Overthinking kids first rifle; .223 or bigger is better

[TechsanHunter]

I have a 10 year old kid who wants a rifle to mainly hunt deer and targets within 150 yards. They are small and left handed. My thought was to start them with a LH tikka in .223. BUT all of the smaller caliber thought is predicated on good shot placement and how a lower recoiling rifle enables accuracy. This kid will be learning to shoot, so won’t be threading needles for a while no matter the caliber. Would a .243 be a bit more forgiving on game animals for a beginner? Still seems like manageable recoil. Or- will even a beginner be a better beginning shooter with a smaller caliber?

 

[Ranger 692]

My kids started with .223. Perfect. 77tmk makes it forgiving haha

 

[Marbles]

No, a 243 will not be meaningfully more forgiving. Still mist hit the boiler room or central control center.

 

[Kaleb]

Lots of ways to skin cats but a tikka 22lr and 223 with the same scopes is a pretty good combo for kids. Suppressed is even better. Has worked well for us.

 

[Steve300xcw]

You'll never hear me say anything bad about a 243.

223 is less recoil and a lot cheaper to shoot. It WILL get shot more..............

 

[voltage]

999/1000 of equal shot placements will result in the same outcome between a 223 and 243. Instill good habits and go with a suppressed Tikka in 223.

 

[wesfromky]

I have a 10 year old kid who wants a rifle to mainly hunt deer and targets within 150 yards. They are small and left handed. My thought was to start them with a LH tikka in .223. BUT all of the smaller caliber thought is predicated on good shot placement and how a lower recoiling rifle enables accuracy. This kid will be learning to shoot, so won’t be threading needles for a while no matter the caliber. Would a .243 be a bit more forgiving on game animals for a beginner? Still seems like manageable recoil. Or- will even a beginner be a better beginning shooter with a smaller caliber?

I feel like a bot because of how often I drop this link into kids rifle threads, but it is worth reading if you haven't yet. And then read the .223 for everything thread to quash any doubts about with it can do with the right ammo.

E

Thread 'Kids rifle manifesto'

Feb 24, 2024

I've chimed in on so many different "what rifle for my age XX kid?" threads that I thought I'd try to consolidate my thoughts here.

My oldest son is 14 now, started shooting centerfire rifles at 9. My younger kids started shooting centerfire rifles at between 5-7 yrs old. 5 kids shooting now, and a bunch of their friends that I have been involved or around as they learn to shoot. probably 20-ish kids? Here's what I've learned in the last 5-6 years.

Recoil matters, a lot. "Handles it pretty well" is way way different from "ideal for building skills as a rifleman." My oldest loves to...

• eric1115
• Replies: 237
• Forum: Firearms

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[gbflyer]

I have a Savage Axis Pro 2 Lefty Compact in 6 ARC inbound for a friend of mines kid then we’ll pass it along to grandkids etc. I’ll have a report this week hopefully. I have the 108gr ELDm factory ammo to try in it. We may get a deer or two in yet, got another month to go.


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[Scoutfan]

223 all the way. Just make sure and use the right bullet for hunting.

 

[Nine Banger]

Even the difference to a kid between 223 and 22-250/22creed is profound.

Get the LH 223.

 

[Matt5266]

Go 223 if legal. Cheap to shoot, light recoil, good barrel life, ammos everywhere.

243 isnt going to help you any. On the contrary 223 should make it easier to put one in the vitals. At those ranges get a 77 TMK or a 73 ELDM and hunt. You can get just basic ball ammo and let the kids plink away at 100 yard targets all day.

 

[hereinaz]

Suppressed .223 is the only way to go.

Maybe 6 ARC if you are a 243/6mm minimum state.

 

[TradLife406]

My kids used a 22 creed this year. Honestly it was overkill.
Going to have them use the 223 a bit next year. One daughter's furthest shot was 65 yards. Then a 50 yard frontal on her buck. Other daughter was 150-200 yards.

I like the 22 creed just incase there is a longer shot. But pretty sure there's enough evidence on the slide to support using a 223 out to 3-400 no problem.

I wouldn't do the 6.5 Creed again. We tried that. Daughter scoped herself with it. When your 90-100lb a "light recoiling" rifle can knock the out of you!

 

[rclouse79]

I bought a suppressed 223 for my daughter, but wouldn’t be afraid to go a little bigger if suppressed. My son shot a deer this year with my new suppressed 25-06. Afterwards he said “Wow, that was quiet and didn’t kick at all.”

 

[lmeyer]

Going through this right now and I would say consider the kids size and personality that's going to be shooting it. Borrow a friend's rifle in different caliber and let the kid try it.

I bought a cva hunter in 243. I have 3 boys shooting it ages 11, 10 and 8 all hunting for the first time this year with it. All three kids are small for thier age. Doesn't seem to be a problem for the younger 2. The oldest is recoil shy. He had an opportunity to kill a buck and didn't want to squeeze the trigger because of the kick. Same day my 10 year old put a perfect shot on a doe at 80 yards.

I may be borrowing a friend's 223 to let him get some more range time. And see if it's more manageable for him.