Recoil comparison?

[nixsrs93]

All,

I am considering a rifle for my three children to take their first deer(s) with.  Can you look at the list below and let me know if I have the recoil on the calibers ranked correctly?  I am assuming a 7 lb scoped rifle and at least a 100 grain bullet:

lightest recoil

243 win
7-30 waters
257 roberst
260 rem
25-06
7mm-08
308

Most recoil

Any thoughts as to the best caliber for little ones?

[oso45-70]

nixsrs93

You didn't say how old or what the size the children was.assuming they 14 or 15 some where in that age and size probably the 7-30 waters would do the job. If they a little larger the 7mm 08 would be good it has been a long time since i needed a reduced fifle..........Joe..........

[nixsrs93]

Sorry I forgot to say.  My oldest is only 5 years old, but I am thinking ahead.  I know it will only be a bb gun for now and maybe a few shots with a 22 rimfire.  However, a lot of kids in the southeast have taken a deer by the time they are 8-10.  My nephew took a nice 80lb doe at 7 years old.  He took his first with a reduced load in a 243 win rifle.  

Mostly I am just getting prepared, and looking forward to hunting with my children.

[dharvey]

My brother and I had the same question with our kids. Here is what we ended up with... a .243, a .260, and a 7mm-08. Both of our sons started shooting when they were about 8 and none had a problem with the recoil out of any of these rifles. Out of the three, my favorite is the .260. I bought a Ruger M77 Stainless with composite stock so I wouldn't be too worried about it getting dinged up. It is a very sweet shooting rifle and is deadly for deer with Remington premium ammo with a 120 grain Accutip. On days my son doesn't go with me, I take his gun instead of mine! On another note, my oldest son started shooting my .280 Model 70 Featherweight with a Boss when he was about 12. The recoil never bothered him with the boss and recoil isn't much more significant than the 7mm-08. Also, the .280 is a lot more versatile cartridge once they get older and start considering larger game.

Here's a picture of my son with his .260.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/tre_prentice/Nick.jpg

[mountainview]

Nix, how the rifle fits each of yer young uns will also play a role. Your listing appears generally correct but if a rifle does not fit the shooter, even some of the "lighter" calibers can feel like bruisers to shoot. As noted earlier, some kids don't mind recoil others intensely dislike it so there are a lot of subjective factors you may want to consider. If you do run into a problem, read the following.

I was in a similar situation awhile back with my son. I got him a 7-08 thinking it was a good deer round without him risking loose dental work at the range in a 7 lb scoped rig. Au contraire, darn thing makes my 30-06 feel positively timid given the stock contour plus the lad refused to practice with it. Got him one of the PAST recoil shields. Now he thinks it is a lot of fun to shoot through an entire box. There are also some very good recoil pads though they are bit pricier with installation figured in.

[PEPAW]

I have two little ones myself and have spent considerable time guessing what I will do for our smaller TX whitetails.
My 10 year old son will probably use a shortened .243 this year for his first buck.  He has taken 3 does with a .222.    Then I plan on his stepping up to a .270 with recoil managed loads until he can handle my .260.   My wife (very small) took her first 3 deer with a .243 and this year will be moved a .257.  
It is all about fit and recoil pad.   All my pads are being replaced to the biggest Pachmayr or Simms after the stocks are trimmed.
And earplugs WITH headphones.

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

pepaw

[Andy2590]

My first rifle for deer was a 308.  I was 11 at the time, and although the recoil was heavy, it wasn't very bad.  If I went through 20 rounds at the range my shoulder would be a little sore, but not enough to make me not want to shoot.  I'm 15 now and have no problem shooting it.

[Lawdog]

All,

I am considering a rifle for my three children to take their first deer(s) with.  Can you look at the list below and let me know if I have the recoil on the calibers ranked correctly?  I am assuming a 7 lb scoped rifle and at least a 100 grain bullet:

lightest recoil

243 win
7-30 waters
257 roberst
260 rem
25-06
7mm-08
308

Most recoil

Any thoughts as to the best caliber for little ones?

In rifles that weight about 7 lbs. the recoil should be about as follows;

243 win - 10 lbs.
7-30 waters - 11 1/2 10 lbs.
257 roberst - 10 1/2 10 lbs.
260 rem - 14 1/2 10 lbs.
25-06 - 16 10 lbs.
7mm-08 15 1/2 10 lbs.
308 - 17 10 lbs.

Of course all the above are approximate and will vary according to load used.  This is just to give you a guide point to start from.  Personally go with the .257 Roberts loaded with 100 Barnes TSX and you won’t go wrong.  Lawdog