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 

[jrebel]

6.5 creedmoor, 7-08, .308 with a suppressor if sound is the issue.   The suppressor will help with noise and recoil.  If recoil alone is the only issue then go with a break.....it will tame them All to a manageable rifle.  A heavier rifle will also tame recoil so don't be afraid of a nice wood stock. 

[Bushcraft]

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.

^^^ Listen closely to this response.

[Stein]

I bought a youth Savage Axis in .243 for my daughter when she started hunting.  I will do the same for my son in a year or two, they are great rifles and don't break the bank.  I put a Vortex Diamondback on it and cut a few coils off the trigger spring and she is shooting sub MOA, sometimes closer to 1/2 MOA with handloads. Out of the box it was MOA with factory Core Lokt.

I am tempted to carry it for deer sometimes, it is so light and short it's a dream to carry.

They aren't heirloom rifles, but they work great, are budget priced and nobody cries when they get scratched or dinged up.

[huntnphool]

 I have a couple youth size rifles, Ruger Hawkeye Compact in 7mm-08 and a Remington 700 Compact in .243. You are welcome to shoot them both if you would like him to try it.

[yorketransport]

My son is the same way about noise. I’ve found that the 6.5 Grendel and 6mm BR are both good options for him. I started him with a 19” barreled single shot 6mm BR in a pretty heavy rifle before moving to a CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel. My son isn’t interested in hunting but he did want to be able to come out shooting with me and both of these guns have worked well for him and would be very capable of taking a deer if he decides he wanted to. I’d be happy to try and meet up with you ever wanted to try either of the rifles.

[jrebel]

If money is not an issue, suppressed is the way to go.  If your son wants to shoot a suppressed 7-08 or 6.5 creed and you are in the Wenatchee area, we could make that happen too.  Only bad thing about suppressors is the cost and wait time for the federal tax stamp.   They also add length to the rifle and weight but those are easy to deal with if the kid likes to shoot the rifle. 

[Alchase]

When my son first started, I went with the .243 WSSM in a youth model 70.
If I had know how loud the .234 WSSM is over the standard .243, I would have got the .243.
I love the caliber and the rifle, but it is substantially louder sharper report.

So my point is different calibers will be louder on different rifles. Most calibers will be louder on lighter synthetic stock than they will be on a solid wood stock.

[ctwiggs1]

What’s the deal with suppressors?  I have heard that if you get the federal stamp, your residence can be searched or something like that?

[Karl Blanchard]

What’s the deal with suppressors?  I have heard that if you get the federal stamp, your residence can be searched or something like that?

I'm not up to speed because I could buy like 4 Idaho deer tags for what one costs. I've mentored almost a dozen youth hunters over the years and my go to is muffs over ear plugs.

[ctwiggs1]

Thanks for bringing me back to reality 

[Stein]

Just do what most of us did as kids, a bit of cotton in the ear.  After a few trips to the range you don't even need that.

From my experience, the sound isn't much of a problem, like was said you can get good ear pro these days.  Just pick a day it isn't busy or find a place in the woods for yourself.  I can't stand being next to a brake or even short barrel AR going crazy.

[dreadi]

What’s the deal with suppressors?  I have heard that if you get the federal stamp, your residence can be searched or something like that?

ATF can demand to see the stamp and item at their discretion. It doesn’t give them the right to search your home. I personally know people with NFA items and one person that has owned a machine gun for over 30 years and he’s never had a visit from the ATF.


On the topic of noise, can he wear ear plugs? Myself and a friend keep them around our necks during modern season. When it’s time to pull the trigger, stick them in and BOOM isn’t so bad.
Also, you may want to consider a muzzle device such as a linear compensator that directs the SPL more downrange than other devices.

[Goshawk]

243, 257 Roberts, 6.5 Sweed and half a dozen other 6.5's, and if you load, the 270 is great with reduced loads and makes a fantastic big game round once he adds a few pounds for full power loads.  Add just about anything from the 308 on down and you'll do fine.  If you don't load your own, it's easy enough to find someone who will for you, or look up the Hornady low recoil line of ammo.

I'd stay clear of exposed hammer models like the old Win 94 and Marlin.  That hammer is just too tempting not to play with and can slip when a kid gets excited.  Better stay with a good quality bolt.

[jrebel]

What’s the deal with suppressors?  I have heard that if you get the federal stamp, your residence can be searched or something like that?

I'm not up to speed because I could buy like 4 Idaho deer tags for what one costs. I've mentored almost a dozen youth hunters over the years and my go to is muffs over ear plugs.

Unless your an Idaho resident ......that is 100% not the case.  I hunt Idaho and I bought a suppressor so that is slightly exaggerated.  They are not cheap.....but definitely worth the money if a kid is sound sensative. 

To answer your question about home searches ...... I don't know for sure but I have never heard such a thing and it does not make sense.  Because you legally purchase something does not mean you forfeit your rights to legal search and seizure laws.  But if they really want to look at my kids dirty rooms .... Come on in!!   

[Karl Blanchard]

What's the stamp cost? Most the suppressors I've looked at have been $800 and up. 4 Idaho deer tags at $301 a pop is $1,204. So a guy gets a $900 can plus tax and stamp    is there less expensive ones and what's the difference between two?

[fishnfur]

I asked for a 30-06 when I was sixteen and Mom and Dad obliged.  Bad choice.  I still flinch when I shoot one even today.

I bough our oldest a Savage 7-08 Youth rife that is easy on the shoulder and weighs nothing.   I use it myself if I'm going to hump it around awhile and sit on some cuts.  It has the kick of a 30-30, and is super accurate.  I'd love to have a 6.5 Creedmore in a Youth setup for my next hunter.  I need a good excuse for the wife though.  Help me out.....

[JimmyHoffa]

Maybe find something with a slightly longer barrel if sound is the issue.  I carried a .30-30 at that age and it was really loud due to the short carbine barrel. 

[jrebel]

What's the stamp cost? Most the suppressors I've looked at have been $800 and up. 4 Idaho deer tags at $301 a pop is $1,204. So a guy gets a $900 can plus tax and stamp    is there less expensive ones and what's the difference between two?

You can purchase a nice can, including tax stamp, for less than a grand now days.  $301 per tag plus $154.75 for a liscense.  In most cases you would attempt to purchase two deer per year for a total of 154.75 + 602 for a total of $756.75 x 2 years = $1513.50 to get your 4 deer tags you speak of.  If you only purchased one deer tag a year the cost would go up by $309.50 for the cost of two more licenses. 

One 30 cal can with tax stamp cost me $950 and there were cheaper options.  Like anything, there are also more expensive options. 

[Karl Blanchard]

Licenses are not tags sir! Dont twist my words

[jrebel]

Licenses are not tags sir! Dont twist my words

Really....we are not confiscating your firearms.....it is a legal buyback that if you refuse will make you a criminal.  I like to speak with all the facts I have....you were withholding important information for the OP.  Suppressors are half (or less) the cost of most rifle / scope combos now days and are a very viable option in the OP's scenario. 

[Karl Blanchard]

You're reading way too much into it man. My point is they are spendy so every time I think about getting one I end up with a brake. I never said anything about anyone searching or confiscating anything

[jrebel]

You're reading way too much into it man. My point is they are spendy so every time I think about getting one I end up with a brake. I never said anything about anyone searching or confiscating anything

I get it......my reference was simply having all the facts.  Don't want to mislead anyone into thinking out of state Idaho hunts are cheap. 

At the end of the day.....to each their own.....if I were the OP I would start with a good set of noise canceling muffs and progress as needed.  A suppressor would be the extreme unless finances we're not a worry. 

[tonymiller7]

If he's not going to be shooting very far, 100 yds or less, get a rifle in 44 mag.

[dreadi]

$200 tax stamp

[Gentrys]

Managed recoil ammo is the way to go.  Son started shooting a 308 at age 8 with this ammo and daughter started shooting 30-06 with this ammo at age 10.  Cuts the recoil in half.  A huge benefit is that my kids have been hunting with the same guns their entire life.  They are very comfortable and proficient with these guns and moved up to regular ammo loads after 3-4 years of shooting the managed recoil loads.  As long as they kept their shots to within 200 yards, it's great stuff.  And buy your kid the best ear protection you can find.  Minimal noise and half the recoil will be a great way for your son to start.

[OutHouse]

If he's not going to be shooting very far, 100 yds or less, get a rifle in 44 mag.

I was thinking the same if range is short. I knew a guy who hunted with a lever .357 as a kid and loved it. Of course, he was hunting thick brush on private property so it made sense. He had no problem bringing down deer with it.