature enough to safely handle a firearm, it's time to go hunting.

Don't let anyone discourage you boy you're on the right track!

Boomer
 
Bharrigan915 said:
By buy it for myself i mean pay for it. I know i cant actually purchase it, i would have my dad do that.
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Actually, that would also be illegal. One of the questions on the form 4473 that your father will have to fill out is:

11a Are you the actual transfree/buyer of the firearm(s) listed on this form?Warning: You are not the actual buyer if you are acquiring the firearm(s) for another person. If you are not the actual buyer, the dealer can not transfer the firearm(s) to you.
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The form instruction include this:
Question 11.a. Actual Transferee/Buyer: For purposes of this form, you are the actual transferee/buyer if you are purchasing the firearm for yourself or otherwise acquiring the firearm for yourself (e.g., redeeming the firearm from pawn/retrieving it from consignment, firearm raffle winner). You are also the actual transferee/buyer if you are legitimately purchasing the firearm as a gift for a third party. ACTUAL TRANSFEREE/BUYER EXAMPLES: Mr. Smith asks Mr. Jones to purchase a firearm for Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith gives Mr. Jones the money for the firearm. Mr. Jones is NOT THE ACTUAL TRANSFEREE/BUYER of the firearm and must answer “NO” to question 11.a. The licensee may not transfer the firearm to Mr. Jones. However, if Mr. Brown goes to buy a firearm with his own money to give to Mr. Black as a present, Mr. Brown is the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm and should answer “YES” to question 11.a. However, you may not transfer a firearm to any person you know or have reasonable cause to believe is prohibited under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), (n), or (x). Please note: EXCEPTION: If you are picking up a repaired firearm(s) for another person, you are not required to answer 11.a. and may proceed to question 11.b.
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In other words, your father may buy the firearm for himself and let you use it or he may buy the firearm for you as a gift with his own money (actual time of possession depending on state law) but he CAN NOT buy it for you with your money.
 
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Maybe i should get a .22 first then wait until next year or so to get a high powered hunting rifle. For that im pretty confident about the marlin xt-22yr. Would you reccomend that I wait because this would be my first rifle (other than a crosman 760 pumpmaster bb gun)?
 
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I don't know enough about that particular model to comment on it, but I've always heard good things about Marlins. With that said, a good .22 rifle belongs in the stable of every shooter, IMO. There's no substitute for trigger time, and even in today's (expensive) ammo climate, it's the cheapest thing to shoot. Let's also not forget that plinking with a .22 is just plain old fun!
 
Spats McGee
A good .22 rifle belongs in the stable of every shooter, IMO. There's no substitute for trigger time, and even in today's (expensive) ammo climate, it's the cheapest thing to shoot. Let's also not forget that plinking with a .22 is just plain old fun!
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I agree with Spats on the .22

I have always had good luck with Marlins. In fact my 35 year old Marlin model 25 is one of may favorite guns to shoot and surely gets the most shooting time.
I think you are making a good choice going with a bolt action since you intend to use a bolt action for deer hunting when the time comes.

In the meantime if your parents don't shoot and can't mentor you a family member or family friend who is experienced and is agreeable to you and your parents would be a good idea. I'm sure you will have many questions as you begin your adventures in shooting and hunting. As you gain good habits and skills your mentor may own different rifles for you to shoot and get a good feel for what deer rifle and caliber will suit you when the time comes.

Good luck young man I am sure you will do well, you are already headed in the right direction by asking questions and learning about your interest prior to jumping in. This is a good trait to have in all aspects of life.
 
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