Boys first gun

[King Kong]

Hi, My dad gave the my boy a Savage .250-3000 this year. While is good for deer what do you think about using it for Elk?

Colorado has a minium of .24 for Elk. I think this might be enough for him.

Thanks

Scott

 

[Shot]

The 250 would definitely kill an elk, but its not something I would use or especially have a young boy use. This caliber isn't too forgiving for bad shots.

 

[tmoniz]

I think it's a bit light for Elk.

 

[richardoutwest]

A little light! I would rather see him use something in the 270 or 280 cal. Both are light recoil when equiped with the right recoil pad. My son weighs in at 75 lbs. and has no problem with the recoil on his Winchester Mod 70 featherweight in 270.

My two cents.

 

[7mm RM]

It will kill elk. It is all shot placement. Not to many calibers are forgiving for bad shots IMHO. Good hunting to you and your son.

 

[deermagnet]

King Kong,

One option you might try is Remingtons new managed recoil cartridges.
You can get a number of calibers from .270 to .308. When your boy gets used to shooting get regular ammunition.

The only down side is your effective range is only about 200 yards with the managed recoil.
This can also be turned into a positive as you will teach your son the art of getting close to the animal for a more confident shot.
Lost of choices these days so take your time.
Good Luck,
DM

 

[tdbob]

Very cool cartridge for a young hunter, especially if you reload. Getting factory fodder can be a bit of a problem, and it's loaded primarily with 100gr deer bullets (Corelokts and Silvertips). Reloading will allow you to use Barnes TSX, Nosler Partitions or Accubonds. Personally, I think a cartridge that has a little more juice and uses bullets with higher sectional densities would be a better choice. At the bottom end a 260 or 6.5x55 using a 140gr bullet would get my vote.

 

[doubleD]

Somthing to consider is the age of the rifle, as the rifling has changed over the years. I have a Savage Model 99 that was manufactured in 1937. I reloaded some 115 gr boattails with a max load of 3031 to give the gun a little more range. The load was too hot and the bullets were "tumbling" through the target at 100 yards. I had the rifle checked by a gunsmith and he recomended a max 100 gr bullet at less than 3000 fps, hense the name 250/3000. The gun shoots great with factory 100 gr core-lokts. It has performed well on deer and antelope, but I thnk it is a little light for elk.

 

[tmoniz]

I hunted with a guide that used a 257 Roberts on all his Elk, and another that used a 25/06. Just a thought.

 

[Speckmisser]

KingKong,

How old is the boy and how big? Can he handle recoil, or has he tried?

Elk are not invincible, and I'm sure you could drop one just fine with a .243 and a perfect shot, but all shots are not perfect...no matter how much you practice.

BUT...

It's always best to err on the side of caution. If the boy can handle it, something in the class of a .270 would be a better call. A 30-06 would be better.

If you don't have any other options (if it's a choice between what he has or nothing), then use the 250-3000 with all the caveats mentioned before. Practice like hell before the hunt, and keep his shots close and high-percentage. Teach him to think like a bowhunter. Get close, wait for the right angle, and place the shot in the vitals, aiming for the exit hole.

 

[Quacker Wacker]

I went through the same thing 4 years ago for my oldest and again last year for my middle son. Both have light frames, 75lbs +/-. My research concluded that a 7mm-08 is the best standard caliber that is available in alot of different guns and has ample OTC cartgridge offerings. Of course I didn't choose to go that way since the ballistics on this gun are really only good out to about 300 yards. We live in SW Idaho and long range shooting is almost required out here. I told them I would buy them each 1 rifle and 1 shotgun they could use as their only rifle for N American big game if they so chose. So I have concluded for a caliber that has 1) ability to bring even an elk down at 3-400 yards 2) chambered in most major brands 3) plenty of OTC ammo available the best logical choise is the .270. The kick is reasonable, though don't think you couldn't get a flinch on a young man - buy a recoil pad. Ignoring considerations 2&3 I would also consider the .280 remington. We have not killed or shot at any elk, but in my 3 years here in Idaho I have personally seen 3 shot with .270's, all with premium bullets, and they were all one shot kills placed in the ribs/shoulder. Coincidentally, on one of those hunts the only two Elk shot that needed multiple hits was from a .338 mag and a .300 Weatherby and they were shot in the right place, but the Elk just didn't want to die.

BTW, I personally own a .243 and while I wouldn't use it on Bull Elk I would use it on cow elk as they are usually closer to 350lbs not the 700+ lbs of a 5-6 pt 4+ year old bull. If you have a lighter cartridge or don't mind buying your boy two guns over time start with a 7MM-08 then later get him a 7MM or .300.

 

[CA_pheasant]

I don't own or know much about rifles, but having introduced a couple young kids to shotgunning I've found the physical weight of the gun is more important than the recoil. Hiking for hours, even on flat upland hunting, carrying the gun in safe upright position is more difficult for smaller kids, as well as lifting the gun to aim and fir, rather than the recoil difference between 20ga and 12ga.

My nephew 13 uses 20ga autoloader, sub 7lbs, rather than his unfired Ruger Red Label 12ga his Dad got him at 12 yrs old. Since the "big guys" use 12ga O/U he may move up to the 12ga Ruger this Fall.

Weight of the gun when carrying around in Elk country is probably a major consideration for younger, smaller, or older hunters.

Just a thought. Again I don't know much about rifles.

 

[Taos]

When my son started elk hunting he used a .243 with good bullets. He took 2 or 3 with that rifle before moving to anything larger. Keeep the ranges reasonable and the 250 will do its job if the bullet is placed decently. Good Luck

 

[Hitechhunter]

I helped an old hunter pack out a 6x6 elk in Wyoming. He got it from ~500 yards (his estimate) with a .257 Roberts. My brother has taken moose in Alaska with his 25-06.

If he can practice a ton with it, including field practice (up and down hills, through brush, etc.) he may be more lethal that with a more powerful gun that might cause him to flinch.

Get a bolt action .22 and have him shoot a lot, focussing on groups. The see what kind of groups he can hold with a larger caliber. Keep going up in power until you see problems.

 

[qaz]

The 250 will kill bull elk, history has proven this. Take the boy out and practice, practice, practice. I hear so many people talk about there first deer rifle, 30-06, 270, 308 etc... They think they shoot them well, granted you have a pie plate size target, but most still flinch to this day. There is a reason why the factories came out with the reduced recoil rounds, women and children don't handle recoil well, nor do alot of men.
Give your kid a chance to develop good hunting habbits and think like an archer is a great one. I do that to this day for all game. The most important thing is for the child to be comfortable with the gun and caliber, shoot it accurately and develop good hunting skills.