Silent Sam
Handloader
- Dec 22, 2010
- 294
- 0
Well I won't make a caliber suggestion as you have a lot of good ones already other than to say the Bob has been "dying" for about 60 yrs. I went through the same process with my son a few years ago and this is what I have learned. Recoil level is important but wasn't THE most important thing. Fit and proper technique matter more as you can look at recoil energy #s but you can't calculate perceived recoil for anyone but yourself, especially so with kids. I did insist he always wear double hearing protection as I believe muzzle report and blast can have a big impact on the uninitiated and impressionable. I would add it should be easy to carry. I also took into account the rambunctious nature of my son. He had a decided tendency to prove to his dad that he could do things that I recommended he should avoid if possible. I figured that whatever he was carrying would be dropped and banged around and possibly arrive in a cold winter stream at some point before he figured things out for himself. As it turned out I my knowledge of my son held true and he and his rifle ended up soaked. He not only learned how cold a winter stream can be, he also learned how cold it is when you get out. Once I got him back where it was warm and dry he also seems to have learned how humiliating it can be sitting around in someone's else's house naked, wrapped in towels tearing down his rifle and putting it back together while his brother continuously chastised him as only a brother can do. I'm also sure his brother figured out he wouldn't want to be in a position where the roles were reversed. You may not have that problem with your daughter. Having said all that the rifle was an inexpensive plastic stocked blue Savage in 243 that required some detailed care to keep signs of corrosion at bay, especially after being submerged. Another valuable lesson he learned well. He still has that rifle and understands now why he wasn't carrying an heirloom piece. He'll likely end up with whatever rifles he wants out of dad's collection when that time comes. I don't know what rifle he will value the most as he gets older. That's for him to figure out I guess. More important than the tools are the memories. Just like fishing, if you don't catch anything it quickly loses its appeal to young ones. Good luck to you and your daughter.