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Deer Gun for 8 year old
This will be our first year for deer hunting and I need to find a gun for my 8 year old. This past year was his first year hunting, we did a few rabbit and duck hunts. He was shooting a 20ga, which he liked except when I bought 3" #4's for duck hunting. He really didn't like the amount of recoil. What gun should I get him for deer hunting ? The less recoil the better. We will not be shooting any long range shots, probably 100 yards or less. I was think of getting a slug gun for myself.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
if you can use a rifle in your area just get a .243 if not look into porting your shotgun barrel and try some reduced recoil slugs. i think remington makes them. i think noise is half the fear for younger shooters. double up on the hearing protection.make him wear foam plugs and headphone hearing protection together.i would also pick up a cladwell lead sled shooting rest . this rest eliminates just about most recoil. he will be able to shoot all day. you have about 9 more months for gun hunting and im sure he will grow a bit. GOOD HUNTING!
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
I would vote for the .243
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
I would look into guns such as a Browning Micro Hunter, or a Ruger M77 Compact or a Remington Model 7 ( all are bolt action guns ) . Any of them in a .243 would be great. Another route to go is a single shot rifle like a Rossi, or a New England Firearms ( NEF ) in a .243. You can also get them in a heavy barrel model which will help cut down on recoil. And finally, you can get him a bigger gun ( depending on his size compared to other kids thatage....) in something like a 30.06 or .270 in a bolt gun and use Remington Managed Recoil rounds, which actually have a little less recoil than a .243. Then as he grows, he can move up to full size loads with the same gun. If you have not heard of the Managed recoil rounds, then go to the Remington website and read up on them. I have used them with a gun I bought for my wife, and they work remarkably well, and they are good to 200 yards.
One last note, you can get him a 30-30 and put a good recoil killing butt pad on it, and use the new Hornady leverevolution rounds. It is a 30 -30 with a soft point instead of a rounded nose, which gives the 30 -30 more down range energy, making it a true 150+ yard deer rifle. You can find info on that round at the Hornady website. God Bless Michael |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
243 or 25-06. Both have very mild recoil.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
You can put a limb saver recoil pad on the shotgun for about $25-30, and it will reduce the recoil to pretty much nothing. However, I don't know how accurate he can be at 100 yards with a foster slug and bead sight. You may want to buy a rifled barrel.
If you can use a rifle, any of these should be great: 357mag, 30-30, 243, 257, 25-06, 260, 7mm08, 308. If recoil is too stout on any of these (most likely not), put the limb saver recoil pad on it. I put a slip-on limb saver recoil pad on my 12ga Nova, and it makes 3 1/2" high velocity buckshot feel like a 35Rem, which is a substantial reduction in pain. I can shoot 100 shells without flinching or bruising. |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
243 or 25-06 in a semi auto andManagedRecoilammo.
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-Recoil.asp |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
a good recoil reducer is a semi auto say in a .243 .223. i have been told that a 7.62 semi auto is less then a shotgun
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
ORIGINAL: SJAdventures 243 or 25-06 in a semi auto andManagedRecoilammo. http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-Recoil.asp Remington did not say anything about this when they intorduced the ammo, I bought some for my wifes 30.06 and it shot likea .223 or less, but the cases hung on ejection. I contacted Remington and spoke with their technical dept. They said they had not conducted tests with the ammo in a semi-auto,because they never really intended it for that purpose. A couple of months later I noticed that their ads in magazineshad notations that the ammo may notfully operate semi-auto action guns. So while it is great ammo, and semi-auto guns are nice, the 2 don't really go together. If you try it , fine, and if it does operate the action fully, great, but if it does not..... well , now you know why.... God Bless |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
The Ruger Mini-30 makes an excelent childs or womans deer rifle.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
I would check out the ruger m77 compact,these guns are short and light and available in 243 a good deer caliber,I have one in 223 that I use for coyote hunting and it's great,it's lighter than my daughters rem. model 700 SPS youth which would be another good choice in 243.These are the only ones I've had experience with that would be small enough for a youth hunter.I'm sure there are many others I looked at a model 7 youth one time and it's pretty short also.My next walk around rifle will be a ruger compact in 260rem or 308win I am very impressed with my 223's capability's they weight scope and all just over 7lbs which would be great for someone of small stature.good luck.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
Marlin Model 336 30-30!
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
None of the above.
I wouldn't take an 8 year old deer hunting. He may well be up to it, but I'd keep him on the little stuff longer. |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
If he is sitting right there hunting right along side dad, then I see nothing wrong with it. As far as the rifle goes, the Marlin 336 30/30 did the trick for both me when I was a kid and my son, and will probably do so for his son too.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
Hey thanks guys for all the input. That's kinda what I was thinking.................
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
ORIGINAL: jr.alspanky This will be our first year for deer hunting and I need to find a gun for my 8 year old. This past year was his first year hunting, we did a few rabbit and duck hunts. He was shooting a 20ga, which he liked except when I bought 3" #4's for duck hunting. He really didn't like the amount of recoil. What gun should I get him for deer hunting ? The less recoil the better. We will not be shooting any long range shots, probably 100 yards or less. I was think of getting a slug gun for myself. |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
ORIGINAL: MichaelT. ORIGINAL: SJAdventures 243 or 25-06 in a semi auto andManagedRecoilammo. http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-Recoil.asp Remington did not say anything about this when they intorduced the ammo, I bought some for my wifes 30.06 and it shot likea .223 or less, but the cases hung on ejection. I contacted Remington and spoke with their technical dept. They said they had not conducted tests with the ammo in a semi-auto,because they never really intended it for that purpose. A couple of months later I noticed that their ads in magazineshad notations that the ammo may notfully operate semi-auto action guns. So while it is great ammo, and semi-auto guns are nice, the 2 don't really go together. If you try it , fine, and if it does operate the action fully, great, but if it does not..... well , now you know why.... God Bless |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
IF you can get a rifle use a .243 but for a shotgun you could go with a mossberg 500 20ga. youth sluggun. MY little brother has one a the recoil is not to bad.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
B - B
Can you say Daisey! 8 year old kids has no place in the woods with a loaded rifle - period! you cannot show me a 8 year old kid that has the maturity to be a safe hunter. I would in no circumstances let my 8 year old kid hunt with a rifle. Some people ought to have their heads examined! |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
I would opt for a 30 30 in a Marlin for the little fellow, especially if shots are going to be close. My second choice would be the 25 06. Lots of reach, with minimal recoil. I don't want to stir the pot, but, I've seen too many people with a 243 wound and not recover deer. There is no room for error with the 24 bore. I do know that the 25 06 will drive a 120 grain through an elk on a broadside. I have a couple buddies that use the 25 06 for moose, and they have never lost one. They are a lightening strike on deer, and great for varmints too.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
B - B
Can you say Daisey! 8 year old kids has no place in the woods with a loaded rifle - period! you cannot show me a 8 year old kid that has the maturity to be a safe hunter. I would in no circumstances let my 8 year old kid hunt with a rifle. Some people ought to have their heads examined! We will be hunting on private property (ours) in a box stand together. I think it all boils down to teaching him the correct ways to hunt. When we rabbit hunt I don't bring a gun so I can walk with him and make sure he doing what needs to be done to stay safe. |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
ORIGINAL: The Rifleman B - B Can you say Daisey! 8 year old kids has no place in the woods with a loaded rifle - period! you cannot show me a 8 year old kid that has the maturity to be a safe hunter. I would in no circumstances let my 8 year old kid hunt with a rifle. Some people ought to have their heads examined! I Started my oldest son early and bought him his first rifle when he was 6. Now understand that he never hunted alone. He always was with an adult. I feel sure that that is the case in this situation as well. So while your opinion might have a bit of validity, Perhaps some hunters / gun enthuists are not quite as irresponsible as your opinion makes them out to be. My son is almost 14 now, and I have complete faith in him. I still watch him, but he is very safe and compitent with a firearm. I don't know, maybe some of us are better teachers than others, but your blanket statement might be better served , being limited to your own household. BTW .... I have had a few MRI's and cat scans , and my head is fine....but I do appreciate your concern. God Bless |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
First of all I know some 40 year old's that have no business in the woods with a loaded rifle. I think it is admirable you take your son with you. I am sure you have more fun watching him, than you do hunting by yourself. So Kudo's to you. More parents need to spend more time with the kid's.
I would recommend a single shot rifle with a break open action. All price points can be covered here. If you want to get a nicer rifle then buy an Encore. If you want a less expensive rifle you can get a Handi-Rifle. Any of the lighter cartridges will do just fine. I am sure you are making him take good shots. So any cartridge he can effectively hit with, will be just fine. I like the break open actions for kid's. If the action is open, then the rifle is not going to go off. He should be taught to keep the action open at all times, except when he is ready to shoot. That iswhen dad hands him a cartridge. This is the only safe way. You must admit that the mind of an 8 year old can wander. Someone above mentioned a semi'auto. I think that would be a real mistake. Remember. Keep it simple, and keep it fun. Tom. |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
30-30,243,25-06.....If u buy the 25-06 it is almost good for everything with not really that much recoil is is good for everything i have a friend that has taken a moose at 321 with a Tikka T3 using Winchester Super X In 117 Grains THATS NUTS My op is the 25-06 or the 30-30 both great guns mount some nice glass on there and your set :D
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
.243 Win. or 6mm Rem.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
Head0001 thanks for the kind words. I hunted most of my life, not deer, but ducks and other small game. My oldest son who is 14 has been very involved with sports, especially baseball since he was seven and we have travel all over the country for him to play. Last year he and my younger son (the 8 year old) told me they would like to give hunting a try. My 14 year old has a rem 1100 that his grandpa gave him and Santa claus brought the younger one a single action rossi 20ga. To be out with them and seeing the joy that hunting gives them (in only a few hunts) makes me so happy and wanting to go more. Since they are both new to hunting I don't even bring a gun for me to shoot. I have just as much fun just watching and teaching them the correct way to hunt. They've tried and like both duck and rabbit hunting and now would like to try deer hunting. As I stated before we will be hunting on 30 acres we own that's surrounded by a few hundred acres. We will ALL be together in a tower blind that we are building. I really don't think it matters if your 8 or 80 if your taught safety first when it comes to hunting. Thanks again for all the advise.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
A simi auto is only a single shot when you load it one bullit at a time. No one is saying give him a 40 round mag and turn him lose.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
My sons were shooting a 243 at 8.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
I think it's great for you to take your kids hunting,my daughter has been hunting with me from age 7 and has safely taken atleast one deer every year,and I cant think of any thing that she would rather do,Are all you no-kids hunting people against kids fishing also,hell they could hook someone.With good adult supervision I think it's as safe as them going to school,look how many have been killed there in the last few years!!!
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
My 9 year old Son has harvested 2 does and 2 bucks with a Remington Model 7 in 7-MM08 Cal.
I free floated the bbl, glass beddedthe stockand replaced the trigger with a Timney. I hand load 140 G A bonds for it, on the hot side. All have been one shot kills. The rifle is light, acurate, fast handling with little recoil. My Sonnamed Her Lil Nellie. Can You tellWe like this gun   . |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
I bought my son a NEF handi-rifle in 243 two years ago. The light weight rig kick him too hard, so I downloaded some ammo for him. the recoil is miniscule now. Check out Hodgdon's website under Youth loads if you're interested.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
ORIGINAL: The Rifleman B - B Can you say Daisey! 8 year old kids has no place in the woods with a loaded rifle - period! you cannot show me a 8 year old kid that has the maturity to be a safe hunter. I would in no circumstances let my 8 year old kid hunt with a rifle. Some people ought to have their heads examined! As to the question at hand. Place me in with the 243 to 7mm-08 crowd. A 257 Roberts would be good if you could find it in a rifle that fits him. Good luck, and good hunting, |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
ORIGINAL: MichaelT. I would look into guns such as a Browning Micro Hunter, or a Ruger M77 Compact or a Remington Model 7 ( all are bolt action guns ) . Any of them in a .243 would be great. Another route to go is a single shot rifle like a Rossi, or a New England Firearms ( NEF ) in a .243. You can also get them in a heavy barrel model which will help cut down on recoil. And finally, you can get him a bigger gun ( depending on his size compared to other kids thatage....) in something like a 30.06 or .270 in a bolt gun and use Remington Managed Recoil rounds, which actually have a little less recoil than a .243. Then as he grows, he can move up to full size loads with the same gun. If you have not heard of the Managed recoil rounds, then go to the Remington website and read up on them. I have used them with a gun I bought for my wife, and they work remarkably well, and they are good to 200 yards. One last note, you can get him a 30-30 and put a good recoil killing butt pad on it, and use the new Hornady leverevolution rounds. It is a 30 -30 with a soft point instead of a rounded nose, which gives the 30 -30 more down range energy, making it a true 150+ yard deer rifle. You can find info on that round at the Hornady website. God Bless Michael |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
I borrow a BLR in 243 for my kids (7 and 9) to hunt with. Unfortunately, growing up in the suburbs of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, they don't get a lot of an opportunity to shoot, and are a little afraid of it. I guess over time, they will get over it.
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
I have to go with the majority here, I'd say get your 8 yr. old a .243. Just make sure the fit is right for him, a youth model by any reputable manufacturer will be a good choice. .... SHOTARYE
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
I would certainly think a 20ga slug would kick way harder than a .243, any .243 that's a normal weight, even a lightweight model with a recoil pad I can't see kicking at all. If a kid can't handle a .243, I agree, hold off a year or two til he can. Not be able to handl ethe recoil from a .270 or .30-06 is one thing, but I think .243 is about as small as it should get for big game. Also I think my .30-30 kicks harder than my .270, so .243 all the way!
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
Are 8 year olds allowed to hunt in your state?
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
ORIGINAL: salukipv1 I would certainly think a 20ga slug would kick way harder than a .243, any .243 that's a normal weight, even a lightweight model with a recoil pad I can't see kicking at all. If a kid can't handle a .243, I agree, hold off a year or two til he can. I'm not saying that it was unbearable because it simply wasn't. But it was more than I expected. I actually wasn't surprised when my boy complained. I actually think the muzzle blast was the worst of it. The first time I shot it I was a little taken back by the muzzle blast. So I simply loaded some reduced power loads, and he shoots it quite comfortably. Lets be honest if a deer isn't within 100 yards I won't let him shoot anyway, so the 85 gr partition traveling 2500 fps will more than do the job. |
RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
My vote goes to the Ruger Compact or Remington Model 7 in 243
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RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
ORIGINAL: The Rifleman B - B Can you say Daisey! 8 year old kids has no place in the woods with a loaded rifle - period! you cannot show me a 8 year old kid that has the maturity to be a safe hunter. I would in no circumstances let my 8 year old kid hunt with a rifle. Some people ought to have their heads examined!  I sincerely hope this post was made in jest. My kids started deer hunting when they were 6 with a NEF 223, and by age 7, I had both moved up to a Ruger M77RSI 243. My oldest son decided that hunting wasn't his thing, but I had my youngest son shooting an Encore 270 by age 10 (which he still shoots). My youngest son is 10 in this photo and his first deer with his 270.  |
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