Youth deer rifle.

[GA Sheephunter]

No kid less than ten years old needs to own anything more than a rimfire. Anyone who buys a baby a centerfire has an ego problem. For very small kids they need to be able to progress through BB guns into pellet guns before they ever get into rimfire. Everyone needs a chance to progress and grow in the world of firearms. Buying a 7 year old a 243 is just nuts. Just watch, the same guy is going to by his kid a new corvette as his first car while in high school. 243 for a 12 year old only if he has been through the progression of pellet and rimfire guns. Kids need to do a lot of plinking.
first with BBs, pellets and then rimfire.

Thats the world I grew up in too in the early 80s. From age 4, BB>.177 pellet>.22 pellet>.22LR/20ga>.30-30>.243 at age 15. etc.....

But today its all about me and mine, look what I am doing/did.... being the first kid to do X, have X, keep up with the jones', fbook, instagram, selfie........different times

 

[Orange Dust]

Having "Been there done that" a couple of times, here is my input. Both my girls shot their first deer at age 6. Weapon was a cut down 700 in .243 with a brake and loaded hot with 55gr ballistic tips. They were only allowed to shoot deer broadside at close range. 40yds max. Recoil somewhere between a .22LR and a .22Mag. Killed them like a lightning bolt with decent hits. By the time they were 10, one graduated to a braked 7-08, and the other a braked .308. Ranges increased. The 7-08 shot flatter and the .308 killed quicker. By the time they were 16 one was shooting an unbraked 7WSM and the other an unbraked .270 WSM. They both are still very successful hunters and I have lost count of the deer they have slayed. With little ones you will find it is more important for them to see the deer fall. Blood trails and children don't mix well. I'm not saying this is the best way, or that other cartridges won't accomplish the same thing, but this worked very well. We practiced a lot with archery targets of deer, only took broadside shots, and stayed at about half the distance they were capable of making the shot, and practicing. We built a stand just like the ones we hunt out of and they practiced out of it. They get pretty pumped up and you have to allow for that. I feel muzzle brakes are absolutely necessary during this stage. They need to shoot THEIR DEER RIFLE allot during this time, and recoil is an enemy they just don't need to learn to deal with yet.

 

[TX Badger]

Manners mcs-cs
20" barrel
6.5 creedmoor
View attachment 135088

That! Would make you the coolest grandpa ever, if you have the budget. He'll be the envy of his friends and shooting it forever.

 

[jlteague]

When my doctor told me I had to get rid of my 30-06 or risk paralysis from old neck injuries I went to the 243. Reload Berger 95 gn vld bullets at 2950 fps. Every deer since has gone down with one shot. So if you are just looking for a deer rifle the 243 would be my choice for a youth or anyone else for that matter. Can't think of any reason to take anymore recoil just because. Now if you plan to do more than just deer I think the 7mm-08 would be the ticket, the wife loves hers.

 

[Jed2925]

My daughter started with a 7mm-08. Killed an elk at 425yrds last year. the 7mm-08 is a very good cartridge in my opinion. Load anything from 120 to 168gr and it will get it done. On the other hand, the 6.5 Creedmoor has really come to the front and many have been using it for everything the 7mm-08 can do and the Creed does it as well or better and factory ammo is plentiful so that may be an option.

 

[jrthomasjr]

I see a lot of good suggestions on this thread. Having worked or lead youth hunts for several years now, I've had the chance to observe the shooting capabilities of hundreds of beginners. Some of my observations:

• Those who come with an AR platform (especially with adjustable stock) typically don't go home with empty coolers if the animals cooperate. 300 BLK and 6.8 SPC have both proven themselves. From my observations, I have to conclude the ergonomics and recoil management of this platform is just superior to everything else out there.
  
• Suppressors boost confidence (a big factor in shooting ability). Suppressor combined with AR, even better.
• Gun fit is paramount. It helps manage recoil and the ability to see through the scope easily. I made the mistake of buying my son the H&R rifle for his first one and neither of us could shoot it well because it wasn't comfortable to shoot. It might be for some kids, but not for either of us, and he wasn't that big at the time. I was 6'3", 225#, and I didn't like shooting it at all. Turned out the geometry was all wrong and amplified the perceived recoil. Limbsaver pad helped some here, but it still felt wrong for both of us. In spite of that, he took his first deer on his first hunt with perfect shot placement.

Regarding that last one, I recently had a dad call me night before the hunt: "..we got a problem..". He explained that his daughter was having a problem shooting the gun, possibly due to recoil. I had him bring the gun; I brought all 3 sizes of Limbsaver slip-ons plus my .257 Roberts just in case. At the bench, we fitted the pad first. After that, I could see she was clearly uncomfortable with something. She said she had a hard time seeing through the scope. I noticed it was turned to 9X, turned it down to 6X and had her try again: "That's great!" She proceeded to shoot the best target of the group. She was the first to fill a tag and also tagged one at 200 yards. I believe she had a .243 bolt gun. Yes, .243 can be intimidating to some; everyone is different in their perception of recoil. I've spent a lot of hours trailing bad .243 hits, but well-placed shots do the job every time in all of the calibers.

Above all, be patient with the kid. The hardest thing I've had to do is watch parents (both moms and dads) get impatient with the kid because they're still learning or they can't tolerate what they perceive as minimal recoil. Some parents are good at it, others aren't. Patience and observation on your part is a key factor in their learning experience. Make sure they're having fun.

 

[therifleman556]

No kid less than ten years old needs to own anything more than a rimfire. Anyone who buys a baby a centerfire has an ego problem. For very small kids they need to be able to progress through BB guns into pellet guns before they ever get into rimfire. Everyone needs a chance to progress and grow in the world of firearms. Buying a 7 year old a 243 is just nuts. Just watch, the same guy is going to by his kid a new corvette as his first car while in high school. 243 for a 12 year old only if he has been through the progression of pellet and rimfire guns. Kids need to do a lot of plinking.
first with BBs, pellets and then rimfire.

Who made you the parenting czar?

 

[JDD]

I picked up a Weatherby "Camila" In 7 /08. The Camila is stocked to fit female hunters. It should be perfect for adolescent boys and their moms. I am 6' and 260lbs and it did not feel bad to me. The boys are 7 and 8 so I may start them on a 6.5 Grindal I just put together . I move them up the 7 08 once they get some rounds down range and it starts to fit them better

 

[SES50]

Well, I will tell you what I did with both of my kids. I bought each of them a AR15 lower. Then I bought the parts they wanted so they could build the rifles the way they wanted. The first rifle my daughter built when she was 7yo was in .223 Wylde. I got here shooting that and getting proficient. When she passed hunters safety when she was 9yo I bought the parts for her to build up a 6.5 Grendel upper for deer hunting and used one of my older mid-range scopes on it. This way the I am keeping her with the same controls that she was use to when she was learning and there currently is nothing new. Plus as she grows, I just increase the length of the stock. AR15s are the perfect kid rifle. No adding spacer or buying new stocks.

On a side note, I have some very expensive long range rifles. One of my AR15s with an $800 Rock River Arms 20" coyote pursuit barrel shoots the best groups out of all rifles I own. I consistently shoot sub .15MOA groups. Granted it is a 223 with no recoil but still!!

 

[JDD]

I like the 7/08 cartridge but it simply isn't as commercially available as the .243

I bought Kimber wood stocked model 84 for my my daughter. She has made several nice 1 shot kills with it. The Barnes TTSX factory loads are awesome and I have shot steel to 500 yards with it very accurate for factory ammo with superb terminal performance.

You do know you can purchase ammo through the mail now using the internet. You don t need to restrict your self to what the local hardware carries

 

[Orange Dust]

I see a lot of good suggestions on this thread. Having worked or lead youth hunts for several years now, I've had the chance to observe the shooting capabilities of hundreds of beginners. Some of my observations:

• Those who come with an AR platform (especially with adjustable stock) typically don't go home with empty coolers if the animals cooperate. 300 BLK and 6.8 SPC have both proven themselves. From my observations, I have to conclude the ergonomics and recoil management of this platform is just superior to everything else out there.
  
• Suppressors boost confidence (a big factor in shooting ability). Suppressor combined with AR, even better.
• Gun fit is paramount. It helps manage recoil and the ability to see through the scope easily. I made the mistake of buying my son the H&R rifle for his first one and neither of us could shoot it well because it wasn't comfortable to shoot. It might be for some kids, but not for either of us, and he wasn't that big at the time. I was 6'3", 225#, and I didn't like shooting it at all. Turned out the geometry was all wrong and amplified the perceived recoil. Limbsaver pad helped some here, but it still felt wrong for both of us. In spite of that, he took his first deer on his first hunt with perfect shot placement.

Regarding that last one, I recently had a dad call me night before the hunt: "..we got a problem..". He explained that his daughter was having a problem shooting the gun, possibly due to recoil. I had him bring the gun; I brought all 3 sizes of Limbsaver slip-ons plus my .257 Roberts just in case. At the bench, we fitted the pad first. After that, I could see she was clearly uncomfortable with something. She said she had a hard time seeing through the scope. I noticed it was turned to 9X, turned it down to 6X and had her try again: "That's great!" She proceeded to shoot the best target of the group. She was the first to fill a tag and also tagged one at 200 yards. I believe she had a .243 bolt gun. Yes, .243 can be intimidating to some; everyone is different in their perception of recoil. I've spent a lot of hours trailing bad .243 hits, but well-placed shots do the job every time in all of the calibers.

Above all, be patient with the kid. The hardest thing I've had to do is watch parents (both moms and dads) get impatient with the kid because they're still learning or they can't tolerate what they perceive as minimal recoil. Some parents are good at it, others aren't. Patience and observation on your part is a key factor in their learning experience. Make sure they're having fun.

One thing I might add. You have to be willing to let the animal get away. I can't tell you how many "Good Bucks" got away from my girls, when I could have easily taken over and shot the deer. Shooting "Their Deer" is a mortal sin you don't want to make. Better to let him walk to be hunted another day. I have been contemplating the AR thing for my grandson myself. Thinking 6.8.

 

[JDD]

Thats the world I grew up in too in the early 80s. From age 4, BB>.177 pellet>.22 pellet>.22LR/20ga>.30-30>.243 at age 15. etc.....

But today its all about me and mine, look what I am doing/did.... being the first kid to do X, have X, keep up with the jones', fbook, instagram, selfie........different times

So you are saying no kid under 10 should be allowed to hunt deer. That's wrong!!! Kids develop at different rates. The negative influence from the anti hunting and gun crowd gets stronger as they get older. Started them young as you can biased on their maturity level, with gear and choices based on their physicality.

 

[Thomas Culver]

No kid less than ten years old needs to own anything more than a rimfire. Anyone who buys a baby a centerfire has an ego problem. For very small kids they need to be able to progress through BB guns into pellet guns before they ever get into rimfire. Everyone needs a chance to progress and grow in the world of firearms. Buying a 7 year old a 243 is just nuts. Just watch, the same guy is going to by his kid a new corvette as his first car while in high school. 243 for a 12 year old only if he has been through the progression of pellet and rimfire guns. Kids need to do a lot of plinking.
first with BBs, pellets and then rimfire.

most ignorant thing I've heard all day. I personally started hunting birds with a .410 at age 5 with firearm safety drilled into me. My son started shooting 22lr at age 5, then 300BLK out of an AR at 6-7 and has taken a few pigs and a doe with that rifle. Saying kids under 10 shouldn't own a centerfire rifle is ridiculous, maybe you don't have kids I don't know. I will tell you my 7 year old was shooting sub moa 5 shot groups at 300 yards yesterday with his suppressed 6.5 Creedmoor. He is ready for Africa in 3 weeks and will hopefully drill some animals along side me. I wouldn't trade the experiences of hunting with him for the world, they are truly some of our most memorable times together, just as the times I spent in the field with my dad at a young age are.

I just wish all states were like Texas and wouldn't put an arbitrary age on when young sportsmen can start hunting big game so I could take him to Colorado for mule deer. He desperately wanted to go with me this past season and was heart broken when I told him he had to wait another 6 years until he was 12 to go on that hunt.

 

[GunHawk]

You do know you can purchase ammo through the mail now using the internet. You don t need to restrict your self to what the local hardware carries

I use ammoseek.com.