What are some thoughts on doing this for an 8 yr. old youth?

[handirifle]

I'd suggest getting a premium bullet for the 22-250 OR send off the receiver for a 270 barrel and use the LITE ammo.  That way you can move him right into the 270 std ammo as he gets older.

Hodgdons has reduced load ammo for the 270 as well.  I used it with my kids for their 30-06's and recoil difference is HUGE.  Caliber is NOT as important as shot placement, so if he is very accurate and consistant with the 22 the go that way.  My kids flinched with my 223 , so I had a real delima.  The best solution, to me, was to wait a year.

[MOGLEY]

Has anyone considered a 410 with slugs?? Youth models are available and I don't think the recoil is all that bad. I remember seeing a show on the t.v. The shooter was I believe 8 yrs old and shot a doe with a 410 slug. Dropped her right there and right proper. What distances are you intending to shoot??

[goodwrench6710]

I would take him to my stand which has areas to shoot up to about 250 yrds. & is pretty much open spaces.

[greg916]

Goodwrench6710, your stock went priority mail to you today. let me know you get it ok.

[Joel45acp]

goodwrench6710, do what I did.  I got my little boy(9yrs old and weighs 53lbs.) a 30/30 Topper and "down loaded" some 110 grain SP using Unique.  We gave it a whirl yesterday evening and much to my surprise, the darn thing grouped a 1/4" MOA at 25yds with my little boy shooting.  I worked on shortening the stock the night before until a little after 3am.  The recoil felt between a 22LR and a 22Mag.  I forget my chrono at home and being that the boss(wife) gave us a 1hr pass, we kind of hurried to shooting session(10 shots only).  Thanks guys for all your help.  My little boy is on his way to filling the freezer with venison this year.  By the way, this papa is grinning from ear to ear with pride and joy watching my little boy shoot.  You should have seen him; the  focus and shear calmness.  This was his first time shootin' a rifle. 

[safetysheriff]

my one cousin was 11 yrs' old when he accidentally caused a firearm discharge that killed his 16-year-old brother.    it ruined my cousin to be "responsible' for that.

i'd wait 'til the young 'un was 13 to start him out with a firearm.

it never ended for my surviving cousin!

ss'   

[Ruskin]

I know of a young boy approximately 8 or nine.  He shoots a 223.  Last year his grandfather was talking about the 4 point he killed.  There was another boy there, I think he was older.  He shot a 300 win mag to kill a deer of similar size.  He had gut shot it and screwed it up-but it was dead.  The younder's deer had one hole in it and was a good shot.

When the older asked about the rifle the younger used, the younger asked to see the older boys cartridge and placed the 223 next to the 300.  The older promptly took his cartridge back.  The younger told the older it has to do with "hold and shot placement."  What great advice. Wish I was there.

[Joel45acp]

Ruskin, great story.  I guess size doesn't really matter to a child.  Think of what we as adults can learn from the little ones.