What weapon for taking a first time hunter?

[Ridgerunner7]

Taking a 9 year old hunting this youth season. I have a muzzle loader and a 20 gauge. Not sure what would kick less. Thinking the ml with a smaller powder load? What have you guys used? He's a smaller boy and dont want him scare him off from shooting.

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[Zap]

Not sure that either choice is the best, maybe the 20 if its semi auto.

[backstraps]

Let the nine year old shoot each. See which one the child prefers. I have seen that making a better hunt is often making a better shot. Having a first time hunter loose an animal is bad for most youth. They feel they wounded a deer and loose interest. So usually whichever gun the youth can shoot best is the better choice of which to use.

I have noticed with most of the youth I have had the privledge hunting with, the ML seems to scare them a little more than the shotguns or rifles due to the smell and powder of the ML.

Id guess the 20 guage.

Can you guys hunt with rifles? 7mm-08, 243, 25-06 etc are good choices for youth

[backstraps]

wish you were local.... I could loan you one for the hunt
I have a 20 slug gun that has a heavy barrel, that the recoil is very light. That gun is a killer too!
Here is alink I found real wuick to show in case you know someone that has one.
You could probably find one cheaper too:


http://www.cabelas.com/bolt-lever-singl ... ns-2.shtml

[Jackson Marsh]

My daughter uses a 20 gauge semi auto with low recoil slugs. The low recoil slugs really help.

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[GRFox]

20 guage.

Let him shoot a little bit before you actually take him out. Start him out with a .410 if you have access to one. If not start him out with some Low Brass bird shot, then to high brass,, then get him into slugs.

Ease him into it and let him get comfortable with the reduced recoil of bird shot then let him grraduate to slugs.

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[BCam]

20 guage.

Let him shoot a little bit before you actually take him out. Start him out with a .410 if you have access to one. If not start him out with some Low Brass bird shot, then to high brass,, then get him into slugs.

Ease him into it and let him get comfortable with the reduced recoil of bird shot then let him grraduate to slugs.

[ Post made via Android ]

I know quite a few guys and gals that shot their first deer with a .410. That would be my choice if it was an option for you. If not i say the 20 gauge and agree with GRfox on the prep.

[U.P. MAN]

I started my kids on a lead sled at first.no recoil at all. One thing for sure, in the heat of the moment shooting a animal, they wont feel much. My 5 year old shot a turkey this spring with a 20 guage.

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[Stanley]

Light load 20 won't buck much more if any than a 410.

[Uncle Lou]

Great topic. I am in the same boat. I got one of those big heavy single 12 slug guns, wish it were a 20. Was planning to get a lead sled for Ellie, but we havent yet. We only shot her 22 so far getting her used to a scoped gun.

I agree with UP man, if you can get the kick manageable for practice, in the heat of the moment they shouldnt realize the kick.

[backstraps]

"Working" a child up to a hunting gun is also a very good idea.


I did this with my daughter. She shot bb guns at a very early age while teaching her the safe practices of handling a gun. Then she moved up to the .22 around age 4 (under supervision of course) and a crossbow (to get used to squeezing the trigger) then she started shooting a 410.

From there at age 7 she got her first youth model 20 guage pump. She still turkey hunts with it, shooting 3" #5 magnum shells.

At age nine she got a 30-06 shooting managed recoil ammo from Remington. Now she is almost 17, and she shoots whatever she wants to shoot from the safes.

I think the 30-06 (now with regular Win Supreme Ammo) is still her favorite gun.

She dropped a doe in its tracks 3 years ago with a 270 Win Short Mag at 376 yards!

Love seeing the youth progress into little hunters!!

Best of luck and congrats on having a youth interested in hunting!

[magicman54494]

I have a .50 cal muzzleloader with a padded recoil. It kicks way less than my 30-06. I shoot 100 gr. of powder.

[Badger]

I was shooting single shot 20ga when I was that age. Killed my first squirrel, rabbit and pheasant with that gun. oh good times.

[Monster Raxx]

I bought my son a savage 20 gauge bolt action slug gun last year. This gun is a tack driver and he did not complain when he shot it.