Kachok
Member
DANG! Is it legal to reload there? The 30-06 is an easy cartridge to reload for.
30-06 for a 13 year old?
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Russ Jackson
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My 16ga bolt action shot gun is about the same as my 06. Go ahead and shoot it. It always seems when you shoot at paper it hurts more than when shooting at a deer. Why is that. Same thing with a shotgun you never feel the kick when shooting a duck or geese but when you shoot a can you do......lol
alsaqr
Member
You have a neat Grandma. You will do fine shooting a .30-06.
My son was average size his age when he started shooting a .30-06 at age 13. The gun was a sporterized lightweigh 1903 Springfield with the stock shortened by 1". My wife made him a shooting shirt with built in recoil pad. The ammo we used was WWII surplus ball and AP.
Start out using reduced loads and see how you handle the recoil. Then graduate to full force loads. My son never had any problem with the recoil of full force .30-06 loads. He is now 43 years old and still uses that gun. The sawed off piece of stock was glued back on the gun.
My son was average size his age when he started shooting a .30-06 at age 13. The gun was a sporterized lightweigh 1903 Springfield with the stock shortened by 1". My wife made him a shooting shirt with built in recoil pad. The ammo we used was WWII surplus ball and AP.
Start out using reduced loads and see how you handle the recoil. Then graduate to full force loads. My son never had any problem with the recoil of full force .30-06 loads. He is now 43 years old and still uses that gun. The sawed off piece of stock was glued back on the gun.
Sav .250
Member
I believe they make a "reduced" load for the 30-06. Big help in cutting down on the re-coil.
alfon99
Member
Yes, reloading is legal, and with the prices like this it's probably a good option. That way I can start shooting light loads and when I get used to it I can start with the full force loads.
TenDriver
Member
I think you will be fine with the .30-06. Most of the newer production synthetic stock rifles all have THICK recoil pads on them. I've let 9 year old shoot my Marlin XL-7 in .270 with no problems. That recoil is a little less than the -06, but close enough.
You also have numerous bullet weight options in .30-06. I've found 150 gr loads recoil to be mild to moderate, but 220 gr load recoil to be harsh.
For what it's worth, I have a friend whose 13 year old son shoots his 300Win Mag. He's an average size kid and scared of recoil to boot. He manned up to the 300 on his own over the summer and decided to hunt with it over the winter.
You also have numerous bullet weight options in .30-06. I've found 150 gr loads recoil to be mild to moderate, but 220 gr load recoil to be harsh.
For what it's worth, I have a friend whose 13 year old son shoots his 300Win Mag. He's an average size kid and scared of recoil to boot. He manned up to the 300 on his own over the summer and decided to hunt with it over the winter.
alfon99
Member
Well, If a 9 year old shoots a .270 with no problems I think I'll have no problem with a 30-06.
dubbleA
Member
Kachok, thanks for the hog link. No doubt a huge hog but unlikely it was a true feral hog in my opinion.
cal30_sniper
Member
Alfon,
When I was 13, I was 165cm and less than 45kg. I started out with a Ishapore 2A Enfield in .308 with a steel buttplate. I graduated up to a .308 Savage 11F (very light, with a hard rubber butt pad) about a year later. Recoil never has been an issue for me. 10+ years later, and I am still the same height and weight as you are at 13. I shoot a .30-06 in a Savage 110 quite often. It's a non-issue, especially if you're only going through 1 box or so in a sitting. That being said, if I want to shoot several boxes of ammo in a day, I grab the 7x57 or 6.5x55. If I'm going to hunt deer or hogs, I grab the 7x57 or 6.5x55. If I want to plink, I grab the .223. The '06 does start to hurt after 20-30 rounds on the bench or prone. From sitting or offhand, you really don't even feel it.
I don't know how it is down in Uruguay, but if ammo and rifles are available, you might look into a sporterized Mauser built on your indigenous .30-06, the 7.65x53mm. That'd be a neat bit of heritage to take hunting, and would kick a bit less than the '06. If you can find 7x57, its an even better choice. Light recoil, usually very accurate, and one heck of a killing round. That'd be my suggestion, as long as ammo is available. I've tried a lot of calibers, but that's the one I keep coming back to.
When I was 13, I was 165cm and less than 45kg. I started out with a Ishapore 2A Enfield in .308 with a steel buttplate. I graduated up to a .308 Savage 11F (very light, with a hard rubber butt pad) about a year later. Recoil never has been an issue for me. 10+ years later, and I am still the same height and weight as you are at 13. I shoot a .30-06 in a Savage 110 quite often. It's a non-issue, especially if you're only going through 1 box or so in a sitting. That being said, if I want to shoot several boxes of ammo in a day, I grab the 7x57 or 6.5x55. If I'm going to hunt deer or hogs, I grab the 7x57 or 6.5x55. If I want to plink, I grab the .223. The '06 does start to hurt after 20-30 rounds on the bench or prone. From sitting or offhand, you really don't even feel it.
I don't know how it is down in Uruguay, but if ammo and rifles are available, you might look into a sporterized Mauser built on your indigenous .30-06, the 7.65x53mm. That'd be a neat bit of heritage to take hunting, and would kick a bit less than the '06. If you can find 7x57, its an even better choice. Light recoil, usually very accurate, and one heck of a killing round. That'd be my suggestion, as long as ammo is available. I've tried a lot of calibers, but that's the one I keep coming back to.
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alfon99
Member
Yes, I have no doubt that the 7x57mm mauser is better for my age, but I don't want to spend much money in "graduating". That's why I would like more the 30-06, or a .308.
alfon99
Member
Yes, I have no doubt that the 7x57mm mauser is better for my age, but I don't want to spend much money in "graduating". That's why I would like more the 30-06, or a .308.
cal30_sniper
Member
I wasn't saying it was better for your age, I was suggesting it's better all the way around for 95% of hunting situations, especially for a smaller guy.
For deer and hog sized game, the 7x57 delivers all the killing power you could ever desire, in a lighter package with less recoil. The 7x57 and .308 are near identical in what they can accomplish, with an edge to the 7x57 at longer ranges. The .30-06 has a bit more oomph, but is more often overkill than a necessary extra.
Now, if rifles and ammo in 7x57 are prohibitively expensive, I could see that as a viable reason to go .308 or .30-06. I'm just telling you that coming from a guy your size, I much prefer shooting the 6.5-7mm cartridges with 140-175 grn bullets than .30 caliber cartridges with 165-180 grn bullets. They do exactly the same job, just a lot more comfortably, and the rifles are usually more elegant to handle also.
For deer and hog sized game, the 7x57 delivers all the killing power you could ever desire, in a lighter package with less recoil. The 7x57 and .308 are near identical in what they can accomplish, with an edge to the 7x57 at longer ranges. The .30-06 has a bit more oomph, but is more often overkill than a necessary extra.
Now, if rifles and ammo in 7x57 are prohibitively expensive, I could see that as a viable reason to go .308 or .30-06. I'm just telling you that coming from a guy your size, I much prefer shooting the 6.5-7mm cartridges with 140-175 grn bullets than .30 caliber cartridges with 165-180 grn bullets. They do exactly the same job, just a lot more comfortably, and the rifles are usually more elegant to handle also.
HankR
Member
I'd like to echo the "try before you buy". My son is 14, and probably about your size. He plays (american) football and considers himself a "tough guy". He won't admit it, but he much prefers to shoot his .243 over a 30-06. He will shoot the 30-06 (at targets), but doesn't hop up and beg to shoot it. It looks as if he is starting to cringe, almost flinch, before pulling the trigger on the '06 but not at all on the .243.
Truth be told, I'm 6 foot and too close to 200 lb for my liking, and I prefer the .243. I figure when he grows into the 30-06 I'll step down to the .243.... (not really, but I wouldn't spend the kind of money you're probably looking at w/ out trying it first. For hogs I'm guessing you're pretty close, I'd consider a levergun in 30-30?)
Your english is very good,
alfon99
Member
Yes, I guess I'll try before I buy. If the .30-06 recoil bothers me, then I guess I'll go for the .308 or .30-30 as you said, depends on the rifle.
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Alfon
I have tewo daughters one is 16 the other is 13 now they have both been shooting .308 and .30-06 since they were about 10 years old. No problems and they've both killed big hogs, deer, antelope and elk with their rifles with no issues at all.
The key is a nice soft recoil pad IMO.
I have tewo daughters one is 16 the other is 13 now they have both been shooting .308 and .30-06 since they were about 10 years old. No problems and they've both killed big hogs, deer, antelope and elk with their rifles with no issues at all.
The key is a nice soft recoil pad IMO.
Kachok
Member
There is no such thing as a "true" feral hog if you think about it, that is like saying a purebred mutt. They all have mixed blood from several different strain of boar and escaped domestic pigs as well, that one looks born wild there are no signs of ear, teeth or tail cutting. Pigs like to bite each others ears and tails off when crowded in a pen so that is pretty standard stuff for farm raised animals.
dcarch
Member
Alfon99, first, let me say that I am very impressed by the maturity of your answers, as well as the quality of your English. Many native English speakers could take a lesson (or three) from you. Second, let me welcome you to The High Road, which is, in my humble opinion, the best firearms forum on the planet. I have picked up more useful information here than anywhere else online. Period. With regards to the rifle, I should think a 30'06 would be fine for you. I would, however, as you yourself suggested, testfire one first to see if you like it and can deal with the recoil impulse. Finally, another option to consider might be getting a recoil reduction pad to aid in mitigating the perceived recoil. I don't know what the market's like down there in Uruguay, but were I in your position, I would also consider looking at military surplus bolt action rifles too... they can be excellent deals, and the iron sights would be a big plus for hog hunting. However, as I previously stated, I don't know what the market is like down there. Anyhow, good luck with your future firearm, and, of course, welcome to THR!
Deer_Freak
Member.
One thing is certain if the 30/06 is to much for you by 16 you will be able to handle the 30/06. It's not like you won't be able to handle the gun in a couple years. When you are shooting game you will not notice the recoil.
alfon99
Member
Thanks! I had the luck to be taught english since I was very little and as you can see, It was very useful for me. Or else I wouldn't be in this forum! I was surprised by how fast I got the answers. In some you've got to wait days for only one! About the military surplus... there are none here. Look at this link http://www.lr21.com.uy/politica/286664-ejercito-devuelve-fusiles-a-eeuu I know you will not understand anything, but It talks about thousands of m1's (and other stuff) that Uruguay just gave back to the US after being stored for decades... So thats where they go. I guess military surplus is not an option!
Inebriated
Member
.30-06 will be just fine! If you're shooting a reduced-power load, you'll likely have no issues with recoil. If you have to fire factory ammo, then stick to 150 or 165 grain loads. I'm not saying you couldn't handle heavier loads, just that it's generally good practice to start with the lightest load, and work up.
Also, when you're hunting, recoil is the last thing you'll notice. As long as you can stand a few practice shots to see where you're hits are, I've got no doubt that you'll be happy with .30-06.
Oh, and I'm sure you're aware, but if not, form will do more as far as recoil management than a recoil pad ever will.
Also, when you're hunting, recoil is the last thing you'll notice. As long as you can stand a few practice shots to see where you're hits are, I've got no doubt that you'll be happy with .30-06.
Oh, and I'm sure you're aware, but if not, form will do more as far as recoil management than a recoil pad ever will.
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doubbleA,
The definition of a "feral" animal is a once domestic animal that has gone wild. So all feral hogs will be of mixed domestic genes. I think you are mistaking the term feral for wild as in a euro or Russian boar of which there are few if any running wild in the State of Texas or anywhere else there are hogs running wild in America. The only place you are apt to find true wild Euro boars in America is behind a high fence. While I've seen many hogs that have heavy Euro genetics if they've been loose for more than generation there is huge chance that they've interbred with once domestic ferals.
alfon99
Member
Hey, about the rifle, there's a friend of mine that sells a springfield M1903 chambered for the 30-06 round. The thing is that Im not sure how a modern scope could be mounted on a springfield. What do you think?
aka108
Member
Alfon99--Get any high caliber you want, 30-06 or more. Don't mount a recoil pad to the rifle whatever it is. Waste of money unless the pad comes with the rifle. What you need to get is a "Past" recoil shield that you wear on you sholder either over you shirt or under you shirt I have used the Past shield for over 25 years (same one) and you can shoot anything all day long and not go home sore or bruised. I shoot a lot of 303, 308, 30-06 and 7.65 Argentine and all of these in a bolt action rifle will cause you some pain against a bare sholder. Use the Past shield and they all become mild. The Past shield run in the mid 20 USD range price wise.
alfon99
Member
You're right. I'll see if I get one or who knows if I can make one homemade?
dubbleA
Member
H&H Hunter said:
Yes I chose a wrong word. Here in Texas the word wild and feral are used interchangeably. What I meant to say is free ranging hog that is one that is not raised and fed out in a pen and left to rome.
Hogs in the wild have a tough life, they just dont grow into these humongous freaks without human intervention such as castrating the boarsand endless feed supplies.
Have a family that has a helicopter business and one of the things we do is to erradicate hogs from the air. Have probablly killed 10's of thousands of feral hogs, have flown many many miles and you just so dont see 1000lb hogs in the wild. The average adult hog killed is probably 120-150 lbs. Of course there are 300-400 lber's taken occasionally but not the norm.
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