Considering a rifle for my boys for Christmas - Page 2 - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

Big pig · 10-03-2022, 10:10 PM

I would make sure the LOP was good for each and the recoil pads soft
And the scopes had very generous eye relief.
Buy a pre threaded model for your kids future hearing safety.

Bill · 10-03-2022, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRT

I have no clue why folks think they need a .30 caliber to kick the crud out of their kid. Get a good .243 and kill anything in the lower 48 without an issue.

Remington and Hornady offer reduced recoil loads for the 30-30 with 125gr bullets.

Google 30-30 reduce recoil ammo. Here’s the link to a Texas Hunting Forum thread if you don’t believe me.

https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/...ds_for_.30-30?

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DKW II · 10-03-2022, 10:43 PM

Hard to beat a 7mm-08

kkp005 · 10-03-2022, 11:14 PM

Get them some tikka t3x 308s, put trijicon credo 2.5-10s on them and be done. Buy once cry once

snipermedic · 10-03-2022, 11:37 PM

HOWA mini in either Grendel or I suggest 7.62x39. Why? Because price of the gun and the ammo. Low recoil. They can practice and plink for very little money in either wolf 6.5G or hunt and plink and practice and hunt with steel Case SP or HP. Even it 35 I spent 2 years killing everything one shot drop in south texas with one. It would be a very practical life time gun. In stead of selling there first gun to go to a 270 06 7rm 300 ect they get to keep it forever just buy a new stock and up grade it. I know 50-60 year olds buy a ruger ranch x39 because it very practical.

caa4612 · 10-04-2022, 11:10 AM

I got my daughter a 7mm-08 for Christmas when she was 9. She shoots the reduced recoil rounds, but will grow into the full power rounds. It's an option that can grow as the kids grow.

haas0311 · 11-09-2022, 09:34 AM

So, I am still looking... Was looking at threaded Ruger's in .308. I know its a large cartridge but, If they can handle shooting the .30/06, then they should be fine shooting the .308, I hope. If yall have any leads on where I can get two Ruger Americans in .308 and a threaded pink .22, I would appreciate it!

haas0311 · 11-09-2022, 09:35 AM

My 2 boys and their sister (she has to have a toy too!) hahaha

Chase4556 · 11-09-2022, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haas0311

So, I am still looking... Was looking at threaded Ruger's in .308. I know its a large cartridge but, If they can handle shooting the .30/06, then they should be fine shooting the .308, I hope. If yall have any leads on where I can get two Ruger Americans in .308 and a threaded pink .22, I would appreciate it!

If looking at the American in 308, go with the Predator model. Heavier profile barrel, threaded, ect. They are a little light, which makes felt recoil a little higher. But they are solid rifles. I polished up the trigger on mine and it’s pretty nice.

bowtechbandit · 11-09-2022, 04:58 PM

I got my daughter a 350 legend a couple years ago. she killed a buck with it at 7 years old. ruger american ranch. ammo is on every shelf when you look for it.

RifleBowPistol · 11-09-2022, 08:34 PM

A 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.8 SPC, 7mm-08, a 300 Ham"r, would all be good choices. A Howa 1500 either a mini in 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, maybe the 300 Ham'r or a short action in one of the other calibers would be good choices.

Or you might resort to older calibers such as the 250 Savage or 300 Savage. A 357 Maximum or a 350 Legend would also be good choices.

retrieverman · 11-09-2022, 08:47 PM

I put together Encores in 270 Win for my youngest son when he was 9 and a pink one for my daughter when she was 10. They shoot factory Winchester Supreme 140 gr Accubond ammo. My son is now 28 and my daughter is 17, and they’re still hunting with them.

TX03RUBI · 11-09-2022, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raider4044

6mm Creed

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6 Creed is just a more versatile and modern 243. They have faster twists barrels from the factory, so they’ll handle the lighter 70 gr loads just fine, but they really shine with 100-110 gr loads when you need a bit more a** behind it.

Lynn21 · 11-09-2022, 10:03 PM

25.06- I killed a ton of deer with it and it’s great for the age you are talking about.

Jon B · 11-09-2022, 10:12 PM

Hate to admit but a 6.5 creedmore is hard to beat for your use. Also consider a 7-08. I love the .308. absolutely my favorite round.

haas0311 · 11-09-2022, 10:33 PM

I appreciate all the advice and I think the rifles are going to have to be a next year thing.. seems prices are a smidge outta budget for this year on the rifles.

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sorryhunter · 11-09-2022, 10:35 PM

I love the 708. Browning Micro Midas can be bought and then upgraded to a full size stock. And the reduced recoil loads are super too. All that said, watch the twist rate. Older 708’s have a 1:10 twist that won’t stabilize Hornady’s 150 eldx rounds. 1:9.5 seems to, but I would probably look for a 1:9.

softpoint · 11-09-2022, 10:58 PM

.243. Less recoil and shoots flatter than either the 7/08 or the .308. Kills Texas game just as dead. Ammo is easy to get. Lots of calibers would work, of course, but not many check all the boxes like the .243 does...

Mex. Bowhunter · 11-09-2022, 11:01 PM

308 and don't look back. We have had nothing but, good luck with my sons 308 and has been the easiest bullets to find the past few years

ClayW · 11-09-2022, 11:03 PM

I went with a 20" 6.5CM for my 7yr old daughter...Its an awesome little gun and the recoil is nonexistent with a suppressor

tigerscowboy · 11-12-2022, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mex. Bowhunter

308 and don't look back. We have had nothing but, good luck with my sons 308 and has been the easiest bullets to find the past few years

Agree with you.

1/2 way into building my youngest son his 308. He's been great and growing with his 243.

This will be his transition and keep him legal in other states as he goes for bigger game than whitetail.

Iansumrall · 11-12-2022, 01:27 PM

25-06

MitchParker · 11-12-2022, 02:14 PM

Light recoil, availability of factory ammo...tough to beat the 6.5 Creed

captardvark · 11-12-2022, 07:52 PM

708 just got my 11 y o one have been very impressed first 2 shots a dead doe and pig

brushtrooper · 11-12-2022, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX CHICKEN

I would seriously consider 6.5 creedmoor. Tons of ammo available and plenty of power to kill everything in Texas.

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^^ this. No kick, and long range is an option. I've had a 250-3000 for my first and still use it to this day, I'm 54. I built a long range off a Tika 3 and have shot to 1000 yards with it in 6.5CM. Kill deer dead where they stood out to 500 yrds with it.. My son just came home from being deployed and absolutely loves the gun.

Brute Killer · 11-12-2022, 08:40 PM

The grendel is fine until they are big, bodily.
A .243 has killed literally tons and tons of deer.
What I did for my 3 kids:
First one got her 2 first deer with my 3006 at age 12. I then built her a 7mm08.
Second girl and first boy, I bought a cheap Mossberg Maverick 243. Waste of money. Not a horrible gun, mind you, and certainly not expensive, but wasn't really necessary.
I bought my son a used LH CDL in .270 Win and my second daughter a LH Rem 700 SPS in 243, from which I took the action a few years later to build her a 260 Rem.
I suggest using what you have until you get them a "lifetime" gun.

Leverhunter · 11-13-2022, 02:29 PM

7mm-08 will do it all. Second choice 6.5 Creedmore, it's like a modern 6.5 X 55, accurate, light recoil and effective.

Bigfootwolff · 11-13-2022, 05:15 PM

My first deer rifle was a .243 Win. Parents got it for me when I was about 13. Killed a lot of deer with it, some even with legitimate 300 plus yard kill shots. The lower recoil helped me gain confidence in my shooting abilities, and I stepped up to a .270 Win in my mid-20s, which is a great round, but likely a tad bit to much recoil. I love the 7mm-08, and think it is underrated for what it is capable of. I would recommend a .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, or 7mm-08. The .25-06 is also a moderate recoiling round, but factory ammo has been hard to come by in that caliber lately. As others have said each kid is different and some can handle recoil better than others. I think it is important to honestly assess each child’s capabilities, and give them enough gun to cleanly kill game, but not one that ultimately causes flinching, which is behavior that can be hard to overcome if it has become a habit. I know muzzle brakes help with recoil, but I have seen shooters flinch while using them due to the noise and gas directed back at the shooter, even with ear protection. Definitely think a suppressor is a better option. Good luck to the OP in his quest.

RMW · 11-13-2022, 05:26 PM

Started my boys off with a Rem 700 6.8spc bolt action, killed a lot of hogs and deer. Love that cartridge!

CentralTXHunter · 11-13-2022, 05:40 PM

My dad bought my son a Ruger American Ranch in .243 after talking with me about guns/caliber. Dad topped it with an old Leupold fixed 4 power he had. I then suppressed it. He loves to shoot it, but it was/is still too long LOP. (He just turned 8 and has had the gun since he was 5)

I dropped it into a Magpul stock. It’s got removable pieces to the stock to adjust LOP as he grows. It’s also got replacement cheek pieces to adjust as he grows as well. It’s a sweet shooter. Will cloverleaf at 100 with 100 grain federal soft points. In fact, he may have to get big enough to beat my azz before I give it up, lol.

I don’t have any good pics of the gun itself, but here it is from last weekend with the Aoudad I killed with it.

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J-J Matt · 11-14-2022, 09:18 PM

25-06

Big pig · 11-15-2022, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leverhunter

7mm-08 will do it all. Second choice 6.5 Creedmore, it's like a modern 6.5 X 55, accurate, light recoil and effective.

6.5 Creedmore ammo is readily available here.

travlinman · 11-15-2022, 01:45 PM

I'd go with the 6.5 x 55 Swiss. Very light recoil compared to the 243 and 308. My CZ swiss is my all-around rifle. Hard to beat!

Walker · 11-17-2022, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travlinman

I'd go with the 6.5 x 55 Swiss. Very light recoil compared to the 243 and 308. My CZ swiss is my all-around rifle. Hard to beat!

Swiss or Swede?

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10-03-2022, 10:10 PM	#51
Big pig Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Blanket, TX Hunt In: Brown Co.	I would make sure the LOP was good for each and the recoil pads soft And the scopes had very generous eye relief. Buy a pre threaded model for your kids future hearing safety.

10-03-2022, 10:43 PM	#53
DKW II Eight Point Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Needville, Texas Hunt In: South Texas	Hard to beat a 7mm-08

10-03-2022, 11:14 PM	#54
kkp005 Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Madisonville Hunt In: Madison County	Get them some tikka t3x 308s, put trijicon credo 2.5-10s on them and be done. Buy once cry once

10-03-2022, 11:37 PM	#55
snipermedic Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Palacios,Wharton,Brazoria Hunt In: Arkansas	HOWA mini in either Grendel or I suggest 7.62x39. Why? Because price of the gun and the ammo. Low recoil. They can practice and plink for very little money in either wolf 6.5G or hunt and plink and practice and hunt with steel Case SP or HP. Even it 35 I spent 2 years killing everything one shot drop in south texas with one. It would be a very practical life time gun. In stead of selling there first gun to go to a 270 06 7rm 300 ect they get to keep it forever just buy a new stock and up grade it. I know 50-60 year olds buy a ruger ranch x39 because it very practical.

10-04-2022, 11:10 AM	#56
caa4612 Six Point Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Spring Hunt In: Limestone County	I got my daughter a 7mm-08 for Christmas when she was 9. She shoots the reduced recoil rounds, but will grow into the full power rounds. It's an option that can grow as the kids grow.

11-09-2022, 09:34 AM	#57
haas0311 Pope & Young Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: From La Vernia, Now live in Corpus Christi Hunt In: Jim Wells and Wilson Counties	So, I am still looking... Was looking at threaded Ruger's in .308. I know its a large cartridge but, If they can handle shooting the .30/06, then they should be fine shooting the .308, I hope. If yall have any leads on where I can get two Ruger Americans in .308 and a threaded pink .22, I would appreciate it!

11-09-2022, 09:35 AM	#58
haas0311 Pope & Young Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: From La Vernia, Now live in Corpus Christi Hunt In: Jim Wells and Wilson Counties	My 2 boys and their sister (she has to have a toy too!) hahaha

11-09-2022, 04:58 PM	#60
bowtechbandit Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Sulphur Springs, TX Hunt In: Texas and Kansas	I got my daughter a 350 legend a couple years ago. she killed a buck with it at 7 years old. ruger american ranch. ammo is on every shelf when you look for it.

11-09-2022, 08:34 PM	#61
RifleBowPistol Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2017	A 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.8 SPC, 7mm-08, a 300 Ham"r, would all be good choices. A Howa 1500 either a mini in 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, maybe the 300 Ham'r or a short action in one of the other calibers would be good choices. Or you might resort to older calibers such as the 250 Savage or 300 Savage. A 357 Maximum or a 350 Legend would also be good choices.

11-09-2022, 08:47 PM	#62
retrieverman Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Texas Hunt In: Oklahoma	I put together Encores in 270 Win for my youngest son when he was 9 and a pink one for my daughter when she was 10. They shoot factory Winchester Supreme 140 gr Accubond ammo. My son is now 28 and my daughter is 17, and they’re still hunting with them.

11-09-2022, 10:03 PM	#64
Lynn21 Pope & Young Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Mesquite,texas Hunt In: Childress, Tx	25.06- I killed a ton of deer with it and it’s great for the age you are talking about.

11-09-2022, 10:12 PM	#65
Jon B Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Central Tx. Hunt In: Central Tx and the Western States	Hate to admit but a 6.5 creedmore is hard to beat for your use. Also consider a 7-08. I love the .308. absolutely my favorite round.

11-09-2022, 10:33 PM	#66
haas0311 Pope & Young Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: From La Vernia, Now live in Corpus Christi Hunt In: Jim Wells and Wilson Counties	I appreciate all the advice and I think the rifles are going to have to be a next year thing.. seems prices are a smidge outta budget for this year on the rifles. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-09-2022, 10:35 PM	#67
sorryhunter Nubbin' Buck Join Date: Jan 2021	I love the 708. Browning Micro Midas can be bought and then upgraded to a full size stock. And the reduced recoil loads are super too. All that said, watch the twist rate. Older 708’s have a 1:10 twist that won’t stabilize Hornady’s 150 eldx rounds. 1:9.5 seems to, but I would probably look for a 1:9.

11-09-2022, 10:58 PM	#68
softpoint Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Wixon Valley, Texas Hunt In: anywhere I'm allowed	.243. Less recoil and shoots flatter than either the 7/08 or the .308. Kills Texas game just as dead. Ammo is easy to get. Lots of calibers would work, of course, but not many check all the boxes like the .243 does...

11-09-2022, 11:01 PM	#69
Mex. Bowhunter Pope & Young Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: La Grange Tx. Hunt In: Tx. / Mexico	308 and don't look back. We have had nothing but, good luck with my sons 308 and has been the easiest bullets to find the past few years

11-09-2022, 11:03 PM	#70
ClayW Pope & Young Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Braunfels Hunt In: Karnes County	I went with a 20" 6.5CM for my 7yr old daughter...Its an awesome little gun and the recoil is nonexistent with a suppressor

11-12-2022, 01:27 PM	#72
Iansumrall Ten Point Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Porter Hunt In: All over	25-06

11-12-2022, 02:14 PM	#73
MitchParker Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Texarkana Hunt In: Wherever I get an invite	Light recoil, availability of factory ammo...tough to beat the 6.5 Creed

11-12-2022, 07:52 PM	#74
captardvark Four Point Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: houston Hunt In: rusk county	708 just got my 11 y o one have been very impressed first 2 shots a dead doe and pig

11-12-2022, 08:40 PM	#76
Brute Killer Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pleasanton Hunt In: Pleasanton	The grendel is fine until they are big, bodily. A .243 has killed literally tons and tons of deer. What I did for my 3 kids: First one got her 2 first deer with my 3006 at age 12. I then built her a 7mm08. Second girl and first boy, I bought a cheap Mossberg Maverick 243. Waste of money. Not a horrible gun, mind you, and certainly not expensive, but wasn't really necessary. I bought my son a used LH CDL in .270 Win and my second daughter a LH Rem 700 SPS in 243, from which I took the action a few years later to build her a 260 Rem. I suggest using what you have until you get them a "lifetime" gun.

11-13-2022, 02:29 PM	#77
Leverhunter Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2016	7mm-08 will do it all. Second choice 6.5 Creedmore, it's like a modern 6.5 X 55, accurate, light recoil and effective.

11-13-2022, 05:15 PM	#78
Bigfootwolff Ten Point Join Date: May 2010 Location: Katy,Texas Hunt In: Anderson County, Colorado County	My first deer rifle was a .243 Win. Parents got it for me when I was about 13. Killed a lot of deer with it, some even with legitimate 300 plus yard kill shots. The lower recoil helped me gain confidence in my shooting abilities, and I stepped up to a .270 Win in my mid-20s, which is a great round, but likely a tad bit to much recoil. I love the 7mm-08, and think it is underrated for what it is capable of. I would recommend a .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, or 7mm-08. The .25-06 is also a moderate recoiling round, but factory ammo has been hard to come by in that caliber lately. As others have said each kid is different and some can handle recoil better than others. I think it is important to honestly assess each child’s capabilities, and give them enough gun to cleanly kill game, but not one that ultimately causes flinching, which is behavior that can be hard to overcome if it has become a habit. I know muzzle brakes help with recoil, but I have seen shooters flinch while using them due to the noise and gas directed back at the shooter, even with ear protection. Definitely think a suppressor is a better option. Good luck to the OP in his quest.

11-13-2022, 05:26 PM	#79
RMW Pope & Young Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Burr Hunt In: Down South	Started my boys off with a Rem 700 6.8spc bolt action, killed a lot of hogs and deer. Love that cartridge!

11-13-2022, 05:40 PM	#80
CentralTXHunter Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Temple, Texas Hunt In: DeWitt & Val Verde Counties	My dad bought my son a Ruger American Ranch in .243 after talking with me about guns/caliber. Dad topped it with an old Leupold fixed 4 power he had. I then suppressed it. He loves to shoot it, but it was/is still too long LOP. (He just turned 8 and has had the gun since he was 5) I dropped it into a Magpul stock. It’s got removable pieces to the stock to adjust LOP as he grows. It’s also got replacement cheek pieces to adjust as he grows as well. It’s a sweet shooter. Will cloverleaf at 100 with 100 grain federal soft points. In fact, he may have to get big enough to beat my azz before I give it up, lol. I don’t have any good pics of the gun itself, but here it is from last weekend with the Aoudad I killed with it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-14-2022, 09:18 PM	#81
J-J Matt Pope & Young Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Amarillo Hunt In: Texas Panhandle	25-06

11-15-2022, 01:45 PM	#83
travlinman Four Point Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Austin County Hunt In: Austin and Shackelford Counties	I'd go with the 6.5 x 55 Swiss. Very light recoil compared to the 243 and 308. My CZ swiss is my all-around rifle. Hard to beat!