Kids rifle manifesto

[Tahoe1305]

curious as well about reducing powder to slow down a particular lighter but not super light bullet, say running a 108 or 120g bullet but targeting a slower than 6.5cm factory ammo muzzle velocity - 2500 for arguments sake - would that be a recipe for an "extra low recoil" option for kids? Of course also having the much shorter range limits but that would be built in for the first couple years no matter what for me. I have messed around with the calculators but I have now reference for what powder weight would correspond to what velocity change... and would that have a huge detrimental impact on accuracy with regards to deer sized vitals inside 150 or 200 yards? A friend does a little reloading so I could lean on him if it would be a worthwhile path to pursue... The rifle you can grow into and download the bullet and powder for recoil reduction seems attractive vs 6ARC for a few years then graduate to a new rifle...

Again, I know nothing about reloading so if dumb Q its because I am ignorant and you can just so no that isnt a worthwile option...

That’s my plan this year. It’s easy to do. Also shorter more kid friendly barrel helps even more. I’m going to use a 16”.

I said it earlier but a 120g 6.5 bullet has similar BC to 100g 6mm bullet only these comes out 100fps faster or so if you don’t load it back. So you can easily make a 6C energy (for kick concerns) rifle using lighter loaded 6.5C bullets that fly close to the same and retain energy a tad better downrange (heavier weight). Cool thing is you can tune it up as they grow.

If I didn’t have everything needed for 6.5G and 6.5C I’d start from scratch with a 6C/ARC. But 6.5 bullets will work just fine.

(See chart. Pick a powder that will fill the case a tad better starting charge should do fine. Subtract 30fps/inch of barrel from 24”….my case will be close to 2500fps or so)

Edit: the muzzle energy of above described bullet is 20% more than similar length 223 and same as shorter barrel 6C or full length barrel 6ARC.

 

[CoMtnMike]

thank you both so much! Seems like a very viable 1 rifle path. I was thinking 20" barrel but could consider the 16" option - just might give up my desire to use it for learning longer range shooting vs just hunting...

 

[Tahoe1305]

thank you both so much! Seems like a very viable 1 rifle path. I was thinking 20" barrel but could consider the 16" option - just might give up my desire to use it for learning longer range shooting vs just hunting...

Build something you can easily make heavy to assist at first with recoil. Also think LOP and cheek height.

I’ve found that a chassis or something with a very adjustable stock is important. My 6 year old needs almost 1” above bore to align well with my scope.

 

[eric1115]

That’s my plan this year. It’s easy to do. Also shorter more kid friendly barrel helps even more. I’m going to use a 16”.

I said it earlier but a 120g 6.5 bullet has similar BC to 100g 6mm bullet only these comes out 100fps faster or so if you don’t load it back. So you can easily make a 6C energy (for kick concerns) rifle using lighter loaded 6.5C bullets that fly close to the same and retain energy a tad better downrange (heavier weight). Cool thing is you can tune it up as they grow.

If I didn’t have everything needed for 6.5G and 6.5C I’d start from scratch with a 6C/ARC. But 6.5 bullets will work just fine.

(See chart. Pick a powder that will fill the case a tad better starting charge should do fine. Subtract 30fps/inch of barrel from 24”….my case will be close to 2500fps or so)

Edit: the muzzle energy of above described bullet is 20% more than similar length 223 and same as shorter barrel 6C or full length barrel 6ARC.

Just my experience here, not telling you what you should or shouldn't do...

My oldest son started with a 7mm-08 with 120 grain reduced loads (2550ish IIRC), and the recoil difference from that to a 6mm ARC is significant. On paper it doesn't seem like it should be, but it very much is. 10+ grains of bullet plus 15ish grains of powder to get moving, makes a difference.

The difference between a .243AI and a 6mm ARC is quite noticeable as well. Please don't go into it thinking they are all 100-120ish bullets going mid to upper 2k fps so they'll all be about the same from a recoil standpoint.

 

[CoMtnMike]

Build something you can easily make heavy to assist at first with recoil. Also think LOP and cheek height.

I’ve found that a chassis or something with a very adjustable stock is important. My 6 year old needs almost 1” above bore to align well with my scope.

a chassis with quickly adjustable LOP and comb would be cool, but not within my budget. I am thinking hard about a Ruger Gen 2... LOP spacer and brake include. For $20 you can get a 5/8" and 3/4" comb riser to replace the included 1/2" one. And for about $50 you can get a steel weight set to add 1.5lbs to the stock... take it from 6.5lbs bare to 8 and then add the scope... maybe all that and lower loads gets me close to low enough recoil for him, maybe not quite. But thats lots of adjustability without a premium price. it isnt all perfect for me of course, but all options have compromises like anything else without double the budget to spend...

And then I can try to save up for a suppressor next year hopefully which would likely be as much as the rifle + scope setup.... crazy that the can at the end of the barrel costs as much as the rest of such a setup! But folks on here are pretty convincing that it is worth it...

 

[Tahoe1305]

Yeah chassis can be pricey. After the conversation above I went down stairs and threw this together for him to try tonight. Not chassis but very adjustable stock. He could see reticle well.

12.5” 6.5 Grendel. Same powder load as ARC (32grains). 120g bullet out of this barrel was 2400fps last summer. Even with can it’s at 18” and not heavy. Will see how he shoots it.

I will say I’d much prefer to have a bolt gun for him. He’s been shooting a T1x great for a year. But not sure I want to start from scratch and build one. I think I can get him going with the AR.