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All my kids and grandkids shot their first few deer with a .222 Rem. under my tuteledge and at close range in most cases..I did not start them shooting until they were 6 years old or when they showed an interest... I believe 3 1/2 is too young and you could very easily ruin any desire they have to hunt or shoot, nor do they have any clue whats going on with a gun and safty or what it will do if handled wrong, but that is a decision only you can make. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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He is over 4 now with the frame of a large six year old and I am going to start him on a .22 LR just before he turns 5 and then I have a youth 7mm-08 that a friend generously bought that he will transition to with reduced loads for his first deer. After that he can shoot my .257 Roberts I acquired from this sight until he gets his own deer rifle. I was just doing my research early so I had time to look for good deals on the right rifles. In short, I agree that 3 1/2 is too early for a deer rifle. | |||
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The browning micro hunter in 7mm-08 is an excellent rifle, bought one in left hand for my wife several years ago. My daughter turns 8 next month and two years ago maybe I picked up a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62X39. I have an aftermarket stock for it and rebarreled it to 6.5 Grendel, still have to finish the stockwork but it's going to be a very handy rifle and about perfect for low recoil, flat trajectory and enough energy for any distance she's likely to shoot the first few years after she turns 10 (legal age in WI for deer hunting). I have done the TC Contender in the 7-30 Waters also and that is a great choice too. I had one but sold it to a friend that has two girls coming of age and the oldest has shot 4 deer with it in the last two years. He's looking at getting another one for the younger daughter as it has worked extremely well. Shoot straight, shoot often. Matt | |||
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After all of the responses I got from this post I originally decided to buy a 7mm-08 browning micro midas, but a great friend of mine informed me he had already bought my boys a 7mm-08 Howe through this website. Coincidentally his place will most likely be where all 3 of my boys will kill their first deer! | |||
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Interesting range of responses and I'm sure the OP will have his youngster up and hunting with something that works in no time. In regards the 'right' age that kids should be introduced to hunting I believe there is no 'right' age as such, it will all depend on the environment youngsters are brought up in. Off the subject a bit, I was watching a hunting programme on our 'indigenous' TV channel recently (Maori TV) which showed not much more than a toddler knifing a pig that had been baled by dogs. I didn't see the start of the programme so I don't know what age he was but judging by his size and gait when walking he would have been 3-4 years old. It was all pretty blood thirsty. Most of the episodes feature kids of various ages taking part or accompanying the hunters. I often think when watching episodes of this particular programme (Hunt Aotearoa (NZ)) showing stalking, kill shots and gutting of animals as well as dogging and knifing of pigs, if it weren't for the fact it is made by our indigenous people, it would not get airtime on TV which is during normal daytime viewing hours. My grandson when he was at pre-school daycare went along to their fancy dress party dressed as a cowboy, toy six guns and all. The PC brigade quickly took these off him while the pirates kept their toy swords and knives. Of course he just could not comprehend this. He has accompanied me and his older brother out rabbit shooting and enjoys the experience. | |||
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My son has been shooting my rem 700 260 since he was 6.I thought I would have to reduce loads but not so.He is 12 now.I bought a 250 sav last fall, he shot it one time and I haven`t seen it since! IMO these are 2 calibers you can`t go wrong with for young people. Start with and stay with. | |||
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I bought beautiful 257 roberts that I am pretty sure I only have a couple of years to shoot for that same reason. | |||
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RAider, And you can always load it down...A 75 gr. monolithic at 2500 FPS is pretty deadly on deer at 100 yards. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Ray, Is your recommendation for a Bob or a 7MM-08. | |||
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I bought my daughter a cz 527 in 7.62x39. with handloaded hornady 123 grn bullets she has killed two deer(and a fox) she never had a problem with recoil or noise. i know I don't want her shooting at me  blaming guns for crime is like blaming silverware for rosie o'donnell being fat | |||
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A 6.5 anything. I'd look for a 6.5x55 or a 260 Rem. If you just can't find anything in 6.5, then a 308 Win. Pancho LTC, USA, RET "Participating in a gun buy-back program because you think that criminals have too many guns is like having yourself castrated because you think your neighbors have too many kids." Clint Eastwood Give me Liberty or give me Corona. | |||
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As a parent, you have certain expectations but you also know your kids. Think on the advice given but also keep in mind that the first gun your child learns to shoot can either hold a place deep in his heart that he will want to keep forever or it will be a big black and red spot in his mind that will always scare the crap out of him. If it is fun to shoot then he will enjoy it. He should learn to shoot a rifle with one that he can manage and work his way up to a gun that he can hunt with. My dad started me with a bolt 22 rf at an early age and it was fun to shoot and as I grew I was given the opportunity to shoot his 3006. When he passed I got the old '06 and it is one of the two most accurate guns I own today. I will keep it until I die and then it will be passed down to one of my kids that will keep it for their kids. When it gets worn I will replace the barrel so it will always be a shooter. Give your kids a rifle that will fit them for a lifetime but don't force them into what you want. Let them choose and whatever it is it will always be special to them. Speer, Sierra, Lyman, Hornady, Hodgdon have reliable reloading data. You won't find it on so and so's web page. | |||
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Really great advice PaulS.  Let the kid proceed at their own speed. I feel it is better to nurture the hunting/shooting desire in a kid than ruining it by rushing things. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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I can't imagine a better deer rifle for a youngster than a 243 Win. Start with a Kid-size stock and it will grow up with the little hunter. I don't own one, but I have a couple of friends who have used this caliber since they started hunting. Start young, hunt hard, and enjoy God's bounty. | |||
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I started off my nephews with a Styer prohunter in 260 and 6.5x55... one still uses the 260. I also have a ruger gunsight 308 for my 6 year old. She is still shooting her cricket--but I like to be ready when she is 8 or 9. Loaded with 125 grains the 308 is wonderful for pigs, deer ect. I like the guns that have an adjustable length of pull so they can grow into them. DRSS Member | |||
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Great advice. My oldest son has already shot my Anschutz Woodchucker .22lr and loved it. I am going to wait until all 3 are ready, but they will likely move to shooting my AR on paper to get used to larger calibers and then they will all use the same 7mm-08 with reduced recoil loads to kill their first deer. The only downside is once the younger ones are ready that means the oldest will probably start hunting with my .257 Roberts that I don't want to share. | |||
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I would think that your 257 would be an easier rifle to learn with over a 7-08. FS | |||
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The 7mm-08 is a youth model rifle and the .257 is a full size with an octagon barrel. | |||
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243win, low recoil and plenty for deer hunting. | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Small Calibers Caliber for my kids first deer rifle?
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