Which rifle for a youth hunter?

[SteveKDC]

I have two boys that are going to be hunting this year as long as they get drawn. A 12 year old and a 10 year old. They are both "big for their age." I am thinking a full size .270 with a scope that has good eye relief. I want something a little heavier to absorb some of the recoil. I like the Weatherby Vanguard since it has the weight and synthetic stock. I would appreciate any feedback with specifics i.e. barrel length, scope, etc.

 

I didn't do much shooting when I was younger so I could use some great feedback. Thanks in advance.

 

 

[AxisWorks LLC]

A good .270 is a great choice for managable recoil for both deer and elk. I prefer something a little larger for elk but my hunting partner uses a .270 for everyhing from preditors to elk with great sucess. Other options to look at would be .25-06 or 7mm-08.

 

Also if your looking for a quality rifle in the vanguard price range don't over look the Ruger American Rifle I have here's great things about them.

 

Speedy.

[rcdinaz]

My experience is it doesnt matter how big they are that dictates recoil tolerance each kid is just different. My daughter oldest daughter feom about the time ahe was 11 would shoot anything and loves shooting the 357, 45, 7mm mag, 300 Dak. Not sure why but she just shrugs off the recoil and noise. Almost every other kid we have had out girl or boy stops with the 9mm or 243 and doesnt want to shoot bigger. All that being said I would go 243 in a lighter gun, easy to carry, cheaper ammo, and very little recoil. It is very hard to unteach a flinch and you get to add a lite hiking rifle to your arasenal as well as a perfect javi/varmint rifle that works on deer.

[sherman]

The 25/06 is what I started my daughter on I also own one and that is my go to even over my .270 if you can shoot one they are flat shooting and drop anything in it tracks. I didn't put high end scope on it. Because they are kids and will drop them slip and fall so I put good but not a vx3 like what I got. You can always up grade later. But really look at a 25/06 sportsman has them for $450 with scope but a Remington

[cosninocanines]

Agreed, very hard to "Un-teach" the flinch or anticipation. This will be their gun so .243 or similar (ownership can be for a lifetime) if they draw an elk tag somebody will have a gun they can use. When their older they can expand their "collection". I purchased a 7MM Mag when I was about 30 and shoot it at everything using different weight bullets.

[sjvcon]

.270 might be a little big for 10 and 12 without a brake. You might consider putting one on if you are sold on that caliber.

 

I'd sure check out the Tikka T3 if you are buying a factory rifle. I got my boy one in .22-250 for his varmint rig, and I am REALLY impressed with it.

[Will K]

243win.

[firstcoueswas80]

25-06 with 100 ttsx or 110 accubonds

 

You're welcome

[wayno945]

I would go with a short action 308 based cartridge i.e. 243, 260, or 7-08. Couldn't go wrong with a 30-30 either.

[hunter72]

I think the 260 rem is the perfect round for kids.If you load the 120gr bullets for deer and the 140 accubond for elk you havea great shooter with little recoil.

[azslim]

just make sure the rifle fits them, take them with you when you buy it. Have them pick a spot on the wall, close their eyes and mount the rifle. When they open their eyes they should be able to see edge to edge in the scope and have everything feel right to just squeeze the trigger. You can fudge with the scope a little to correct the eye relief, but properly set up you shouldn't have to. They will be able to shoot a rifle that fits much better than one where they have to lift their head a touch, or inch forward or back, to get set, and recoil won't be as much of an issue. I put a cheek pad on the rifle I bought when I started my daughters out, raised the comb just enough for them, and didn't get in the way for me.

[SteveKDC]

Thanks again for all the great input. My oldest boy shot his first Coues last year (a spike) with a 7mm mag with a cut down stock and muzzle break. He didn't have time to get ear plugs in and talked about his ears ringing for close to an hour after the shot. That is the biggest reason for me not wanting a muzzle break on it. I don't know much about 25-06. Can that "reach out and touch someone" to about 250-300 yds assuming the scope is set at a 200 yd zero?

[deercrazy]

Look at the Remington model 7 in .243 or 7mm-08, Nice light gun with the better action than the lower priced Remingtons.

[AZ_SAWBUCK]

I have a friend who took his 10 year old boy on his firse couse deer hunt last year. He dropped a deer at 423 yards with a .222. He told me he wanted to teach his boys to shot right and not be afraid of the recoil so he started them shooting a smaller caliber. My choice would be a .223 or a .243, bullets are cheap and they are both good calibers to start out on in my opinion. JS

[AZ_SAWBUCK]

I also went on a couse deer hunt with my friend in 24b last year, and he drilled his deer in this bed at 508 yards with a .243 (140g bullet). So yes you can reach out there with a .243 if you know what you are doing. JS