re: Thoughts on 25-06 as a youth gun?

We were using Hornsby SST 120 custom lite. We are now using Federal Fusion 140. Boys have taken 3 deer with no issues

I have my son shooting the SST120 and he lost deer with it last year, have you had the same problem?

thanks

I shot a .270 at 10 yrs old and recoil never bothered me

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We are now using Federal Fusion 140. Boys have taken 3 deer with no issues

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Exit wounds?

I have let my son shoot 4 with the SST custom lite too, not one exit wound. A behind the shoulder on a 80 lb doe, a behind the shoulder on a 100 lb spike...both we were fortunate to see them fall.

It is a bomb just inside the skin, but we are going to lose one soon if I don't get away from them.

The 25-06 is a fine thin skin big game hunting round (whitetail deer, mule deer, antelope, black bear, etc). In fact, when I bought my first big game gun as a teenager, my finalists were the 270 and the 25-06. ....I ended up w/ the 270. Having said that, I think there are better youth guns. Ballistically, the 25-06 and 270 are pretty similar as the 25-06 pushes a 120 gr bullet at nearly identical velociities as the 270's 130 grain bullet. For kids, I prefer to start shooting w/ a reduced recoil load. While there are reduced loads for the 270, there are none for the 25-06.

The question of gun recommendations for newbie hunter always brings a lot of opinions and suggestions. For AR guys, I'd suggest the 6.5 Grendel or 300 Blackout. In bolt guns I'd personally, I'd suggest a 260 Rem, 7-08, 308 Win, 270 Win or 30-06. The 6.5 Creedmore will work too, but I don't think the CM has reduced recoil loads yet. A reduced recoil load 308 Win has less recoil than does a full power 243. A short action round like the 7-08 (the 25-06 is a long action round) will always recoil less than a similar long action round because the short round uses less powder. You may want to look at a youth rifle. Be sure the gun/stock fits your son(s). Some gun makers, e.g Mossberg, make a youth rifle that has an adjustable length of pull by means of different thicknesses of the butt pad. If you get a regular youth rifle that can't be adjusted you can always later buy an adult stock as your son grows. Or you could add the the length of pull using a slip on recoil pad. The Axis looks to be a good gun. The only Mossberg bolt action I shot was very accurate. When shooting at the range, insist on them using both the foam ear plugs and ear muffs. Consider using a "sissy pad" (small sand bag between shoulder and recoil pad) at the range. Be sure the gun has a nice recoil pad (Limbsaver or Kick Eez are two than come to mind).

When my son was 10 years old I was faced w/ the same decision as you. I bought him a Savage bolt action (w/ the scope included) in 308 Win. I almost went w/ the 7-08, but this was before factory reduced recoil loads. I planned on making my own reduced loads and already had everything to do so w/ the 308, but not the 7-08, OTOH, fast forward 15 years later and I now have a 7-08 handgun. Last fall I bought a Thompson/Center Compass in 7-08 for a "grand child's" deer rifle. From my experience, the 7-08 kills deer very well using conventional bullets at reduced velocities.

Congratulations on being involved w/ your child. I'm sure you'll have innumerable fond memories as I do from hunting w/ my son.

Another vote for a 7mm08. My son is deadly with his.

I’d like one for myself.

That is the worst bullet made. Not a knock on your choice, I bought them too. Find another.

My boy is four for four but we were lucky

It will bury a hog though.

As mentioned, 30-30 is great.

Most 06 rounds are a little more sharp on the recoil side. 7-08, 308, 6.5 cr. Would be my choice. Close to if not better energy, with less recoil.

My son has killed 5 with the Custom Lite 120 grain. 2 have run after the shot and neither went 50-60 yards at the very most. We have had good luck with the round so far. Maybe we are just got lucky?