Kids caliber

[Boomer]

Here's the thing...unless you are built like a child, or your children are built like adults, the potential for crossover use from you to the kids is very low. A poorly fit rifle will recoil strangely and hit kids harder than a properly fitted one, thus makign the experience very unpleasant for them.

If you want a new rifle, buy yourself a new rifle.

If you want to teach your kids to shoot, buy them something that fits them, or modify something to fit them properly. If you want to teach them to shoot but a bolt gun in something like 223 or try to find a CZ or Ruger in 7.62x39. Neither kick at all and the ammunition is both plentiful and relatively cheap. The x39 is actually a very capable big game rifle if you hunt within it's limitations. Find a rifle so chambered and buy a second stock so that you can cut it down to fit them and you'll be away to the races.

When the time comes that the kids are big enough to hunt then you can look at what you have in the safe and let them decide what fits and interests them.

Excellent post. Balance must also be considered with fit; if reducing the LOP results in the rifle being very muzzle heavy, that's a problem. Shooting in any position other than from a sand bag or prone with a bi-pod will be unmanageable. The CZ 527 in either .223 or 7.62X39 handily solves the balance problem, and the piece of the stock that was cut off can be reattached when the youngster grows into the longer LOP, or a replacement stock can be sourced at that time. While the .223 is useful as a trainer and small game and pest rifle, the 7.62X39 offers some very interesting handloading possibilities, from cast bullet loads to 150 gr jacketed loads. It should prove quite versatile as both a trainer and as a hunting rifle for small and big game in jurisdictions where there is a 6mm minimum for big game hunting.

 

[PWear 57]

I would consider something in a 6mm Creedmoor if you can find one.