I have a new hunter with me this year. I'm using a 243( bolt face gives more options for the future). I shot the Hornady light recoil ammo and the recoil was on par with a 223. That was from a tikka with no brake. Really impressed.
Looking for some input and ideas for daughters first rifle.
- Thread starter R.C.Saul
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1969GTOnut
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2010
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I built my daughter a 300 blackout and she loves it. No recoil(ar15 platform) and drops whitetail at 250 yards. So far so much better than a .223/5.56 for deer knockdown power. The problem we had with the .223 was no exit hole and no blood to trail. She blew the heart to pieces in 1 deer and liquified the lungs on another but they still ran 75-100 yards. With the blackout 10 yards and down.
SnowbirdUT
Well-Known Member
i have twin 18 year old girls. I built 2 270 WSMs for them. I suppressed both rifles because their ears are not damaged like mine. Both rifles are soft shooters yet effective at medium to longer range (800 yards) on elk. Both girls have used my 300 RUM as well. One of my girls shot her first buck with my 300 RUM (I failed to get her rifle sighted in in time).
Unfortunately, they are both at school and I wasn't able to take them hunting this year.
Females are very good shots if encouraged. My daughters are more disciplined than my son (although my son is a good shot as well and he still hunts).
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Lee Goodwin
Well-Known Member
After the 223 I would go to 243. Accurate with pleasant recoil. Lots of rifles and lots of inexpensive ammo. Easy to reload for as it is very forgiving. You can legally hunt elk in Oregon with a 6mm. It is rifle caliber you like to practice with, much like the 223.
My girs were both started with 260 rem. Better performance then 6.5 creed if you handload. Not new, not fancy but it sure performs without hurting shooter.
My girl( live in grandbaby) shoots a 223 Wylde right now... I also have a Remington model 7 youth in 260 Remington stashed for when she gets a bit bigger...I think a Grendel build would be perfect... Good ballistics and doesn't recoil much... Plus...accuracy is there
I would give it some time to be sure she's still interested at ~8-YO before spending all that money; who knows what components or cartridges would be available in 5-7 years. But, if you want a rifle project now that "you" could potentially pass on to her, then that's different.
Orange Dust
Well-Known Member
I still think any one of the 6-223 wildcats is the best option for now. I would use 55gr Ballistic tips for Deer and the lightest solid copper hp you can find for hogs. Get them close. You can increase bullet wt a little every year. Enjoy every minute with your daughter. They grow up so fast. Start them out young, show them success and they will hunt with Daddy whenever they can, even after they have kids of their own.
I have a 223AI, 6-223AI, and a 25/223 on bolt actions they are great little rounds and perfect for low recoil killing rifles.
My 6/223AI has a 22" barrel and pushes a 75gr north of 3000 fps pretty easy. I haven't gotten that serious with it yet mostly just use it for blasting pdogs. I have been thinking about chopping it down to 18" and threading it for the can.
The 25/223 has a 23.5" barrel and spits a 110gr accubond at 2700fps and has killed several antelope.
My 6/223AI has a 22" barrel and pushes a 75gr north of 3000 fps pretty easy. I haven't gotten that serious with it yet mostly just use it for blasting pdogs. I have been thinking about chopping it down to 18" and threading it for the can.
The 25/223 has a 23.5" barrel and spits a 110gr accubond at 2700fps and has killed several antelope.
It comes with a removable spacer that reduces the LOP, but not quite enough for a very small child. I had a chassis that allowed the LOP to be reduced enough for anyone, but now he has gotten big enough to go with the factory compact stock (for lighter weight, now that he totes it himself).
Full house factory loads in it are attention-getting and probably flinch-inducing for a kid less than, say, 75 pounds.
But, with a jug of H4895, a whole new world opens up. With reduced loads + soft bullets, in our case 147 ELDM, you get good terminal performance at close ranges, with little recoil. His rifle shoots the 147's plenty accurate enough anywhere between 2000-2700 FPS. The lower end of that range has fairly low recoil, even in the little compact Tikka. If it wasn't low enough, you could always load some subs with Trail Boss powder, or do H4895 with a lighter bullet. It would be absolutely no problem to duplicate 6.5 Grendel loads, but you still retain the ability to step up to full power.
diamonddave2
Well-Known Member
I'd recommend, as an alternative to your bolt action idea, a T/C Contender or Encore. This switch barrel single shot has the ability to be a rimfire, shotgun, centerfire rifle, muzzleloader, or a pistol. Different stocks can adjust for growth. They are light and accurate. If shot my Contender 7 TCU in competitions. Very accurate.
Orange Dust
Well-Known Member
We start them so young in the South they never have an opportunity to know any different. Girls, Boys, doesn't matter. They are old enough to wipe their own butt, they are big enough to go shooting and hunting with Daddy. They get to shoot when they are shooting well enough to hit what they are aiming at with no help. Age is irrelevant. They get to go hunting as an observer as young as they are willing to go. Just for a few minutes at a time. This is best done at midday between real hunts.
cowboy dave
New Member
Any of the calibers are good choices but it all comes down to recoil and what she is going to be comfortable with. I have a .300 Blackout and love it but my friend swears by the 6.5 Grendel. I usually borrow a rifle in the caliber I am interested in and take it for a spin to see if I like it or not.
257 Roberts
