I am 14 years old and I love hunting and it is a big thing every year in my family. Me and my dad are thinking about making her take her Safety Course and if she would hunt afterwards, what would be a good rifle for her. She is 12, 5'4, and about 120 pounds.
2007-06-15 17:45:36 · 15 answers · asked by T.Long 4 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
I would need to agree with cda... The .30-30 is one of the best deer rifles for youngsters. You didn't say where you would be hunting.. If it's in the brush, the .30-30 is your best option. The .243 is best for a long open area but is terrible if brush is in the way. The .308 has also not shown well in close areas due to twigs moving the bullet off course.
You might also want to take several guns for her to shoot and see what she finds more comfortable... and will not shy away from.
Good luck and Safe Hunting !!!
2007-06-16 07:02:35 · answer #1 · answered by waterbrother 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The .243 Winchester is the minimum caliber for deer hunting. The 6.5x55, .7x57mm, or (if you can find it) the .257 Roberts are better choices. The .25-06 Remington is a superior deer rifle if your sister can handle the mild recoil (less than 13 felt pounds at the shoulder with the 120 grain bullet) and the slightly louder 'boom.' You didn't say what you shoot but in comparison the .243 has less than nine pounds recoil and the .270 Winchester (130 grain bullet) has 16.5 lbs. All very mild when you consider that my .458 Winchester magnum has 60+ lbs. of recoil and the .460 Weatherby Magnum has nearly a hundred pounds of recoil.
H
2007-06-16 09:10:42 · answer #2 · answered by H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with WWD that although the .243 is frequently chosen for a beginning shooter, it is really more suited to an experienced hunter. The 7x57, .260 Rem, 6.5x55, and .257 Roberts are all better choices for a light recoiling rifle for a new shooter. The .30-30, although a good cartridge for the short range shots in timber, is severely limiting for shots much over 100 yards in open terrain.
Not mentioned, however, is that commercial "reduced recoil" ammunition is now available for the .308, .270, and .30-06. The recoil of this ammunition is comparable the the above chamberings. The velocity of "reduced recoil" ammunition is also lower than the that of standard ammunition thus shortening the effective range, but a new shooter should not be taking long shots. Choosing one of these chamberings will allow the same gun to be used with standard cartridges having more energy as the shooter matures and even using commercial "light magnum" loadings in these chamberings for bigger game later.
I hope your wording "making her take her Safety Course" doesn't mean that she isn't interested in hunting. If so your effort should be to get her interested, so that she is enthusiastic about taking the course and going hunting.
2007-06-18 21:16:06 · answer #3 · answered by Ray 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to disagree with the 243 suggestion. You have to be choosy with your shots using that caliber, and that takes some experience. She's a big girl for her age, anyway, and length of pull of the stock isn't going to be much of an issue. I'd suggest 6.5x55, 260 Remington, 7mm08 or 7x57 Mauser as good calibers in a bolt gun. Recoil with 139 to 150 grain bullets will be mild, and they'll be adequate for any deer, any time. Which rifle to choose will depend on the hunting conditions you expect, budget and personal preference.
2007-06-16 02:54:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
My kids both started with a Remington 700 youth rifle in 243 caliber. They were 9 years old when they got there first deer. But make sure she starts shooting with a 22 to get comfortable with a gun
2007-06-17 14:38:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The .308 is a great gun for this application. Plenty of power, cheap surplus ammunition for practice. If you can't find a youth version of the rifle you like then get a replacement stock to fit her reach.
Don't let anyone tell you a small woman can't shoot a big gun. I have seen 110 pound women shoot 375 H&H and 458 magnums. It's all in the mind what you can shoot.
2007-06-19 23:10:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something I find is a good rifle at an inexpensive price is the Savage 110 chambered in 308. It is a dream to shoot, very reliable and will last a lifetime.
2007-06-16 12:04:32 · answer #7 · answered by acmeraven 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either a Marlin or Winchester .30-30 WCF levergun, or a .243 Winchester, either a Savage M-110, or a Browning BLR.
2007-06-16 15:57:02 · answer #8 · answered by Doc Hudson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
.243 is a pretty good gun for her to start out with. It's big enough to take down a deer, and it has very little recoil.
2007-06-16 18:54:57 · answer #9 · answered by esugrad97 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Winchester Youth Model 243...Perfect Gun!!!
2007-06-16 00:47:55 · answer #10 · answered by Not Just A Pig Farmer 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋