Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

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jrain904
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Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby jrain904 » Wed Oct 09, 2019 2:20 pm

Taking nephew hunting for first time and am trying to figure out the best gun to use. He is 10 years old and is fairly tall for his age. He has experience shooting 22s and 410s. Best options I have in my safe for a child is either a 20ga or an ar15. I do have my 308 but am worried it will be too much for him. Does anyone have experience killing a deer with .223 or 20ga buckshot? Any advice would be appreciated.

The deer here in Florida are small compared to much of the country.


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SeaHunter
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby SeaHunter » Wed Oct 09, 2019 2:27 pm

My 11 year old daughter uses a 20 gauge and my muzzleloader - full charge. A 410 slug will also kill a deer.
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thwack16
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby thwack16 » Wed Oct 09, 2019 2:37 pm

My brothers and I all broke in with a .308. At ages, 10, 7, & 6.

Good luck to your nephew!
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Noreast10pt
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby Noreast10pt » Wed Oct 09, 2019 2:46 pm

A .223 should be fine, my nephew in NC got his first deer with one.
Shot placement is key.
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stash59
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby stash59 » Wed Oct 09, 2019 2:58 pm

.223 should work fine on Florida size deer. My old hunting mentor used a .223 for years in WI. Killed a ton of deer with it. Read an Jim Carmicheal article years ago. He used .222's and .223's to kill roe deer in Europe. Plenty of gun for those small deer.

Just like all shots for newer/younger hunters. Keep the shots close at the deer.
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austin1990
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby austin1990 » Wed Oct 09, 2019 3:10 pm

.223 will work, just shot placement is key. I recommend the 64 grain Winchester softpoints, I've seen them do good on deer and hogs from a .223 also. You can also get managed recoil loads in .308 and that may be something to look into, I'd bet they'd be comparable or maybe even less recoil than buckshot in a 20 gauge.
matt1336
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby matt1336 » Wed Oct 09, 2019 4:21 pm

Careful with those youth 20ga guns. They’re light and can really kick. Especially if you’re shooting a mag load or a slug.
EllieTheChubb
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby EllieTheChubb » Wed Oct 09, 2019 11:10 pm

I know its not in you're safe but I was slinging a 7mm08 at 12. As far as the 20ga with buckshot... I hate the stuff but a slug would do the deed.
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WV Bowhunter
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby WV Bowhunter » Wed Oct 09, 2019 11:18 pm

Best youth deer rifle I know of is a single shot 44 mag. Recoil similar to a 410 but can easily be a 100 yard gun for a youth. I bought a cva scout 44 mag for my kids and couldn’t be any happier with it.
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Thesouthpaw
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby Thesouthpaw » Thu Oct 10, 2019 12:35 am

.223 will work if the deer is hit well. I really like .243's for younger hunters, and people who don't like recoil.
My wife got a 25-06 last year and loves it.
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headgear
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby headgear » Thu Oct 10, 2019 12:56 am

thwack16 wrote:My brothers and I all broke in with a .308. At ages, 10, 7, & 6.

Good luck to your nephew!


Also have the kids on 308's, they make some nice low-recoil rounds for when they are just starting out. They shoot about 1/2 of an inch low at 100 yards so I don't need to mess around with my scope.
jrain904
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby jrain904 » Thu Oct 10, 2019 1:02 am

I also have a cva muzzleloader as an option
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HudsonBay
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby HudsonBay » Thu Oct 10, 2019 2:58 am

7mm-08 was my choice for my girls. Seemed to be a good fit for them.
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AfootTrack56
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby AfootTrack56 » Thu Oct 10, 2019 4:36 am

headgear wrote:
thwack16 wrote:My brothers and I all broke in with a .308. At ages, 10, 7, & 6.

Good luck to your nephew!


Also have the kids on 308's, they make some nice low-recoil rounds for when they are just starting out. They shoot about 1/2 of an inch low at 100 yards so I don't need to mess around with my scope.


I also started out my daughter on the 308 with the low recoil ammo. Now that she has shot it for several years, she’s upgraded to the full power stuff and has no problem at all.
EllieTheChubb
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Re: Taking Kid Hunting - What Gun?

Unread postby EllieTheChubb » Thu Oct 10, 2019 9:01 am

You could also get him a good recoil pad. Adds up to an inch to the gun depending on which one but sice he's tall that may not be an issue.


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