What would be an appropriate deer hunting gun for my son?

Question

I have a 15 yr old son with down syndrome who LOVES the outdoors, especially hunting. We have taken him squirrel hunting for the past 2-3 yrs and he is a good shot with the 22. He will be deer hunting this coming season (in MI) and his father and I can't agree on a gun for him. He wants to get him a 223 but I've read several articles and stories about how a 223 isn't appropriate for deer hunting. My son is a good shot, but not a great shot. I don't want to take him out in to the woods to injur deer, I'd rather him get one good humane shot kills like I've been teaching him from the get go. Is there a more appropriate gun that won't be too heavy and won't blow his shoulder off when he shoots it? Thanks for all your help!!!

Answer 1

.243 would be a good start. I would advise against a 30-30 simply because, if I recall correctly, they often have a HALF-C0CK safety mechanism which I find to be a little unsafe and tricky for younger hunters. I'm sure not all models are this way, but the older lever action guns (30-30 and 32 special) that I have shot had this feature, which I always found unnerving as a youngster. By the way, a .223 is more than sufficient for use on big game, assuming the shooter isn't taking outrageous shots. Not exactly the knockdown power I would want, but definately sufficient.

Answer 2

Really bad idea!!!!

The .223 is a varmint cartridge, not a deer cartridge. It is certainly useful for use in deer cropping by non-sport hunters, but it is not for ethical hunters in fair chase hunts.

I'd suggest a minimum of a .243 caliber, and a .30-30 being even better.

I strongly suggest and recommend the H&R Handi-Rifle or the H&R Unltra Hunter. They are single-shot rifles, which are very appropriate for young inexperienced hunters, as well as being the choice of many experienced hunters.

The Handi-Rifle is available in: .30-30 WCF, .243 Win, .308 Win, .44 RemMag, .270 Win and other calibers. The Ultra-Hunter is available in .243 Win, .308 Win and other calibers.

I think the best choice would be a Handi-Rifle in .30-30 WCF. It is acceptably accurate, sturdy, and inexpensive. It can be used with either the good open sights that come on the rifle or be fitted with a scope. The rifle is fairly light, and the cartridge is not a notably heavy kicker. And the .30-30 WCF has killed more deer than any two other cartridges on the market.

Good Hunting, and God Bless.

Doc

Answer 3

.243 or a 30-30. It all depends on what type of area you are hunting. If your going to be hunting in a heavily wooded area I would recommend the 30-30 because it is a brush gun with a large bullet that drops quickly at long ranges but if you are going to be watching a field then a .243 would be the best bet because it can reach out there a little farther with greater accuracy. I have hunted with a 30-30 since i was around 9 or 10 and have never had problems with it until the last couple of years when I missed 3 big bucks because the 30-30 wont reach out to around 200-250 yards with very good accuracy.

Answer 4

I'm probably going to be criticized for this, but I'd recommend a Marlin 1895GS in .45/70. Why all that stuff specificly? Well, Marlin makes great lever guns, and their 1895 is certainly no exception to that. The stainless steel will stand up to pretty much any kind of abuse, be it mud, gravel, rust, or dropping from a tree. Now, for the cartridge, the .45-70 is a pretty large round, but most manufacterers are loading it to it's older blackpowder pressures, which results in low, slow recoil. It's certainly more than the .22lr, but not enough to hurt anyone. A buddy of mine that deplores even the lightest loads from my shotgun loves shooting the thing, it's very shoulder pain free.

Even at the reduced loads, the .45-70 is reasonably capable of taking any game in the U.S. It's more than enough for deer, and even an imperfect shot should still knock it down without having to track it too far. The rounds are a little more expoensive than the others listed here, but are throwing a good chunk of lead with a good bit of powder behind it. The shorter carbine barrel of the Marlin guide gun will reduce recoil slightly further, as well, but will decrease muzzle energy. All in all, despite the fact that it's pretty powerful, it's a fun rifle to shoot, and not something to take for granted as far as knockdown power goes.

Answer 5

You're wise to avoid 223. It's really too small even for the smaller deer in places like TX where it's legal, and it's certainly too little for your big-bodied MI deer. You'll have to take his build and personality into account, and a lighter rifle is going to kick harder, all else being equal.
When my father got too old to lug his old rifle into the woods, I bought him a Remington Model 700 Mountain rifle in 7mm08. That extended his hunting several years. Then I bought a couple of other rifles in the same caliber for two of my boys. If I didn't have a 7mm Mauser, I'd have to get one myself. I'm a huge fan of the cartridge. It'll do anything the 30 calibers will do, its recoil is quite modest, and the short cartridge and short action saves a few ounces of rifle weight. I have and hunt with plenty of deer rifles, in chamberings from 6mm Remington to 8x68 (OK, that's a bit much to call a deer rifle, but I've used it), and even the old 348 Winchester, but that little 7 is, IMHO, about the perfect balance.

Answer 6

You are correct that .223 is not really good for deer.

I suggest a bolt action rifle in .243 or .270 or a lever-gun in .30-30, which is a great deer gun. Look at the Marlin 336.

I had a Down's syndrome hunter in my family, a cousin who has long since passed on. His greatest thrill was being in the woods or on the water fishing.

Answer 7

The guns I would recommend would be .308 .243 or 7mm 08. All are powerful enough to knock down a deer. All of these guns come in a model 7 made by remington that are considered youth models that are great for kids

Answer 8

Check to see your states minimum caliber requirement first. I agree the 223 should only be used by good marksmen. Try some practice shots from a friends gun of different calibers.

Answer 9

maybe a 30-30 or a .243 is good for someone that is just starting deer hunting without too muck kick involved. i use a 30-30 lever and it is the best gun ive ever had

hope this helps and good luck for your son =]

Answer 10

30/30 marlin or winchester lever action. My 5ft tall 135# wife has taken numerous deer wtih one. More stopping power than 223, but not brutal recoil like 30/06.