how bad will a 30-30 carbine kick?

[coopershooter]

i put together a ss contender carbine with synthetic scocks, and a tapered 21inch barrel. i,m guessing it weighs less than five pounds. i gave it to my twelve year old, as a deer and hog gun. we havn,t shot it yet. and i'm thinking a light hand load would be better for practice. and factory level loads for hunting. he's a skinny kid and only shoots a .22 now and then.
 iv,e only shot 30-30,s in lever guns weighing a pound and a half more than the contender.
  do any of you have a light bullet hunting load? does nosler make a 125grain partition?
 thanks for your help!

[swampthing]

I would weigh the rifle, 5 pounds seems a little slim. T/C usually "under estimates" a little compared to what they actually weigh. 125's at 2500 and 170's at 2100 "kick" approx the same level.
 A variable 1.5-5x scope, or similar low power variable, with Warne steel mounts and rings will add about a pound to the set up and will take some snap out of it.
  Recoil for a 7lb scoped contender/opensighted marlin in 30-30 with factory ammo is approx 11 ft.lbs. No problem at all.
  Same recoil in a 6 lb unscoped 30-30 will be approx 13 ft. lbs. Your asking for it.
  In a 5lb gun it will kick with 16ft.lbs. About .308win levels in a 8lb. gun. Now your gonna get it, here's some flinch to deal with.
Rem 170g core lokt's shoot moa in mine. 150's kick the same due to the velocity increase of the lighter slug.
 

[Grumulkin]

When my boy was around 12, I had both a stainless steel 22 LR pistol barrel and a braked stainless steel 30/30 Win. pistol barrel for my Contender.  Superficially they looked about the same.  We were out shooting one day.  I went into the house and switched barrels from 22 LR to 30/30 Win. and came back with the gun and gave it to my boy to shoot.  I said, "you better hold on to it, it's going to kick."  He, not knowing about the barrel switch said, "aw dad, this doesn't kick bad."  You should have seen the look on his face when he touch the round off.  The happy ending to the story; he still likes guns and loves to shoot.

As far as the how bad will a 30/30 carbine kick question is concerned, it will depend to a large extent on stock design and gun weight.  I think the recoil pad area on the carbine composite stock is a bit small which will tend to emphasize recoil.  Fox Ridge Outfitters sells a very nice walnut thumbhole stock for the Contender.  It is a bit pricey but the recoil pad is much better.  I use mine with a 375 JDJ barrel and it's not uncomfortable to shoot.  It also doesn't come with studs to attach a sling so you would have to supply your own if you wanted them.

[spinafish]

here's some reduced Youth loads from Hodgdon..www.hodgdon.com/data/youth/3030win_y.php

[foxman]

both of my boy started on 16 inch 30/03 with youth butt stock when they were 9.  They have never complained about the recoil.  I started out with  a red dot on it so eye relief was not a problem.  Purposely  didn't let them shoot much except at deer.  Killing deer with it seemed to take the sting out of it for them.

[K.K]

Those reduced recoil loads are great for youngsters, as well as adults that don't want to get pounded. You may want to try a Sims recoil pad, they really help. I think that the stock design on the T/Cs are great for mitigating recoil as well.  Keep practice sesssions short and frequent, and there should be little difficulty with recoil.

[ccoorreeyy]

He should be able to handle it fine.  I have the same set up for my boys.  both killed there first deer with it this year with the reminton reduced factory loads.  By the way my youngest son is only 4 yrs old.

[BrianM]

Might want to look into a Limbsaver recoil pad for the rifle . Might be a good investment . I guess this doesn't answer your question but , I thought it might be a good suggestion .

[SourMash]

The 30/30 in a carbine T/C is an awesome little shooter. I'm sure your son will do fine with it, as did I when I was only 13.