Suitable youth rifle for a Mule Deer hunt?

[CVCOBRA1]

The 6.5 Grendel is great for Mule deer out to 400 yrds. If you are worried about shot placement or buck fever use Nosler ballistic tip hunting bullets. The exit wound on a Mule deer at 125 yrds. Is the size of a walnut with a 95gr bullet in a 243.

Most of the guys jumping on here now haven't read the complete thread. She has access to a 22" AR in 6.5 Grendel. Also a 20" bolt gun in the same. Get her a 500 round case of Wolf steel ammo and let her shoot. It is super cheap and in my two Grendel shoots plenty good for plinking and practice. Switch over to hunting ammo when the time gets near and let her enjoy.

 

[nmbsniper]

Don't rule out 7mm-08 either. Its very affordable in Ruger American; soft recoil, variety of bullet weights and accurate out to longer distances. Only you know her ability to shoot long range. Keep her inside that until she is better.

 

[Travis Buntin]

I'll be taking my 13 year old on a mule deer hunt that she was drawn for and I'm looking for ideas on a good cartridge that is suitable for the job. It says in the hunt guide that most shots will be 200 yards or further. I have a 6.5 Grendel for her to whitetail hunt with. Though it has done well for close range whitetail, I don't feel it is a good choice for Mule deer at the suggested ranges. The other two options I have available is a 14lb match rifle in 6mm Creedmoor or a 300wsm. I'm unsure that a 100-110gr 6mm is enough and personally think the 300wsm will be a bit much recoil. The two cartridges that come to mind that I think would be a good middle of the road cartridge for this application would be the 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC. It wouldn't take much for me to spin up another barrel and swap it out ...accept for the fact that I don't have a barrel laying around. Maybe I can get by with what I have or maybe I need to buy a barrel? Looking for some ideas and opinions. Also to add, I have never hunted Mule deer so it will be a new adventure for the both of us. Thanks ahead of time for any tips, tricks & advice

Don't overlook a good solid bullet for your selection. I've had my boys shoot a 90 grain triple shock out of my 243wssm and we've taken everything from bull elk @ +200 yards, & coues deer well beyond 200 yards in Arizona with zero issues. It all comes down to shot placement regardless of the caliber.

 

[seattleman1969]

Lots of great suggestions here... I think it's all been covered!

 

[Jbuck]

One of the best all around guns for kids is a 270 Win. It is not a bad kicker and certainly packs the punch for Mule Deer. The ammunition is readily available and reasonably priced. Unless you are going to shoot a premium bullet, stick to the 270 or larger caliber.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

why is the 6.5 creedmore a really hyped gun

Good question. Cheap accurate factory ammo and factory rifles with fast twists is the short answer. The really short answer is Horndady's marketing team is brilliant.

 

[Old Rooster]

When my daughter started hunting I got her a 243 because most girls are just smaller than boys and can't take much recoil.
I let her shoot my 30-06's,270's,6.5x55,358(not any mags) but she preferred the 243 with good bullets.
With Hammer bullets I would not feel handicapped at all with 243 even at 400 yards.
On the other hand the Hammers in 6.5 would give you and her more confidence in complete pass through even with 400 yards shots.
One friend uses 88 gr Hammers and kills as many Muley's as I do.
We have gotten use to ultra fast bullets and forgotten the older slower cartridges that have taken way more animals than the latest and greatest new cartridges.
Not that I don't like the newer cartridges but give them 40 to 50 years in the field before discounting the older solid performers.
Just my 2 cents
Old Rooster

 

[SergeantD]

I'll be taking my 13 year old on a mule deer hunt that she was drawn for and I'm looking for ideas on a good cartridge that is suitable for the job. It says in the hunt guide that most shots will be 200 yards or further. I have a 6.5 Grendel for her to whitetail hunt with. Though it has done well for close range whitetail, I don't feel it is a good choice for Mule deer at the suggested ranges. The other two options I have available is a 14lb match rifle in 6mm Creedmoor or a 300wsm. I'm unsure that a 100-110gr 6mm is enough and personally think the 300wsm will be a bit much recoil. The two cartridges that come to mind that I think would be a good middle of the road cartridge for this application would be the 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 PRC. It wouldn't take much for me to spin up another barrel and swap it out ...accept for the fact that I don't have a barrel laying around. Maybe I can get by with what I have or maybe I need to buy a barrel? Looking for some ideas and opinions. Also to add, I have never hunted Mule deer so it will be a new adventure for the both of us. Thanks ahead of time for any tips, tricks & advice

 

[moa_shooter]

One of the best all around guns for kids is a 270 Win. It is not a bad kicker and certainly packs the punch for Mule Deer. The ammunition is readily available and reasonably priced. Unless you are going to shoot a premium bullet, stick to the 270 or larger caliber.

they are good for an adult but for kids they have to much recoil

 

[SergeantD]

It seems all the craze is about 6mm this and 6mm that. One excellent deer cartridge is the 7mm-08. It's flat shooting not a whole lot of recoil for your children too shoot and bullet selection is good.

 

[moa_shooter]

One of the best all around guns for kids is a 270 Win. It is not a bad kicker and certainly packs the punch for Mule Deer. The ammunition is readily available and reasonably priced. Unless you are going to shoot a premium bullet, stick to the 270 or larger caliber.

a 270 has to much recoil for a kid

 

[DSheetz]

Walk as much as you can now so you won't pay later start preparing now so you both will be ready for the hunt . The rifles you have are fine for the animal to be taken at the ranges you mentioned . Have her carry a slinged weight of the weight or a little more then the chosen rifle and back pack of the weight you plan to carry , enjoy the time spent together getting ready . Get your boots and other gear fitting you and her properly now . Practice using the heavy clothing you will be wearing for your hunt so that she is used to shooting with the added length of pull of heavy clothing . As mentioned earlier a good fitting stock will mean more then the caliber . I put a Boyds at one on a 308 and bedded it , it is very adjustable for lop and cheek weld and not a bad price if you go with your bolt gun cheaper then a new barrel or rifle . Don't over look good socks your feet are what carry you and they are one of the often overlooked parts of the hunt , until the first day of the hunt, good fitting shoes are also important , being comfortable and at ease makes the hunt better . Use what you two will be using for the hunt as much as you can , to get used to it before the hunt so that you have less to think and learn about before the hunt so that the hunt can be enjoyed more .

 

[moa_shooter]

Walk as much as you can now so you won't pay later start preparing now so you both will be ready for the hunt . The rifles you have are fine for the animal to be taken at the ranges you mentioned . Have her carry a slinged weight of the weight or a little more then the chosen rifle and back pack of the weight you plan to carry , enjoy the time spent together getting ready . Get your boots and other gear fitting you and her properly now . Practice using the heavy clothing you will be wearing for your hunt so that she is used to shooting with the added length of pull of heavy clothing . As mentioned earlier a good fitting stock will mean more then the caliber . I put a Boyds at one on a 308 and bedded it , it is very adjustable for lop and cheek weld and not a bad price if you go with your bolt gun cheaper then a new barrel or rifle . Don't over look good socks your feet are what carry you and they are one of the often overlooked parts of the hunt , until the first day of the hunt, good fitting shoes are also important , being comfortable and at ease makes the hunt better . Use what you two will be using for the hunt as much as you can , to get used to it before the hunt so that you have less to think and learn about before the hunt so that the hunt can be enjoyed more .

i couldn't agree more

 

[freddiej]

I have been helping people outfit their kids for about 8 years, the best calibers I know for that group of boys and girls are: 257 Roberts, 7MM-08, 260 Rem, 7X57, heavy twist barreled 6MM Rem, 6.5X57, and 270 WSM (with a 110 grain barnes, 130 grain nosler or berger with a moderate load this is absolutely the best cartridge I know for "teens")..
If you have a bolt gun in 300 WSM that she can hold and use, think about using a 125 grain Nosler BallTBT and use a moderate load in the case, it should be gentle enough to allow her to shoot comfortably and should shoot about as flat as a 30-06.
This is just my best advice from my experience.