Caliber Question

[MWells]

I am looking for a barrel for my kids to shoot. I have 22 lr covered. I just picked up a factory stock for the contender and had it cut down. I was looking at getting a .223 barrel, but was thinknig that with the new Hornady Lever Evolution loads in 357 and 44 mag, would this be a better option? I have never shot a rifle in a pistol caliber, so I have no idea what kind of recoil there is. Are there any carbine barrels out there chambered in the pistol calibers without going a custom route? I may be barking up the wrong tree, so I am open to opinions on this.

Also, the plan is for them to use this for deer hunting as well.

[MWells]

Or do I set them up with the 7-30 waters I already have and dial it back a little?

BTW, my kids are 8 yo girl and 5 yo boy. The boy can hit a soda can at 15 steps with his red ryder about 6-7 times out of 10.

[lostintexas]

My daughter just turned 9 and she hunts with a .243.  It's a little much but I keep her range time to 5 shots and then a long break.  I don't want her to develop any bad habits.  I've been looking for a .223 for her to use for the range too.  For the 5 year old, my suggestion would be to stay with the .22 until he is comfortable with that.  At that age just the noise can cause flinching and jerking.  Good luck and let us know what you go with.

-LIT

[MWells]

I agree totally, the rifle is for the girl now and will be for the boy in the future. The contender sets up well because my daughter shoots right handed and the boy left handed. That is the way he held any toy from the first time he tried. He is very comfortable, and from what I can tell left-eye dominant. So the single shot works well for both of them.

He is a couple of years away, but of course he thinks he is ready now.


I think those are great suggestions for any young shooter.

[kynardsj]

The pistol calibers you spoke of are great in a carbine but the 44 mag recoil might be a bit much for the girl. You also mentioned a 223 and a 7-30 Waters, both would be great in a carbine. If you are already into the 7-30 I would say dial it back a bit for the daughter. The recoil shouldn't be much at all.

[MWells]

I do already have a 7-30 carbine, so that is probably the best option, but I am looking for a good excuse to buy a new barrel. Oh well, another excuse will come along soon.

[pwd_6555]

I have a 38/357 mag in a Marlin lever action carbine, fun to shoot and almost no recoil. Though I have not taken any deer with it I have read it is capable out to about 100 yards or so.

[securitysix]

I have a 38/357 mag in a Marlin lever action carbine, fun to shoot and almost no recoil. Though I have not taken any deer with it I have read it is capable out to about 100 yards or so.

I also have a Marlin lever action in .357 Mag and a Rossi lever gun in .45 Colt.  Neither kicks all that much.  I don't think you'd even need to run the LeverEvolution ammo through it for the kids to just blast with.  Get a .357 Mag rifle barrel and some plain old .357 Mag ammo (if you load your own, a 158 grain LSWC pushed by 6 grains of Unique is a pretty mild load) or, if the .357 Mag is too much, you can have them run .38 Special ammo in it till they grow into the .357 ammo. 

My only experience with the 7-30 Waters is out of a 14" barrel, and while I don't think it kicks all that much, that might not mean anything, since I like to play with .41 Magnums and hot loaded .45 Colts (Ruger Blackhawks are fun ).  Out of a carbine and downloaded a bit, it's probably something the kids could handle fairly soon, if not right now.

[MWells]

Thanks guys for all the help. I think i am going to stay with the 7-30 and see if how she feels with that. If I need to go down a bit I can.