Been a while since I was on here, but I'm back into muzzleloading this year.
My son (age 11) wanted to hunt this year, so I got him an apprentice license and a .410 shotgun and he's been making it tough on squirrels.
Now he wants to deer hunt. We have a youth season coming up soon, so I scrounged around through my gun cabinet and came up with a break barrel inline (Traditions) that is similar to his shotgun so he will be able to handle it without a whole new learning process.
I'll be along to load it for him, so that's no worry.

I had him out today and let him shoot it a few times. I wanted to keep loads light so he wouldn't develop any bad habits from being pounded by recoil. I was using a 250gr saboted bullet and started at 50gr fffg Goex, then stepped it up to 60gr and he handled it fine.
We were using the f/o sights at only 25 yards and he shot a group under 2" with it. I'll stick a scope or red-dot on it before we go hunting and probably sight in at 50 yards.

I'm thinking a 60-75 yard maximum range on deer with the 60gr fffg and 250 gr bullet, but a few more opinions wouldn't hurt.

I know bullet design is a factor, too, and I have lead hollow points or plastic tipped jacketed hollow points on hand.

What do you think???????????

i'd think 75 yards would be just fine as long as he is consistent.

I personally would opt for the pure lead sabot bullet. Jacketed bullet may not expand at that low of velocity.

I think, have him practice with 60grs, and for hunting step up the load to 70-80grs... he'll never now the difference.

That would be a good range I would guesstimate.

Barnes claims these expand at low velocities. They might be worth a try.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/product...r/expander-mz/

Well I have a though for you. The 50/40 is what I start all young beginners with a 200 gr bullet and 70 grains to start then add as much as they are comfortable with.
I use the 200 gr Shock Wave that 40 caliber with a 50 caliber sabot. This bullet has done real well on dear and boar and is very accurate in most guns with any load from 70 to 120 grains.
70 grains will reach 75 yds if the shooter is accurate enough 90 grains will reach 150 with no trouble the problem is you have to limit them to the distance they are capable of making a good hit at.

Personally I would limit him to the distance he can effectively shoot in your particular hunting conditions. So I would test him on that.

I would also be more concerned about practice than I would choice of bullet. Especially at the distances we are talking about.

Open sights is also a great way to learn to hunt. So I might also keep the open sights if he is effective enough at 50 yards to kill a deer.

Second I would buy a couple of pounds of 2F Black Powder and a couple of hundred round balls and patches. And let him shoot with a 50 or 60 grain load until his heart is content. Then hunt with that same round ball and 50 or 60 grain load. That round ball and load is more than effective on deer to 50 or 75 yards.

Why waste good money on powder and special bullets when a good old PRB will do exactly what you want to do. Tom.

2 inch at 25 wow I'm thinking thats off a bench....if its freehand he's all set he's got good eyes and hands if its not see how he does freehand.might want to keep him to 50 yards...my friend kids a good shot as good as most adults, sometimes we forget he's 11 ...75 yards can be alot of pressure...I passed a deer at 80 yards last year in the woods...I feel good to 50yds freehand after than i'd want to rest the gun unless there broadside wide open....

Thanks for the responses and suggestions!

We were shooting from a bench, but we will also be hunting where a rest is available and shots will be short range.
Depending on the weather either a 2 man ladder stand with a shooting rail or a ground blind where he can support the fore-arm on the window or a shooting stick. From either of those locations 60 yards would be a long shot.

I think 60 - 75 yards max should do just fine. What kind of bullet are you using? The only concern I would have is whether the bullet will expand properly at lower velocities. If you are using the 250 XTP or 250 (non-bonded) Shockwave, either should expand well at those velocities and ranges, though I would personally go for the 250 XTP or better yet the 250 Deep Curl. A great option if you have the time to set it up would be the .40 cal 200 XTP with 60 - 70 grains of powder. Recoil is pretty much non-existant and I can personally attest to the fact that this bullet expands well at low velocities.