Youth Hunting Rifle choices

[Jasper604]

Hello Guys/Girls,
I am 14 and fairly new to hunting. I passed my CORE when I was ten, and I have been hunting every season since. I have harvested 5 deer over the years on my 1 week trip to region 4. I harvested my deer using a Winchester modle 70 in 30-06. I found the rifle very heavy and the recoil inconfortable. I shot a 7mm-08 and loved the low recoil and bullet weights. I will use the rifle for elk, deer, predators, moose and MT goats. Any suggestions will be much appreciated! I want the rifle to be under 7 lbs (not including scope/rings)

Many Thanks, Jasper

[monasheemountainman]

rem 700 mtn rifle, mod 70 featherweight, tikka t3 in that order would be my choices

[Steeleco]

I'd add a Browning A-Bolt or X-Bolt with the A-Bolt being my pick. My 16 year old daughter shoots that gun and has no issues with recoil and weight. It's perfect fit for her 115lb frame.

[Jasper604]

I'd add a Browning A-Bolt or X-Bolt with the A-Bolt being my pick. My 16 year old daughter shoots that gun and has no issues with recoil and weight. It's perfect fit for her 115lb frame.

Thanks! I have been looking at the Xbolt and the sako a7

[.264winmag]

Savage lightweight hunter is a beauty, blued/wood though. Axis stainless, tikka t3 lite or super light if you can find one. If $ not an issue I'd be looking at a kimber adirondack! Happy rifle hunting!

[wideopenthrottle]

if it fires well keep the 30-06 m70 too...you will be comfortable with it when you fill out...

[Ferenc]

Jasper... Don't rule out the .270 cal still a good round , daughter shoots one in a Rem 700

[DBM]

Keep the 30-06 and shoot Remington reduced recoil loads. My son who was small for his age had no problem shooting them at 10 years of age.

[brian]

Jasper... Don't rule out the .270 cal still a good round , daughter shoots one in a Rem 700

I wouldn't do a .270 if you are uncomfortable with a 30-06. You are right the .270 is still a good round and I shoot one, but recoil wise its not much different.


Any suggestions will be much appreciated! I want the rifle to be under 7 lbs (not including scope/rings)

One other thing to consider, as your rifle weight goes down felt recoil intensifies and stock fit becomes very important. So make sure you go to a store and handle the rifles if at all possible. 7mm-08 is a great cartridge, I never really considered it until some of the guys here sang its praises. I started reading up on it and wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I were in the market for a rifle.

[hoochie]

I wouldn't do a .270 if you are uncomfortable with a 30-06. You are right the .270 is still a good round and I shoot one, but recoil wise its not much different.

What??
Theres a .270Win Browning XBolt Carbon fiber sitting in my cabinet... shoots 150gr like you are shooting a .243. There is almost no recoil, and its a very light rifle.

[Paulyman]

There is a guy on the bc hunting and fishing facebook page or reasonable firearms sales page that has a 25-06 Weatherby for sale and it comes with 8 boxes of ammo. Good price

[Citori54]

I would go with the 7mm-08. It will suit you we'll now and in the future. If you don't intend on hunting grizzly the 08 will kill anything else in bc. You will become a more proficient shooter not worrying about recoil

[hoochie]

What do your parents say?

[brian]

What??
Theres a .270Win Browning XBolt Carbon fiber sitting in my cabinet... shoots 150gr like you are shooting a .243. There is almost no recoil, and its a very light rifle.

Your x-bolt probably has a stock design that really fits you well and minimizes felt recoil. True recoil is a formula derived from powder charge, velocity, bullet weight, and rifle weight. Since the .270win is a necked down 30-06, the powder charge capacity is the same with slight differences in charges for equivalent weight bullets. Bullet weights tend to be lighter in the .270 but there is quit a bit of overlap with the 30-06. This leaves rifle weight, which is identical between comparable rifles (ie your x-bolt will weigh the same whether it is .270 or 30-06). They shoot at similar velocities. So both cartridges shooting a 150 grain bullet at the same velocity will have almost identical recoil (only difference being slightly different powder charges). Most good 30-06 rounds are heavier which accounts for the 30-06 being considered as a heavier recoiling cartridge. But both the 270win and 30-06 are in the same ball park compared to lighter kicking cartridges like a .243win or 7mm-08. These rounds have smaller case capacities shooting either lighter bullets or at lower velocities. Where recoil confuses people is the subjective quality of felt recoil. Two rifles of the same cartridge with different stock designs can feel dramatically different in how they kick. Which is why I recommended that the original poster find a stock that really fits him well.

[RBH]

Does the 30-06 have a good recoil pad on it? Putting on a Limbsaver or other quality pad will help a lot. Also, if shooting the 06 I would stick with 150 grain bullets if you are not already doing so. They have a bit less recoil than heavier bullets like the 180 grain. If you are shooting copper bullets, Barnes Vortex puts out a 150 grain; I think the Hornady GMX may also come in 150. Having said that, I have heard nothing but good things about the 7mm-08. If you are going to buy a gun, save up and buy a good one -- it will last you a lifetime and you will end up spending money on this or that so you want to be buying those extras for something that is good to begin with.