my daughter just turned 12 this year and will be joining us this fall on her first deer hunt she has gone the last 2 years but will actually be able to shoot this year. looking for advice on a gun for her she is not very big so i want the least recoil possible. want to find one early enough so she can get lots of practice with it. so far i have been advised on getting a youth model .243 any advice from anyone would sure be appreciated thanks
When my son turned 12, we went with a 7mm-08. A great light-weight rifle. I think my 8 year old could shoot it as well, and I know I enjoy shooting it. Just something to consider. Also heard good things about the .243.
When my son turned 12, we went with a 7mm-08. A great light-weight rifle. I think my 8 year old could shoot it as well, and I know I enjoy shooting it. Just something to consider. Also heard good things about the .243.
The least amount of recoil is the heaviest gun with the “lightest” load.
Depending on your daughter’s frame, whether you want her “grow into the gun”, what types of shots she might take a .243 is a heckuva gun with a lot of available ammo. I’d almost be worried more about finding a gun in a range that will be comfortable for her than the exact caliber, personal opinion. Depends on arm length, hand size, etc. The truth is a lot of neighborhood gun dealers will work their butt off to get your daughter a great gun if she goes shopping with you!
Others, to my mind to consider, might be the .25-06, .257 Roberts and 6mm. A nice thing is the .243 comes in roughly 50-100 grain bullets and the 85 gr bullet can kill deer effectively and have a light recoil for her. Shooting some smaller bullets might be nice for practice too.
IF you have bigger deer, and won’t use the rifle much for anything smaller than deer, you might… lean .25-06 if you are looking for a little more energy.
There’s no perfect rifle, I’m sure she’ll do great with anything in this range and you can’t go wrong with a .243 for anyone!
Here’s a ammo reference page
http://www.federalcartridge.com/ballistics/Ammo_Search.aspx?act=choose&firearm=1&s1=1
Todd
The least amount of recoil is the heaviest gun with the “lightest” load.
Depending on your daughter’s frame, whether you want her “grow into the gun”, what types of shots she might take a .243 is a heckuva gun with a lot of available ammo. I’d almost be worried more about finding a gun in a range that will be comfortable for her than the exact caliber, personal opinion. Depends on arm length, hand size, etc. The truth is a lot of neighborhood gun dealers will work their butt off to get your daughter a great gun if she goes shopping with you!
Others, to my mind to consider, might be the .25-06, .257 Roberts and 6mm. A nice thing is the .243 comes in roughly 50-100 grain bullets and the 85 gr bullet can kill deer effectively and have a light recoil for her. Shooting some smaller bullets might be nice for practice too.
IF you have bigger deer, and won’t use the rifle much for anything smaller than deer, you might… lean .25-06 if you are looking for a little more energy.
There’s no perfect rifle, I’m sure she’ll do great with anything in this range and you can’t go wrong with a .243 for anyone!
Here’s a ammo reference page
http://www.federalcartridge.com/ballistics/Ammo_Search.aspx?act=choose&firearm=1&s1=1
Todd
.257 Roberts
Droooool 
I have not shot a lot of different rifles in my day, but I was on a whitetail hunt in Montana with my brothers father in law and used his 257 Roberts, with a special load that he loaded himself. Well lets just say that gun was smooth, very flat with that load, did not even know there was a recoil, and an absolute joy to shoot I put a hurt on a nice 5×5 buck out there (that is now on my wall), he was on the dead run, put him down with one shot and he was doing somersaults 
I wish I could have that gun and the loads he does 
. I took a a shot at coyote @ 300 yards on the run and think I just zipped under his body between his legs, might of even gave him a shave. Just a beauty of a gun.
Sorry I’ll pick up my drool and get back out of this post. Not very knowledgable when it comes to rifles. Good luck and you might want to post the same question under the Shooting bench forum. There are a ton of knowledgable folks (Gun GEEKS) in there also. 
.257 Roberts
Droooool
I have not shot a lot of different rifles in my day, but I was on a whitetail hunt in Montana with my brothers father in law and used his 257 Roberts, with a special load that he loaded himself. Well lets just say that gun was smooth, very flat with that load, did not even know there was a recoil, and an absolute joy to shoot I put a hurt on a nice 5×5 buck out there (that is now on my wall), he was on the dead run, put him down with one shot and he was doing somersaults I wish I could have that gun and the loads he does . I took a a shot at coyote @ 300 yards on the run and think I just zipped under his body between his legs, might of even gave him a shave. Just a beauty of a gun.
Sorry I’ll pick up my drool and get back out of this post. Not very knowledgable when it comes to rifles. Good luck and you might want to post the same question under the Shooting bench forum. There are a ton of knowledgable folks (Gun GEEKS) in there also.
GREAT to hear of kids getting into hunting. ESPECIALLY GIRLS.
I’ve been Guiding disabled Kids for 9 years and have grown very fond of the .243. We’ve never lost hit Deer.Wide range a bullet weights allow for pain free practice shooting. The single shot break rifles are good shooters, fit kids/women well and won’t break the Budget. Remember to keep it fun for her and you’ll have a huntin buddy for life.
GREAT to hear of kids getting into hunting. ESPECIALLY GIRLS.
I’ve been Guiding disabled Kids for 9 years and have grown very fond of the .243. We’ve never lost hit Deer.Wide range a bullet weights allow for pain free practice shooting. The single shot break rifles are good shooters, fit kids/women well and won’t break the Budget. Remember to keep it fun for her and you’ll have a huntin buddy for life.
I will also throw in my vote for the .243 My daughters will turn 12 next year and they will be starting out with the .243 They are not very big either. My .243 has very little recoil and I haven’t lost a deer with it yet, so I am confident in letting them use it for deer
I will also throw in my vote for the .243 My daughters will turn 12 next year and they will be starting out with the .243 They are not very big either. My .243 has very little recoil and I haven’t lost a deer with it yet, so I am confident in letting them use it for deer
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