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Hey fellas, Currently in the early stages of having a custom build for my daughter- mainly to hunt deer and hogs. I hear that a 300 blackout is a good choice, but that is not my cup of tea. NOt big on a 6.5 creed more either. I need something that has more “medicine” to it. Is it a 7x57,243, 7-08….? Let me hear it! | ||
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I love the 7x57... little recoil and with 140 grain bullets it's murder on deer and pigs! Also like the 7-08, a bit more modern version on the old 7mm Mauser. The 25-06 or .257 Roberts are great for kids too... On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died. If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch... Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! - Rudyard Kipling Life grows grim without senseless indulgence. | |||
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I also agree with the 7x57. I killed my first whitetail when I lived in Texas, near Bryan, with a Ruger 77 in 7x57 with the 145 gr. Speer SP bullet. I killed many more with that rifle over the years as well as a Ruger #1A in 7x57. I also used the 139 gr. Hornady bullets for many. Recoil is mild and kills deer well. I also shot a lot of feral hogs with the same rifles and loads. The .25-06 would also work well. I have killed many mule deer and pronghorns with the .25-06. My favorite bullet is the 115 gr. Nosler partition. Two friends borrowed that rifle and each made one-shot kills on cow elk. It did well on those two elk but I would generally recommend a larger rifle for elk. | |||
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A great many top notch bullets to 108 grain are made in 6mm. I would lean to the 243. Each young person is different and handle recoil and muzzle blast in different ways. I would expose her to a few of your rifles before making a decision. I have a Great Grand Daughter that is 12, standing 5'6" and 110lbs that shoots her Daddy's Henry with a brass plate in 45-70, but had a Grandson that started with a 243. I wouldn't jump into it without some real study. | |||
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I agree with the other comments. I've always built grandkids and daughter in laws rifles in the 25-06, 257, 6.5X55 range but a 243 or 7x57 would work just as well. Through the use of reduced loads using H4895 according to Hodgdon's instructions, have allowed me to adjust each to the shooter tolerance. It also leaves me plenty of room to boost 'em up for greater performance as they grow up or gain experience. Phil | |||
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6 x 45mmm? TomP Our country, right or wrong. When right, to be kept right, when wrong to be put right. Carl Schurz (1829 - 1906) | |||
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My daughter shoots a 7mm Wby Mark V Killed her first mule deer with it at 400 yards. She is only 5 foot tall, but can shoot it well. NRA Life Benefactor Member, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center,Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/ | |||
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https://www.winchesterguns.com...rweight-compact.html You could start her out with one of these, and later use the action for the custom rifle. 7-08 might be a good choice KJK | |||
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After further thought I haven't or wouldn't build any kind of 6mm/243 if this is to be their only rifle. Later in life, they could need/want more power which you can get in the 25-06, 257, 6.5, 7x57 etc that you just can't get with the 6mm/243. Now if intend to outfit them with more calibers, then a 6mm/243 is a great cartridge. Phil | |||
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How do you figure that? | |||
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I’d do with 7/08. NRA Patron member | |||
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Is your daughter a child, adolescent, or adult. | |||
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I'm a big proponent of the 6x45. I've been witness to far too many one shot kills to be ignored. The 243 Win is a close 2nd. More powder, more velocity and OTC ammo could arguably make it better then the 6x45, but the 6x45 can be built on a smaller action in a better balanced small rifle. I wouldn't hesitate to poke an elk with either one. Light recoil makes for better shooting under field conditions. All We Know Is All We Are | |||
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I assume that your daughter is in the pre-teen or a young teen age group. I purchased a M700 mountain rifle in 257 Roberts for my daughter when she was 10. She took her first animal, a caribou, with it last year. She was 11. I have also taken 3 caribou with her rifle. We are impressed with the ability of the 257R. I know that D'arcy Echols built a 260 Rem for his daughter. You can be sure that he would know what he is doing.... For deer and hogs, I don't think that you could go wrong with a 257 Roberts, 6.5x55, 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Rem, 7x57, or a 7mm/08. Even a 308 would be great, as would a 300 savage. Two very important considerations: the size of your daughter and her recoil tolerance. If your daughter is small like my daughter was(60 pounds at 10yo) she will be better served with a lighter rifle, as a standard 8.5 pound rifle will most likely be too heavy to shoot well. But the light rifle is a double edged sword: although easier to carry, the really accentuate recoil. So, if you are going to go light, then you should look at going with one of the lighter cartridges. Recoil tolerance is one of those things that varies by individual. Just as important as the above, is the fit of the rifle itself. A rifle that fits is going to improve the entire experience. Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
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I'll throw my 2 cents in... The choice of cartridges isn't as import as PROPER STOCK FIT. Small shooters have different stock needs than an adult. On top of that, lady shooters have there own stock requirements. Start with a factory stock and be ready to shorten length of pull. Also find a way to adjust comb height. Altering the grip and forearm thickness are a big help as well. Most lady's also prefer a bit of cast off and toe out as well, but those are difficult things to alter on a factory stock. If the stock ends up looking hacked and cobbled together but fits her comfortably then it's a success! You can now take some measurements and have her a beautiful stock made to order. Best of luck with your Lady shooter!! | |||
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I'll agree with this^^^ If pressed to vote, a 7mm-08 would be the choice if it needs to do her for years. It's very versatile because of the range of bullets weights available and can be chambered on a short action. I had the luxury of stepping up the chamberings for my 4 daughter as they grew. All but one now shoots mostly mags at big game and they're very accomplished on a couple continents. (brag for dad). Zeke | |||
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I had Winston Elrod make a rifle for my daughter for her first rifle. Her first deer was shot using a borrowed 7x57 that was all good, but it was a little stout for her. Winston fit her rifle to her in 243, she loves everything about HER rifle. She was 12 when this was made, she is now 26 and still enjoys shooting it. We have a bear hunt planned for this August and she will be using her rifle. You can argue that the caliber is lite for the job but she will only shoot when the shot presented is appropriate. She is fine with deer and hogs but she wants me to back her up on the bear. We will have a terrific time! A lite caliber for a first has been a great call for us. | |||
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Good morning gents!!! I never really went away, just disappeared for a few days. Seems like all really good suggestions. I personally have a 7mm Mauser that I love. My father (formerly Doubless) here on AR, had that thing built for me when I was a kid. I started shooting deer with it when I was about seven years old. Despite my custom build 280 and 30-06, that 7mm Mauser is my “go to” hunting rifle of choice. 7-08 wouldn’t be a bad choice either. BUT, at her young age of six, maybe a 243 wouldn’t be a bad choice. I appreciate all the feedback…really do!! So many choices and so little money….. | |||
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Wow, 6 years old is a completely different scenario! I’m sure I’ll get flamed for this, but I think that any standard deer hunting cartilage(even a 243), in any standard or lightweight deer hunting rifle will be too much for almost any 6 year old. At that age they are too little/weak to hold/shoot even a cut down full sized rifle. Even the “non existent” recoup of the 243 will be intimidating. The way I see it, you have two options: go with a light cartridge such as the 6x45(? I don’t know anything about that one), or a 243, 257R, etc. And load a bunch of reduced loads for practice. Then you can use full power loads for hunting, and when she has grown a bit. And if you go with a 243, you can easily rebarrel it to 7/08 or 308 when she is ready to step up to a full power big game round. I went with the 257 Roberts for my daughter when she was 10. Her rifle weighs 6.5 pounds and to be honest, she was intimidated by the recoil with full power loads. I came up with some reduced loads and she shoots it very well. I have to admit that I’m have been very impressed with the ability of an 87 gr .257” bullet to kill cleanly at 2700fps. We have four one shot kills on caribou. All were shot from 200-200 yards. But, if I had it to do over, I think that I would have bought her a 223. It would have been great for inexpensive practice. And from whet I have witnessed, the 223 is deadly on deer and caribou(I’d try to keep the shots under 200y). Whatever you decide on, make sure that I is something that she will love shooting from the start. You don’t want your daughter to start off gun shy because you insisted on starting her with an elk suitable cartridge.... Jason "You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core." _______________________ Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt. Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure. -Jason Brown | |||
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I agree, didn't read the 6yr old part. Do not under any circumstance fit a brake! | |||
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At 6 tender years of age, I'd build her a .223 Rem (8 twist barrel) and shoot 64 grain Hammer bullets. I did that for my grandson this year and it worked like a charm. Then maybe move up to a 243 in a handful of years and then up from there. Just my 2 cents that makes sense, to me. Zeke | |||
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This won't be a popular comment but here's goes.... At some point you have to ask yourself this question. If your daughter is too young/small to handle the recoil of a cartridge capable of a clean kill, it might be best to wait a bit longer before letting her hunt big game. There is plenty of fun to be had chasing small game with 22's or a .410. Some of my best hunting memories with my Dad is hunting small game. So it becomes a personal question, let your daughter use something that is marginal and results in lost game animals ? Or wait until she can kill one clean with an adequate cartidge? I will be in the same boat as you in a few years. My choice is to wait until she can handle a decent deer round. I feel like my daughter will thank me down the road for being an ethical hunter and not allowing her to shoot at something with less than adequate killing power. I dont have all the answers, that's just my opinion. | |||
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I will throw in my .02. Have yiu thought about a lever action in 30-30 or some of the other pistol calibres .357 or .45? The above mentioned will offer low recoil and plenty of power from deer to bear. | |||
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My small framed daughter shoots a 35 Whelen  she loves it. Started with it when she was 15 in Namibia up to 335 yards on Springbok. Puts the hammer on the hogs and deer.BUT - she had a 7mm-08 prior to that which started with reduced recoil 120 gr loads. I'd get her a .308 Winchester. More flexibility than a 6.5 Creedmor. One of my other daughters took a full of PG in South Africa with a moderate 165 gr load - kudu and blue wildebeest at 250 yards. "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid" -- Ronald Reagan "Ignorance of The People gives strength to totalitarians." Want to make just about anything work better? Keep the government as far away from it as possible, then step back and behold the wonderment and goodness. | |||
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Second the 7 08...reduced loads work great. | |||
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+1 | |||
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| One of Us |
If I may, I think 6 may be a bit young for big game. In my family, it was tradition to only start hunting big game at age 12. I did, but the experience put me off for several years, and I only started hunting again at around 18. Note that I had been shooting since the age of about 3 or 4, and it wasn't the recoil of the .270 that put me off. By that age, I was comfortably shooting the .404. It also wasn't the first animal I had seen shot. I had been accompanying my dad on hunts for at least 7 years by then. I had also shot numerous birds (mostly Indian Myna and Francolin/spurfowl) and the odd rodent. I went for a heart shot, and pulled it off pretty well too, but the Impala got up and ran about 20 yards before it went down for good, and I think it's that that got me. I simply wasn't emotionally mature enough to deal with wounding an animal. I think a contributor was that my dad only ever shot neck shots, so anything he shot never got up again. If you do still want to do it, I would vote for .223 or any of the wildacts built to work on the AR15 platform (6 x 45, .300 Blackout etc.) or perhaps a .357 Magnum lever-action, depending on the range you need to be able to cover. | |||
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Having 5 girls myself I have a bit of experience in fitting rifles to smaller frames. Of the 5 only three actually shoot and are 5, 8, and 10years old. The biggest hurdle is going to find (or make) a LOP that correctly fits her. The next is to determine what her tolerance to recoil might be and by that I mean having her shoot at least 30 rounds per session. So, while the .308 family might be fine for sight in, most 6yo will not tolerate that enough to become proficient without getting flinchy. My oldest daughters rifle is a Howa action, brux barrel chambered in 6 BRX and I sweet talked McMillian into making me a stock with a 10inch LOP. I also made a 25-45 Sharps Ar-15 for my 8 year old but that got stolen last year. She wanted an upgrade for the replacement (she wants to hunt bear) and so now she shoots a 375 SOCOM. With the lighter loads and giant muzzle brake it actually kicks less then the 6 BRX. Lastly, my 5 year old (doesn't hunt yet) shoots my 300 Blk ar-15 pistol. When she starts hunting I will probably start her off with a 6.5 grendel or 6.8 SPC. The nice thing about the ar-15 platform is that the LOP is adjustable from around 10in out to 12 or 13 so there is plenty of room to grow. "though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression." ---Thomas Jefferson | |||
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Six is certainly young. I have a delightful 6x45 on a Sako mini action with suppressor and it is like shooting a .22 LR. I have a 243 too but see no benefit to the velocity unless she is to shoot considerably longer shots. My choice for a 12 year old or so would have been a 260 at sedate velocities, but in light of her age I second the suggestion of a 6x45 but with hunting bullets, i.e. 80gr + non-varmint types. If you are allowed to add a suppressor, it makes a world of difference. | |||
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| One of Us |
If my daughter had been seriously thinking about hunting, I would have offered her a light bolt-action rifle (with iron sights of course) in 7x57. This is a caliber I started successfully my hunting "career". | |||
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