Posted By: jeffbird
Kid and Women's Rifles - 10/06/17 03:21 AM
This time of year, we start thinking about a rifle for kids and/or the wife.
Above all other factors, make sure the rifle is scaled down to fit them. A shorter length of pull is a must have, but a slimmer grip, shorter barrel, and the eye relief on the scope fitted for them are important too. The 243 Win will kill deer and pigs reliably. The 260 or 6.5 CM are way more than enough for anyone with 100 - 120 gr bullets. Use a well constructed bullet such as the Barnes TTSX or Nosler Partitions because they may end taking a suboptimal shot and the heavier constructed bullets will penetrate better. My young nephew shot a 200 pound boar through the high shoudler while it was broadside. The 80 gr Barnes TTSX from his 243 penetrated through all the way and stopped inside the hide on the far side. I seen 7mm bullets not penetrate as well. It was the only Barnes I have ever seen recovered first hand. It was mangled, but it did its job well.
Keep in mind that a 60 pound boy or girl shooting a 80 grain bullet has felt recoil to them like a 180 pound man shooting a 240 grain bullet. That scale means put on a really good recoil pad and even a muzzle brake.
A good 22 and a bunch of ammo is great practice and a fun way to build good skills.
Last, don't push them. Try to keep it fun and low key. They are going to make sounds in the blind. They are going to fidget at the critical moment. So what. Let it go. They will remember just being with us as a great experience. The opposite is even more true, seeing my nephew sneak up on a pig and take his first buck are great moments in my life.
Let's get out there and have a good time.
This is a side view of an 80 grain Barnes TTSX from a 243 Win shot through the high shoulders of a 200 pound boar.
Above all other factors, make sure the rifle is scaled down to fit them. A shorter length of pull is a must have, but a slimmer grip, shorter barrel, and the eye relief on the scope fitted for them are important too. The 243 Win will kill deer and pigs reliably. The 260 or 6.5 CM are way more than enough for anyone with 100 - 120 gr bullets. Use a well constructed bullet such as the Barnes TTSX or Nosler Partitions because they may end taking a suboptimal shot and the heavier constructed bullets will penetrate better. My young nephew shot a 200 pound boar through the high shoudler while it was broadside. The 80 gr Barnes TTSX from his 243 penetrated through all the way and stopped inside the hide on the far side. I seen 7mm bullets not penetrate as well. It was the only Barnes I have ever seen recovered first hand. It was mangled, but it did its job well.
Keep in mind that a 60 pound boy or girl shooting a 80 grain bullet has felt recoil to them like a 180 pound man shooting a 240 grain bullet. That scale means put on a really good recoil pad and even a muzzle brake.
A good 22 and a bunch of ammo is great practice and a fun way to build good skills.
Last, don't push them. Try to keep it fun and low key. They are going to make sounds in the blind. They are going to fidget at the critical moment. So what. Let it go. They will remember just being with us as a great experience. The opposite is even more true, seeing my nephew sneak up on a pig and take his first buck are great moments in my life.
Let's get out there and have a good time.
This is a side view of an 80 grain Barnes TTSX from a 243 Win shot through the high shoulders of a 200 pound boar.
