Deer hunting gun for my kid?

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twoclones

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My 13 year old daughter has asked to go deer hunting. I think an article in her NRA InSights magazine piqued her interest... So I need a deer hunting gun for her.

What gun would you recommend for a young kid's first deer hunt in Washington State? I think I used a 20 guage shot gun with slugs for my first deer hunt in Missouri. [took a 5 point buck]

She like's shooting our Winchester 9422 and the size is good for her... would a model 94 30-30 kick harder than a 20 guage?
 
If cost isn't particularly a factor, a .243 bolt action is a great choice. Plenty of horsepower, little recoil. If you went that route, I'd suggest a fixed 4X scope; that's plenty good for any deer hunting.

The only real drawback to most .30-30 lever guns is the lack of a soft buttpad. They're relatively light weight, and a steel buttplate allows a readily-felt recoil.

Best to go to a gunstore and let her feel and fondle. And remember that fit is all important, so some stock modification for length of pull might be in order.
 
According to Chuck Hawk's tables, a 20 gauge with a one ounce slug would kick almost twice as hard as a .30-30 using a 150 grain bullet (21 lbs of recoil energy compared to 10.6). Another option, provided neither of these is adequate is a .357 magnum lever-action. Loaded with the right bullets, it should be more than adequate.

Chuck Hawk's Rifle Recoil Table: http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
Chuck Hawk's Shotgun Recoil Table: http://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_recoil_table.htm
Gunblast Article About Using A .357 Mag For Hunting: http://www.gunblast.com/Winchester-Ranger357.htm
 
What would her range comfort level be. I don't know a lot about Washington but it seems like there could be some distance between her and the deer. I would also go with the .243 bolt gun. Thats what my 11yr old daughter shoots. She is pretty handy out to 200yds with it... So far.
 
Get her a .243 and after you see her waxing deer with it you'll probably want one. The .243 is my current deer rifle, works great for anything under 200 yards.
 
If you decide on the 30/30 she'll probably be fine with the recoil but just in case she isn't - Remington makes a "managed recoil" 30/30 load that will ease things up for her and still be effective on deer.

The .243 bolt-action is excellent for deer at any range a person should be shooting at deer and it will have slightly less recoil than a standard 30/30 load. The Remington Model Seven is pricy but a great rifle with super handling properties and not as heavy as most other bolt guns. It will probably be your rifle "on loan" to her once you pick one up. LOL ! :D

Good Luck !

:cool:
 
.243 is a great choice. I like the Savage youth model. Put on a full size stock later and you have a gun that can get the venison for a lifetime.
 
243 .. my first rifle was a rugar markII 270 in thought i would grow into it, but for some reason i just hate that particular rifle.
 
the .30-30 is fine. wont kick any harder, less really. i would also go with the .243 or the 7mm-08
 
Keep in mind that many states have archaic laws that completely restrict hunting with certain calibers. These laws were written before modern, more powerful small-caliber cartridges were invented. Check the laws in your state before choosing a gun for your daughter. The Washington Fish & Game department's website can be found HERE.
 
+1 for either .243 or 7mm-08.

Either is a hard hitting, flat shooting, deer caliber.

The 30-30 is a great round though with the new ammunition being made especially for lever action guns. I really like the new Marlin levers, stainless and laminated. I might actually pick one of these up sometime, they're beautiful rifles.

But for the two mentioned before my 30-30 trip, these can be picked up in several different rifles for under $300. Might looking into the Stevens Model 200, chambered in most common calibers. They are cheap, light, but shoot excellent for their price range. Plus, she can upgrade the barrel if she wants a larger caliber rifle.
 
$0.02

calibers to look at :
.243 minimum
.257 roberts
.260 rem.
6.5x55 sweed
7mm08
guns to look at:
handi rifle, single shot inexpensive but tend to be reliable & accurate.
remington modle 7, bolt action smaller light weight accurate & reliable
CZ american, if you decide on the 6.5x55
also many good used gun choices:
rem. modle 600, or 660 or 600 mohawk
sportsterized m38/96 mausers
if you can find a shop that will allow her to try (rent) the guns she is interested in before purchase i think it would be a worth while investment...
 
I had the same dillema when my boys started hunting at 12 and 13. I started both my boys out with open sights on single shot .243's. Once they bagged a deer, then now they've got scopes.

My 14 year old son has bagged Whitetail with his .243. (got one just last week!)

He says he's ready to upgrade.

Available here in NW Washington...
Rossi Triple Play (three barrels)

-.22rimfire for plinking and trigger practice
- 20ga that he's taken Grouse with
-.243 barrel for bigger game

It prints hunting groups. It's lighter to carry than a lever gun. Kicks about the same as a 30-30, (he says the 20ga is less than the .243)

All in one package with break down case and scope rail. (but I can't find the rear sight since I put the scope on) Scope and rings not included. I think I even have the original box though.

I know, this isn't the selling forum, but it sounds like what you need for your daughter.
Send me a PM if you're interested. -Less than retail. No tax. No FFL if in state.

-Steve
 
well since I'm a winchester nut and a lever nut I'd go for the 30-30 it a great cartridge been around a long time a has probably been responsible for taking more deer than any other round. The .243 is also a good choice I would be just fine with giving either of them to a young girl to shoot they don't kick much an are more than capable of taking a deer I just lean towards the lever action 30-30 I'd recomend a winchester since it will be realitivly the same as the 9422 she's used to shooting.
 
My caliber picks for kids deer rifle.

I'd opt for any of the following:

.243 (necked down .308)
7mm-08 (also necked down .308)
30-30 (Hornady LerverEvolution ammo extends useful range quite a bit)
6.5X55 (Mil-Surp)
.35 Remington (NOT .35 Whelen)

A 20ga with slugs may be fine, and I'd recommend it if you were in state that didn't allow rifles. But these rifles will recoil less with more range and a lot more accuracy.
 
I would go with a 7mm-08. Flat shooting and the 7mm bullets seem to do the trick. They seem to be an inherently accurate round. I started hunting as a child with a .243 and took many deer, certainly not a bad choice. I just like the 7mm-08 a little better.
 
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