30-06 for a 14 year old?

[husky390]

So my 14 year old nephew may be coming out this October for me to take him elk hunting. Problem is, I don't have kids and have no clue what would be a good rifle for him.
He's tall and lanky, probably around 5'9"-5'11". About the only rifle I have that might fit the bill is an old Savage 110 in 30-06 with a synthetic stock. I don't shoot this rifle a whole lot but I can remember bench shooting 180gr factory elk loads with just a T shirt was work. The other rifle that might work, is a 300 winmag that is ported and we both would have to wear hearing protection at all times with that thing but the recoil is less than the 30-06.
Would the 30-06 work for him and if so, what loads would you recommend. The recoil pad is stock so I can add a Pachmyr decelerator if needed. If there's another caliber better suited for him, I'm open to it as I'm always looking for an excuse to add a rifle, like a .280AI.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I can't tell you what is best for him but at 16 I bought a Savage 111 30-06 and it was too much recoil for me. I put a Pachmayr pad on it and went out with the mind set that it wouldn't beat me. Still have the rifle today, and still like it!

 

[husky390]

Nice. I'm sure if I put him on one, he wont notice the recoil.

I forgot to mention that I reload so I could look at loading up some 150-165gr premium bullets to lighten the recoil.

 

[Muledeernv]

Should be fine with the 30-06. My 14 is only 5'2 and 90 lbs wet and he shoots my 50 cal muzzleloader and 300 win mag that is ported. If he has shot before should be no problem with the new pad but if he hasn't shot don't want to hurt him right out of the gate.

 

[Jason Snyder]

If you reload, or know someone that does, the 30-06 will be fine. My 10 year old daughter killed her deer with a 30-06 last year, reduced loads with a 130 grain bullet.

If reloads aren't an option, get some 150 grain factory loads and let him try it.

 

[mt100gr.]

I used my grandfather's model 70 '06 my first season at twelve years old. The next year, I bought a savage 110 30-06. I used it for a few years with the stock pad. People react to recoil differently....I admit, I get a bit flinchy. See how he handles it.

I used to tape some extra foam padding around the butt for practice sessions so the recoil was lessened. I would take the foam off to hunt. You never feel recoil when you're shooting at a critter, to many other senses are engaged.

Just make sure he knows it going to kick. If it whacks him, and he's not expecting it, he will be more likely to flinch in anticipation of subsequent shots. Or It may not bother him at all. Also, explain recoil if he's not familiar. Not in terms of violence but "bang-snap" like a lightweight semi auto or "boom-push" like a big rifle.

 

[ScottP]

managed recoil loads for practice, a bit hotter loads for elk. I think that would be fine with the -06. That is how I set my wife up with a .308 (she is a bit recoil sensitive). I sight in the rifle with high power stuff for elk, and let her shoot all day with the light stuff to build confidence. She dropped her first elk with it.

 

[mtswampfox]

used to use a recoil shield when shooting larger calibers in the prairie dog towns. when shooting several hundred rounds a day even a mild shooter like a 6 mm rem can pound you up.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_92byrok9c0_b

 

[Browtine]

As has already been stated, reduced loads for practice. Chances are he won't notice the full house load when he's got an elk in the scope. However, be mindful of odd shooting positions in the field. Shooting uphill, downhill or from odd positions can result in a smaller kid gettting popped by the scope pretty good.

 

[husky390]

However, be mindful of odd shooting positions in the field. Shooting uphill, downhill or from odd positions can result in a smaller kid gettting popped by the scope pretty good.

Great point, I didn't think of that.

Thanks all for the advice. I'm going to pick up some Barnes and Nosler Accu-bonds in 165gr and play with some loads for it. I just hope I can get him in front of an elk this year.

 

[5MilesBack]

He's tall and lanky, probably around 5'9"-5'11".

I thought you said he was "tall".

30-06 shouldn't be an issue. My 12 yo daughter has shot one many times without any issues. And that's all I shot from the time I was about 10 until I was in college.

 

[16Bore]

130 TTSX are fairly mild in an '06

 

[PA 5-0]

My boy is turning 14 in two weeks. He shot a Mulie buck with my .300winmag this past Oct. He is 5'8' and around 140 and pretty athletic. He shoots an '06 and a .270 routinely. Best of luck to you and your nephew. Dan

View attachment 17679

 

[luke moffat]

My younger brother has been shooting a 30-06 for as long as I have been shooting a .308 win. (He's just tougher than me) He had already taken a couple moose and caribou before dropping this top ten all time boone and crockett grizzly when he was 15 years old while I filmed it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4HfhF4Rv5Q

All I am saying is my 5'2" little bro can hack it anyone can. Seriously though he's a heck of a hunter even at that age, just wish I could hunt with him more than I do.

 

[husky390]

Nice bear.
I've loaded up some 165gr loads for him. Unfortunately the bolt head retaining pin broke so now I'm waiting for a new one to come in before I can test them out. His dad has a friend with a 30-06 that will allow him to shoot it so he can get some trigger time.

 

[jlmoeller]

I recommend trying the limbsaver recoil pads. You can get them as a slip on or screw on like normal. I put one on my savage 300wsm and it cut the felt recoil by at least 1/3. They help tremendously.

Jason Moeller

 

[husky390]

Well, I just installed a Limbsaver pad on it, installed a better scope, have 4 different loads of 165gr bullets loaded up and now I'm waiting for my new bolt head retaining pins to arrive so I can repair the bolt. They're supposed to be here Saturday so I can shoot on Sunday. Timney trigger arrives on Tuesday. We'll see how these loads group and then hopefully the rifle will be ready for him. Thanks to everyone for your help.

 

[husky390]

The bolt pin and trigger arrived yesterday so I had it at the range today. The recoil pad makes a huge difference over the stock pad and this gun turned out to be a shooter after the Timney was installed. So far, the go to load will be a Barnes 165gr TSX w/ IMR4064.

 

[Touchdown88]

My little sister shot a Utah LE bull with my sporterized Mauser 06 at 480 yards. This was before drop compensation reticle and all that fancy b.s.

 

[AK Shane]

Get a hold of a Lead Sled and start him at the range with that. The Lead Sled will easily take out half the recoil. Get him comfortable shooting on the sled so he's not scared of the gun. When it comes time to pull the trigger on an elk he won't even notice the recoil.

I can shoot my magnum rifles all day off the Lead Sled and my shoulder won't feel a bit different when I get home.