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Started By
Message
better rifle for a 12 year old?
Posted on 7/15/22 at 12:51 pm
Posted on 7/15/22 at 12:51 pm
I plan to bring my 12 year old deer hunting this fall. I have a Winchester 30-30 lever action and a ruger mini 14 223. he has not shot either gun yet but will soon. what does the OB think would be the better gun for him to begin hunting with?
20
Posted on 7/15/22 at 12:57 pm to lsuCJ5
quote:
Winchester 30-30
This, assuming it shoots decently.
.223 is an experts caliber, not a beginners. At 12 years old recoil won't be a factor from either one.
Posted on 7/15/22 at 1:10 pm to lsuCJ5
243
Great gun for a beginner
Deadly accurate up to 300 yds
of the two you have id go 30-30
Great gun for a beginner
Deadly accurate up to 300 yds
of the two you have id go 30-30
This post was edited on 7/15/22 at 1:13 pm
Posted on 7/15/22 at 1:18 pm to Tic44
80% of your responses will be the 7mm08 or the greatest latest 6.5 cripplemore.
Posted on 7/15/22 at 1:27 pm to lsuCJ5
Do both of them have scopes? If so get him shooting the mini-14 since bullets are cheaper and more readily available. Get him comfortable shooting it out to 100yd if you can. Let him shoot the 30-30 a few times to get familiar with it and then hunt with the 30-30.
If you have to use the .223 make sure you have some good hunting bullets and not fmj. Federal fusions are deadly out to 150yds
If you have to use the .223 make sure you have some good hunting bullets and not fmj. Federal fusions are deadly out to 150yds
Posted on 7/15/22 at 1:29 pm to lsuCJ5
quote:
deer hunting
quote:
223
Not the best choice
Posted on 7/15/22 at 1:47 pm to lsuCJ5
30-30 and let them shoot the reduced recoil and get a slip on kick pad for the stock(something like the limb saver). You can get the reduced recoil in 165 grain and it takes a lot of the kick out. A .223 is for an accurate shooter not a kid. They have no margin for error with a .223.
Posted on 7/15/22 at 1:51 pm to lsuCJ5
quote:
ruger mini 14 223
I killed my first deer with a Ranch Rifle.
That said, the 30-30 is a better deer caliber.
I started shooting a .270 about that age, flirted with a 300 mag during high school and college when I was full of piss and vinegar. I went back to my old .270 in my mid 20's.
I guess what I am saying is the 30-30 would be my choice of what you have available. At 12 years old you could begin thinking about buying him a good caliber deer rifle he'll use for the rest of his life though. Like a .270, 30-06, etc.
Posted on 7/15/22 at 2:11 pm to lsuCJ5
My 4 year old daughter has a .270 and loves it. She says it barely kicks at all
Posted on 7/15/22 at 5:02 pm to Atlas_Shrugged
30-30 all day just make sure he can de-cock it after working the lever.
Posted on 7/15/22 at 5:11 pm to lsuCJ5
A bolt action will be safer than the two you have.
Posted on 7/15/22 at 5:27 pm to AP83
quote:
30-30 and let them shoot the reduced recoil
Good luck finding
Posted on 7/15/22 at 5:41 pm to lsuCJ5
.30-.30
It's more forgiving than .223 if the shot placement is a little off.
It's more forgiving than .223 if the shot placement is a little off.
Posted on 7/15/22 at 9:52 pm to lsuCJ5
quote:
30-30 and let them shoot the reduced recoil and get a slip on kick pad for the stock(something like the limb saver).
Good advice.
Posted on 7/16/22 at 2:09 am to TigerOnThe Hill
I do not recommend a lever action for kids.
Posted on 7/16/22 at 8:27 am to lsuCJ5
Of those two I’d start with the Ruger. Caliber is right if he is on target and the recoil won’t intimidate him. Better safety mechanism too for an impatient and forgetful 12 yr old.
I started my son on a Weatherby Vanguard 7mm-08 and it came with an adult stock do when he outgrew the smaller stock. The gun is relatively inexpensive, available and comes with a 1” MOA guaranty. He shot his first deer with it at 8 yrs old.
I started my son on a Weatherby Vanguard 7mm-08 and it came with an adult stock do when he outgrew the smaller stock. The gun is relatively inexpensive, available and comes with a 1” MOA guaranty. He shot his first deer with it at 8 yrs old.
Posted on 7/16/22 at 9:30 am to Matt225
quote:
do not recommend a lever action for kids
Hes almost high school age. Many of us were shooting exposed hammer guns at 5 years old.
Posted on 7/16/22 at 9:32 am to lsuCJ5
At 12 I dont think it matters, he should be good to go with any caliber you hand him.
Mine started with a 7mm08. I would choose the one he handles and shoulders best at the range or out shooting.
ETA: Sorry, but a .223 isnt a caliber to shoot a deer with, so the 30/30
Mine started with a 7mm08. I would choose the one he handles and shoulders best at the range or out shooting.
ETA: Sorry, but a .223 isnt a caliber to shoot a deer with, so the 30/30
This post was edited on 7/16/22 at 9:34 am
Posted on 7/16/22 at 9:44 am to lsuCJ5
My son killed his first deer at 8 years old with my Marlin 30-30 at 70 yards. I have killed many other with it as well. Skip the reduced recoil bs and just shoot 150 gr bullets and he will be fine.
Posted on 7/16/22 at 12:24 pm to lsuCJ5
I had a .270 at 10 years old
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