Originally Posted by
Screamerdreamer
Accuracy is more important than the caliber size. My 8 year old grandson took his 1st deer the other day with a perfect lung shot & the deer went 19 yards with a good blood trail and lots of internal bleeding. The rifle was a Thomson Contender .223 caliber shooting a 61 grain soft point. We have practiced and practiced with not only paper targets, water bottles to show the explosive force of a bullet as well as deer targets. He had to prove he could make the shot every time he shot at a target. After he shot the deer I asked him where he shot it and he told me and when we examined the buck he hit exactly where he should have and where he told me he had aimed.
Totally agree, accuracy is everything. My daughter started shooting her bb gun at 3 and has been shooting a little Henry 22 since 4, (started with assistance) and an ar15 bushmaster with scope since 5. (with assistance) I taught small arms and basic marksmanship in the military for 10 years. She is more safety conscious than most adults I know. She calls guns a tool, not a weapon. She understands anything can be used as a weapon and cause injury or death. The reason I started this thread was for different ideas. My first rifle was a 22, then a 30x30 about her age. I handled it as a kid...wasn't bad.
Anyway sorry for the rant that covered several posts. Congratulations on the kill, I know you are proud of him.