6 ARC? 224 Valkyrie? …..??? For kids hunting AR?

[Elkeater]

So my oldest will be 10 next year meaning she's old enough to hunt deer in AZ. She's pretty small though. And does not like recoil. She has shot up to my 7-08ai and my 14lb .243win but she really enjoys my suppressed AR. She has used it on a exotic sheep already at short range. I personally have no issues using that little 5.56 on deer out to about 150 yards but here for coues deer she's going to need to be able to shoot out to at least 300 yards. She has already made hits my .243 out to 625 yards so she's capable. The question is if I stick with her preferred AR platform what cartridge do I use. Was thinking 6 ARC maybe, or 224 Valkyrie, or 22 Nosler would all be on the table. My other option is building out another bolt gun in a adjustable chassis in a light recoil round like a fast twist .22-250 or .243 but that gets expensive.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[bamban]

6 ARC.

I have the reamer for all three gas gun cartridges you mentioned. For kids I can spin up a barrel for them, pro bono. I happen to have a 6mm barrel already turned down to 1.00x straight. It's just a matter of chambering it and torque the barrel extension then finish the rest of the barrel for specific requirements; remaining contour, gas block size, gas port location, muzzle finish,...etc.

I will sell you the barrel for what I have in it, you can buy the barrel extension (BE) as all the BEs in the shop belong to the TX JRs Rifle Team. Have 20 barrels to finish for them.

If interested, send me a PM or better yet, email. [email protected]

 

[Frog4aday]

Agree, 6mm ARC.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I too would go 6mm ARC. But I would probably put in a Howa Mini action instead of the AR. I could be completely off base but, I think it would be much easier to learn proper fundamentals on a lighter, more stable & consistent platform.



t

 

[mtwarych]

Look around for a 6.5 Grendel and see if that fits your needs.

 

[Elkeater]

I too would go 6mm ARC. But I would probably put in a Howa Mini action instead of the AR. I could be completely off base but, I think it would be much easier to learn proper fundamentals on a lighter, more stable & consistent platform.



t

I agree with you that a Howa mini would be an excellent choice. But this is her rifle and for whatever reason she has taken a shine to the AR platform over others. I think it has something to do with the slow recoil impulse. She isn't a big kid either. She only weighs about 55lbs so the AR just fits better I think. She has shot my bolt guns without hesitation but on range days when asked which one to grab out of the safe it's always an AR. My son on the other hand will reach for the little single shot .300 blackout with subs in it and the suppressor attached every time. He doesn't like loud noises but loves plinking away at steel with the little 110gr subsonics.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I agree with you that a Howa mini would be an excellent choice. But this is her rifle and for whatever reason she has taken a shine to the AR platform over others. I think it has something to do with the slow recoil impulse. She isn't a big kid either. She only weighs about 55lbs so the AR just fits better I think. She has shot my bolt guns without hesitation but on range days when asked which one to grab out of the safe it's always an AR. My son on the other hand will reach for the little single shot .300 blackout with subs in it and the suppressor attached every time. He doesn't like loud noises but loves plinking away at steel with the little 110gr subsonics.

There's nothing wrong with that, we all have our preferences! With the AR platform a guarantee, I have to double down on my recommendation of 6mm ARC. The Valkyrie is awesome out of a bolt gun but can be incredibly finnicky out of an AR, for whatever reason.



t

 

[338 dude]

So my oldest will be 10 next year meaning she's old enough to hunt deer in AZ. She's pretty small though. And does not like recoil. She has shot up to my 7-08ai and my 14lb .243win but she really enjoys my suppressed AR. She has used it on a exotic sheep already at short range. I personally have no issues using that little 5.56 on deer out to about 150 yards but here for coues deer she's going to need to be able to shoot out to at least 300 yards. She has already made hits my .243 out to 625 yards so she's capable. The question is if I stick with her preferred AR platform what cartridge do I use. Was thinking 6 ARC maybe, or 224 Valkyrie, or 22 Nosler would all be on the table. My other option is building out another bolt gun in a adjustable chassis in a light recoil round like a fast twist .22-250 or .243 but that gets expensive.

Anyone have any thoughts?

6 arc would be perfect

 

[Elkeater]

Sounds like a solid consensus of 6 ARC. I'll be talking it over with the kid tonight. Thinking a 6 arc with a 20-24" barrel should be a good deer round. Might lean towards 20" since it'll no doubt be suppressed.

 

[bamban]

20 inch. 0.750 gas block journal, muzzle threaded 5/8x24.

 

[Elkeater]

20 inch. 0.750 gas block journal, muzzle threaded 5/8x24.

Talking with the kiddo right now about barrel length pros and cons.

 

[bamban]

Talking with the kiddo right now about barrel length pros and cons.

Awesome.

Typically inside the 12 inch handguard, our competition guns have straight 1.00x diameter for 12.125, then steps down to 0.750 for about 2 inches, then 0.748 the rest of the way.

If shooting off a bipod the NM configuration works well. Discuss with her about other possible contour. I've done just about all kinds of contour combination.

 

[okhunter86]

Neither of those you have mentioned have sufficient amounts of ammo available. Go 6.8 spc or 6.5 grendel. My oldest daughter killed everything with a 6.8 for years including 4 elk. It has more power within 300 yards than any you mentioned and/or the grendel. Ammo is surprisingly more available than 6.5 grendel.

 

[okhunter86]

PS - I love hunting with kids and started both my girls at 9. They hunt regularly and you are a great dad for doing so with yours. With all the kind heartedness in the world though, no 10 year old should be shooting at any game beyond 300 yards. Most grown experienced men shouldn't and don't and there are plenty of authorities to back me up. A good hunter is good because he or she gets closer. Yes, I've killed deer, elk, and antelope at much further. But, it's not very wise unless under the best of circumstances which rarely happens hunting and never happens with a 10 year old. 224 valk, 6 arc, and 6.5 grendel are great paper and steel punchers. Great for that, killing game, not so much. I've killed more animals, mostly hogs, with 7.62 x 39 than any other AR cartridge. It's fantastic with 123 Hornady SST's. And talk about quiet suppressed. If it has to be an AR, get a medium range game killing machine for now, 6.8 spc, 7.62 x 39, maybe 300blk though I'm not a big fan. I moved my lefty youngest up to a Thompson Encore 243 suppressed with barrel cut to 16" when she was 13. Recoil like .22 mag and way accurate. All she needs is one bullet. At 17 she now has a 308 barrel and I moved my 21 year old up to 6.5 Creedmoor. Take your time, teach how to hunt and how to get close, don't give them more gun than they need. Plus, starting with one I suggest gives you an excuse to move her to that 243, 308, or 6.5 later, and who doesn't need an excuse to buy your kids more guns. Just my two cents.