My Wife is recoil sensitive and we tried a few options, Husqvarna 1600 in 6.5x55 stock was too long, Remington 7 in 7 08 light rifle so too much recoil, Weatherby Vanguard 7 08 great fit a little heavier so recoil was fine, but She wanted stainless so finally a Tikka 7 08 in a Boyds thumbhole stock She has had that for a few years now through trades I ended up with a Tikka in 6.5x55 at the same time so we kept the one that didn't sell. Personally I wont buy another Savage model 11 or Axis and I would never buy a centre fire Mossberg rifle.
Looking for youth hunting rifle recommendations... model and calibre
- Thread starter TheCanAm
- Start date
fade2black
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Ontario
Agreed, I'm a big fan of the 7x57/275Rigby but the same can be said about the 7-08 and it's more readily available in a variety of popular rifles.
I've got 4 kids and in my opinion it is muzzle blast rather than recoil (within reason obviously) that bothers them.
This points to reloading with light powder charges or using cartridges like the 44 Mag or 350 Legend.
Also ask them what they want to shoot. One of my sons wants to use a Kar98k because of video games, it's over 9lb and has open sights but it is what he wants to use and it is more fun for everyone when they are enjoying themselves.
This points to reloading with light powder charges or using cartridges like the 44 Mag or 350 Legend.
Also ask them what they want to shoot. One of my sons wants to use a Kar98k because of video games, it's over 9lb and has open sights but it is what he wants to use and it is more fun for everyone when they are enjoying themselves.
6.5 shooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Medicine Hat
Both good choices, I would try to find a .257 Roberts if you can, sort of fills the void between the 6mm (.243) and the 6.5mm (.264) and is low recoiling as well.
My vote would be for 6.5 CM. What make/model is you .300 Win Mag? Something to consider is matching the make and model of your smaller calibre with your 300 Win Mag (e.g., 6.5 CM Tikka Compact with .300 Win Mag) - assuming at some point, you are considering (a) passing on you .300 Win Mag to your son or (b) you wish to develop better proficiency with you 300 Win Mag by firing a 6.5 "needmore" - assuming your son will allow you).
The 6.5 CM was the best selling calibre in North America in 2019 and 2020 (high demand = high availability of components once things get back to normal); Tikka = lot's of aftermarket parts = lots of opportunity to change/upgrade the rifle if desired (e.g., prefit Proof research carbon barrel).
Here is a link the two podcast that may help you decide (both from "The Backcountry Hunting Podcast"
a) "Two Rifles to do it all": https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aH...d=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjIqeGQkNf0AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQQg
b) "Kids Hunting - how to get them started right": https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aH...d=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjIqeGQkNf0AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQQg
The 6.5 CM was the best selling calibre in North America in 2019 and 2020 (high demand = high availability of components once things get back to normal); Tikka = lot's of aftermarket parts = lots of opportunity to change/upgrade the rifle if desired (e.g., prefit Proof research carbon barrel).
Here is a link the two podcast that may help you decide (both from "The Backcountry Hunting Podcast"
a) "Two Rifles to do it all": https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aH...d=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjIqeGQkNf0AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQQg
b) "Kids Hunting - how to get them started right": https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aH...d=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjIqeGQkNf0AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQQg
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From experience: X Bolt Micro Composite in 6.5cm. I have one, it is my favourite rifle. I also have a Hells canyon speed in 6.5cm and an X Bolt micro Midas in 243 for my wife. I can’t tell much difference between 100gr 243 loads and 143 6.5 loads, both full power loads. Although the micro composite is a tad heavier due to a heavier scope.
In my opinion the x bolt platform is an excellent (but not inexpensive) platform for beginners. The safety is easily accessible (tang) and locks the bolt closed (I prefer that in all bolt actions). The 60 degree bolt lift is nice for beginners as they don’t have to learn the hard way about scope clearance with a 90 degree bolt lift (thumb says ouch if you’re not paying attention), just grip it and rip it. I had a savage axis in 243 for my wife, crazy accurate rifle. She just hated that it was hard to lift the bolt and there was no clearance between the scope and bolt handle. She much prefers the x bolt.
I’d say 6.5 over 243 because even downloaded the 6.5 slinging 143 ELDX bullets has a further affective range than (standard twist) 243. The catch: good luck finding 143 ELDX bullets right now.
Final note: the x bolt micro composite has a 13” LOP, the Midas has a 12.5” LOP. Why the 1/2” difference??? Couldn’t say.
In my opinion the x bolt platform is an excellent (but not inexpensive) platform for beginners. The safety is easily accessible (tang) and locks the bolt closed (I prefer that in all bolt actions). The 60 degree bolt lift is nice for beginners as they don’t have to learn the hard way about scope clearance with a 90 degree bolt lift (thumb says ouch if you’re not paying attention), just grip it and rip it. I had a savage axis in 243 for my wife, crazy accurate rifle. She just hated that it was hard to lift the bolt and there was no clearance between the scope and bolt handle. She much prefers the x bolt.
I’d say 6.5 over 243 because even downloaded the 6.5 slinging 143 ELDX bullets has a further affective range than (standard twist) 243. The catch: good luck finding 143 ELDX bullets right now.
Final note: the x bolt micro composite has a 13” LOP, the Midas has a 12.5” LOP. Why the 1/2” difference??? Couldn’t say.
Love the 6.5's for starting people out for larger hunting cartridges.
The recommendation above for the Grendel would be a great starting point. Finding one with a spacer equipped stock may be a challenge, but an after market stock of proper size for smaller people to start out with can be found for any other maker who may produce the rifle action of choice..
AAs also mentioned, graduating the older child into a larger cartridge over time, and handing the current rifle down to the next child is also a good option. Acquiring a rifle in 6.5 CM or Swede keeps things somewhat simpler for reloading as you will stay within the same caliber for bullet selection...just need new dies and brass to go with the new cartridge. And when the youngest child is ready and the oldest is ready to move on, there is the 6.5 PRC or 6.5 x 284 as the next step...or can move on up to the 264 Win Mag, 6.5 RPM or 26 Nosler.
The recommendation above for the Grendel would be a great starting point. Finding one with a spacer equipped stock may be a challenge, but an after market stock of proper size for smaller people to start out with can be found for any other maker who may produce the rifle action of choice..
AAs also mentioned, graduating the older child into a larger cartridge over time, and handing the current rifle down to the next child is also a good option. Acquiring a rifle in 6.5 CM or Swede keeps things somewhat simpler for reloading as you will stay within the same caliber for bullet selection...just need new dies and brass to go with the new cartridge. And when the youngest child is ready and the oldest is ready to move on, there is the 6.5 PRC or 6.5 x 284 as the next step...or can move on up to the 264 Win Mag, 6.5 RPM or 26 Nosler.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Buy him a rifle between about 243 Win and 308 Win - all will be fine - at same time, buy at least 5 boxes (100 rounds) of ammo to blast off at targets at a range or a shooting spot. Let the kid get used to handling the ammo, reloading the magazine, unloading it - all the stuff that happens when hunting. Take a shot - get ready to shoot and then game disappears from view - what to do with the rifle and how. Really, if he has never taken a deer before, is not really that important what rifle or cartridge - he just needs trigger time and will make most anything work. You, the shooting coach, will make the hugest difference for him. If the shooting coach is not you, then get him one.
Time is passing, so our experience might not be relevant any more - my wife had never hunted - never previously shot a center-fire rifle - I bought a Remington 788 in 243 Win for her - spent many hours to file and rasp that factory stock to fit her - length of pull, circumference of grip, length of barrel - installed a Weaver K3 scope. She fired several hundred rounds at targets, at a range, before our first hunt - was a mule deer draw. About 13 or 14 years later, our son used the same rifle in the same configuration, to take his first deer - a white tail - same story - by that time, he had fired maybe thousands of rounds, but several hundred with that rifle, at targets. And then about another 10 years later, our daughter - by then married - and that rifle by then had a 308 Win barrel - took her first white tail deer with it. All were one single shot, to take their deer. When the rifle was a 243 Win, I loaded it with 85 grain Speer SPBT. When it had a 308 barrel, I loaded it with 165 grain Speer HotCor. The latest (current) loads for it are 165 grain Speer SPBT.
Time is passing, so our experience might not be relevant any more - my wife had never hunted - never previously shot a center-fire rifle - I bought a Remington 788 in 243 Win for her - spent many hours to file and rasp that factory stock to fit her - length of pull, circumference of grip, length of barrel - installed a Weaver K3 scope. She fired several hundred rounds at targets, at a range, before our first hunt - was a mule deer draw. About 13 or 14 years later, our son used the same rifle in the same configuration, to take his first deer - a white tail - same story - by that time, he had fired maybe thousands of rounds, but several hundred with that rifle, at targets. And then about another 10 years later, our daughter - by then married - and that rifle by then had a 308 Win barrel - took her first white tail deer with it. All were one single shot, to take their deer. When the rifle was a 243 Win, I loaded it with 85 grain Speer SPBT. When it had a 308 barrel, I loaded it with 165 grain Speer HotCor. The latest (current) loads for it are 165 grain Speer SPBT.
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Lots of good advise and you’re probably on the right path but don’t overlook a good deal on the right chopped down rifle. I bought a Ruger ultralight that was shortened to 12.5” lop for my wife to learn on. It’s gone on to train our kids and a few of their cousins, got lots of value from it.
when my son is old enough, the first centerfire he'll pull the trigger on is a Howa mini in 6.5 grendel.
perfect youth rifle IMO, lightweight, light recoiling, accurate, surprisingly decent trigger, and the grendel is plenty of cartridge for most game under 300y.
perfect youth rifle IMO, lightweight, light recoiling, accurate, surprisingly decent trigger, and the grendel is plenty of cartridge for most game under 300y.
