son's (10yrs old) first rifle caliber selection for elk

[Nosteponsnek]

My son is 10 years old and is currently working on his hunter safety course when he completes it, I would like to get him a barrel for my impact action I use for PRS and change the stock to a light weight. I currently shot a 22" 6.5prc at about 11lbs but I almost feel like that that would be too much for him. I don't plan on him hunting till he is 12 so I have a few more years. We mostly hunt Elk and bear but I'm sure it will be used for deer also I currently have reamers for 6.5 PRC, 6.5 CM, and a 6 CM. I know the Shoot 2 hunt guys talk about the 6UM but IDK if I want to get set up for another caliber. What do you guys think would be a good first rifle caliber?

 

[mitchellmountain]

6.5 creed. Inside the ranges a young shooter starts from it will easily handle the game you are after. Can load lighter bullets for less recoil initially then move up. It's literally the easy button.

 

[Skerhunter]

6.5, 6, and 22 creeds are all the same case doing basically the same thing. Pick one that’s legal and you think he can shoot well (recoil wise). I wouldn’t mess with a UM unless you want to shoot long range.

 

[Ajsomp]

I’d personally go 6 creed. I think there’s nearly a 8 ft/lb recoil difference between 6.5 PRC and 6 creed. If you have the reamer already, that’s easy.

 

[CMF]

6.5 creed. Inside the ranges a young shooter starts from it will easily handle the game you are after. Can load lighter bullets for less recoil initially then move up. It's literally the easy button.

Agree.
We just added a 6.5cm for my 11, turning 12 yo and my older son already used it to take an oryx with no problem. We'll probably be taking it on my daughters AZ elk and NM oryx hunt this fall.
Ours is a Ruger American predator. I wanted the ranch but it was out of stock. It's a little long with a 7" suppressor.
doesn't kick at all with 95 grain loads and 143 eldx aren't bad.

 

[Sacrvrrat72]

6CM is my vote. Just did the same thing with my nephew and hunting partners kid with great results.

 

[wesfromky]

My son is 10 years old and is currently working on his hunter safety course when he completes it, I would like to get him a barrel for my impact action I use for PRS and change the stock to a light weight. I currently shot a 22" 6.5prc at about 11lbs but I almost feel like that that would be too much for him. I don't plan on him hunting till he is 12 so I have a few more years. We mostly hunt Elk and bear but I'm sure it will be used for deer also I currently have reamers for 6.5 PRC, 6.5 CM, and a 6 CM. I know the Shoot 2 hunt guys talk about the 6UM but IDK if I want to get set up for another caliber. What do you guys think would be a good first rifle caliber?

Read this thread.

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: 211
• Forum: Firearms

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[Marshfly]

If the idea of shooting big game with a 223 gives you pause (and I get that decades of "knowing" it is inadequate is hard to shake), the 6ARC is by far the 2nd best option for a kid, especially suppressed. My 10yo had zero issues with mine last year. He shoots it with total confidence and zero bad habits. In fact, with the exception of my oldest son's one pronghorn last year, that 6ARC with 108 ELDM was responsible for every big game kill (7 in total) we put in the freezer.

3rd choice would be the 6creed. But you only gain some additional distance over the 6ARC which is a 650yard gun already with the 108 ELDM.

 

[eric1115]

I'll echo the 6CM or smaller recommendations. Suppressed if at all possible.

108/109 ELDM will wreck any elk on earth if it's above 1800-1900 fps. Figure up where that puts you with a 6CM at your elevation/desired barrel length, and decide if you think you need more range. It's for sure over 600 yards even if you load it mild and have a short barrel. Probably more like 800.

 

[Nosteponsnek]

Thank you all for the replies I guess I should have added it will be suppressed also I have a thunderbeast 5” and a dominus right now. The new unknown suppressor does peak my interest as it only adds 4” to the barrel. Also we live and hunt in Washington state so 22cals are illegal for us to use.

 

[big44a4]

My 8 year old son has shot my 7PRC with brake or suppressor out to 500 yards with ease. I got a buddy 12 year old daughter shoots a 300 win mag well to 500 too. Let him shoot some now and see what he can handle without getting any bad habits. Anything with a well placed shot will work but it’s what the kid can handle. Don’t let the internet tell you that, find out on your own.

 

[Felix40]

6 creed seems about right to me. My 10 yo shoots a 243 with reduced recoil ammo that I load. I would do the same with a 6 creed until he gets a little older.

I have to doubt anyone who says their pre-teen can handle magnums with no issue. The same kid would enjoy shooting a super low recoil rifle even more. Ive seen way too many videos of kids getting thrown around by rifles. My son will go through a box of 50 reloads in a session and ask for more.

 

[homebru.trout]

Another vote for 6CM. My 12 y.o. uses one to great effect and we'll be hanging his first buck on the wall as soon as I can get over to the taxidermist to pick it up. He can shoot the 6.5 CM but you can just tell it's less enjoyable in the compact rifle I got for him and he spends most of his trigger time with the 6.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

If the idea of shooting big game with a 223 gives you pause (and I get that decades of "knowing" it is inadequate is hard to shake), the 6ARC is by far the 2nd best option for a kid, especially suppressed. My 10yo had zero issues with mine last year. He shoots it with total confidence and zero bad habits. In fact, with the exception of my oldest son's one pronghorn last year, that 6ARC with 108 ELDM was responsible for every big game kill (7 in total) we put in the freezer.

3rd choice would be the 6creed. But you only gain some additional distance over the 6ARC which is a 650yard gun already with the 108 ELDM.

Thank you all for the replies I guess I should have added it will be suppressed also I have a thunderbeast 5” and a dominus right now. The new unknown suppressor does peak my interest as it only adds 4” to the barrel. Also we live and hunt in Washington state so 22cals are illegal for us to use.

I'm onboard with everything Marshfly said, so considering 22cal is not legal where you're at I really like the 6 ARC.

 

[TaperPin]

For a young hunter the recoil from a 100 gr bullet at 243 velocity is fairly easy to get used to. Since you have a can It could be a 6 creed, 6.5 creed or 6.5 PRC with reduced loads. I’ve always thought of a 6mm of some kind as an ideal first big game rifle - even if they move onto a different cartridge for their primary big game rifle as they get older, there is always a need for a 6mm as a plinker, trainer, varmint gun, or loaner.

 

[Ophidian]

If the idea of shooting big game with a 223 gives you pause (and I get that decades of "knowing" it is inadequate is hard to shake), the 6ARC is by far the 2nd best option for a kid, especially suppressed. My 10yo had zero issues with mine last year. He shoots it with total confidence and zero bad habits. In fact, with the exception of my oldest son's one pronghorn last year, that 6ARC with 108 ELDM was responsible for every big game kill (7 in total) we put in the freezer.

3rd choice would be the 6creed. But you only gain some additional distance over the 6ARC which is a 650yard gun already with the 108 ELDM.

I put together a 6mm arc howa with a stockys stock and an NX8 for my sons first rifle (its really mine until he develops marksmanship skills) with a brake on it its almost no recoil with a max PBR of 280y with my handloads. Should be a pretty easy point and shoot option for the hunting we do.

 

[Marshfly]

I put together a 6mm arc howa with a stockys stock and an NX8 for my sons first rifle (its really mine until he develops marksmanship skills) with a brake on it its almost no recoil with a max PBR of 280y with my handloads. Should be a pretty easy point and shoot option for the hunting we do.

Kill something with it and you'll need to build a second one. LOL.

 

[bojangles808]

6 creednoor

 

[Meknowy]

My son started at 10 with a 6.5prc and did great. It kicks, but it doesn't hurt. We also took the muzzle brake off; the noise bothers him more than the recoil.

 

[Ophidian]

Kill something with it and you'll need to build a second one. LOL.

I have already started thinking about it but hes 8 so ill get a few years with it before its not mine anymore.