|
08-07-2019, 08:56 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Beaumont, Alberta
Posts: 2
|
|
Hunting rifle calibre for youth.
Hello fellow outdoorsmen. My oldest son is turning 12 in October and is looking forward to hunting this year. I was introduced to hunting as a young adult so I don't have much experience hunting as a youth. I am looking for advice on a caliber that my 12 year old son can shoot that won't throttle him with recoil but will be suitable for several years that he can still shoot down the road. Any input would be helpful. I was thinking of a 7 mm-08 or a 25-06. Thoughts?
|
08-07-2019, 09:20 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 469
|
|
I started both my boys at 12 years old with a .243
With that, one or the other has taken both species of deer, cougar and black bear.
It’s all about shot placement and working within the limits of the rifle. I wouldn’t shoot at an elk at 350 yards with it, but deer and bear within 200 yards - put the bullet in the chest and it’ll die every time.
|
08-07-2019, 09:34 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,160
|
|
Both my boys started at age 12 with a 243 as well. Great choice for a first gun.
|
08-07-2019, 09:38 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Airdrie
Posts: 2,510
|
|
My 12 yr old started with a 7mm08. Was a good shot with it, got his first deer with it.
|
08-07-2019, 09:39 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,518
|
|
Hunting rifle caliber
Shot my first deer when I was 12 with a .243, 46 years ago.
|
08-07-2019, 10:00 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,525
|
|
What ever you already own. Go out and get some reduced recoil rounds and have a day.
|
08-07-2019, 10:22 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,850
|
|
I still own my first rifle, .243 win Winchester model 670a that rifle is a tack driver. I've used it on bear, deer, pronghorn, and elk. You can't go wrong with a .243win
|
08-07-2019, 10:46 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,005
|
|
Youth rifle
The 243 is a great mid range low recoil rifle--Haveing said that,the 6.5 CM is a long range,low recoil rifle.Excells on the target range,300-400m gong ringing comes fairly easy.The hard hitting 143 gr hunting bullet,will drop a deer in its tracks,at,what I would consider long range.With the young hunters,a good time,to learn how to hunt,waiting, watching,patience,persistace.No pot shotting--the value of shooting sticks.A humane kill.
|
08-12-2019, 06:33 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 2,789
|
|
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned here is that a rifle that is sized to fit him comfortably at 12 will likely be too small for him at 16. I would suggest finding a youth sized rifle in a caliber that is suitable for the game he will be pursuing for the next few years and to plan changing it out when he gets bigger.
Rifle fit is probably a bigger factor in his felt recoil and enjoyment than the specific caliber would be. I started my son off with an X-Bolt Micro in 7-08 at 12. He is now 16 and is now 6 feet and 60 lbs heavier than he was. A full size rifle now fits him just fine and he has no issues carrying it all day.
__________________
Princecraft, Humminbird, MinnKota, Cannon, Mack's Lure, & Railblaza Pro Staff
YouTube: Harder Outdoors
Instagram: @harderoutdoors
FB: HarderOutdoors
|
08-12-2019, 02:57 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Medicine Hat
Posts: 4,273
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SamSteele
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned here is that a rifle that is sized to fit him comfortably at 12 will likely be too small for him at 16. I would suggest finding a youth sized rifle in a caliber that is suitable for the game he will be pursuing for the next few years and to plan changing it out when he gets bigger.
Rifle fit is probably a bigger factor in his felt recoil and enjoyment than the specific caliber would be. I started my son off with an X-Bolt Micro in 7-08 at 12. He is now 16 and is now 6 feet and 60 lbs heavier than he was. A full size rifle now fits him just fine and he has no issues carrying it all day.
|
Best response yet.
__________________
Trades I would interested in:
- Sightron rifle scopes, 4.5x14x42mm or 4x16x42mm
especially! with the HHR reticle. (no duplex pls.)
- older 6x fixed scopes with fine X or target dot.
|
08-12-2019, 03:39 PM
|
Banned
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,939
|
|
My 15 year old loves his 30-30 Henry.
|
08-12-2019, 05:55 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,819
|
|
My Dad gave me his 303 Remington at age 12. Worked great for deer. I'm on the 243 bandwagon for your son. He will get larger bores etc. as he grows but will still use a 243 at times.
|
08-12-2019, 06:12 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Medicine Hat
Posts: 3,216
|
|
6.5x55 or 7-08 are near perfect .......... as long as they fit. As others have said this is probably the single most important factor.
__________________
Participating in a gun buy back program because you think that criminals have too many guns is like having yourself castrated because you think your neighbors have too many kids...
|
08-13-2019, 02:52 PM
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fox Creek
Posts: 3,315
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Savage Sam
Hello fellow outdoorsmen. My oldest son is turning 12 in October and is looking forward to hunting this year. I was introduced to hunting as a young adult so I don't have much experience hunting as a youth. I am looking for advice on a caliber that my 12 year old son can shoot that won't throttle him with recoil but will be suitable for several years that he can still shoot down the road. Any input would be helpful. I was thinking of a 7 mm-08 or a 25-06. Thoughts?
|
What do you want to shoot with it? Do you handload? Are you looking at buying a "new" rifle or passing down/lending one you currently have? What kind of range do you usually shoot game at? And how big and strong is your kid?
I could throw out a lot of generalities that might work, but without knowing a little more it's hard to tailor something that would be "just right".
A shorter stock that fits, as well as a good recoil pad makes a huge difference on the perceived recoil. And something with a lot of muzzle blast, like a high pressure cartridge, out of a short barrel, or muzzle brakes, will contribute to a hard to cure flinch.
__________________
Profanity and name calling are poor substitutes for education and logic.
Survivor of the dread covid
Pureblood!
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:52 AM.
|