rifle for my 12 year old
 

I am looking to purchase a new rifle for my 12 year old son. He has shot a few dear in the past with a .243 and a .223 rifle. However my son is left handed and all of my rifles are right handed. So I am going to purchase him a left handed rifle from Tikka. I am going to choose on of 3 calibers either .260, .270, or 30-06. I own both a 30-06 and and a .270 rifle and I like both guns I have a 6.5mm creedmor that I have not been able to shoot yet which I believe is a .260 caliber? of the the three calibers, which do you think would be the best option for him? He will be hunting deer and bear and we are going to be taking a hunting trip to Africa in a few years as well. I am looking for something with good knock down power with less recoil.

Thanks,

Jacads

Can't go wrong with a 30/06. There's do many different levels ads available for it that will cover just about all game. I've never shot a tikka do I'm not sure of the recoil with that design. I gave also seem left handed Remington 700. Just a thought good luck on your purchase

I'd go with the 06 of them calibers

just such a huge range of bullests and factory offereings, yuou are sure to find one any rifle will like and can pick power ranges for different game as well

as for rifle, ME personally, I would let your boy have a say in what he wants, and take him to see what FITS him best, and NOT get caught up on a model YOU like (not saying you are either, just saying)
I know quite a few guys that grew up shooting right handed rifles and were left handed and to be honest, ALL stick to right handed rifles , as they find its what they grew up using and find comfortable

so, giving him the option, might be a good suggestion here
plus NOT all rifles fit each person the same
TONS of great rifles out there today even in left handed versions to pick from

I remember being about that age and the 270 I shot kicked like a mule! I think I was 100-120lbs though.

If getting a tikka I think on a long action you should have a long action cartridge.

Do they chamber the 25-06? with 100gr bullet plenty lethal and pretty mild.

270,280, 30-06 also good options though, I favor the 270 over the 30-06 but that's just me.

When you say bear, you're referring to black bear, correct? Also, when you say trip to Africa, are you talking about just plains game or something bigger?

If this left handed rifle is going to be his "own" rifle, get him a .270.

IF - in a few years you go to Africa, come back on here and we'll talk about that then................................

In the meantime, let him become a marksman !!!

While I like the .260, I think I'd probably get your boy the .270. Although because you threw Africa in the mix, of the options given, I'd have to pick the '06.... In my opinion, if you have enough/can save enough to go to Africa in a few years, then you can probably manage to pick up another rifle prior to that.
-Jake

When my son was 12 I let him shoot my 308 and it rocked his world pretty good and I hand load pretty mild rounds.


That almost made him not to have any thing to do with shooting a rifle.


Put him back with the 243 and he was fine again. I my self would not push some thing on him that will rock his boat at 12 years old.


:D Al

Every kid is different. I was shooting a 12ga at clays at 8. And not just once, but often a brick of 100 rounds in an outing. I'd be all black and blue, but loved it. I started my first year hunting deer with a .44mag, but only because that's what we had available. The second year, I had a .30-06. You've gotta gauge what your kid is ready for. It's certainly true that high recoil can make a kid not want to shoot anymore. Stock fit and proper form are vey important in making a gun shootable
-Jake

the Tikkas are on clearance right now and they ones they have for south paws are the .243, .270. 30-06. 7mm rem mag, 300 wsm, 270 wsm. I like my .270 but the only thing I have taken is a black bear with it but it is dead on at 100 yards with a 2x red dot scope. Does it kick yes but I believe my Rem .742 kicks pretty good in 30-06 as well. But I see tons of ammo for the 30-06 even in the .22 caliber range. No matter the ammo shortage there are always 30-06 shells on the shelves.