Deer rifle for kids

[ljsommer]

I have a 10 year old son, light of build, who has a sensory disorder that makes him sensitive to loud noises and physical sensations. He's a totally normal kid, he just avoids loud things a bit more than most kids. He really enjoys shooting my .22 rifles, but wants to get into deer hunting.

Considering that he's willing to push his boundaries a bit (his initiative, not mine), what is a bolt action deer capable caliber that would be less abrasive than, for example, my bolt action .308? I saw some packages via Cabela's or Bass Pro for .243's but they appear to be out of stock on both.

[Bango skank]

Maybe a crossbow might be worth considering for your kid? 

Or buy a .243 with a threaded barrel and dish out a little coin for a suppressor, might be helpful.

[ljsommer]

Maybe a crossbow might be worth considering for your kid? 

I was under the impression crossbows were disability only, and the approved list of disabilities was somewhat stringent?

[CackleBird98]

I had a weatherby vanguard youth model .243 as a kid.  It had a youth stock on it and came with an adult stock for when I outgrew it.  Great little gun.  I still use it for coyotes.  I love the idea of having an adult stock so you can continue to use it when you get bigger.   

[CackleBird98]

Maybe a crossbow might be worth considering for your kid? 

I was under the impression crossbows were disability only, and the approved list of disabilities was somewhat stringent?

They're legal during modern firearm season

[Bango skank]

Maybe a crossbow might be worth considering for your kid? 

I was under the impression crossbows were disability only, and the approved list of disabilities was somewhat stringent?

For archery season yes, but as of a couple years ago theyre legal for anybody during modern firearms season.

[CP]

You might consider a suppressed rifle. 

[N7XW]

My first choice would be 30-30 Win with the managed recoil Remington ammo.

[dvolmer]

New England break action (single shot) 243 is what I used for my kids.  Had the stock taken down so my 9 year old daughters could shoot it at deer with a four power fixed scope.  Great gun!  six daughters and one son used it many times to shoot deer.  Accurate and barely kicked.  I don't let young kids shoot much past 100 yards at the beginning anyways.  If he doesn't like the noise then get him some ear plugs.

[headshot5]

Ruger american 6.5 grendel, 300 blackout, or 7.62x39.  All plenty capable, with light recoil.

[brokentrail]

Considering he may be most concerned with the noise, I don't think you will find much difference with him with a .243 vs. a .308, without hearing protection, they are both loud.  If you are concerned with other items such as form factor, weight, lop, etc, you may find youth model rifles will specifically resolve most of those issues.  All of my boys started hunting with a Remington 700 .243, youth model,  and it has killed every deer it was pointed at.  They have all moved on to larger calibers now but I still have the .243 and carry it when I'm out coyote hunting.

If you want to shoot it and see how he does with it, PM me, I'd be happy to try and make that happen.

[CoryTDF]

My 11 and 8 YO girls shoot 6.5 Creedmore. I freaking love this round and it has done a great job on several deer and a nice bull elk. That would be my choice. I would say stay away from 300 Blackout or 6.8 SPC as I have no love for them and have not seen great results while hunting.

My girls LOVE to shoot their Ruger American in 6.5 C and I cannot see why anybody would have a kid shoot anything other than this great caliber. the 143 gn ELDX factory ammo shoot nearly hand loaded match quality accurate out of those Rugers. Trust me you would not regret that purchase.   

[Widgeondeke]

Another vote for the 6.5 CM
Another rifle to consider is the TC Compass. We are very happy with my sons.

[Karl Blanchard]

Ruger American predator. For $399 they come already threaded for a brake or a suppressor. Get the $12 1.5lb spring off Amazon and you'll have a great shooter on your hands. If recoil sensitivity is a big concern get it in 6.5 grendel. There are great offerings from hornady. It'll kill a deer very dead. My 9 year old daughter is very small and we are running a grendel (AR) this year for her WA deer tag, ID deer tag, and WA cow permit.

[Karl Blanchard]

My 11 and 8 YO girls shoot 6.5 Creedmore. I freaking love this round and it has done a great job on several deer and a nice bull elk. That would be my choice. I would say stay away from 300 Blackout or 6.8 SPC as I have no love for them and have not seen great results while hunting.

My girls LOVE to shoot their Ruger American in 6.5 C and I cannot see why anybody would have a kid shoot anything other than this great caliber. the 143 gn ELDX factory ammo shoot nearly hand loaded match quality accurate out of those Rugers. Trust me you would not regret that purchase.

while the creed doesn't really do anything the 260 rem or 7/08 (I wanted 7/08 but they dont make one in the predator) it is an easy to shoot caliber and the factory offerings is what really sets it far above other offerings out there. I bought one about a month ago for my nephew and possibly my daughter to shoot next year and it's a fun little shooter.  Haven't taken any recent pics but this was one of my first loads I ran through it with 140 Berger vld's. Final load is 42.5gr of imr4350 at 2705fps.  Ran it out to 1,038 yards last night. I still need a more kid friendly scope for it though