Not particularly looking for something for a defensive purpose, but I have a fairly small-built 12-year-old son who want to start deer hunting with me. I'm trying to get some ideas on what kind of rifle he could should that the recoil or weight wouldn't be too much for him to handle. He's no stranger to shooting, but mostly .22 or .410. I tried him with a 12 gauge single-shot, and he managed to make it through 2 or 3 rounds, but hated it due to the recoil. I borrowed a .243 "youth" New England rifle from a friend, and he can shoot that fine. I'm a little reluctant to buy a "youth" rifle that he would outgrow, hopefully soon, though. I was thinking about trying a 30-30 lever action (which I've always wanted anyway :image035, but wondered if anyone had any thoughts on whether or not that might would be a gun a kid could handle. Just for further info, son is about 90 lbs, and most or all of our hunting would be shots less than 100 yards.
Get a bolt action rifle. You'll have to decide how to transition him through the proper use of iron sights and then to scope use. He'll learn to make each shot count, especially the first one. Also most accurate especially if he got interested in target shooting and maybe stir an interest in competition shooting later. Simpler and safer until experienced. Later, might even get a simple handloading kit (Lee loader kit) and have him learn to reload. I still use the Lee loader for my bolt action target range bench rounds.
I'm an adult and shoot the .243Win (Rem 700). Accurate cartridge and comfortable to shoot. Can use for deer but best with the heavier 100gr bullet weight.
Take a look at Remingtons Model 7 in .243. That is what my dad bought me when i was 12, even though he already had Win. 94 for me.
I loved that gun.
I gave it to my little brother when he turned 12. Bought a bunch of deer rifles since then.
I would go with a lever gun in .357 or 30-30
Target shooting with .38 and hunting with .357 would be nice but you will need to sight in the gun with the type of ammo you will hunt with because of the variations in .357 loads. Lever-Action Ballistics: .30-30 vs. .357 Magnum | The Truth About Guns
I recommend getting him a youth gun and enjoy watching him out grow it. I bought my son a NEF when he was young, now a young lady from our church is using it on loan. I have a 3 yr old grandson that will be using it before long, time flys when you are having fun. Get him a quality gun, loan it out and help introduce others to the sport and when he is older maybe his child will use it.
Have a gunsmith cut the stock and fit a few replacement butt pads of various thicknesses to it. As he grows, add a thicker pad for increased length of pull. You can probably go as thick as 2 inches in recoil pad, and you can always have a spacer fit to get a little more. Easy gunsmithing job. I wouldn't think of selling my kid's first guns, I'd rather adjust them to fit and keep them for the grandkids.
Sure, an AR would work too. You could even make one a single shot pretty easy if you had a concern about "firepower"
Haha I remember shooting a 12 gauge when I was young. WAY too much recoil. I know I'm not helpful but good luck on your decision lol.
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