texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,413
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,764
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,986
Posts9,719,147
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer #5985200 10/20/15 12:01 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,087
J
Jasb Offline OP
THF Celebrity
OP Offline
THF Celebrity
J
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,087
Deer I have, but the gun I do not. He is an avg size 6 year old, and wont fit most of my guns. What is a good youth model to get him so that he is ok with the size and recoil as well as the deer going down...

On the fence about a 223 and a 243 single shot has a bit of pop to it. Any help would be great!

Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5985211 10/20/15 12:07 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 236
J
jcarroll3 Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
J
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 236
I shot my first deer with a breakover single shot 243. The ones with the interchangeable barrel , I was 6 and small for my age. I don't remember it ever kicking bad at all.

Where are you located? I will be glad to let him shoot it if he wants to

Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5985227 10/20/15 12:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
P
Pitchfork Predator Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
P
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
I would consider an AR platform ideally in 308 with an adjustable slide stock.

Not much recoil, he can grow into it, and a real fun gun for both of you to go out and shoot with.


Marc C. Helfrich
Retirement Planner

www.insured-wealth.com
469-323-8920
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5985234 10/20/15 12:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
S
stxranchman Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
S
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
You might look into the managed recoil loads in a .243 or 7mm-08 to practice with on the range then go with a regular load when shooting a deer. He will not even notice the recoil in the heat of the hunt.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-recoil/managed-recoil.aspx
http://www.hornady.com/store/243-Win-87-gr-SST-Custom-Lite/


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: jcarroll3] #5985235 10/20/15 12:22 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,087
J
Jasb Offline OP
THF Celebrity
OP Offline
THF Celebrity
J
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,087
Originally Posted By: jcarroll3
I shot my first deer with a breakover single shot 243. The ones with the interchangeable barrel , I was 6 and small for my age. I don't remember it ever kicking bad at all.

Where are you located? I will be glad to let him shoot it if he wants to


Nice offer but I'm in Abilene. I guess I'm stuck between the 243 or just let him shoot my AR in 223. I sure dont want to track a deer with all the snakes we have and I'm not 100% convinced of the 223 on a deer with a 6 year old doing the shooting...

Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: stxranchman] #5985246 10/20/15 12:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,087
J
Jasb Offline OP
THF Celebrity
OP Offline
THF Celebrity
J
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,087
Originally Posted By: stxranchman
You might look into the managed recoil loads in a .243 or 7mm-08 to practice with on the range then go with a regular load when shooting a deer. He will not even notice the recoil in the heat of the hunt.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-recoil/managed-recoil.aspx
http://www.hornady.com/store/243-Win-87-gr-SST-Custom-Lite/
Good thinking! With the groups of deer that come into this feeder the shot will be all of 30 yards.

I dont remember being this pumped about deer season in a long time! Man I want him to enjoy it!

Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5985253 10/20/15 12:39 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
S
stxranchman Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
S
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
Originally Posted By: Jasb
Originally Posted By: stxranchman
You might look into the managed recoil loads in a .243 or 7mm-08 to practice with on the range then go with a regular load when shooting a deer. He will not even notice the recoil in the heat of the hunt.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-recoil/managed-recoil.aspx
http://www.hornady.com/store/243-Win-87-gr-SST-Custom-Lite/
Good thinking! With the groups of deer that come into this feeder the shot will be all of 30 yards.

I dont remember being this pumped about deer season in a long time! Man I want him to enjoy it!

With young kids on one ranch I managed, they had 2 exact same rifles at the ranch to hunt with. One a rimfire and the other a center fire. Same rifle, stock, scope everything but caliber. They practiced with rimfire then hunted with the other. Not one of them ever said a thing about recoil when killing their deer.


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5985255 10/20/15 12:42 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
S
stxranchman Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
S
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
Originally Posted By: Jasb
Originally Posted By: jcarroll3
I shot my first deer with a breakover single shot 243. The ones with the interchangeable barrel , I was 6 and small for my age. I don't remember it ever kicking bad at all.

Where are you located? I will be glad to let him shoot it if he wants to


Nice offer but I'm in Abilene. I guess I'm stuck between the 243 or just let him shoot my AR in 223. I sure dont want to track a deer with all the snakes we have and I'm not 100% convinced of the 223 on a deer with a 6 year old doing the shooting...

I have had a couple of first time youth hunters use a .223 all with success. Good bullet, close shot and great bullet placement resulted in first deer with all of them. They shot heart shots. I have used 55 grain Remington PSP in my .223 with great success. I shoot hi-point of the shoulder.


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5985820 10/20/15 06:36 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
Q
QuitShootinYoungBucks Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Q
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
Does your AR have a scope? At 30 yards it should be plenty with a good bullet. If you're that worried it tells me he's not ready no matter what caliber is used. Practice, practice, practice!


[Linked Image]

https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5985862 10/20/15 07:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185
H
hook_n_line Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
H
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185
I just learned from my kid that he likes to practice with his .22 but when he shoots at a deer he doesn't notice the recoil from the 30.06. He said he was too excited to even remember if it kicks. Don't go too small a caliber might have a worse experience if he doesn't recover his first deer.


Sometimes it's hard being me! But somebody has to do it.
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5985866 10/20/15 07:08 PM
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 559
G
GHale Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
G
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 559
I bought my grandson a Thompson Contender (rifle stock) in 223 that he used to shoot his first 3 deer. My granddaughter is not learning to shoot it so that she can shoot a deer this season.

Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5985867 10/20/15 07:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 559
G
GHale Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
G
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 559
That is suppose to read "granddaughter is NOW learning to shoot it"

Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5985985 10/20/15 08:44 PM
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294
8
8pointdrop Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
8
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5,294
All of the first timers around here start with a .223 I have that's pistol grip and has an adjustable youth stock, shooting 64 grain nosler's.

One of the biggest things over looked is being sure the gun fits the shooter. They haven't lost one yet in 10+ years and 7 or so different kids, with that gun.

Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5986266 10/20/15 11:54 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,823
D
Drop Tine Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
D
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,823
I shot my first few deer with a Remington semi auto 243 and 100 gr Cor Lokts. Worked just fine and practically no recoil.


[Linked Image]
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5986687 10/21/15 03:11 AM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 359
J
JH117 Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
J
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 359
I just bought my 8yr old a youth 7mm-08 (cva hunter) at academy for $179 and he loves it. Right now we are using hornady 139gr interlock rounds and he is shooting a 1 in grouping at 150yrds. For a six year old a reduced recoil round probably wouldn't hurt. We debated about a 223 but after all the research we decided to go with the 7mm-08 because it has plenty of knock down power.

Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5986743 10/21/15 03:48 AM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,112
R
Ranch Dog Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
R
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,112
I've helped some young kids with their first deer hunt. I have them use a Marlin 1894C or Rossi R92 chambered in 357 Mag with a 175 grain cast bullet and a reduced load. All I want for terminal performance is 1000 FPE at 70 yards. Nothing but a pop (and flop on the deer end of things). I also like trying to get them a fairly nice deer for the first kill.



[Linked Image]
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5986806 10/21/15 04:56 AM
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 175
H
H-Town Hunter Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
H
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 175
Cant go wrong with a .243 i shot my first deer at age 7 with a .270 so a .243 would be a cake walk! Either way no matter what you choose to do just thank the lord your little one wants to get out there and hunt! Would much rather hear a 6 year old say he wants to go shoot a deer rather than hear a 6 year old just want to sit home playing video games. Goodluck to yall!


God Bless
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5986823 10/21/15 06:14 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,857
S
Simple Searcher Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,857
Either caliber is good. My daughters both shot their first deer at 8 and 10 years old with a 223. We hunted close and did a neck shot.
With a .243 go with the managed recoil loads previously mentioned.
It is important with little ones to make sure that they do not get gun shy, so you are on the right track. I have hunted with dozens of youth hunters, and a missed shot due to a kid pulling because of recoil freight is not fun for anybody.
I am not a fan of youth models (although a comfortable fit is important). I had a .243 that I used as a brush gun that beat me up, I hated to shoot with it and finally sold it.
After their first deer my daughters lugged around a heavy barrel .243 for years and they loved it. They both still hunt with the same gun and they are 22 and 27 years old. They were little and would walk 100-300 yards to the blind with it but they loved the stability and reduced recoil. After all, hunting in a deer blind is actually almost the same as shooting from a bench rest with the rifle balanced in a window opening. So weight of the gun is not an issue for shooting.


[Linked Image]

"Man is still a hunter, still a simple searcher after meat..." Robert C. Ruark
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5987070 10/21/15 01:39 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,532
BourbonLegend Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,532
My buddies daughters shoot a reduced recoil .308 they have killed many deer with it. They are ages 8-12 he said it kicks less than a .243 and he likes knowing they have a 30 cal bullet.


EXODUS 22:2 "If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed"
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5987081 10/21/15 01:49 PM
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,277
onlysmith&wesson Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,277
If you're considering buying, think about a .300 blackout on an ar platform. Shoot a Hornady 110 gr vmax and it will kill anything he hits right. Adjustable stock, not much recoil....I have a smith@wesson mp 15 that came with a 5r barrel. Shoots surprisingly accurate.


Last edited by onlysmith&wesson; 10/21/15 01:52 PM.

An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5987180 10/21/15 02:40 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
R
rifleman Offline
Sparkly Pants
Offline
Sparkly Pants
R
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 44,461
Just get the boy a bigger stick!


Just about anything he can shoot will work, just important to get the stand set up for someone his size. (Ex: window height/chair height so he can sit to shoot, place to put his elbow, etc.)

Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5987194 10/21/15 02:45 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
R
redchevy Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
R
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
I bought a 223 rem 700 for a varmint gun. One day decided to shoot deer with it. A 60 grain nosler partition will go straight through both shoulders of avg. sized texas deer, buck or doe and leave a good blood trail, if needed. My SIL has been using it for several years now, and even with less than spectacular bullet placement(we have had low, forwar, and gut) hits we have yet to not recover a deer within a few hours.

Personally I would take the 6 YO hunting with me and make him wait a few more years, but that's JMHO.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5987502 10/21/15 05:55 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,087
J
Jasb Offline OP
THF Celebrity
OP Offline
THF Celebrity
J
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,087
Thanks for all the advice! We went and got him a 223 break over. He was on it even with a less than perfect rest at 75 yards. Got some 62gr federal fusion and off we went. He's been sitting with me now 2 years and wants to get into the game so we will give it a go. We live on the ranch so he's all about hunting and fishing.


Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5987508 10/21/15 05:59 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
N
Navasot Offline
Hollywood
Offline
Hollywood
N
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
cheers

Re: Need help 6 year old wants to shoot a deer [Re: Jasb] #5987766 10/21/15 09:04 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
S
stxranchman Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
S
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
up Do a thread for us on his hunt(s).


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3