I'm getting the itch to buy my son his first deer rifle...he's only 10, 11 in May. I'll likely buy his gun next summer (or sooner if I find something that catches my eye when at the local gun store)so he can have a year with it before he gets to hunt with it.
Most of our shots here on the open prairie and valleys where we hunt are 200-400 yds, with the odd closer shot. When I was his age, we just used the old man's 7mm or 30-06. He had one rifle for everything and so did we. I've started adding to my collection so I have different guns for different purposes, and I plan on doing the same with my son. I'll get him a deer rifle he can handle when he's 11, then when he's bigger and can come moose hunting with us, we can get him something bigger, instead of handing him a 10lb 300wm now and telling him to go shoot.
So I'll be looking for a 25-06, 260, .270 or whatever. 243 no good for the longer shots, I'd imagine??? I've never shot one. I'll likely go with a mag fed bolt action because that is what he's used to from his .22, and he likes it. So probably a lightweight gun, a Tikka perhaps...in what calibre????
The keys are light weight, low recoil and decent at the longer ranges. Is there something that might be good now that would be capable of taking a moose while still being lightweight and easy on the shoulder? Kinda doubt it. Love to hear others experiences with their kids.
Most of our shots here on the open prairie and valleys where we hunt are 200-400 yds, with the odd closer shot. When I was his age, we just used the old man's 7mm or 30-06. He had one rifle for everything and so did we. I've started adding to my collection so I have different guns for different purposes, and I plan on doing the same with my son. I'll get him a deer rifle he can handle when he's 11, then when he's bigger and can come moose hunting with us, we can get him something bigger, instead of handing him a 10lb 300wm now and telling him to go shoot.
So I'll be looking for a 25-06, 260, .270 or whatever. 243 no good for the longer shots, I'd imagine??? I've never shot one. I'll likely go with a mag fed bolt action because that is what he's used to from his .22, and he likes it. So probably a lightweight gun, a Tikka perhaps...in what calibre????
The keys are light weight, low recoil and decent at the longer ranges. Is there something that might be good now that would be capable of taking a moose while still being lightweight and easy on the shoulder? Kinda doubt it. Love to hear others experiences with their kids.
