Gun recommendation for youth hog hunting

[beddedbuck]

I haven’t hunted with a gun in over 15 years. Archery has been amazing to me and I get such an enjoyment out of it I haven’t missed gun hunting at all. My 13 year old son who has never shot a gun before would like for me to take him hog hunting, and wants to use a gun instead of his bow. I would like to purchase a rifle for him that he would be comfortable with. I have a 7mm mag which I think is probably too much for him and want it to be a gun that is his. Can anyone give me some recommendations on caliber, brand and maybe any other information that would be helpful in my search? Thanks in advance!

[Drenalin]

It's not the most popular option nowadays, but I'm still a big fan of the Remington 700 action and there are lots of affordable options, especially if you're ok with a synthetic stock and maybe even willing to buy used. I would think a .243 would work for hogs, but at 13 years old you might be able to just turn him loose with a .270 that he could handle well now and be able to hunt most game (if not all) on this continent for the rest of his life. My dad bought me a Savage .30-06 when I was 11, which turned out fine. If you've got some family or friends who gun hunt, maybe let him try a few different guns on the range to see how comfortable he is with the noise and recoil, then go from there. Good luck!

[Redman232]

300 blackout is about as kid friendly as a gun comes.

[AfootTrack56]

Maybe look into reduced recoil ammo for your 7mm. It’ll take the recoil down by about half. I had my daughter shooting a 308 with hornady reduced recoil ammo and she did great. Had no problem taking down a big muley. Just an option instead of getting a new rifle.

[Bowhunting Brian]

7mm-08

[A5BLASTER]

Howa mini youth model chambered in 6.5 grendel.

Load it with 123 grain hornady sst ammo or nightops 100 grain nosler ballistic tips and kill any and every pig and deer he would want to shoot from 300 yards to point blank.

Doesn't kick, and doesn't weight a ton so easy for him to carry it himself, plus it's a great training round if he should like to try targets at longer ranges.

[Wannabelikedan]

I’ve shot them with .222 all the way up to 7mm mag. 55 gr to 175 gr bullets. No matter what round I shot them with, as long as the shot was at or behind the ear they all dropped like a sack of taters. I’ve had large loads not make it out the other side on shots behind the shoulder but nonetheless they died. Just saying it’s not always the tool it’s how you use it. Largest recorded weight I’ve shot was 265. Many more I’ve never put on scales that would rival that number and behind the ear is the cat’s meow to putting them down. Happy hunting!

[Tennhunter3]

270 is great for everything.

2506 or 7mm08 are decent too.

[ThePreBanMan]

.270, 30-06 or .308. You can really load them both down for reduced felt recoil. You can also get a muzzle brake on the end of the barrel and that helps as well. Combine low recoil ammo with a brake and a limb saver recoil pad and I think the kid would be fine in the 30 caliber range. All 3 are very versatile cartridges. a 30-06 is good enough for any game in North America.

[Rich M]

7mm-08 gets my nod. A great round.

[backstraps]

300 blackout is about as kid friendly as a gun comes.

Lots of really good hog ammo rounds too. Barnes makes an excellent load for hogs through the 300blk

[Ashreve93]

7mm-08

X2 this is a perfect youth/small frame woman gun. I don't believe there is a more ideal gun. Get that in a Remington 700 cdl and you've really got something.

[muddy]

300 blackout or 308. If it was me I'd go 300 blackout only because I have a bolt 308 and a AR10 platform and need a new gun.

=)

Seriously though, 308 in an AR platform.

[headgear]

Maybe look into reduced recoil ammo for your 7mm. It’ll take the recoil down by about half. I had my daughter shooting a 308 with hornady reduced recoil ammo and she did great. Had no problem taking down a big muley. Just an option instead of getting a new rifle.

Did the same for my son, it worked great.

[The Mediocre Hunter]

270 is great for everything.

2506 or 7mm08 are decent too.

I know this is an older thread. I don't know what beddedbuck ended up deciding on, but it could be useful for someone browsing through late. Anyways I second this opinion. I shoot a 270 and feel like it's a solid caliber. Shot a hog with it and dropped where it stood. Also my 14yr old nephew shoots a 270. He's 115lbs or so and has no issues with it at all. We both have a Savage. Nothing fancy. I'm more into a balance of functionality and price vs astethics. You can find a reasonable priced one with an entry level scope. They come boresighted in and are actually very very close to 100 yds from the factory, or at least mine was.