What gun for a youngster
 

If you where buying a gun for your 13 YO son what would you buy. It needs to be light on recoil so that he doesn't get gun shy. It needs to have enough power to take a whitetail, antelope, mule deer etc. humanely. Don't consider elk or larger game. If and when that day comes he can get another gun. I'm thinking of a 25-06. I'm not a big fan of 243 win for deer. 7mm 08 is another option. I think a 270 or 06 has too much kick. any thoughts?

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

I would realy consider the 25-06,this one of the greatest beginer cartriges made IMHO.If not look towards the .260,7mm-08,257 Roberts.or even the lowly .300 savage.

Make of gun's don't know what you price range is but I realy like the Remington CDL,Winchester Sporter LT of the Savage 110 to name the few.

If he's small or short limbed you might conside the Rem Mdl 7 Stailess/Synthetic in .260 Rem.

When my boys are old enough to hunt it's 25-06 all the way around,one Ruger #1 and one Ruger M-77 Stianless,Laminated and the old man gets the Rem 700 BDL(Like I said I love the 25-06).

BBJ

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

I would lean toward 7mm-08, if for no other reason its easy to find ammo almost anywhere.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

i am not a "gun god" so i may be out of my league here....6mm? never shot one but heard some good about them. i am haveing my 12 year old daughter shooting a 270 wood stock with a sims recoil pad on it...she says its O.k...not sure if she just doesn't want to make a fuss about it?

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

Shato i am 15 and i was shooting a 30 06 when i was 13. I was started off with 243 but i got my 06 when i was 12. I think a 270 or 30-06 would be just fine, however a 25-06 should be good as well. Right now i am shooting a 7mm mag, but i hunt in south texas and i get some fairly long shots. I think a remington 700 cdl would be a great gun (i have one) and shoots great. I think for a 13 year any standard cartridge should be fine. Do not get him a youth gun because if he is 13 now when he is 16 he isnt gonna wanna use it.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

6.5mmSwede, .260Rem or 7mm-08

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

7mm 08

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

Personally I would go for the 270 or 30-06 unless he is a small for his age boy.

I just bought my 12 year old son a rifle for his birthday back in February. He got a Remington synthetic 30-06. It is inexpensive and he can beat up the stock with out me cringing when he bangs it against something.

It kicked him a little at first shooting from a bench but I put a limb saver recoil pad on it and it doesn't bother him at all now. He also is able to shoot my 300WSM because it has a decelerator pad on it.

Any of the standard calibers he should be able to handle just fine. Also Remington makes a reduced recoil load in 30-06 for young kids that may be recoil sensative.

I'll also add that I will very likley be getting my 10 year old daughter a .308 come November for her 11th birthday.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

If you are interested in a single shot then you can't beat the NEF Youth model in 7mm-08. I bought one because the short stock fits my bad shoulder well. I put a slip-on Shooters Friend recoild pad from Cabelas Man that pad takes all the sting out. The little rifle grouped one inch with 140 corlokt the first time out. I put a compact M8 4X power scope on it and its a shooter. For a few bucks you can get the regular length stock from NEF. It an inexpensive little rifle but will do the job well.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

T/C Encore 7mm-08 Rem. with Bantam Stock. One can purchase more potent calibers (barrles) as he ages. ;);) Good luck.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

Same with the NEF. Only about a third the price.;)

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

My 12 year old started last year with a 308 and shoots it really well. My Winch mod70 '06 fthwt. seems to rock him uncomfortably.

I'm a big proponent of building good rifle shooting form and habits through quality practice. Its tough for a kid to do that if he's worried about getting knocked around.

My son practiced and got really good before I took him afield. He drilled a really big 3x4 mulie with the only shot he has taken at a game animal with a rifle. Range was around 200 yds.

A friend of mine has his two sons shooting his '06 with no recoil pad. They have taken a few shots at deer and bear and have yet to hit anything.

While some people have more ability to absorb recoil than others (both kids and adults), lighter recoil really helps build shooting skills.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

I still think for a beginer first deer rifle the 25-06 would be the best,since he will have a chane to get a elk rifle later.
I was started on the 30-06 @ 12 years old and I don't care what anyone says about recoil,if you wanna hunt so bad that it almost kill's ya,you will not mind a little kick.If he can handle the 30-06 Shato then all means get him one.Since you metioned 2 gun future then I would say 25-06 for deer/antelope,and then a 30-06,7mm Rem mag,or 300 WSM for elk(later on).
BBJ

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

Hey guys,

I appreciated all the input. I know that he can handle more recoil for a shot or two. I've seen him shoot a 300 win mag from the prone position. I also know that it kicked him pretty well, because I seen the bruise. So its more a matter of wanting something that is light enough in recoil that he can shoot it comfortably. If it kicks the heck out of him I do not believe that he will shoot often enough to become very proficient with his weapon. I'm really leaning towards the 25-06. I love the cartridge myself.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

Shato,

First of all, congrats on getting to have your son join you in this coming season in the elk woods!!!!! Lots of good info from the guys above. I started with 6mm and 270 at age 12. Both worked fine. The 270 had a little more recoil but it wasn't too bad. psssssssssst.....get a bow in that boys hand too!!!!!!! :D:D:D

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

I think the 25-06 would be a great choice. HOWEVER, you might also consider the 270 BECAUSE you can now get "low recoiling" ammunition that reduces the powder/lead and therefore the kick of the 270 by I think 50%. Should bring it down to the level of the 25-06. Here is a link: http://www.chuckhawks.com/federal_low_recoil.htm

Then, when he gets bigger, you can switch to normal ammo.

Decision, decisions!

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

Heck,

I think hes gona be a gun nut like me. So multiple guns isn't a bad thing. His mother sugested the Thompson Encore when she saw the commercial that says "one gun for all your hunting needs" His reply was "one gun, thats boring" I almost laughed out loud.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

I had gotten my son a NEF Handi rifle and an extra youth stock. His was 243 but I'd say the 25-06 would be sweet. When he got bigger I put the regular stock back on for me. He's now a tall lanky 16yo and shoots a Savage 110 270cal. I have him pratice with the reduced loads and recoil is not an issue.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

I'd get em a 25-06. Lite on the recoil with enough jam to handle deer and prairie goats.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

You are right Shato, there is no "best" all around gun despite all the debates. I now own everything from a 222 to a 338 win mag plus 2 blackpowders. Gonna have to get a bigger gun safe soon! So starting him off with a 25-06 as a "starter" gun would be smart.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

I would recommend a 308 Win. with a standard weight barrel and wood stock. Quite ofter a light weight rifle is purchased for the first time or youth shooter to reduce weight when carrying in the field. The carbines or youth models with synthetic stocks are very popular, but with the reduced weight comes increased recoil, even in the same caliber. You need some mass weight in a rifle to both steady the shot and help control recoil. Stop by a quality sporting goods store and search for a rifle in 308 with a standard weight barrel and wooden stock that feels comfortable and fits your son in stock length. A little comparison shopping will reward both you and your son.

RE: What gun for a youngster
 

The main thing I don't like about single shots is the hammer. Its really not safe for a youngster to use.

I'm glad to hear that you liked the NEF. I have thought about one for myself as a backup on an elk hunt.