If he can handle the recoil of a 180 grain load out of a 308 and there’s NO recoil in a hunting situation then worry more about dragging a moose carcass out of the woods if he shoots one. I let my 12 y-o grandson shoot 225 grain 338-06 at the range and he handled it easily. But I wouldn’t want to have to handle anything bigger than a deer with just him helping
New Rifle for Youth Moose Hunter
- Thread starter wolfetrapper
- Start date
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
Budget wasn't mentioned or availability. I won't speculate availability. If your interested in an investment that can be adjusted to a growing young lad I would recommend a .270/6.8W The X Bolt 2 carbon is a light barrel with adjustable stock. Threaded barrel with a muzzle break and protector I believe. That allows him to adjust the fit and recoil to his growth. The 6.8W has a high twist so it can throw copper pills up to 175 grain and is very capable of 400 ranges. That gives you options that can adapt to the times and physical changes. I love the performance I'm getting from my 6.8W and 160 grain monolithic copper pills. As a carbon stainless barrel it has great advantages to barrel life and balance in the hunting environment. It's a buy it and keep it type of rig. Cheers and happy hunting
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tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
Not sure how that rumor got started, but by my calculations it'd be generous to say that it can even match it (other than trajectory) until somewhere around 600 yards.
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
No school like the old school! Think I was a pretty small 12 or so when I got a Marlin 30-30 carbine. Fits smaller shooters well, and gentle on the shoulder. The muzzle energy doesn't look overly impressive, but the killing power of a heavy-ish bullet for calibre at moderate speed shouldn't be discounted. Did some horsetrading with Dad, for my sister to end up with that, at some point, but I had already bought myself an old Swedish Mauser 6.5x55 when I was 14. The stock on that is also not overly long, and it still kills game.
They're all going to work at typical moose hunting distance. Ton of stuff has fallen to the 7x57 also. If you look at historic loads, and bullets used; the old 30-30, 6.5 Swede, and 7mm Mauser are all shooting 156-173 gr. at around 2300 fps. The new versions would be the 6.5 CM, 7mm-08, and the .300 Blackout maybe?
I'd look for something with a wooden stock, that could be shortened slightly if needed. Could save the piece of wood, or add a thick recoil pad later on to lengthen it. A good used rig. Not too many 12 year olds know what their forever rifle is at that point.
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Sounds like he can handle the recoil, so Win M70 fwt in plain boring old 30-06 or 270win would be my choice - something with a wood stock that he'll keep and shoot for the rest of his life. He'll thank you when it comes time for him to buy his own ammo.
Happy hunting!
I've always had a soft spot for the 7-08.
My wife sports an X bolt micro in 7-08 and I have another savage in 7-08 for the teens. I've had several different 7-08 models in the youth versions over the last few years and the micro is hard to beat.
My wife sports an X bolt micro in 7-08 and I have another savage in 7-08 for the teens. I've had several different 7-08 models in the youth versions over the last few years and the micro is hard to beat.
