What caliber for my 14 year old son?

I also would suggest .30-06, unless you have lots of cash and can afford few rifles then go and get .260Rem or 6.5x55SE.
Another gun to consider is lever action in .30-30.

Good Luck
 
The thing with 14 year olds is that they grow up. Better to go slightly too big and down load it then go too small. Personally, the smallest cartridge that I'd be comfortable shooting at a moose would be a 7mm08
 
prosper said:
The thing with 14 year olds is that they grow up. Better to go slightly too big and down load it then go too small. Personally, the smallest cartridge that I'd be comfortable shooting at a moose would be a 7mm08
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This is good advice-My 11 year old is shooting a 308 in a model 70 featherwieght this year hunting and shoots it pretty well.
 
.308
make sure the stock fits him, top it off with a high quality recoil pad.
buy lots of cheap ammo and shoot shoot shoot until hes comfortable with it and shot placement.

if the recoil bothers him buy reduced recoil loads for now, then he can switch to full power later on down the road.
 
SIR has the Remington model 7 youth in the bargain bin.You can get either .243 or 7-08 in a youth synthetic for $595, and there is an additional $50 mail in rebate.It makes it pretty reasonable to set up a young shooter with a good quality firearm, and I don't think you'd go wrong with either caliber, although I'd lean towards the 7-08. Just my 2 cents, but since you asked.
Scott
 
I had a similar decision to make regarding my 12 yr old cousin a few months ago and he was going to shoot mostly deer but eventually he'll be getting moose as well. After a lot of research I went with the 30-06 in a Rem. 700 and he is presently using the 125gr. Managed-Recoil shells by Rem. He has shot it several times and managed to get a white tail with it and I am sure that once he finishes the box of 'toned down' shells that he has, we'll upgrade him to 180's at his request.
 
Another fellow's thread reminded me...

You could load down something like a 30-06, and I mean WAY down, with a powder like IMR Trail Boss. Let 'im get used to one rifle, and tailor the loads accordingly.
 
the dsa fn fal would make a great moose gun. but thanks to cambell it's prohib the 243 model looked nice but allas.

get him a savage in 7 08 and savage makes a youth model in this cartidge as well as the 243 308 and 270 win the accutrigger is amaisingly clean and they're wonderfull guns for the money
 
My first "hunting" rifle was a 30-06, and I still use it today! Whatever you get your son think long term as well. Don't worry about the recoil he has to deal with, if he feels the excitement like most of us when shooting at our first deer, he won't even notice the recoil!!!

Any of the firearms suggested are good for everything. Even the 270 for moose. I don't think it's a great idea, but that is what my buddy uses and it works for him.

It's awesome you can go hunting with the whole family! Happy Hunting!!!
 
First Rifle

I would think the 6.5X55 Swede. would be a good caliber. You can load it with 100gr. at 3000 fps (243 velocities) or up to 160 gr. at 2600 fps. moose loads in the Netherlands. Tika makes a nice rifle in this caliber and very accurate.
Hope This Helps
Tick
 
I started with a .30/30 when I was 12, graduating to a .30/06 when I was about 14. I did not like the recoil at all. I did not enjoy shooting, trips to the range were hell. I was not sure that I wanted to pull the trigger when I finally did get on an animal. Now, years later I am fine with the recoil etc. I will do it differently with my son. He will start with a 6mm or something similar. I will back him up on shots on game as my dad did with me. When he is a capable marksman and hunter and can handle a larger calibre, then he will get one. No pressure, no macho business about the recoil. Feel comfortable with shooting, not scared, put the bullet where it needs to go, don't take low % shots. Get him a .243, 6mm, .257R, whatever. Get a good used rifle that you can sell for similar money that you purchased it for, when he is ready to step up. Then again, he may be a monster and can handle the big recoil right now. Don't push him, let him develop good shooting skills, giev him time. No hurry.
 
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