Been kinda kicking around the idea of getting a youth rifle for my boy. I've got a year or 3 before I think he will really be ready though. I think I've narrowed it down to the CZ 527 youth. Just can't decide between the 223 or 7.62X39. I know the 223 will kick a lot less. I'm just not real big on a 223 for deer. I do reload so I can load some heavier bullets for it. By that thinking I could down load some cast bullets or round nose that will preform at low velocities for the 7.62 and reduce the recoil. I doubt he will ever shoot anything over 100 yds for quite some time. I know someone out there has experience with these calibers. Help me out guys, what's your thoughts on it?
My daughter is tiny, she weight 60 lbs when she shot her first deer and maybe 80 now at 11. She uses my ar-15, in .223. i use the hornady 60 grain bullets, and has killed two deer so far. We are in central Oklahoma and usually dont have shots over 100 yards. She killed one deer at 10 yards, and the other at 100 yards.
The ar is heavy for her, but really no kick. She only shoots from a shooting stick. But the plus side is retractable stock.
Hope this helps.
The ar is heavy for her, but really no kick. She only shoots from a shooting stick. But the plus side is retractable stock.
Hope this helps.
All three of my boys shot their first deer with a Rossi .223 (soft nose 55gr). All three were dead within 75 yards. They did not bleed much but they died quickly. Over the past 4 years that rifle has killed 7 deer. The only one that left any type of blood trail was when i had him aim as close to the "arm pit" as possible and the blew the ribs apart and that doe left a red streak 150 yards long and 6" wide. So the .223 will work just need to make a good shot and dont count on a very good blood trail.
I have now moved 2 of the 3 to a .243 and they love them.
I have now moved 2 of the 3 to a .243 and they love them.
I would pick the 300 blackout all day.
I bought my son a .223 fir his first, and it's been perfect.
30-30 lever action perhaps? Shot my Dad's for the first time when I was about 8.
Not sure a semi-auto is a good idea for a first gun (given the excitement of a first kill), but maybe that's just me.
Not sure a semi-auto is a good idea for a first gun (given the excitement of a first kill), but maybe that's just me.
If you have absolutely narrowed it down to either .223 or 7.62x39, I say go with the 7.62. There's not much recoil anyway, and you can always load them down. The chances of an exit wound/blood trail are much better with the larger diameter bullet. Neither would be my first choice. I would vote for a .243, .260 Remington, or 7mm-08. And, I would not go with a semi-auto. But, that's just me.
