1st Hunting Rifle for my nephew

[CFFuts23]

I'm planning on taking my nephew hunting next year in his home state of GA. To get him started, I'm getting him a 10/22 for Christmas, a gift certificate to an indoor range and some safety classes for him and my brother in law (not gun experienced). I've started to do some research on deer hunting in GA and there doesn't appear to be any shotgun only areas, so rifles are an option. With that in mind, what would you get as a first hunting rifle for a 9/10 year old.

I was thinking a Remington Youth 20 Slug/Bird combo. I've never fired a 20 slug, but I'm assuming a 10 year old would be fine with enough practice. I figured a combo so we could leverage the gun to go goose hunting in the future. Personally, I started off with a 12 guage combo, but our area was shotgun only and I was a few year older.

Since my nephew won't be constrained to shotguns, should I look at rifles? Any suggestions for a kid friendly rifle caliber? I was thinking 30/30 or maybe .243? It should be enough gun for deer in GA and both are lighter kicking (although I've never fired either caliber).

Any thoughts or considerations would be welcomed.

 

[HOOfan_1]

I'd go .30-30 over .243. 7mm-08 would be even better. Maybe Ruger M77 Ultra-light in .257 Roberts.

 

[brettrow]

Both the 30/30 and .243 are great rounds, and kids should enjoy their lighter recoil. I might suggest keeping in that ballpark (keeping it under 16 foot pounds of recoil). Those two calibers are in the 8-12 foot pound recoil depending on weight of the bullet.

 

[magnumman44]

I recommend the Remington model 7 Youth in 7mm-08. Very little recoil, and plenty enough power for deer, and other medium sized game

 

[Sunray]

How big is he? Doesn't matter too much, but if he's not a big kid, a semi-auto might be an idea. Mind you, dealing with recoil isn't about the kid's size.
Remington's 11-87 Youth 20 guage will do nicely. Oddly they don't seem to come with Remchokes. That's not a big deal either.
Combo's are a good idea for anybody, but extra barrels aren't hard to find. Nor terribly expensive. A 20 might be a bit light for geese though.
Always found the felt recoil of a Win 94 in .30-30 to be excessive for the 'power' of the cartridge. Mind you, it's the weight of the rifle, not the cartridge.
Any of the 'mid' calibres will do. .24, .25 or .26. A .223 with the right bullet will do as well. (Assuming GA allows it.) Not a Ruger Mini-14 though. Over priced and inaccurate. An SKS is an idea. The 7.62 x 39 will kill deer with the right bullet. Virtually no felt recoil. You're right. There is a theme. Light calibres require the right bullet. Especially a .243. Factory .243 ammo with light bullets are loaded with varmint bullets(under 85 grains) that are not suitable for deer sized game. Another thing that's not a big deal.
The rifle is the important part. Take the kid with you and let him try 'em on for size. The scope eye relief has to be set up for him anyway. He has to sight it in too.

 

[Kachok]

243s and 30-30s are fine calibers, but for the king of light kicking rifles the top notch choices are 260 rem, 6.5x55, 25-06, and 7mm-08 they will do everything a 30-30 will do plus alot more. The 6.5x55 is my favorite rifle of all time, it is never out of place weather you are hunting rabit or Bull Moose and the recoil is a non-event even to first timers and recoil shy shooters. Exelent rifles in 6.5x55 are the CZ 550, Tikka T3, and the old school Winchester model 70 featherweight if you can find one.

 

[unwise11]

.308. it will grow with him, and it can be loaded fairly lightly. (wolf) and other cheapies shoot fairly light..
But some super hot handloads I shot felt like a 30-06. for when he's older. I'm 14. began shooting shotguns in 12 guage at 10 or 11. I remember needing a recoil pad. so make sure whatever you get him has one.
heres me (5'10" 150 lbs) shooting my Howa M-1500 .308 at 100yards.

[/IMG]
what that? Hows it shoot?

[/IMG]
Yeah yeah, one flyer. my fault.

 

[jim243]

Can't understand why I would recommend the 243 (LOL) but an excelent hunting rifle. Savage has a new rifle called the Axis, for around $300 and comes with scope and youth model. When he grows up (gets bigger) just restock it.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/

He will be estatic with it.

Jim

 

[blitzen]

Ruger M77 hawkeye compact laminated rifle in .260 rem. he will not want for or need any more rifle than that for many years if ever. Check it out.
For what it's worth, as far as store bought rifles go it is considered a very fine sheep rifle by those in the know. It is short, handy and a supremely effective killer.

 

[1911 guy]

Savage or Stevens bolt rifle in .243 or 7mm-08 would be my first choices. I know the Savage can be had in a youth model with shorter stock, not sure about the Stevens.

 

[bpl]

I recommend the Remington model 7 Youth in 7mm-08. Very little recoil, and plenty enough power for deer, and other medium sized game

This is exactly what we use with our 12 yr old, who is small for his age. It works great! We use the Remington Managed Recoil 140gr.

 

[GMHAYESUSN]

Remington 870 20 gauge combo would be a really good choice i would also look at a ruger m77 in .243

 

[grtwhthntr]

I would recommend a .243. As to what rifle, I would go with a Savage 10 or 11 youth rifle with accu-trigger or a Marlin XS-7 youth rifle. I was in your shoes a couple months ago shopping for a deer rifle for my 9 year old. I bought him the Savage 11 with accu-trigger. It's a great shooter, which is what I've come to expect from Savage.

 

[Caribou96]

Ill second the Marlin xs7 youth in 7-08. My Buddy bought one for his boys last year it will put three into an inch. Alot of gun for the money.