7yr old wants Uncle WK to take him deer hunting
- Thread starter WestKentucky
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I have no problem with a young kid going hunting or shooting guns but they certainly need a good bit of experience before I would want them to actually use a rifle deer hunting without some more experience. I have known 7-8 year olds that were perfectly capable of shooting a rifle and hunting deer and were successful in doing so but they had been shooting since they were five and had "it". My own three kids have been around guns since they were born and none of them were ready to kill a deer at 7.
That's not to say the kid can't shoot a bunch in the next couple of months and become proficient enough to hunt with his uncle. I imagine a bolt .223 or several other low recoil rifles, assuming legality, would work for a kid that age that has some practice under his belt.
PS I know plenty of 35 year old men that have no business in a deer stand with a rifle.
That's not to say the kid can't shoot a bunch in the next couple of months and become proficient enough to hunt with his uncle. I imagine a bolt .223 or several other low recoil rifles, assuming legality, would work for a kid that age that has some practice under his belt.
PS I know plenty of 35 year old men that have no business in a deer stand with a rifle.
oneounceload
member
Are you so sure that isn't her plan? To scare him off hunting by subjecting him to the recoil, gutting, etc?
Maybe you can use an AR from a stationary bagged rest?
Hardtarget
Member
I can affirm the .30 carbine as capable of taking deer...in Tn. My son did a good job on the one he took when he was 10 years old. Nice little spike that weighed in around 100 pounds. It was a quick kill.
Bullet placement is important...as with any cartridge.
Mark
Bullet placement is important...as with any cartridge.
Mark
kitsapshooter
Member
A 357 rifle is nice light rifle. use 38 special for training and then 357 for hunting.
For the occasion I would loan you mine if I lived back home.
If ha has not done any gutting take him fishing and start small.
For the occasion I would loan you mine if I lived back home.
If ha has not done any gutting take him fishing and start small.
zerobarrier
Contributing Member
I would suggest a H&R Handi rifle in 300blk if you want to go that route and buy something. Around $350, its 30" overall length and just under 5lbs. Comes with a picatinny rail. You can use supersonic 125gr bullets or subs for hunting depending on the distances. For Sub this company make some really nice hunting bullets that expand well at low velocitys: http://www.lehighdefense.com/index.php/shop/ammunition/subsonic
You can also upgrade the stock to a thumbhole for $55: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/956614/h-and-r-handi-grip-stock-and-forend-h-and-r-rifle-polymer-black?cm_vc=wishList
Also that rifle can be had in 44mag or 357
Your contender would by my choice if you don't want to buy something. I hunt dear with Ruger 77/44 in 44mag, very light recoil
You can also upgrade the stock to a thumbhole for $55: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/956614/h-and-r-handi-grip-stock-and-forend-h-and-r-rifle-polymer-black?cm_vc=wishList
Also that rifle can be had in 44mag or 357
Your contender would by my choice if you don't want to buy something. I hunt dear with Ruger 77/44 in 44mag, very light recoil
C.R.
Member
I would think a single shot would be the way to go. But maybe the thing to do would hold off untill he has had more time to get used to shooting,safe firearms handeling,and the sitting quietly that is a part of hunting . 7 is kind of young to be fireing a rifle, maybe take him out with you on the regular deer hunt and see if he realy enjoys it before you spend a bunch of cash on a gun. will he get board after an hour or two ? what ever you decice good luck and safe hunting to you!
I started my daughter out at 8 years old with an AR15 223 + a 2x7 scope, using 62gr Federal fusions. 4 weekends of practice from a bench then off to the blind. She killed 4 deer in 4 years with 4 shots ranging from 65yrds to 95 yrds. She now has her own AR chambered in 6.8.
OP
OP
WestKentucky
Member
Trying to find a fitting trainer.
We got the boy out to each place to try out various guns that we were considering letting him use. The contender was the only one that fit including 22s that we were planning to use to step up from his Red Ryder. So we headed to 3 local shops. Nobody carries the mini-guns anymore. We found plenty youth guns including a Ruger American 223 that will most likely be bought for the wife as it fit her really well, but not a single Crickett, Rascal, or tiny gun in sight. The only thing short enough was a 10/22 with adjustable factory stock but it was too heavy. So, with squirrel season opening today I am amazed that nobody carries the little guns. I would even be ok if they were sold out but it's frustrating. I guess we will have to hit up Walmart and deal with rude uninformed clerks just to get a good feel for whether they will fit or not. No .tiny 410s either. Just seems stupid.
We got the boy out to each place to try out various guns that we were considering letting him use. The contender was the only one that fit including 22s that we were planning to use to step up from his Red Ryder. So we headed to 3 local shops. Nobody carries the mini-guns anymore. We found plenty youth guns including a Ruger American 223 that will most likely be bought for the wife as it fit her really well, but not a single Crickett, Rascal, or tiny gun in sight. The only thing short enough was a 10/22 with adjustable factory stock but it was too heavy. So, with squirrel season opening today I am amazed that nobody carries the little guns. I would even be ok if they were sold out but it's frustrating. I guess we will have to hit up Walmart and deal with rude uninformed clerks just to get a good feel for whether they will fit or not. No .tiny 410s either. Just seems stupid.
Sunray
Member
Read your hunting regs. Crossbow or 110 grain HP's out of the Carbine(Reloaded ammo only. Factory doesn't cut it. IMR4227.) or another semi-auto that fits him properly. Mind you, his size has nothing to do with it. Some small statured adults handle felt recoil better than mutated adults.
However, he has to be able to shoot whatever well enough. You need to make that a mandatory requirement. And he has to have the attention span to sit in a blind for hours without being a 7 year old boy.
However, he has to be able to shoot whatever well enough. You need to make that a mandatory requirement. And he has to have the attention span to sit in a blind for hours without being a 7 year old boy.
mgmorden
Member
.30-30 makes for a perfect beginner deer rifle IMHO. Its good at any range I'd consider letting a 7 year old shoot at, and recoil is quite mild.
Skylerbone
Member
WK, have you tried Bud's online? I have 3 different youth model .22s for my youngsters and the Savage Rascal is the lightest and simplest to operate. About $150 shipped to your FFL and well worth it. I experienced the same situation with the 10/22 being too heavy for even a fairly hefty kid.
I wish you continued progress toward getting him ready. A link: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36_62_975/Savage+Rimfire/
I wish you continued progress toward getting him ready. A link: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36_62_975/Savage+Rimfire/
Andrew Leigh
Member
WK,
my friend loaded a .243 down to 6X45mm specs for his daughter which would probably be similar size. Has minimal recoil and is sufficient for deer. He could then later grow into the rifle which would last him a last him through his teens. If you reload this would be a very strong option.
But he needs to be shooting like right now.
I made a medium density foam pad for my youngest grandson and glued it to an old tight fitting T Shirt in the appropriate spot. This improved his accuracy enormously as the felt recoil reduced. Perhaps it was merely a mindset change?
my friend loaded a .243 down to 6X45mm specs for his daughter which would probably be similar size. Has minimal recoil and is sufficient for deer. He could then later grow into the rifle which would last him a last him through his teens. If you reload this would be a very strong option.
But he needs to be shooting like right now.
I made a medium density foam pad for my youngest grandson and glued it to an old tight fitting T Shirt in the appropriate spot. This improved his accuracy enormously as the felt recoil reduced. Perhaps it was merely a mindset change?
Vern Humphrey
Member
You have two choices, go down in caliber, or down-load. In your case, I'd look for a used .223 Rem with a fast twist barrel and use a heavy bullet designed for deer.
This is from Gunsamerica.com
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
That Axis Youth still looks awfully large for a 7-year-old. I'll bet the LOP is still over 12", and the overall length is 40". Something closer to a 9"-10" LOP and a bit more like the federal minimum 26" OAL would fit a 7 year old a lot better. Checking the federal stats on height and weight, that rifle's likely to be within a very few inches of as tall as he is! (7 year old boys in the US average just under 48" tall.)
That's why I really like the idea of a single-shot (T/C or one of the H&R singles) that is very easy to modify to quite small proportions. (Think about the size of a Savage Rascal/Cub.) And in a cartridge that is still effective at low energy levels. .223 probably could fit that bill, though you do have muzzle blast from such a high-pressure round, especially if you shorten the barrel. .44 Spc or .45 Colt would seem ideal, as at modest velocities, especially with cast bullets, those rounds will do an amazing number on a deer, without much muzzle blast and almost no felt recoil.
That's why I really like the idea of a single-shot (T/C or one of the H&R singles) that is very easy to modify to quite small proportions. (Think about the size of a Savage Rascal/Cub.) And in a cartridge that is still effective at low energy levels. .223 probably could fit that bill, though you do have muzzle blast from such a high-pressure round, especially if you shorten the barrel. .44 Spc or .45 Colt would seem ideal, as at modest velocities, especially with cast bullets, those rounds will do an amazing number on a deer, without much muzzle blast and almost no felt recoil.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Sitting here wearing my hearing aids, I strongly recommend hearing protection for the kid. If you're hunting from a stand, there's no reason he can't wear a muff. You can get electronic muffs nowadays that amplify low sounds and block loud ones, and those are ideal for hunting.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
YUP! 110% agreed! No reason a kid should be shooting without ear pro, even at a deer on opening day!
OP
OP
WestKentucky
Member
Gun selected and working towards fitting.
The rig is settled for sure. This bubba job stock will work this year, and will be replaced next year if needed. It will be saved for future kiddos looking to take their first big critter. Gun OAL is just shy of 30" and he had no trouble holding it properly, operating the gun, or aiming it. He's a bit shaky with aim at this point but he is focused and truly wants to learn. He has read every page of the Kentucky hunting pamphlet so much that he knows it word for word now (and he corrected a gunshop owner who said 20ga was the smallest legal slug in ky) so he now has 2 field and stream magazines to read.
The stock shown is a 10/22 stock chopped and halfway fit to the action. I will finish the fitting this week. The barrel is a 16" 44 mag. The scope has been removed and iron sights reinstalled as he is used to iron and the range will be very limited.
The rig is settled for sure. This bubba job stock will work this year, and will be replaced next year if needed. It will be saved for future kiddos looking to take their first big critter. Gun OAL is just shy of 30" and he had no trouble holding it properly, operating the gun, or aiming it. He's a bit shaky with aim at this point but he is focused and truly wants to learn. He has read every page of the Kentucky hunting pamphlet so much that he knows it word for word now (and he corrected a gunshop owner who said 20ga was the smallest legal slug in ky) so he now has 2 field and stream magazines to read.
The stock shown is a 10/22 stock chopped and halfway fit to the action. I will finish the fitting this week. The barrel is a 16" 44 mag. The scope has been removed and iron sights reinstalled as he is used to iron and the range will be very limited.
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Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Oh wow! Great job! He should do really well with that, and it's an inspiration to a lot of dads and uncles who've fought with this for years.
I distinctly recall my own dad's gentle, patient frustration with why I had difficulty with a little 'ol 20 ga. when I was about 7 or 8. It was a full-sized Ithaca Model 37 with a plastic butt plate and kicked my scrawny butt fiercely, but we didn't have a lot of options back then. Today, we've got so much more knowledge and gear that lets us make appropriate, fitting choices, instead of just muddling through with hand-me-downs and make-dos.
I distinctly recall my own dad's gentle, patient frustration with why I had difficulty with a little 'ol 20 ga. when I was about 7 or 8. It was a full-sized Ithaca Model 37 with a plastic butt plate and kicked my scrawny butt fiercely, but we didn't have a lot of options back then. Today, we've got so much more knowledge and gear that lets us make appropriate, fitting choices, instead of just muddling through with hand-me-downs and make-dos.
You are right he seems like a nice kid and seems to young and small for deer hunting with a rifle. Start off with a small 22 hunting for squirrels. It almost seems like his mother wants to scare him out of ever hunting again anyway
Skylerbone
Member
After looking at that rig I wish I hadn't concentrated on case construction in woodworking so much! That is some first class repurposing and quite frankly I wish I had one like that. If the irons are iffy, try a red dot.
OP
OP
WestKentucky
Member
This little rifle is quite tiny. I intended to go full size shoulder stock with it before but as compact as this is I might leave it alone. It feels slightly awkward but it is light, quickly aimed, and I can already attest to its accuracy in pistol form so rifle form should get better. It needs some work but it's getting there quickly.
Tactical Lever
Member
Good job!
A 240 gr. cast bullet in front of 8.5 gr. of Red Dot should give you about 1100 fps, low muzzle blast, slow recoil pulse and about 4.7 lbs. of recoil energy in a 6 lb. rifle. And you could even drop it by a 100 fps second or so, to get down to 4 lbs. of recoil.
Not to mention, way more killing power than a .223.
How much that outfit weight total?
A 240 gr. cast bullet in front of 8.5 gr. of Red Dot should give you about 1100 fps, low muzzle blast, slow recoil pulse and about 4.7 lbs. of recoil energy in a 6 lb. rifle. And you could even drop it by a 100 fps second or so, to get down to 4 lbs. of recoil.
Not to mention, way more killing power than a .223.
How much that outfit weight total?
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