Me and my son have just gotten into hunting with what Calibre rifle would you recommend for a 15 year old boy?

Answer 1

That really depends on what you're hunting... If you're going for deer, a 30-30 Winchester or a .30-06 would be appropriate. Now, on the other hand, if you're hunting dove, duck, turkey, etc. I'm sure he could handle a 12 gauge shotgun. If you want to save some money, and teach your son how to use his shots wisely, pick him up a Thompson Center Encore. It is a single shot firearm that you could interchange the barrels of. That way, instead of buying two guns, buy the Thompson and get a 12 gauge barrel and a .30-30 or 30-06 barrel. Oh, but if you're going for varmints such as coyote, praire dog, squirrel, and others a .223 or a .243 would be a good caliber choice.

Answer 2

The first thing to get him is a .22 rifle and the both of you can practice for hours, honing your shooting skills.

You don't just pick a caliber based on age. Some kids at 15 can handle the biggest there is and some don't. At this experience level, don't get anything too powerful or you will regret it.

The most important considerations are your prey and your terrain. What works in deep forest may not work in wide open plains or mountian areas.

For deer, the .30-30 and .30-06 are the classics and still perfectly good. .308 is right up there and probably the best all around hunting caliber of all for any distance. Smaller, flatter shooting but less mass in the bullet are the .243 and .270. After this the field of potential calibers widens, the water gets real muddy and everyone has an opinion, mostly wrong.

Answer 3

In wooded areas of NY state either a .270 or a 30-06 is more gun than you need. You will never be far enough away from a deer that you couldn't get it with a 30-30. If you want it for bear a 30--06 is better as you can get a heavier bullet. Chose your gun for bear. I have hunted in NY with a .270 and with a 32 special (which is very similar to a 30-30. I always carry the 32 special in the woods and use the .270 when hunting the edge of fields.

Answer 4

hunting is not a shooting sport. It is a sport of tracking, learning, and bonding. It requires more skill then just shooting. The rifle is a second thought in most cases with the exception of varmint shooting which is just that. Depending on the prey you intend to shoot I would think the .270 or 30-06 is the best choice. Both are good calibers that allow a range of prey. A 30-06 loaded with 135 Grain v-max ballistic tips will shoot coyotes and small prey well switch the load to 185 grain lead core bullets and shoot black bear and elk with ease. Also when picking a rifle how you intent to store it will determine the type of finish more then the weather in which you will be hunting. So a stainless rifle requires only a wipe down with light oil after a day in the woods with light rain and a blued rifle requires a full breakdown and re-lubing. Also light weight rifles are a hunters best friend. When you hunt barrel weight is not import as you will be taking the critical shot from a cold barrel making it's weight unimportant. I would go with open sights and learn to shoot then mover over to optics as doing so allows you and your son to learn the rifle and it's basic function fully before topping it with a scope.

Answer 5

Well I don't know which gun would best fit your son, but my best friend from 7th grade was 13 when we met. He and his dad were hunters. He had a 30-30 lever action. He has taking several deer with this gun through out Jr. high and high school.

My cousin also has a 30-30 lever action rifle. He has let his girlfriends 12 year old son shoot the gun. He hasn't complained about the recoil once. And mind you, the kid is pretty small for his age.

Answer 6

Age has nothing to do with it, but experience does. You'll want to pick an appropriate cartridge for the game you're hunting. There are plenty of non-magnum cartridges for any game (I mention this as there's no need to go out of your way to develop a flinch). A 22 rimfire might be best for small game, or one of the 22 centerfires like 223 Remington or 22-250 for long-range varminting. For medium game, a small-bore like 7mm Mauser is a great choice. For larger non-dangerous game, and even for the large bears, 9.3x62 isn't a terrible choice, and if you're going after something that hits back, like buffalo, something of 40+ caliber like 450/400 3" will do.

Answer 7

depends on what you are hunting or plan to hunt and where you plan to hunt
for varmints I go with a 223
for deer size and up I go with a 30/06 it has the power to take any game animal in north America and has moderate recoil (most people can handle the recoil)

Answer 8

depending on where you live and what you plan to hunt you might want to look into a shotgun instead. They are less expensive than alot of rifles and you can hunt almost anything, providing you have the right barrel and ammo.

Answer 9

My kids used the same 30/30 until they were 16 at which time they could pick their own. One of my boys went with the 30.06 the other with my personal fav of the .270 which btw I would highly recommend for your son. My youngest son, 17 still hasn't made up his mind but is leaning towards the .308.

Answer 10

It will really be up to your boy and what you are hunting but for a well rounded cartridge, try the .308. It will handle most game animals. If all you are doing is varmint hunting try the .223.