rifle for teenager

22 October 2002, 16:29

claybuster

rifle for teenager

Milos,There's nothing wrong with the .303.It's a rather venerable round for it's class.I'm proud to have an enfield in my locker,,And I also took a good bit of game with it before I could afford to "upgrade" to a commercial sporter rifle.Do you still have it? As far as taking 500yd shots on game,,,I don't see much sport in it,For me ,some stalking and getting a good bit closer to the game is 90% of the fun.No I don't bag everything I stalk,,But the ones I do take I feel I earned.Thats me,,,Good luck

23 October 2002, 06:56

<RickMD>

OldFart:

I hate to say this but 4" groups at 700 yards with a Remington hunting rifle is absolute BULLSHIT. The benchrest boy's struggle for 8" to 12" aggregates at 1000 yards with 30-pound rifles, custom made by the best gunsmiths in the world.

Check out the scores at the Wimbleton and Palma matches some time. Those guys are the best in the world and they can't come close to that with meticulously tuned match rifles.

Have another drink.

23 October 2002, 12:36

OldFart

RickMD
I'll grant you that consistent 4" groups at 700 might be a stretch (inconsistant may be more accurate). What I do know for sure is that I shot with him just before the hunts, and his 700 yard group measured 4", and he didn't even get excited about it (I was the one who insisted we measure it).
What is no exaggeration is that he is more deadly at 500 yards than 90% of the hunters are at 100. He shoots chucks all summer, and his Sendero is ungodly accurate. The deer he took this year were at 535 and 400 plus (I don't recall the exact distance on the last one), and were both one shot kills. His Antelope was taken at 40 feet, but thats a different story.

23 October 2002, 17:06

<257 AI>

quote:
Originally posted by avidhunter:
Well guys i found a used Sako L691 270 and put a nikon monarch 4-12x40AO on it and it shoots .5 moa consistently and it is very soft recoiling. 130 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips for mulies and 150 grain Nosler Partitions for elk.

I think that you will be very happy with this choice. The 270 is plenty of rifle for both deer and elk within reasonable ranges. It is not a 500 yard elk rifle, never has been, never will be. But I won't preach to you about that. I personally would avoid the BTs for anything bigger than a coyote though, I hate thoes things.

24 October 2002, 16:39

milosmate

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[ 10-24-2002, 07:51: Message edited by: milosmate ]

24 October 2002, 16:47

milosmate

quote:
Originally posted by claybuster:
Milos,There's nothing wrong with the .303.It's a rather venerable round for it's class.I'm proud to have an enfield in my locker,,And I also took a good bit of game with it before I could afford to "upgrade" to a commercial sporter rifle.Do you still have it? As far as taking 500yd shots on game,,,I don't see much sport in it,For me ,some stalking and getting a good bit closer to the game is 90% of the fun.No I don't bag everything I stalk,,But the ones I do take I feel I earned.Thats me,,,Good luck

I agree there is nothing wrong with the 303 enfield, taken more game in this country than any caliber ever will.
I was 16 when I owned it as funds were tight,but it did the trick.
I have two enfields in my safe at the moment that I am looking after for a mate, brings back memorys when I give them a clean.

[ 10-24-2002, 07:52: Message edited by: milosmate ]

25 October 2002, 05:30

<JOHAN>

Gentlemen

I would recommend a 280 rem or a 270 win. Pick any rifle you find suitable, has the options and quality that you are looking for. Scope good european scope with 30mm steel tube and a magnification that is worth something [Big Grin]

Look among the used ones. You can make a good quality buy for the same money as new crap [Big Grin]

/ JOHAN

31 October 2002, 03:01

<Mike Anderson>

I would recommend a 30-06 for the first rifle, its a classic and capable!

For the comment that a factory sendero shooting 4" at 700 yards being bullshit. Don't be so sure about that! Not all factory guns will do that but some will!!!

I have a friend who has been shooting 700's since 1963 and owns a factory 6mm varmiter that shoots under 1" @ 400. I know you will not believe that either. But at least don't be so hostile about it. [Razz]

12 February 2009, 13:15

Steve Latham

I have been lucky enough to come across a used Sako Finnbear .270 Win,shooting 130gn remmy solid base seconds, on 63gns Vit165 very accurately, Shots on Scots reds have presented @ anything from 70yds out to 500yds, Wether you take the shot is a personal computation, made up of the conditions at the time/your personal skill level/cull suitability, If the youth is honestly able at longer ranges then no problem, I am a current & practicing N.R.A. R.C.O.& see many shooters who can & can't shoot, some of the better ones who stalk deer/fox/rabbit, are consistently taking kills at 300 + 400 none of these guys/gals have any interest whatsoever of punching paper @ Perry or Bisley, but they are just as good & still out there, A personal range limit wether moral or otherwise is just that & should not be forced upon another shooter, The .303 Enfield is still legal in U.K. with a specific load I believe for deer.

12 February 2009, 19:03

adamhunter

Let him decide. Take him to the gun store, let him shoulder a few, shoot them if that is an option, and let him pick out what he likes.

12 February 2009, 22:55

Red C.

Another vote for the .308 and taking him to a gun store and letting him find one that feels right to him.

13 February 2009, 20:32

Pegleg

I'd look for a 6.5 X 55. Great cartridge and has very little recoil.

13 February 2009, 21:30

bartsche

This thread is 7 years old!!!

That teenager has his own kids now.roger

14 February 2009, 05:52

ar corey

quote:
Originally posted by avidhunter:
I need a rifle for a 14 year old. He is pretty big, 6'2" 150 pounds. I was thinking a 300 ultra in a remington sendero. He has already shot one from the bench and it didnt bother him. What other calibers are good choices.

How exactly did he shoot the .300 Ultra? Off the bench?

If he was standing up and shot the rifle, it is going to be much different off the bench.

Buying a .300 Ultra for a 14 year old is asking for trouble. He will not enjoy shooting it after the initial novelty wears off and it is an overbored and extremely noisy caliber.

I would at least look at the regular 300 Win. Mag and even then, a 7mm Mag or 30/06 would be even better.

Having a 14 year old attempt a 500 yard shot at an animal is nonsense.

A 30/06 will easily reach out to 350 yards. Put some money into a good scope and your son will be much happier in a few months.

14 February 2009, 06:01

ar corey

quote:
Originally posted by avidhunter:

You guys gotta remember, kids have much better eyesite and are just as good if not better shooters then we are,[QUOTE]

Not for long with a .300 Ultra smacking him in the face just ONCE.

[QUOTE]they just have to be disciplined.

While fear may work for basic training, the goal to becoming a good game shot is relaxation. I would not go beyond a 30/06 for a youngster's first gun. A .280 Rem. would be my choice.

14 February 2009, 08:06

Hunter308

I would get him a single shot rifle like a T/C or NEF. That would help him develop good shooting habits because he knows he has only one shot and will learn to make it count. The worst thing to get is a semi-auto because he'll develop sloppy habits because he has a 5-20 round magazine. Start 'em right, early IMHO.

Hunter308

16 February 2009, 02:46

Wayfaring Stranger

Aside from the already mentioned reasons for not going with the RUM have you considred barrel life? If he does shoot a lot a lower pressure cartridge is more likely to get him through school without needing a rebarrel. I know for the 6+ years I was in college I could hardly afford bullets much less barrels.

EDIT: I just realized how ridiculous this tread is

16 February 2009, 03:31

Tyler Kemp

Where the heck did this thread come from?

16 February 2009, 04:48

ted thorn

He can buy beer in a couple months now.....he probably sold the rifle he got in 2002 for a used car when he turned 16.

18 February 2009, 01:42

dan_hunter

Hi
Why not 6,5x55 . you have the recoil less than a 3030 and killing power like a 270, all in one. very versatile round . it can kill a moose with ease and a mice too, very accurate and deadly.
cheers
dan

18 February 2009, 02:48

Henry Hoover

I think it is way out of line to imply that this man is lying about his sons shooting ability.Just because you havent seen it done. 500 yds is a damn good poke for anyone but very doable.I have an 8 year old who takes groundhogs out to 200yds fairly consistantly.6 to 7 out of 10 With a 223.But he has been shooting since he was 5 and he practices ALOT.Hope he can do it at 14.

18 February 2009, 04:08

bartsche

Maybe you should let this thread die from old age.

roger

18 February 2009, 04:28

chuck375

RickMD I've seen 3" groups at 600 yards with a Remington 700 in 7mm Magnum with a Hart barrel (not mine, but my friends) more times than I'd like to recount (since I was shooting 6 to 9 inch groups with the same rifle on the same day). RJ was just that good a shot and a Rem 700 action was the benchrest action of choice for a long time. My rifles always shoot better than I can.

18 February 2009, 04:36

enfieldspares

Die from old age? No! I think we should "diary" it for a re-visit in 2016 when the kid will be twenty-eight years old.

Might be some new calibres out by then...and some long gone like all those RSM, RUM, WSM, WSSM, RUSSMWSSM-IMPROVED, Etc., etc!

But we will still be able to recommend 270 WCF! And it'll still be probably the best choice!

18 February 2009, 06:12

ted thorn

It is funny....guys keep giving there .02 worth and dont have a clue? Look at the date guys. 2002

18 February 2009, 12:40

375 fanatic

quote:
Originally posted by Per577:
A .308 Win mag,.30-06 Springfield,6,5 mm x 55 would be good alternatives. I would say .300 RUM in remington rifle and full house loads( 3300 fps and 180 gr.) will scare him to death if the scope is too near that he'll have it right over his eyebrow !!Then he won't go visit the shooting range anymore

good advice i think you can add the 7 X 57 aswell it will only build his confidance

18 February 2009, 12:43

375 fanatic

quote:
Originally posted by ted thorn:
It is funny....guys keep giving there .02 worth and dont have a clue? Look at the date guys. 2002

oh shucks you can buy him a 338 lapua now he is 21 one now 6'5" and 200 pounds lol

18 February 2009, 13:27

Steve Latham

quote:
Originally posted by ted thorn:
It is funny....guys keep giving there .02 worth and dont have a clue? Look at the date guys. 2002

Did you know you were a poet Ted? (say it quick!)