Author Topic: A LITTLE HELP PLEASE (Read 1151 times)

bljc27 · « **on:** March 13, 2007, 08:19:39 AM »

I have a 6yr old daughter that is dying to go deer hunting. She has a 22 cricket that she can wear a target out with. I have never shot any of the smaller calibers, such as the .243 or 7mm-08.and i'm not sure what the recoil is like

, or if she could handle one of these. any ideas? all help is appreciated.

Spanky · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2007, 08:27:54 AM »

Just my opinion but I would not turn her loose with a .243 or a 7-08. The recoil isn't much for an adult but for a 6 year old, it might be a bit much. Not to mention the noise might bother her. If she shoots well with a .22 why not get her a .22 Hornet and let her work her way up to the bigger calibers.

bljc27 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2007, 08:30:58 AM »

i thought about getting a set of the electronic ear muffs, but the 2 hornet wouldn't be big enough to take a whitetail would it?

darat100 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2007, 09:28:47 AM »

I woulnd't even consider a hornet to take a deer with other than a head shot. However, adjusting to recoil and muzzle blast can happen pretty quickly. Plenty of shooting this summer with the hornet, and light loads in a 243 or (some will hate me for saying this) 223. Depending on where you are, the 223 is plenty for small deer.

handi243 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2007, 09:45:13 AM »

I think i'm going to get a 22 hornet for my kids let them shoot it ALOT teach them head shots my grandfather shot deer with his 22long rifle for years all head shots range 20 to 40 yrds. My dad said he saw him shoot one at 90 yards didn't take a step!!!

PartsMan · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2007, 09:53:41 AM »

I agree with darat.
A 223 with some weight to it and good muffs for practice.
Be sure to stay with short ranges though. <200yd
100yd is a long way to a new shooter anyway.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2007, 10:12:13 AM »

Welcome aboard!! If it's legal, I'd buy her a .223 Superlight, have her practice with cheap bullets, then sight it in for better deer bullets like a 60gr Nosler or 64gr Win PPs, you'll be surpervising her while hunting, so that shouldn't be an issue as far as good shot placement. If the .223 isn't legal, I'd step up to a .243 Superlight or maybe a .30-30 with reduced loads which might be an even better choice if you handload.

Tim

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/youth/index.php

pfettig · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2007, 10:39:09 AM »

a 6 year old deer hunting? That's gotta be some kind of record.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2007, 11:13:24 AM »

I think thats great!!! Start them young and slow and teach them right, thne you each have more time to enjoy the sport together..Congratulations buddy....<><....

If you reload the .22 Hornet is great but not for deer, perhaps the best to start her on at the range. If not perhaps a .223 would be cheaper and your daughter could get much more range time for the money yopu would have to spend, and if you did reload the .223 could be loaded down a bit for her to start with. Either will be a great gun for her. If you get one made after 1986, or better still 1999 (is that right Quick), you can keep watch in the classifieds and get another barrel to put on her frame, a .243, 7mm-08 or 30-30 should suit her deer hunting needs just fine....<><....

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2007, 11:48:55 AM »

I took my daughter to the range last summer and she got to shoot for the first time. We were shooting my 223. I was real surprised when at 100 yards she hit an 8 inch target about 6 inches off center. The first time she ever fired a gun.. I just had to brag to my wife and other friends.

goodwrench6710 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2007, 12:31:17 PM »

30-30 with a reduced load would be very effective & low recoil, hard to beat!

Pharmboy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2007, 01:27:54 PM »

We started my buddies kid on the .410 because we didn't want him to shoot with a scope. We are also deciding on the .223 but I don't think you can get that with open sights in the handi. The 22 hornet would be okay but a little costly if you don't reload. The 22 hornet has open sights and then you can work on her with the scope.

Pharmboy

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2007, 01:54:10 PM »

You can get any rifle with sights, those that don't normally come that way will cost ya $47 extra tho. Ya just have to order the an accessory barrel the way you want it.

Tim

twocan · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2007, 01:59:34 PM »

Get her an old black powder rifle that weighs 10 pounds. load it light and get her a good steady rest.

Thats the way i started but i was 10

billy_56081 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2007, 02:27:18 PM »

Try a .357 with reduced loads for practice and go to the full power loads for hunting. She'll never know the difference. My daughter was 14 when shetook her first bear with a 30-30. I loaded some reduced loads for her all summer and she loved shooting it. She even commented on how it barley kicked and wondered if it was powerful enough for bear. When the tme came to shoot her bear she took aim squeezed off a round, the bears shot straight up in the air ran a few yards and dropped dead. When field dressed the heart was literally blown to peices. She never noticed the recoil of the hunting loads. And her confidence in shooting her gun was shown by her shot. If she was a bitolder I'd say go with the 30-30 but for a 6 year old I'd lean towards the .357. Ans as someone stressed before ear protection!

Daniel Laws · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2007, 02:57:00 PM »

My 12 yr old started on a 357 mag Handi about 2 years ago. He still shoots it regularly, and hunts with it. 38 special for practice shooting, and 360 DW for serious stuff. He is really small for his age, he's just about the size of an average 10 yr old now. At 100 yds., he can wear a 6 in. bullseye out. I think the 357 is the best starter for a kid, and when he gets a bit bigger, 30-30. At least it's worked out great for us.

bljc27 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2007, 04:11:50 PM »

Thanks for all of the help. i'm thinking about the .223 for the summer. since i don't reload this would probably be my best bet for now. If things work out i may go with the 243 superlight.(thanks quick) if not, then i will go with the heavier load for 223.

I'm new here, but i'm really impressed by all of the knowledge and suggestions. if things go right, you may see some pictures this fall.

thanks again

goodwrench6710 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2007, 04:46:27 PM »

So, what state are you from? have to be 12 yrs. old to hunt in PA.

Jim Stacy · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2007, 04:59:26 PM »

I would vote for the 223 . I believe it would be more effective than a loaded down 243 because of bullet performance. The CEO at our hospital has a 9year old that took a FINE deer for central Texas. He has killed 3 since he was 6 all with a 22 Hornet to the head and got the bang flop effect. You will be in the stand with them and you can make sure the shots are OK and this summer burn a lot of ammo. Should be fun !

PigBoy Crabshaw · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2007, 06:54:28 PM »

In some states you need to be 12-14 years old to get into a hunters saftey coarse.
If you can get out at 6 that would be great!

ONE HOLE 4570 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 14, 2007, 03:33:08 AM »

Here in OK you need to pass a hunters safty coarse before you can get a tag. Reading multiple choice questions by yourself.

223 is the way to go, 357 is only availible as a barrel & you would be with out your gun for 8-12 weeks but they are great & not much kick with a 38

FLNT4EVR · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2007, 03:48:21 AM »

If yoy decide on the 223 have someone load some 60 grn Nosler partitions for her. they shoot very well out of my Handy. or you could try some of the Hornady Tap ammo it comes in different bullet weights and you should be able to find one that shoots well from your rifle.

levi joseph · « **Reply #22 on:** March 14, 2007, 04:25:37 AM »

I have started 2 of my kids out @ about 6 yrs of age and they were both of average size and I had them a 243 handi that I put the stocks off of a superlight weight youth on and they shot it real well. my youngest is a little bit bigger for his age and killed his 1st deer at 5yrs of age with a cz 527 carbine in 7.62x39 that I handloaded for, that one didnt impress me with its on game performance with the reduced loads so we stepped it up a little and it does great now. in south arkansas where we hunt there are several people that hunt with the 223 and I have helped process several of these and it has impressed me with its ability to put them down cleanly with the right shot placement, ( read as dont shoot the sholder) good luck in making your choice . nothing is as fun as hunting with your kids.

Levi

ccoorreeyy · « **Reply #23 on:** March 14, 2007, 07:46:45 AM »

Both my sons took their first deer this season. Hunter is was 6 and Fisher was 4. They used a TC contender 30-30 with reduced loads. Hunter can shoot a 3"group @ 100yds. Fisher is not that good yet but he waylaid this 5pt from 20yards. I got both of them started shooting this gun with a lead sled and good muffs. I would reduice the weight on the sled every week untill they were soaking up all the recoil themselves.

bljc27 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 15, 2007, 03:24:11 AM »

Thanks again for all of the help. does anyone know what the largest factory load you can get for the 223? are the superlights any good or should i go with the regular youth model and have the stock cut down?

FLNT4EVR · « **Reply #25 on:** March 15, 2007, 03:55:24 AM »

Winchester has a 64 grn pp that they had developed for deer in the 223. I'm pretty sure ther are heavier bullets available but most rifles don't shoot them well. If you get a Handy and cut the stock, save the piece, it can be put back on as the kids grow.

backstrap · « **Reply #26 on:** March 15, 2007, 06:31:26 AM »

My H&R 223 didnt like 62 gr bullet at all but its might have some thing to do with being a older rifle my stepson used it for deer and i sighted it in for 55gr hollow points he killed 3 deer with it but they whernt shot over 50 yards away every deer he shot with it didnt run over 50 and fell over dead wasnt any tracking seen them fall but the 223 will work for deer if have good shot placement

backstrap · « **Reply #27 on:** March 15, 2007, 06:37:46 AM »

i am sure if a person wanted to spend some money and shoot a bunch of diffrant 62 to 64 grain bullets he could find 1 that shot good i dont reload so i wasnt going to spend a lott of money trying to find the right 60 grain bullet that shot well in my H&R i just let him deer hunt with what i had the rifle sighted in for here in Okla u have to use 55gr bullet or bigger and it was sighted in with 55gr so thats what he used tried the 62gr but they where all over the target so i didnt sight it in for them

BANG_OW · « **Reply #28 on:** March 15, 2007, 06:48:22 AM »

Hunter and Fisher. Man that is just plain cute. What will your next one be named?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #29 on:** March 15, 2007, 08:00:25 AM »

Here are some recommendations on .223 Ammo that should work on deer...the 60gr Nosler partition has been reported to shoot good in the 1:12" twist .223 Handi, as does the Winchester 64gr PP, but each rifle can be different, so it may not in yours. I'd allow the barrel to cool a few minutes between shots if you get the superlight to get the best idea of consistency of accuracy, heat is the superlight's enemy. I'd try any of the 55gr soft points that you can find.

Tim

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=929985

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=388836

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