Seeking wisdom for teenage rifle

[kirk1978]

25-06 light recoil & flat shooting

Mine must be broken, it smacks you pretty good.

 

[J-pitch]

Still the 30-30 will forever be the standard for Oklahoma white tail deer. How many old timers have taken their first deer with a 30-30 and then moved on to other calibers just to try different calibers and actions.

 

[osu007]

Deer Hunting rifle for teen.

I have a teenager that enjoys hunting and has since about 9. I have hunted with a .223 rd for quite awhile and have had no problems downing a deer. Haven't wounded one yet. Given the success I have had with the .223 rd and its light kick, that is what I started my 9 year old off with. Again, so far no wounds. The problem I'm having with it for him however is that it doesn't leave a blood trail if needed.
He is now 14 and I'm thinking I need a bit larger round for him. I have a 30-.06 and a 30-30, but feel the 30-.06 maybe to much as he is a thin 14 year old, not much meat on his bones as my dad would say. Think of a physique more like a long distance runner and not a linebacker. I'm thinking even the 30-30 may be to much.

I have never shot a .270 round so I have no comparison on kick and I'm wondering how it might be compared to the 30-30. Thinking I could get him a .270 that he could use now and if he makes it through girls and college and still wants to hunt, give it to him as his officially and it can be used for most any game in the surrounding states that he may want to hunt.

Thoughts?

Deer Hunting rifle for teen.

I have a teenager that enjoys hunting and has since about 9. I have hunted with a .223 rd for quite awhile and have had no problems downing a deer. Haven't wounded one yet. Given the success I have had with the .223 rd and its light kick, that is what I started my 9 year old off with. Again, so far no wounds. The problem I'm having with it for him however is that it doesn't leave a blood trail if needed.
He is now 14 and I'm thinking I need a bit larger round for him. I have a 30-.06 and a 30-30, but feel the 30-.06 maybe to much as he is a thin 14 year old, not much meat on his bones as my dad would say. Think of a physique more like a long distance runner and not a linebacker. I'm thinking even the 30-30 may be to much.

I have never shot a .270 round so I have no comparison on kick and I'm wondering how it might be compared to the 30-30. Thinking I could get him a .270 that he could use now and if he makes it through girls and college and still wants to hunt, give it to him as his officially and it can be used for most any game in the surrounding states that he may want to hunt.

Thoughts?

Hello. 270 is a thumper. May I suggest a 6.5x55. Caliber is .264. Recoil is mild. Accuracy is superb. Ballistics are good. You can find some on gunbroker fairly priced. This caliber is used in Sweden to take moose. I have a military (1907) model that has taken numerous deer. At least read up about the Swedish Mauser. It will surprise you, and recoil is mild. Good luck and God Bless.

 

[User_3155]

7mm-08 been here done it got two t-shirts.

 

[Red Dirt Walker]

Not all deer or other critters leave a blood trail.
Buddy's dad shot one in the shoulder with a 150 gr 30-06 and the deer ran through the woods like it was never hit.
He called me and said they could not find the deer.
I asked it it was my handloads they used and he said yes and I asked him how far did you walk.

He said about 40 yards and no blood anywhere.
I said walk 80 or 100 yards in all directions.
He called back and said it was found at 80 yards and the shoulder was destroyed and meat hanging out but no blood until they rolled it over.

Sometimes that happens.
One reason I do not like shoulder shots.
But they found the deer so all is good.

Maybe make a note on where on the body of the deer they are being shot and the bang flop shots you witness try for those areas.

I have intentionally stuck the bullet behind the shoulder in the crease into the heart just to see how far the deer will go if it does run.
They seem to all run.
Forward facing into the chest and heart they crumple up and stay there.

Double lung shot some run some drop.

I do not know what bullet you are using but I am curious.
And curious as to where the deer get "poked".

The shots I prefer and have been able to take are almost always a broadside behind the shoulder so always hitting heart or lungs. So far my son has been fortunate enough to get the same luck. Sometimes its not 100% broadside so the opposite shoulder gets hit but always a lung or hear before that.

As for the bullets I don't use a specific brand or type, but this year it was Hornady Whitetail 60gr InterLock.

 

[swampratt]

As for the bullets I don't use a specific brand or type, but this year it was Hornady Whitetail 60gr InterLock.

That is a bit heavier and the same design lead tipped hornady SP bullet that I have used on deer.
the ones I used were the 55gr #2265.

I hate the performance of that bullet on deer from a .223 rifle or 5.56.
It mushrooms nicely but does not explode and create the trauma that the V-Max does.
2 deer shot with that 55gr bullet and both took off.
They ran for over 100 yards and no blood trail.
I sold all of them bullets and went V-Max.

 

[Model 70]

Personally, I feel the .270 has more kick than the 30-30. A .243 might be a better cartridge for that young man.

 

[CZFan]

My vote is 243. That is the caliber both of my daughters used. My second choice is 300 blackout.

 

[OKCShooter]

I bought sequential SN Seekins lowers for me and my Sons. They all have a fully built 5.56 AR with .22 conversions and .300blk uppers. Engraved with 1 of 3 and their initials along with our Family Crest.

3 guns on one platform and with individual personalization; they'll keep them forever...

So, my suggestion is a lower with a .300 upper for your Son. Plenty of power while also giving options for other Calibers.

 

[zackmac26]

I may not be a good person to weigh in here as my dad had me shooting 30-06 and .303 British at 8 or so. Man did my shoulder hurt, but it sure was some good times. I say see how he does at the range with the 30-06 or 30-30 and go from there.