Youth GDE Powderhorn WMA

My daughter just hit the jackpot with the Powderhorn GDE drawing. Going to be there 11/19-11/21. Ok we are super excited to say the least. My question is what would be the minimum caliber rifle that she could use for Axis/Sambar without to much risk? She is 13 years old and very small framed. We will be keeping shots at right around 100 yards or less. I will be bringing my BOG Deathgrip Shooting tripod to help keep her steady. Just not sure what rifle would be best for her for this situation. Any help would be much appreciated.

6.5CM or PRC would be good with the right bullet selection.

Keep us posted and congrats on the jackpot drawing.

My son was recoil sensitive and we used 7mm-08 with reduced recoil loads. Sambar went about 10 feet. His shot was about 150, so just be sure she can stretch it just a bit if absolutely needed.

We are definitely gonna get a lot of range time between now and then. We will take a look at some new guns this weekend to try and find a good fit for her. She has been shooting smaller calibers just need to beef it up a little for this one.

Congrats on the hunt!!! Sounds like the 7mm-08 is the perfect rifle for your daughter and this hunt. Probably the biggest thing, much, much more important than trying to get away with a smaller caliber, is not using a light weight gun. A standard weight rifle in that caliber could be just fine. Adding weight to the stock can really dampen the recoil. Also using good stout bullets will be important, Nosler Partitions, AccuBond, something like that. That 7mm-08 could be her rifle of a lifetime, great all the way up to elk.

On the range you can use light recoil ammo. The range is where flinches develop and follow through is built. Light recoil ammo with the same rifle, or using a 223 or 243, is a great way to prevent flinches and really drive home that follow through. That seems to really be the key, when we teach follow through to youth hunters, they are making perfect killing heart/shoulder shots in that day first harvests. Also, hearing protection, especially on the range, can really prevent recoil sensitivity. Its unconnected with flinching in reality but very much connected in the brain and body. Hearing protection, with kids, it pretty annoying honestly in the field, but it just gives them such a higher comfort level. The higher priced protection can eliminate this annoyance with having features that block gunfire but allow for whispering.

Probably more input that you wanted or needed, but just some things I've come across and learned from others over the years with guiding kids. Ya'll are going to have a great hunt and I am super jealous. My son drew Hill Country SNA and we are looking forward to that. Have a great hunt!!!!

Congrats to her.

I bought a 7mm-08 last year for my grandson that was 11 yrs old at the time. He handled it well and shot quite a few animals this past season with it. He is about average size for his age, if anything slightly on the lighter side.

So we have been preparing for this weekends upcoming hunt at the Powderhorn. Out of these bullets here which one would you use? My daughter is very comfortable with the 350 Legend. We already asked the guys running it and said the gun is enough for the hunt.The Winchester power points are 180 grain. The Winchester Power Max are 160 grain. The Winchester Defenders are 160 grain as well. Will be keeping our shots between 100-150 yards. Hopefully we will get a chance at the Sambar, Axis, and WT. Never hunted Sambar so where would you shoot them with the gun we are taking? I'm big on high shoulder shots, but I'm not sure with this setup and size animal.

My son took his Sambar there last year with a 30-06, but I had made some hand loads with 125 accubonds. Single shot right behind the shoulder and the Sambar dropped and never even kicked.

They like to hang out in the soupy wet stuff, bring rubber boots.

No matter what don’t loose faith, there were animals taken 30 min into the hunt, he didn’t get his until 30 min before sunset on the final evening.

The Sambar sits between size of Deer and Elk. I'd go with the PowerMax Bonded bullets, even though lighter than the powerpoint, you should get better penetration to punch through hide and potential bone impact. Make sure she practices a quick reload and followup shot, especially if using a higher shoulder shot, which may knock it down but not be immediately lethal. I know you are pushing right against time to do more practice, but even dry-fire practice can be helpful in quick reload training. My stomach dropped when his sambar jumped into the thick brush because IT IS THICK. Luckily it only made it 6 feet and was dead right there.

Well we made it to Port O Connor and got settle into our home away from home for the next few days. Long drive little rain with lots of wind. Didn't arrive till about 9 so really have not gotten to take in the views yet. Can't believe it has finally that time. I really hope my daughter is successful on something WT, Axis, Sambar, or all 3 lol. I plan on taking lots of pictures and just enjoying the moment with my youngest. We are not gonna have real good weather this weekend between wind and rain, but I'm just hoping the deer will be moving anyways. Wish us luck and I'll try and check in from time to time.

Good luck!

Trip of a lifetime here, don't weigh her down with too many gotta do' just right's ...relax and enjoy the sights that stroll by Congrats
Ron

Day 1 was a beat down with the rain and strong winds. Nothing seen by us besides a few WT by the gate. Day 2 started with us getting in the blind opening the windows and there is a Sambar 30 yards from us just before legal light. Once it was legal times the crosshairs, dark stag, and low lights didn't go together. She said she just couldn't see him good enough to make the shot. A couple hours later this old boy comes strolling through and dropped him in his tracks. Aged at 6.5 years old. Still have to finish this evening and 1 more morning to get it done. Still on the hunt till time expires.

Awesome ! Can’t wait to see how the rest turns out ! What stand are you on ?

Hunting Stand 23... Had a hind come out and hang around for probably 15 mins this evening. My daughter really holding out for another chance at a stag. We did go look at stand 24 earlier today but the roads are saturated and made for a very long walk. We hung out there for a little bit. So a hind there and a boar hog. He came in right behind us. She tried to get on him but he just walked down the row with no shot available. We will get to have one more try in the morning.

28°28'2"N, 96°28'29"W

Pretty sure this is where we connected, but I’ve slept since then. 😏

Congrats to your daughter on the successful hunt! If you don't mind my asking, how many points did it take her to draw?

I've got a 10 year old and an 8 year old, both girls. They'll be 11 and 9 next season and we'll be sitting at 4 and 2 points respectively. Really pulling for my older girl to get on a buck gun hunt at some point!

Again, congratulations!!!

I think she had 5-6 points. Been entering her since she was eligible for the draws. So far this morning it is back to raining and high winds. Have a small buck feeding around us now. Few more hours left and this hunt will wrap up. Yesterday was a busy day up here. Lots of youth were successful. I bet this hunt is 100% on how good yesterday was and we had good weather to boot.

Good deal!!!

Hope y'all can close the deal on a Sambar or Axis Buck!!!

Well we finally got to pickup my daughters deer from the taxi. She is super pumped to get her deer back. Not to bad for her first buck.