Which Handi for a 11 yr old girl.

[Squib]

if wearing glasses and ear-muff types she's gonna feel it jostle her face, attempt to get around that by possibly using a washcloth to go between face and stock?  I've noticed when wearing "muffs" that I shoot like crap (using a rifle instead of pistol) and if sighting in a gun like to just use the "softie" earplugs.  also long hair with muffs and glasses and possibly big ears too... my big ears get pushed against the stock if it's a benchrest gun!

[tigercat]

357 mag seams a little lite for deer up here in maine i'm in the same boat driving myself crasy trying to figure out what to get her thinking about 30/30 for my g2 contender  but just cant seam to make a decision help please thanks

[Doublebass73]

tigercat,

The .357 will do just fine. Just use 158 grain bullets or bigger. Buffalo Bore makes some hot .357 ammo that equals 30/30 energy when fired out of a rifle. Many members here kill deer with the standard .357 mag Handi rifle.

[wreckhog]

Buy a 30-30. Probably a box of 170's in half the car trucks in Maine.

[45-70.gov]

357  mag    sb1  scoped    simple  4x

[pricecw]

Not a recommendation for the whistle pigs, but we set up my niece and nephew (12 and 13 at the time) on a Handi in 30-06.  Limbsaver recoil pad, and a stock that fit them.  Started them on a reduced load Remington round, and I had reloaded some 130gr light loads.  They shot those and had an absolute blast, ran out of those that day, and wanted to keep shooting, so they started shooting the reloads my brother and I were shooting, 180gr full house loads we use for elk (not quite maximum W-760).  They shot those the rest of the day, and had no issue at all with them.  Cool thing, now when we hunt, the four of us carry the same reload.  I also agree, always, always give kids hearing protection.  I have a notch in my hearing because I never used protection shooting a .22 and .223 when young. 

Anyway, talk to the 11yr old and let her shoot some of yours if they fit her.  I have come to the belief that fit and a recoil pad will make the biggest difference, especially with kids.  Also, what are you and your friend shooting?  Would she feel more comfortable happy with the same?  Would it be nicer for all of you to have fewer calibers on the hill?

BTW, they both love to shoot my Marlin in .44Mag and .357Mag.

--Carl

[panman]

I may be a little late,sorry.A real good cal.for a 11 year old girl would be a 6.8 Rem spl.I have a Encore in that cal.and can tell you its a great deer killin machine.If you can  get one do so,you will not be sorry.pan

[BBF]

Every time I see these questions, whether for a you lad or lass, it would be a lot more helpful if we had some idea of their size(height, not beam) and weight.