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Offline JKump

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Handi Help for son
« on: October 30, 2010, 04:37:40 AM »
I want to get my 11 year old son a rifle for deer hunting. He is big for his age 5'3" tall but could use some weight. I am think of getting him a handi rifle because he is left handed. I will put a Nikon 4x32 Prostaff scope on the rifle. Now the hard part. What caliber? I don't need to get a youth model but can. So .243, 7mm-08, 30-30, 357 mag, 44 mag, 7.62x39 or maybe a 308. HELP. Perhaps the .357 mag/20 gauge combo?  ???
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Offline 1NEFsofar

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2010, 04:41:18 AM »
I am just now setting up a 44 for my 11 year old daughter.  She is a little shorter (4'9") and skinny but with a recoil reducer in the stock I think the recoil will not bother her.  It should be good out to about 100 yards.  Also, if she doesn't end up using it, or any of my other three daughters 9yes, I have 4!!!), I have a nice brsuh gun to hunt with.  I already have a 308 so now I'm covered.
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Offline Spanky

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2010, 05:08:43 AM »
357Mag
30-30
44Mag


In that order.



Spanky
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Offline Dinny

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2010, 06:09:59 AM »
Quote from: Spanky on October 30, 2010, 05:08:43 AM
357Mag
30-30
44Mag
In that order.
Spanky

Spanky is right! But.....depending on where you live and how far your shots are, I might change the order, but not the calibers.

30-30, 357 Mag, 44 Mag.

Thanks, Dinny
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Offline carbineman

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #4 on: October 30, 2010, 06:13:37 AM »
I have three of the topper 30-30's and with a 130 grain bullet they have the recoil of a 22 on steroids. Not much more than a gentle push. My 7 year old grandson (big kid though) shoots them with ease. I would think that with 150 grain factory RN or FN loads, it shouldn't be much more than that. Personally I think the 30-30 is a better deer round than the pistol caliber cartridges especially at distances past 85 yards.

Another good one would be the 7mm-08. Not much recoil with the 120 grain loadings.
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Offline moorepower

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2010, 07:17:08 AM »
It would help to know how far your shots will be. The .30-30 is and always has been great, and it has more options for ammo and bullets than ever before, esp. if you hand load. I will throw in the .308 because if you hunt to 200-300 yards, if will do the trick, and there is reduced recoil ammo for it, and when he grows into full power loads, he can use it for any thing. This is also very freindly if you hand load.
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Offline JKump

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2010, 08:03:19 AM »
The shots should be under 100 yards.  :-\  I have a line on a possible 243 for about $150 used. However, I am still undecided. I like the idea of the 30-30.
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Offline moorepower

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2010, 08:08:20 AM »
The .243 is a great deer rifle. Use the 85 grain loads for less recoil, or handload the 100 grain bullets down to about 2600 fps. The .243 is a fun paper puncher and varmint round also. The .30-30 will always be a great choice.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2010, 08:14:49 AM »
See the link in the FAQs on the 243 vs 30-30 for youths, the 2 page thread also has input on 357 and 44mag IIRC.

Tim
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Offline S.E.Ak

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2010, 08:45:34 AM »
If you watch the sales forum any you will notice lots of 243 barrels go up for sale and can take a while to sell.When a 30-30 barrel shows up its gone right then and for more money most times.The same also holds true for 357mag,44mag and 45colt.
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Offline BBF

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2010, 07:59:51 PM »
      30-30 !!

less fuzz to make it shoot good compared to a number of 243 and probably 44's. With a light pointy bullet the 30-30 has no problems to 200+ yard.
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Offline thejanitor

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2010, 08:23:01 PM »
The topper 30-30 I have is very accurate, with the 130 gr hornady bullets I break clay pigeons all the time at 200 yds with about 6 inches hold over. And have never once had a case stick.... Can't say that about the non- rimmed handis I have. 
And for even less recoil the 110 gr bullets can be shot in the off season for paper or plinking. thejanitor
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Offline Airsporter

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2010, 02:07:16 AM »
If you handload you can load almost anything down to a very reasonable level.  I got back into handloading a few years back when my youngest bought a 7.62x54 mosin nagant carbine.  I knicknamed it his 'Jerry Lee Lewis gun' ("Great Balls Of Fire") :D.  We easily loaded it down to 7.62x39 level using 125 gr bullet. 

Otherwise, I'd be tempted to go with the .357 Mag.  You can shoot from .38 Specials through heavy .357 Mag Buffalo Bore rounds for deer.  Also, a very easy-to-sell outfit if you don't want/need it.  Maybe ream to .357 Max down the road.

In a rifle, this load brings it to 30-30 level:

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=102


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Offline mechanic

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2010, 05:15:54 AM »
The youth model 243 recoil, coupled with the horrendous muzzle blast, is pretty rough for small people.  The 30-30 is a much better option, IMO.  The 357 is another good one for short yardages.  The 44 is moderate on recoil, because the barrel is relatively heavy compared to the 243 youth or ultralite.  Truthfully, it all depends on the kid.  My 11 yr. old grand daughter will shoot my 280 and never whimper.

Ben
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Offline av-doctor

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2010, 04:09:46 PM »
this question comes up alot, not only on here but i hear it local too. i tell everyone the same thing, first ask yourself a few questions(BE COMPLETELY HONEST,THE CHILD WILL BE THE ONE WHO SUFFERS NOT YOU) sry about caps but some people need reminded.
 
How much has the child shot? if at all what? 22lr,410,20ga,etc
How much practice will they get before season?
Do you have anything that you can have them practice with before purchasing a special gun for them?
Do you handload?
What type of terrain do you plan on hunting with them? sitting,hiking,etc?

these are basic questions i use to make a decision there are more but you get the idea.

ok,lets check options(with my opinion to follow)
357mag- i feel this is a bit low on power for a kid,recoil is next to nothing
357max- i have no experience but i hear good things,remember you'll have to have a 357mag reamed in a handi
243win- you need to be a very good shot to use this correctly,recoil is a sharp kick,very loud with lots of muzzle flash
30-30-you can't argue its effectiveness,recoil is more of a push than a kick
308win- might be good if you need more range,recoil is going to be on the high end for a kid
44mag- good option if range will be 100yds or less,recoil is manageable

there are more options for the handloader,if you need more input let us know,i'll be glad to add to your confusion
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Offline texbell

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #15 on: October 31, 2010, 04:31:54 PM »
30/30 it hits the best, low recoil,
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Offline dangerranger

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #16 on: October 31, 2010, 08:37:20 PM »
My experiance has been that the 30 30 is way more accurite, I can find ammo anyware, and they are kid friendly. with out any fuss mine will shoot 1.5 inches at 100yds. DR
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Offline FLNT4EVR

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #17 on: November 01, 2010, 04:53:07 AM »
I vote for the 30-30 also.It has proven to be one of the best Handi calibers out there.Very accurate, minimal recoil and noise and can be loaded with any number of different bullets.I've even loaded up a bunch of 180grn round nose, and they will shoot under an inch at 100yds in my Handi. It's a rifle and calibre he will keep for life.
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Offline Gohon

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #18 on: November 01, 2010, 06:39:19 AM »
My preference would be the 30-30 as first choice, then the 44 mag and last the 357 mag.  If you hand load then I would go with the 357 mag bored to 357 max as first choice.  The 357 max will run right along side the 30-30 out to 150 yards and is already at 35 caliber in diameter.  I've never had a 243 Handi but there seems to be a lot of negative reports on the board about them.  First thing I would do is change the recoil pad to something like a Limbsaver type.  It is amazing how a good recoil pad can change the behavior of any rifle. 
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Offline BBF

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Re: Handi Help for son
« Reply #19 on: November 01, 2010, 12:54:04 PM »
my second post on this:
If you handload you could throw a 308 Win in the mix. It is no problem to download it to 30-30 level and once the kid grows up, so can the loads if need be.
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