Rifle for an eleven year old.
- Thread starter triton
- Start date
223 would be a fine choice for fun but if you wanted to take him hunting for deer or larger a 243 might be the ticket. As a few others have stated, look for something in 'youth' guise that can be restocked when he puts on those last few inches of height.
And I wouldve crapped my pants at eleven if somebody gave me an SKS for fun. Stock's a tad shorter than most and recoil is nil. Lots of fun though.
And I wouldve crapped my pants at eleven if somebody gave me an SKS for fun. Stock's a tad shorter than most and recoil is nil. Lots of fun though.
It's too bad there isn't a bolt action choice for 250 Savage, but it seems the 243 has overshadowed that one.
I have a 700 action, SS Pacnor in MR contour and a TI take-off here that will probably go that route someday for the grandkids. Another stock with a shorter LOP will make a good starter stock.
I have a 700 action, SS Pacnor in MR contour and a TI take-off here that will probably go that route someday for the grandkids. Another stock with a shorter LOP will make a good starter stock.
My 7 1/2 year old boy had one in his hands and it was too big. They balance a bit forward and don't feel as light as you'd expect.
With respect to cheap surplus ammo, keep in mind that much of that stuff is lacquered and I suspect it may gum up the chamber of a bolt action. Just a guess, but something to look into.
When my daughter turned 11 I bought her a Ruger Compact in 7.62x39. I loaded min loads for her the first time out and then worked up to max loads as she shot it a bit. She was/is pretty small for her age but now at age 14 she can easily shoot 1 1/2" groups or better and has taken black bear, mule deer, and whitetail with it.
I also agree with those that have suggested buying a quality rifle right from the start. A high quality rifle in a classic style will be cherished and last for a lifetime.
I also agree with those that have suggested buying a quality rifle right from the start. A high quality rifle in a classic style will be cherished and last for a lifetime.
Well, I couldn't decide. I got him a savage axis in .223, Rem 770 in .243 (I know before you say it. Lol, but it was a steal!), and a Howa, in 7mm-08. Should keep him going for a bit. Once he grows a bit, I will either restock the Howa (if he wants),or sell them, and get something else. He also has a Belgian bar in 30-06 that was his grandfathers, and great grandfathers. But it will be a while before he gets crackin with that. Thanks for all the help fellas!
triton.
triton.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I've started a few youngsters with the .30/06, a 210 gr cast bullet at 1800 or a 125 Sierra at 2600 produces mild recoil and blast, and gives the kid the feeling he's shooting a big rifle. When he gets an itch to shoot the BAR let him have at, just not with full powered ammo.
I started my now 12 yr olds on a 7x 57 husky when they were 6 or so I had a shortened stock made up from an old Mauser take off put the nice one away loaded up some reduced loads w blue dot at first and 4895 but I believe trail boss is the powder for this stuff They both shoot full power loads in it now no problem As a side note I bought an axis in223 for them to use my son took about 3 shots with it and declared it scrap metal . I laughed and promptly sold it. I tried out a 243 for them as we'll last summer but couldn't see the point of that either so it went also . Anything in a medium cartridge that can be downloaded or made to fit is my line of thinking
My first centerfire was a 336 30-30 that I still have. It's beautiful and I love it.
I think every kid should have one, and it will drop nearly anything within practical hunting distances. A lot of these cartridges being suggested are general use hunting calibers, but a good lever action has soul that can't be ignored. And a 30-30 is a durable round that will stand the test of time. If you're going to buy a first rifle, it should be special and iconic, like the 30-30.
They're short carbines which fit smaller people, and as adults they're still wonderful for the fit. The weight is just right, and the durability is hard to find in other guns.
It's the perfect gun for a young man to grow into, and once he does he'll never sell it.
I think every kid should have one, and it will drop nearly anything within practical hunting distances. A lot of these cartridges being suggested are general use hunting calibers, but a good lever action has soul that can't be ignored. And a 30-30 is a durable round that will stand the test of time. If you're going to buy a first rifle, it should be special and iconic, like the 30-30.
They're short carbines which fit smaller people, and as adults they're still wonderful for the fit. The weight is just right, and the durability is hard to find in other guns.
It's the perfect gun for a young man to grow into, and once he does he'll never sell it.
I ended up putting a colapsable stock on an sky, the scoped it with the wartak rail topped off with a little Nikon 2-7×32. My 11 year old daughter loves that thing and is getting quite good with it. I think this will be her first deer rifle.
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I will do that. That rifle was my grandfathers, my fathers, I guess then mine, but for some reason I never thought of it that way! I haven't shot that rifle in atleast 25 years. weird! once my father died, my son was 4. And I just figured it should be his! One thing I want to do is have all r names engraved on the breech. Just a family thing I guess. Thanks for all the great advice fellas!
All of my children started on a No1, MkIII. I bought it after someone had, quite nicely, cut back most of the wood, sporting it for his petite wife. However, not a reloader, those full power factory 180's turned her off shooting. It fit small shooters well, so, I just loaded rounds for 14-1500 fps. 125gn bullets did fine here. Of the 5, 3 still shoot and both boys got their first deer with it. My daughter's first deer was to an SKS. As they got bigger, I had other Lee Enfields for them to grow into. Unfortunately, the boys are zombie killers now, so their gear is all "tactcooled" to death, but I still have the Enfields...grand kids someday?
- Location
- British Canuckistan
my vote is on the .243 Win. bit heavier recoil than the .223, but a capable cartridge you can go deer hunting with.
