Rifle for my daughter
#4
Spike
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 59

Nine year old ? I don't understand how some of you folks could be a responsible parent and take a nine or ten year old hunting. I'm all for teaching kids hunting and all but 9 and 10 year olds are just too young in my book. If you going to start them out that early, why not consider a .22LR for squirrels first....
#5
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,227
#7

I'm four foot seven and 72-73 pounds, probably near the size of your daughter. I've never used a .243 or a 7mm-08. But I have no problem with the .30-30. I have a recoil pad on mine, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of kick.
We have two daughters, nine and six. They go out hunting with us and know more about hunting and shooting than a lot of grown men I meet. The only reason they don't hunt is because they take after me and are way too little to effectively handle a gun or bow suitable for hunting. They are great fishermen though.
We have two daughters, nine and six. They go out hunting with us and know more about hunting and shooting than a lot of grown men I meet. The only reason they don't hunt is because they take after me and are way too little to effectively handle a gun or bow suitable for hunting. They are great fishermen though.
#9
Fork Horn
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Wisconsn
Posts: 406

Quite a few options out there that in general would be a better choice than a lever action 30-30. If you want your daughter to really like hunting and shooting, start with a better option, she can always get one later if she like that style.
7mm-08 has been listed by several informed posters, I'd listen to them. Pick up a Savage Axis II with the Accutrigger and get some Hornaday Custom Lite cartridges for it. She will be all set for a lifetime of hunting as she can always move up to full power loads for bigger game if she wants, or use these even for 'yotes. It's what I started my 10 year old son with. He's now 13 and truly in love with that rifle. That's what you want for your daughter.
If you want another fantastic deer-sized game caliber, look at a 25.06. More power than a .243 with the same light kick, but with these two calibers, you can't go up in power like with the 7mm-08. With the reduced recoil loads, the 7mm-08 is almost identical in recoil as the previous calibers.
7mm-08 has been listed by several informed posters, I'd listen to them. Pick up a Savage Axis II with the Accutrigger and get some Hornaday Custom Lite cartridges for it. She will be all set for a lifetime of hunting as she can always move up to full power loads for bigger game if she wants, or use these even for 'yotes. It's what I started my 10 year old son with. He's now 13 and truly in love with that rifle. That's what you want for your daughter.
If you want another fantastic deer-sized game caliber, look at a 25.06. More power than a .243 with the same light kick, but with these two calibers, you can't go up in power like with the 7mm-08. With the reduced recoil loads, the 7mm-08 is almost identical in recoil as the previous calibers.
#10

I'm a fan of the 7-08 for youths as it can be had in a youth rifle. One company had a combo that came with two stocks one adult one youth but it's been a while since I've seen this out there. I also like the idea of a 22 to get them started that's how I started and learned so much more than sitting in a deer stand. Going to the range is a blast too