I was in Gander Mountain the other day and noticed some good prices on some youth rifles that interested me for my son but am a little leary of the caliber. What they had were youth sized- looked like a Handi-rifle in .308. I liked the looks and the versatility that it would bring, but isn't that a pretty high caliber in a youth stock? Would the kick be a killer for a young one?

Depends on the physical aspects of the kid, coach. His age plays a big part, too, but if the child is large for his age, the .308 would be a pretty good round.

When determining the size of round for a young hunter/shooter, in my opinion, depends on what he's comfortable with right now. If he/she can pull a bead on a .410 shotgun with 3" high-brass and not complain, but rather enjoy the shooting, they would do well with a 30-30 or .308 or equal round.

Has your son ever complained about shooting a .410 or 20 GA or anything of that nature?

He has a 20 ga that he is starting to shoot pretty well.

Then a .308 won't bother him at all.

I can only give my opinion, since I didn't do an actual scientific study... ... but when I got my boys their first 30-30, I didn't tell them anything about how it kicks or don't kick. I just told them to stick with the technique I had taught them for other guns. They made the transition as easy as if it had been a .22.

How about you start with a 243 or 25-06 may 7mm-08 not a 308 thats alot of rifle to start with... My 8 year old daughter shoots a 243 and I wouldn't put anything bigger in her hand till she's REALLY comfortable with that yet she also shots a youth 20 gauge

Orn nailed it when he said that it depends on the size of the child. My 8 year old Grandson shoots a 222. He's big for his age but can't hold the gun steady without a rest.

MY 6 YEAR OLD SON HAS A REMINGTON 410 AND HE LOVES IT HE WANTS TO SHOT MORE THAN ME

I have worked with calibers for both of my nephews. Both started hunting deer when they where 7 and 6 years old. the oldest started out with a 22 hornet/410 @ 7, moved to a .243/20gauge @ 8, stayed there until he was 10, then used .30-06 on buffalo hunt and after that in his opinion was he can handle it all. My younger nephew at age 6 last year used 22 Savage High Power/410 this year @ 7 he will use a 44 mag out of a 788 for deer, still stuck with the 410 this season. I would keep the calibers as low as possible until the child starts to inquire about stepping up. The .308 seems to much to me but like stated before size does play a part or if the kid wants to step up to the challange. In most instances the child is thrilled with the power and there is no problem or he they give you that no! no! No! look. Always a proud moment for the adult when success happens. I can't wait for niece to age a few more years. She does not know it but a Pink laminated Cricket has already been aquired and just waiting for that day.

The 308 is one of the most accurate calibers in the Handi Rifle line.

If you get some of the Remington managed recoil ammo for him to use, and a good recoil pad he will be fine.

Shouldn't kick any worse than a .243!

Another trick to reduce recoil in a lightweight rifle, is to add some weights in the bolt hole of the stock under the butt pad.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-Recoil.asp

Jimbo's right, managed recoil loads are the way to go if he can't handle regular 308 loads. I also hear Federal has reduced recoil loads and is loading one with the Fusion bullet in 308.

I would stay with a bolt rifle, the accuracy of the NEF at least in the .223 is lacking.

Here is a couple pictures of youth rifle just put together for my nine year old daughter.
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It is a .243 Remington SPS Youth with Zeiss 3x9x40 with LW Low Talley one piece rings.

JMO, but I think that a 243 is perfect. You can start them out on it young and take just about anything with it.

BMD, I got that same gun for my son. I put a Leupold VXII 3x9 40 on it. How do you like your's so far? We just got ours sited in this past weekend, so have not put to much range time in yet.

I think it is a great gun for somone getting started and will last a life time. My son loves the R3 recoil pad

Took it to the range for the first time today and it shot three shot groups under a half inch. Kinda of tricky shooting it with short stock, and think I am going to have the trigger lightened, other than that couldnt be happier with it.

That's the same .243 my daughter shoots ans she loves it I went for Burris optics in a 3X9X40 we have had it about a year and she has shot a bobcat and a 60 pound pig with it. I couldn't be happier... To be honest I've packed it on a varmit hunt myself and it's a great gun

My son shootes the Remmngton 610 in 6mm. Called the mohawk, great gun for kids, short stock and barrel, with medium to light calibers.

My daughter(15) is shooting a remington 600 in 243 also called a mohawk with great results.Last year after trying her mothers 270 at the range they are fighting over it.I see an addition to our family on the horizon lol

Like Big Orn said , it all depends on the kid,my daughter will shoot anything from a 22 to a 338( or bigger) and she has been doing that since she was 8 or 9 she is now 20 and still the same. Recoil bothers some and doesnt others. She likes guns in the .270 range but has never failed to to shoot good with any gun. This is probably unusual for a young girl but some are just tougher than others.

Everyone has some great advice. If your son can handle a .410 or 20 shotty then he will have no problem with heading up to a .243. Personally I would recommend a 7mm-08. This was my first rifle that I stepped upto after using a .410 for years. If you get him the 7mm-08 he will not grow out of it...period. This is an amazing caliber with excellent stats. I actually have the same 'shorter' version that I started out with and love it. I dont feel the need to go to a long barrel as this one works great when I am in brush or a tight blind. This is a gun your son will be able to take on anything here in North America. Ok so maybe moose might be a bit ambitious but I have heard of people shooting them with this gun. There are several sites with great info about this gun. Yeah if you cant tell I love this thing.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7mm-08
http://www.fishandhunttexas.com/7mm-08.htm

All in all you cant go wrong with this gun. My next choice would probably be a .243 or .270. Oh and I havent had a problem finding ammo for this gun either. If you have a Gander Mountain I guarantee they have this ammo. I also see it all the time at Academy, Wal Mart, and other random stores. Gander will obviously have more of a selection as the other places usually just have the basic Remmington ammo.


Good luck

-John