Rifle for my daughter

Hoven · #1 04-13-2018, 12:01 PM

I am looking to get my 13 and14 year old daughters new rifles. They both currently shoots a 22 at the range with me but I want to step it up a bit.

My oldest shoots left handed so that limits my options a fair bit. And I also want them to be the same rifle other then ones left handed and ones right handed.

I really like the look of the Remington 700 SPS Varmint. and it comes in both left and right hand. They have the heavy barrel and are 8.5 pounds so that will help with the felt recoil.

the issue I am having is finding a left hand model in a 243. I have been able to find a 308 but I'm not sure if that will be a bit much for them. They are both pretty small girls so I am concerned about the kick.

Has anyone shot this gun in a 308, and if so how was the recoil on it?

Any other suggestions on rifles for kids?

thanks,

Hogie135 · #2 04-13-2018, 12:34 PM

8.5 pound rifle plus scope on top is a pretty heavy rifle in my opinion. When my step daughter was 13 I started her off on a savage axis in 243. That's where I would look. They come in both left and right handed.

Digger1 · #3 04-13-2018, 12:46 PM

Do you need to go .308? Something like 6.5x55 at 8.25 lbs has little recoil and can knock over most things edible. Nosler ammo runs same speed as the Creedmoor. Our .243 at 7.25 lbs is also quite manageable. Just my observances from a house with 4 young ladies.

Hoven · #4 04-13-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger1

Do you need to go .308? Something like 6.5x55 at 8.25 lbs has little recoil and can knock over most things edible. Nosler ammo runs same speed as the Creedmoor. Our .243 at 7.25 lbs is also quite manageable. Just my observances from a house with 4 young ladies.

No, I don't need a 308, I don't actually even want one. I want to get them the 243 but I cant find that specific rifle in the 243.

Hogie135 · #5 04-13-2018, 01:42 PM

if its strictly for the range why not .223? That would be a bit cheaper on ammo would it not?

Big Sky · #6 04-13-2018, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogie135

if its strictly for the range why not .223? That would be a bit cheaper on ammo would it not?

Hogie beat me to it.

Not sure of the yardage at your range, but a 223 can certainly provide practise at reasonable distances. A 223 is effective on gophers and coyotes if they ever decide that they want to try that.

I'd reallly look at a Tikka in one of the 'Lite' configurations. Recoil will be insignificant with a 223, unlike your experience with the 7mag. It would make a nice light weight rifle for your girls to handle.

silver lab · #7 04-22-2018, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoven

No, I don't need a 308, I don't actually even want one. I want to get them the 243 but I cant find that specific rifle in the 243.

There was a nice little M7 in 243win on here or on Canadian gun nutz for $550 with a scope. If I were you this is what I would start off with and the price is right.

Jerry D · #8 04-22-2018, 06:47 PM

I'd look at the browning micro.

I've been eyeing those for my boys when they are old enough.

I'm pretty certain I would choose a .243 when they are young. When they are 18 they can choose to buy whatever they want. Lots of room for them to go "larger" and good for coyote hunting and deer hunting and targets.

I'd be looking at something no more than 7lbs bare. That's my go to weight for a rifle and they are younger/smaller so lighter may be better.

Depending on what hunting your doing a .223 might be an option as well.

6.5 shooter · #9 04-13-2018, 12:48 PM

I would never start any kid out with a .308 ( let the howls of recoil loving masses begin)...The .308 kicks, causing young shooters to start having issues with recoil and developing a flinch which NEVER goes away.....

The .243/6mm group of cartridges are fine, fairly mild recoil but you do loose a bit of "put down" energy with a less then perfect shot.

The smaller members of the 6.5 mm family of cartridges is IMHO the best, good knock down power and easy on the shoulder.

The smaller 7mm cartridges like 7mm-08 are also pretty user friendly but they to have more recoil then the other 2 mentioned above.

wwbirds · #10 04-13-2018, 12:53 PM

would transfer more recoil to a young lady and I would avoid making them carry a heavy rifle. 30 calibre is unnecessary, expensive to feed and can develop bad shooting habits. 243 cant go wrong. Upgrade to 270 or 30 calibre when they have lots of experience at 18 or 20. they will be better shooters because of it.

gerrygoat · #11 04-13-2018, 01:02 PM

Take a good look at the Tikka T3, comes in both left and right hand. For cartridges the 243, 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08 would be good, maybe even a 25-06. My wife and I are both lefties and have found the Tikka to be excellent, today again my wife told me how much she loves her LH T3 Lite in 6.5x55 (the 6.5x55 is great if you can find one and handload, very accurate and very little recoil).

Hoven · #12 04-13-2018, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerrygoat

Take a good look at the Tikka T3, comes in both left and right hand. For cartridges the 243, 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08 would be good, maybe even a 25-06. My wife and I are both lefties and have found the Tikka to be excellent, today again my wife told me how much she loves her LH T3 Lite in 6.5x55 (the 6.5x55 is great if you can find one and handload, very accurate and very little recoil).

I got a Tikka T3 when they first came out in a 7mm and that thing kicked like a mule so I had a break put on it, then I hated it even more. I still have the gun it's the one I lend out to people wanting to get into hunting/shooting because I dont care if it comes back damaged or not. haha

I have heard a lot of great things about the newer ones and obviously know a 243 isn't going to kick like a 7mm but I just cant wrap my head around the idea of another Tikka.

JTRED · #13 04-13-2018, 08:17 PM

I bought my girls(at the time 12 and 14) a Savage axis youth chambered in 7mm-08rem. Fits them and they both shoot it very well. Very light recoil(neither are over 5'3" or 110lbs) and an effective caliber. My youngest girl took a nice 4 point white tail buck last season, but I would not hesitate hunting elk or moose with it. It shoots a variety of factory offerings very well but likes 139gr bullets best, Interlock and Gmx from Hornady. I packed it along on a few back pack trips into the mountains for alpine mule deer, with a 20" barrel, shortened LOP, and a short action it is fully 3.5" shorter than my other hunting rifles. Makes a real difference strapped to the pack.

Hoven · #14 04-13-2018, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6.5 shooter

I would never start any kid out with a .308 ( let the howls of recoil loving masses begin)...The .308 kicks, causing young shooters to start having issues with recoil and developing a flinch which NEVER goes away.....

The .243/6mm group of cartridges are fine, fairly mild recoil but you do loose a bit of "put down" energy with a less then perfect shot.

The smaller members of the 6.5 mm family of cartridges is IMHO the best, good knock down power and easy on the shoulder.

The smaller 7mm cartridges like 7mm-08 are also pretty user friendly but they to have more recoil then the other 2 mentioned above.

I agree with the 308 being a bit to much. thats why I wanted the 243 but I cant seem to find the gun anywhere.

Hoven · #15 04-13-2018, 01:23 PM

Thank you for the responses.

I guess I should clarify a bit more. Neither one of them have any interest in hunting, I've tried. The gun will strictly be for at a range unless things change. I was considering the 22-250 however if one day they ever do decide to try hunting I'd like to avoid having to buy another gun.

Jack fish hunter · #16 04-22-2018, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoven

Thank you for the responses.

I guess I should clarify a bit more. Neither one of them have any interest in hunting, I've tried. The gun will strictly be for at a range unless things change. I was considering the 22-250 however if one day they ever do decide to try hunting I'd like to avoid having to buy another gun.

If they just want to shoot look at a .223. You can buy surplus ammunition a lot cheaper then a 22-250

Jeron Kahyar · #17 04-22-2018, 08:42 PM

A pair of used Ruger M77 would fit the bill in my opinion. You can get them left handed in 25 or 243 caliber. They are a little hevier but still light enough to carry in the field as well.

colroggal · #18 04-22-2018, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeron Kahyar

A pair of used Ruger M77 would fit the bill in my opinion. You can get them left handed in 25 or 243 caliber. They are a little hevier but still light enough to carry in the field as well.

Yup. But the 25-06 really needs a 24 inch tube. A 44 inch rifle might be a bit much for some kids to handle. It's a shame the 25wssm never caught on. Probably the perfect youth cartridge for beanfield work.

Colin

8x68S · #19 04-24-2018, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoven

I am looking to get my 13 and14 year old daughters new rifles. They both currently shoots a 22 at the range with me but I want to step it up a bit.

My oldest shoots left handed so that limits my options a fair bit. And I also want them to be the same rifle other then ones left handed and ones right handed.

I really like the look of the Remington 700 SPS Varmint. and it comes in both left and right hand. They have the heavy barrel and are 8.5 pounds so that will help with the felt recoil.

the issue I am having is finding a left hand model in a 243. I have been able to find a 308 but I'm not sure if that will be a bit much for them. They are both pretty small girls so I am concerned about the kick.

Has anyone shot this gun in a 308, and if so how was the recoil on it?

Any other suggestions on rifles for kids?

thanks,

Prophet River has several brands of "lefty" rifles:
http://store.prophetriver.com/search...rom=&price_to=

Bartons Big Country also has left handed stock:
https://www.bartonsbigcountry.ca/fir...anded.html?p=1

Tradeex has some new Zastava's in 6.5x55. Great starter calibre.

amosfella · #20 04-25-2018, 12:20 AM

You might also look into CZ in 6.5 grendal. It's a 7.62x39 case necked down to 6.5. CZ uses their 527 small action for it.

brendan's dad · #21 04-25-2018, 07:35 AM

I picked up a T3 in 260 remington and found a used factory T3 stock for $50. Reduced the LOP to 13", filled with low expansion window foam, and installed a limbsaver recoil pad. Loaded some 85 grain sierras and the recoil is almost nothing. Loaded some 130 grain Accubonds and they are also very pleasant to shoot.

cody j · #22 04-25-2018, 07:41 AM

At the High Prairie show Barton's had a left hand X bolt micro Midas in 243

FellSwoop · #23 04-25-2018, 08:42 PM

When my daughter was 14, I got her a Cooey in 308 from a fellow AO member. She had previously shot my Enfield without difficulty. She started with reduced recoil loads and still sometimes uses them but has no difficulty with federal 165 grain nosler partition. It is a heavier rifle which reduces the recoil but now she has something that she can use for moose or elk in the future. The lower cost allowed me to buy her a quality scope (Cabellas Meopta) for it. This worked for us.