Suggestions for a gun for my 12yr old Daughter

[Duck Assassin]

I was wondering if any one had experience with boar hunting with there kids. My daughter is 12 wants to go. She handles a Ruger Mini 30 just fine. Would a .270 work or is that too much recoil? I have a .308.

 

[zacajawea]

I think a .270 is too much. I shot a big hog last sunday with a .270. At 50 yards the bullet did not go completely through but it still packs a lot of wallop. I think I would try a 30/30 on smalish pigs, she just isn't big enough to go after the big stuff yet.

 

[NickNNN]

Before making a suggestion, it would be nice to know a couple of other bits of info:  whether you are shooting over dogs or spot & stalk, expected shooting distances, and her size.

 

[storm]

I would say what you have now, mini 30 and 308, should work just fine. Start her with the mini 30 and keep the shot under 150yards. As she gain experience, let her use the 308 for longer shots.

 

[JohnnyP]

I asked a very similar question on another forum and the consensus was a 7-08 and would agree.

 

[NickNNN]

Barring any new info, I would agree that the Mini-30 would do the job.  It would be nice if you could get some handloads with something heavier than the 125gr. PSP.  If not, I would consider keeping shots to a max of 100yds, and much less if you have a heavy boar in your sights...

 

[AndyR]

I would sell the Mini 30 and buy her a good bolt action chambered for a 243. Then burn lots of shells, and she could kill any hog with a good premium bullet. The recoil from a 243 is very low and she will have less problems from recoil. Good luck.

Andy  

 

[Speckmisser]

Just wondering if the Mini-30 is what I'm thinking of, and shoots the "Russian" 308 or 308 short.  If so, I know a lot of deer hunters back east who practically threw that round in the trash after a couple of shots.  I'm sure it's sufficient, but according to those guys, it doesn't pack much punch. If it's too light for whitetails, I don't think I'd want to use it on pigs.

The 243 isn't much more powerful than the 308 short, but it's easy to shoot and  super accurate.  That's a good combination for a youngster just starting out.  It'll also translate real nicely to deer hunting.  Might also look at a 260, or a ported 270.  My gf shoots a 270 with the Browning BOSS on it, and the recoil is really slight.  Of course, it's loud as hell.  At the range I have to use ear plugs AND mickey ears just to spot for her.  

The regular 308 kicks pretty tough, and might take some fun out of it for a smaller person.  

Before I get off on a tangent about caliber selection, I'll repeat what I think someone said already, it's not always as much what you use, as how well you use it.  If you can consistently hit the 9 and 10 ring at 100 yards, you're way ahead in the game.  

 

[ILLINI]

I bought my son a .308 when he was ten. Had a muzzle brake installed and it works great. He has killed two deer with it so far. Kicks less than a .243 with 150 grain bullets.

 

[Duck Assassin]

I want to thank everyone for thier imput. Went shooting today. She was shooting my Rem Model 7 .308 all afternoon and doing it well. Shooting a 12 Gauge over & Under also. I did buy here a shoulder pad but she got to a point when she stop using it. It helps a lot when they get the proper stance working. The best part about it is don't have to buy another gun, even though it would of been a good exuse.

 

[doghouse95]

I have two daughters that are hunters.  I started them both with a ruger 77RL with a
compact leupold scope.  I made sure the rifle fit right by shortening the stock.  I also
installed a VIAS break on the front end of it.
From there, they stepped up to Rem Mountain rifles, one in 270. and the other in 280,
both with VIAS breaks on the front end.
Both of my girls have hunted out of state with me several times, taking mulies, blackbear
and elk.  With proper handloads they have plenty of firepower for anything that gets in
front of them.
That old 243 that they started with???  I have a hard time keeping up with it, so many of
my younger relatives have been started hunting with that rifle that I've lost count.
My best advice is to never put a kid behind something that will hurt them when they pull
the trigger,  make the rifle fit the kid, and get the trigger to about 4 pounds, crisp and
clean.
I'm a smith, and could have put together any rifle I wanted for my kids, but don't think I
could do any better than a 77RL, or a Rem mdl 7 cut down to fit properly.
I have a cousin hounding me now to come up with a small lightweight 223 bolt action to
start his 10 year old daughter with.   Might just be my next  purchase.

 

[songdog]

I'm with Speckmisser - a .243 or a .260 and making sure that she can shoot should be perfectly adequate.  

Some people will be complaining about the .243 not being enough but for a young first time hunter, you don't want her taking shots at 400 yards anyway.  If it's a private ranch, you shouldn't have any problem getting 100 yard shots.  And for that, a .243 with premium bullets (partitions) would be just fine.

If you still want more, or if she can handle the recoil, there are a lot of the .25, .26 and 7mm short rounds that are mild - .257 Roberts, .260, 7mm Mauser.  All of which are very solid deer/pig rounds.

 

[One Track]

I'm just glad to hear that your girls hunt. I have two girls, one at almost 3 yrs, and one at 4 months.  Don't know if I'll get a boy. So, this topic really made my day.  Thanks! I can't wait to get them started.  I think I need to buy a new over 'n under, and a new 25-06, just so I can get them broken-in for when the girls get to shootin' age.  

 

[Don Martin]

My recommendation would be a Remington 600 in 6mm and shoot 100 grain Barnes X bullets in it. Small and light, easy to carry, fits young ladies great, not much recoil, and those Barnes will punch through those pigs. Put her on a nice light 3 X 9 scope and a Harris bi-pod and she'll be ready for just about any hog she'll see. Good luck and keep her hunting!
Don Martin
Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

 

[m57jager]

I'd have to agree with the .243 as well.  It's a nice flat shooting round with a light recoil.  It's definately not to light for deer and most pigs.  Not saying I would, but I have a good buddy that kills California pigs with a 22-250(all the time).  It's all about shot placement and distance.  Ruger just came out with a nice, little compact .243.  It's worth a look.  Good luck!!

 

[jrifenbark]

I've read that it's best to keep it around a .30.  I've used a Marlin 336 W in 30-30Win.  It dropped a 150 lb. boar last month at about 30 yds.  From the way it took one step and flipped over, I would think that it would be sufficiently powerful aout to 100 yds.  The recoil is nothing to speak of.

 

[paulc]

i ordered a 7mm .08 from in a remington model 7 youth model for my kids from wally world... i liked the fact that i could get so many different weights of ammo.. ordered it over a month ago and still not in..  i pondered it over a long time before i ordered it.

 

[Tonopah01]

My son's first rifle is a Rem Model 7 in 7-08.  He shot well with it immediately.  Nice round. Some recoil, especially in a really light synthetic stocked Model 7 [5 1/2 pound rifle] but not bad.  Very accurate.  good with 120 grain, 140 grain or 160 grain bullets.  Shooting 140 grains recently [he's now 18 but got the rifle when he was 14] he got too close to the scope and guess what?  He has a nice scar over his right eye now.  Learned a lesson the hard way but he's kinda proud of the scar [the girls like it]...

 

[jrifenbark]

Wouldn't a .243 be too light for pigs?

 

[Duck Assassin]

Well a .243 is fine for Hogs under 100LBs see http://www.jesseshuntingpage.com/calhog.html
for recommended Calibers.