youth elk gun

[ridgefire]

i want to buy a rifle for my 11 year old son that he could use for both deer and elk. he can shoot my 30-30 fine but a 30-06 seemed a little big for him. any suggestions on what calibre of gun i should be looking into that would work for him.

[KopperBuck]

.308 - that's what I'm going to pick up for my lady anyways. Lots of guns out there that will do both. My great aunt has killed several elk with her .243. Personally I like to pack a little more punch, and the .308 offers the flexability to move up and down the load range.

[longknife]

Maybe the 25-06, or the .308. I would suggest the 30-06, but know what you are talking about.

I got my 14yr daughter the Savage axis 30-06 for Christmas just for the knockdown power. I was afraid the kick would be a bit much, not to mention the bark they produce. For a first weapon, she is comfortable, and hitting 5" groups at 100yrds with it already!

A .308 is a GREAT cal! Seems to have a lower tone when fired(helps the flinching), and dosent have much of a recoil.

I think a .270 is a bit underpowered for elk, for a youth. Just because it will take a decently placed shot for less tracking. I have heard good things about the 25-06 for a youth rifle.

Good luck!

[huntnphool]

 7mm-08 is what my daughter shoots. Same case as the .308 and .243, larger bullet than the .243 and better BC than the .308.

[longknife]

7mm-08 is what my daughter shoots. Same case as the .308 and .243, larger bullet than the .243 and better BC than the .308.

I might look into that one! Sounds like a winner,,,is ammo pricing decent, and always avalable?

[ghosthunter]

.308 - that's what I'm going to pick up for my lady anyways. Lots of guns out there that will do both. My great aunt has killed several elk with her .243. Personally I like to pack a little more punch, and the .308 offers the flexability to move up and down the load range.

 
In carbine if you want les length.

[HairTrigger]

.243
25-06
7mm-08
6mm
 

[huntnphool]

7mm-08 is what my daughter shoots. Same case as the .308 and .243, larger bullet than the .243 and better BC than the .308.

I might look into that one! Sounds like a winner,,,is ammo pricing decent, and always avalable?

 Yep. She shoots a 140gr. Nosler and has a silver dollar size 3 shot group at 200 yards off a bench with only front support.

 I picked up a Ruger M77 Hawkeye for her, mounted with a Nikon 3-9x40. It has a 16.5" barrel and youth stock, easy for her to pack and shoot. same recoil as a .243 but bigger, high BC bullet in .284. It looks like the one in the link.

 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=276613604

[scottfrick]

When i first started hunting at the age of 8 i got a remington model 700 in a 270. The gun was perfect. Didnt kick at all and has killed a lot of animals. It was then my brothers first gun and now its my wifes first rifle. It has killed deer, elk, bear and a cougar. Its a great caliber for both kids and adults. 

[CplRaines]

I bought my daughter a Thompson Encore with a 243 barrell topped with a Leupold Vari-x II 3-9x40 last year to hunt for deer.
I am buying her a 270 barrell this year for elk and gonna top it with another Leupy.

[addicted]

7mm-08 is what my daughter shoots. Same case as the .308 and .243, larger bullet than the .243 and better BC than the .308.

 

[carpsniperg2]

7mm-08 is a great choice

[superdown]

what's wrong with your 30-30 if he can shoot it fine why buy another rifle unless you just want to

[Tbar]

I like the 7mm 08 but the benefit of the 308 is ammo availability. You can pick up ammo just about anywhere for it if you are shooting factory ammo.  308 is usually available at local hardware  stores.

[ridgefire]

anybody have any suggestions on where to look\buy a 308 or 7mm 08 in snohomish county. i like the 30-30, will still get used for deer  but its a good enough reason to pick up another gun