i just bought my 10 yr son an encore frame and stock however i am indecisive about a caliber. i personally have had alot of satisfaction with my 257 roberts on whitetail, however i am deciding on a barrell to order and i need some help on what would best fit a growing hunter  7mm-08, 260 remington, 25-06 thanks

Welcome aboard. I personally like the 257. But if you are ruling that one out then I would probably go with the 7mm-08 loaded lightly for starters.

I shoot a .260 and love it....perfect for a beginner or for someone who's not into the recoil thing.......
 
 Plenty potent on deer and even loaded right elk sized game....
 
 You can't go wrong with either of them.....

I think the 7-08 will give you a wider range of loads available.  Either one will be great for whitetail deer.

I think any of them would be a fine round for deer and a youngster. If that is all you plan on hunting with one of them, pick one and it'll serve that purpose for a lifetime. I think they are all pretty comparable in recoil. I really don't think there's an advantage to any where deer hunting is concerned but that's JMO.

thanks i will order the 7mm-08. Now do you all have any suggestions on barrell size for this caliber. I want to have the std. thompaon encore barrel cut down to possibly 20 inches however will this effect accuracy. thanks again

My son is shooting a Rem Mod 700 in .308 with a 20 inch barrell, and it is just fine with velocity and accuracy.  Ruger makes 7mm-08s with an 18 inch barrell I believe.

thanks glenn: just wondering if cutting down the barrel to 20" will have an overall effect on the optimal accuracy and whether it will increase recoil. any suggestions or notations greatly appreciated

:D Hey just post that, they are some ole boy's here with a high  I. Q. on that stuff;)

No problem RKGA, I asked the question myself not too long ago and this is the thread I was referred to
 
 http://www.thehunterslife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3050
 
 I just saw where you're from, I grew up in Brooksville.  You sure live in a nice area, you folks aint seen Florida till you seen RKGA's back yard.  Swamp, rivers, springs, gators, manatees, bears, deer, turkey, snakes, turtles, cypress, mangroves, oaks, pines and even a few monkees if you know where to look.

RBH, I did'nt know the post, man that sounds like a very good hunt'n spot, them ole boy's been look'n fer the ARK in the wrong spot,:D

thanks:
 
i read the thread seems -20fps for every inch in general. however the ruger compact in 7mm-08 measures 16 1/2 inch. i thinnk i will stick with cutting the barrel to 22 inch. happy medium  again many thanks
 
yes weeki wachee is great living on the river. beautiful
 
brooksville still the same they are tying to encroach however.
 
i did live in Kalispell, Mt i do miss the hunting not the June snows
 
keith

Quote from: RatherBHuntinMy son is shooting a Rem Mod 700 in .308 with a 20 inch barrell, and it is just fine with velocity and accuracy.

Would be my recommendation.
 
Paul