What caliber for kids?

hellbound

hellbound

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So having a bit of a dilemma. My daughter started shooting last year, and has expressed a lot of interest in hunting. We will start with small game this year, but all she wants to do is bag an Elk . I told her she needs to work her way up to that, with deer first. Here lies the issue...shes a lefty. Normally I wouldnt have an issue buying a couple of guns for her to learn with and out grow, but don't need a whack of LH guns I can't shoot.
I'm torn, .243 as a starter, and get a bigger caliber as she grows and gets use to bigger guns, or 7mm08 with a low recoil round, until she works her way up to normal rounds. Looking at the savages, for cheap entry level guns, but also sized her up on a x-bolt micro midas, which would be a longer term investment which would get a full sized stock down the road. I think she would get more use out of the 7mm08 long term, but concerned on recoil. Shes pushing 10, but is a bean pole. what have you all got your kids behind with out having it be unpleasant?
 
My daughter was 12 about 105 lbs and I picked up a youth stock for my 700 in 30-06. She practices with reduced recoil loads but shoots full loads for hunting. She says she never notices the recoil when shooting at a deer.
 
7mm08 would make a fine starter as well as a future hunting rig. Recoil would be similar. She could start with lighter loads and work up to the heavy stuff. Micro hunter is a nice gun, maybe too nice. A Remington model 7 or Savage will do the trick, whatever fits her the best at this point.
 
7mm08 or 260 would be great. I plan for my boy to have a .25 Souper (308 necked down to .257") once he's old enough to shoot things. But I like oddball cartridges. And quarterbores.
 
Thanks for the input so far, glad to know I was at least on the right track. I have no issues dropping more money on a nicer gun that will last her hopefully a life time, with a stock upgrade of course. almost rather do then then buy 2 different calibers for her to grow with. I told her if she learnt to shoot right, then we could have way more guns haha. Its just not comfortable for her, so figured I should embrace it for her comfort and enjoyment, instead of making it a chore for her.
 
.243 will do just fine to start out with, plenty of deer have found their way into freezers by means of the .243 I think that there are a few bantam models or youth models to choose from, savage and mossberg make them if I am not mistaken. Another caliber that is easy to handle is 7.62x39...all though I am not sure about lefty guns...
 
murph83 said:
.243 will do just fine to start out with, plenty of deer have found their way into freezers by means of the .243 I think that there are a few bantam models or youth models to choose from, savage and mossberg make them if I am not mistaken. Another caliber that is easy to handle is 7.62x39...all though I am not sure about lefty guns...
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Although I have shot ELK, ( one of the initial criteria was a rifle that could be used on an ELK hunt,) with the .243, and using over 60 years of hunting experience from coast-to-coast, I would not recommend it as an ELK or MOOSE rifle. The 7mm-08 is the way to go if an ELK hunt is planned for the future. With 40 years of living in the West, mostly in Alberta and B.C., and having the opportunity to shoot a lot of ELK and the bigger game animals, a 7mm-08 would be the best choice. The Mountain Whitetails and Mule Deer are a lot bigger than the costal whitetails, and these also are found in the ELK ranges.

Investing in reloading equipment can develop lighter loads for a start, but the 7mm-08 is an easy one to reload, and you can tailor the loads for the shooter and the GAME animal. Get the 7mm-08.
 
The 243 Winchester is a good starting point. There is always a problem of advancing a child too quickly with larger calibers.
The 243 with a Sierra 85 grain bullet is quite mild at 3000 fps and is a Sierra accuracy load.
The Barnes 85 grain TSX BT loads are all around 3000 fps and these are capable for harvesting deer.
Developing a flinch as a teen may never be overcome.
As to her being left handed, it is critical to determine if she is left eye dominant as well.
A right hand rifle with a Classic stock can be shot from either side. Youth adapt quickly to obstacles and most overcome shooting a right handed rifle from the north side. Fact is most never offer an objection when allowed to shoot dad's or grandpa's rifle.
Unfortunately there is not a huge call for left hand rifles so finding one that meets all of her needs might require a few years of waiting.
Since she is a pre-teen there won't be many complaints yet. Better to keep her interested in shooting sports and keep the thought firmly entrenched in her mind that she can date anyone she wants as long as he has one of two qualities . . . he is rich or can run faster than a 12 gauge!
 
SilverSport 11 said:
My daughter was 12 about 105 lbs and I picked up a youth stock for my 700 in 30-06. She practices with reduced recoil loads but shoots full loads for hunting. She says she never notices the recoil when shooting at a deer.
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Yup, gun fit is more important than caliber. Even a big magnum with light home rolled loads can be a good starter. Keep the loads at a point that keeps them interested.
 
My choice would be a 260, 6.5x55 or 7-08. 100g bullet is same in all including 243 with the first 3 giving more options later as they grow. Could get a used 6.5 swede and cut the stock to desired length for now and add or new stock for later
 
I would say the Browning X-bolt Micro Midas 7mm-08 is the way to go,...Browning offers "Browning Growth Insurance" on their Micro rifles and shot guns,.. here is a link,..
http://www.browning.com/news/promotions-rebates/browning-growth-insurance---2018.html

The x-bolts design is very straight forward, user friendly and safe, making it a good choice for young shooters who are just learning,.. the "Inflex" recoil pad does an excellent job at dampening felt recoil,.. I have the Stainless Stalker in 30-06, (6lbs 9oz),.. and the recoil is very light,.... so the 6lb 1oz Micro Midas in 7-08 with "Reduced Recoil" ammo, or light handloads, should be quite manageable for a young shooter.

These rifles are of good quality, and if taken care of will last a long time,.. something your daughter can enjoy for many years, and make a lot of memories with.
 
65x55 swede if you can find one in left hand...either that or a break open or falling block .The 65x55 has virtually the same ballistics as a 270 after 100 yards with less recoil but has a higher SD which makes for a very efficient and lethal bullet
 
.22, .204, .223 , .243 and so on.
Buddy grew up with a .410 till he was 13, but shot dads 12 gauge with dad hunting the season before.
On his 13th Birthday he received an (wait for it spank) an 870 Wingmaster and hasnt looked back since.
Kills game like crazy and his son has gone the same waterfowling route as well.
FLHTCUI
 
Thanks for the input Buffdog. if ,243 was the one we went with, it would not be an Elk gun. Thats why I was looking at the 7-08, with the hopes of only buying once, and not having to get her a second gun down the road (although I know I will anyway, but frees up more for me haha) I have reloading setup, just getting into it this year, so I would be making rounds for it.
 
The Browning is top of the list for sure. I picked up a Hells Canyon 300wsm for my self this year, and love it. I think it would be a great rifle, and fit better then the other compact/youth rifles she held.
I will have to Growth Insurance, thanks for the tip!
 
I'd go with the 7-08; in fact that's what I ended up doing for my own daughter. I can't imagine someone who can shoot a .243 that can't shoot a 7-08. Since you handload you can assure that she gets light bullet or starting loads with heavier bullets if it is an issue. I never even bothered though, although her Tikka T3 did get a Limb saver. For some strange reason that probably makes sense to girls she called it her twisty gun, because it has more torque than recoil.

I load it with 140 Ballistic-tips with Varget.
 
Dogleg said:
I'd go with the 7-08; in fact that's what I ended up doing for my own daughter. I can't imagine someone who can shoot a .243 that can't shoot a 7-08. Since you handload you can assure that she gets light bullet or starting loads with heavier bullets if it is an issue. I never even bothered though, although her Tikka T3 did get a Limb saver. For some strange reason that probably makes sense to girls she called it her twisty gun, because it has more torque than recoil.

I load it with 140 Ballistic-tips with Varget.
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:) Similar to the choice I've made for one of my Granddaughters in AB. She's going to get a Ruger Lipsey RSI in 7x57, ;) from Poppa :).
 
Which caliber to start depends on the kid and it also depends if you want her to practice her shooting a lot. I guess you can go too fast but its hard to go too slow.

I started my lad at 5 years old on 22. He went to 223 at 7 and 12 gauge at 12 (he duck hunts). He only recently thought to ask to shoot my 308 (he is 14 and we don't hunt deer). His rate of progression has been dictated by him and his interest.

Point being, shooting a lot of 223 seems to have given him a pretty good foundation but some kids with the opportunity would have been shooting 338LM by 10 years old.
 
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