Rifle Recommendation For A 10 Year Old

[truck driver]

It depends on how big he is now. I started out shooting my Grandfathers camel back single shot 12ga shot gun at ten and my first center fire rifle was a 30-30 Marlin. I had been shooting my Dad's 30-06 prior to getting the 30-30. Dad picked it up for $50 and was a lot of gun for the money back in the 1960's. Start him out shooting off hand so the recoil doesn't nail him or leaning over a bench seems to help with recoil also. I would rather site in the heavy kickers off the hood of my pick up truck than sitting at a bench.

 

[Darkhorse]

The first shotgun I ever shot was a Sweet Sixteen Browning. That was the lightest gun in the family and it pounded me for several years. My first shotgun was a 12 ga. pump.
Like Truckdriver, my first centerfire was a marlin 30 30, then a '06.
By the time I grew up recoil was not a factor.
However, I didn't start any of the kids or my wife like this. I started them with the .22, then the .243 and I think it worked out a lot better.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

An Update:
When I was a kid it was a simple matter of going out into the back 40 and bagging a deer, provided that your dad, uncle, granddad, mother etc. had taught you gun safety and marksmanship.
With the advent of Canadian Gun Control, there was an impact on the hunting regs. that I had forgotten about, as my kids grew up under the "old rules". Slipped in the legislation was a provision called "The Mentorship Program". Kids have to be in the accompaniment of the mentor and have to be within arms length. No more dropping a 14 year old off on a stand by himself with his own firearm to experience the hunt.

In light of this, it would appear that managed loads are the way my friend is planning to go.

So does anyone have any suggestions or recipes for a 30-06 "managed load"?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

H4895 and 125-150 grain Ballistic Tips.

 

[Wis65x55]

Does your friend reload? If the answer is no, the simple answer is 243 Winchester due to its availability. If the answer is yes, it could be 243 Winchester, 257 Roberts, 260 Remington or 7mm-08.
Keith

 

[C Broad Arrow]

no he does not reload.

 

[jmad_81]

I stacked up a lot of deer with a .243 and a 85gr Speer when I was young. Killed just as well as most anything else I have used since.

 

[NWBlacktail]

The only thing I don't like about the 243 is barrel life. For some reason, that's a pet peeve of mine. A reduced load with a 7-08, or 308 would be my ideal. 260 is also great if you reload.

Plenty of reduced loads for the old 30-06, but I'd keep with one of the short actions.

 

[Darkhorse]

The issue of barrel life intrigues me. I had a .243 for about 15 years and 3 of us hunted with this gun. It had uncounted numbers of rounds fired downrange. It shot just as good the last time I shot it as it did the first time.
I never knew the .243 was considered a barrel burner till I read that on another forum.
But I don't think it would be an issue for a hunting rifle.
Maybe it's a question of steel type with different barrels?

 

[highcotton]

My son started with a 260 REM when he was 9. It has been more than adequate on our SC whitetails. I've actually developed a bit of liking for it myself.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

The issue of barrel life intrigues me. I had a .243 for about 15 years and 3 of us hunted with this gun. It had uncounted numbers of rounds fired downrange. It shot just as good the last time I shot it as it did the first time.
I never knew the .243 was considered a barrel burner till I read that on another forum.
But I don't think it would be an issue for a hunting rifle.
Maybe it's a question of steel type with different barrels?

The 243 can be a barrel burner...but it doesn't have to be.

Use bullets no heavier than 90 grains with medium burn rate powders (4895-4350) and the barrel will last quite a while, a lifetime even...for hunting use.

But if a person starts loading any bullet weight with slow powders (RL22, Retumbo, H1000, etc.)...the 243 will eat up a barrel quite fast.

 

[Darkhorse]

I loaded 100 grain bullets for deer but the vast majority of shooting was target practice with lighter bullets. And I mean a lot of shooting. Low recoil and accurate, just the caliber to hone shooting skills from field positions.
Powder was IMR 3031 or IMR 4350, and I also loaded a good bit with Winchester Ball just can't remember which one right now.
Like I said, I wouldn't mind having another one.

 

[Guybo]

Like others have stated a 243 or 260 would fit the bill nicely. My daughter harvested her first two deer at age 9 with a 243 and a 95gr BT. At age 10 I stepped her up to a 260, shes 14 now and has been shooting it every since. It's a rem model 7 cdl and she loves that little rifle and has taken some nice deer with it. As already mentioned the 243 is plenty enough for deer and if you don't reload ammo would probably be easier to find than a 260. A reduced load 308 would also be good and that can be had in a factory load. No matter what caliber it's great to see kids getting involved in the sport of shooting and hunting. Good luck in your decision. Mike

 

[nvbroncrider]

A 257 Roberts would fit the bill or a 6.5X55 and they are a little more versatile in my opinion.