Input on youth starting rifle

[zeke06]

My oldest will be turning 5 this summer and is wanting to go deer hunting next season. I will get her out next summer and start her off plinking with a 22. In Iowa we are able to use most anything .350 bullet diameter and larger. I still think a 350 legend will be a bit too much for her. I'm thinking of having her practice with a 22LR T/C Contender and get a 357 Mag barrel and have her shoot 38 Spl. and work her up to the 357 Mag. I know 357 Mag isn't an ideal cartridge but with a decant handload with Barnes bullet anything within 80 Yards should be good.

Any input on how others started their kids out would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JB10]

I started mine off with 22lr. Once i saw they were dicaplined to following orders and handled rifles correctly then moved them up as they could handle things. My middle daughter accelerated faster than my other two. When trying a new cartridge it was 1 shot and see how they handles recoil.

 

[Kevin1990]

I may be reading your post wrong but "most anything. .350 bullet diameter and larger." Does that mean you need .350 or bigger? If not I'd look at something like a 6x45 for a kiddo to hunt with.

I started out on a 22lr. Then moved to a .223 and a .243.

My buddy had his daughter shooting a .223 bolt starting out, which I thought was excessive, but she handled it okay, and now is comfortable on that. No plans to have her shoot anything larger for a while.

 

[Lee Whitsel]

My oldest will be turning 5 this summer and is wanting to go deer hunting next season. I will get her out next summer and start her off plinking with a 22. In Iowa we are able to use most anything .350 bullet diameter and larger. I still think a 350 legend will be a bit too much for her. I'm thinking of having her practice with a 22LR T/C Contender and get a 357 Mag barrel and have her shoot 38 Spl. and work her up to the 357 Mag. I know 357 Mag isn't an ideal cartridge but with a decant handload with Barnes bullet anything within 80 Yards should be good.

Any input on how others started their kids out would be greatly ap

My oldest will be turning 5 this summer and is wanting to go deer hunting next season. I will get her out next summer and start her off plinking with a 22. In Iowa we are able to use most anything .350 bullet diameter and larger. I still think a 350 legend will be a bit too much for her. I'm thinking of having her practice with a 22LR T/C Contender and get a 357 Mag barrel and have her shoot 38 Spl. and work her up to the 357 Mag. I know 357 Mag isn't an ideal cartridge but with a decant handload with Barnes bullet anything within 80 Yards should be good.

Any input on how others started their kids out would be greatly appreciated.

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[effendude]

Can you get a suppressor? It takes away recoil and especially the noise that causes flinching. Suppressors make training new shooters much easier. As for caliber, I don't have a 350 Legend but a 35 Remington would be an excellent choice too. It was responsible for my first 20 deer or so when I was young. Remington used to load 170 grain as well as 200 grain bullets.
Good Luck,
Scott

 

[CJ6]

I may be reading your post wrong but "most anything. .350 bullet diameter and larger." Does that mean you need .350 or bigger? If not I'd look at something like a 6x45 for a kiddo to hunt with.

I started out on a 22lr. Then moved to a .223 and a .243.

My buddy had his daughter shooting a .223 bolt starting out, which I thought was excessive, but she handled it okay, and now is comfortable on that. No plans to have her shoot anything larger for a while.

Iowa has a 35 caliber stipulation.

 

[dk17hmr]

What about a CVA single shot in 350 legend, 44 magnum, or 45-70 they are like $300. Just down load it with cast bullets for practice.

 

[Bill K]

Check out the new Rossi Carbine. 300 blk or 350 Legend would be good. Shot placement, with practice with light loads and then work up to full power.
Not sure if 300 Blk (308) would be legal, from what you say. But the 350 sure would.

 

[K22]

At the risk of being bombarded with negative posts, it's difficult for me to imagine a 5- or 6-year-old deer hunting but that choice is not mine to make, but yours. At 5 years of age as stated in your post, you may want to start her off with a 22 rifle to learn the basics of firearms safety and shooting. Any substantial recoil could ruin her interest in the sport.

Assuming she will be 6 when next deer season rolls around, you may want to have her accompany you on a few hunts without carrying a firearm just to observe the basics of hunting and assess her level of interest before investing in firearm.

This is the method my father used with me, but I was 12 years old at the time. I accompanied him on a few hunts without carrying a firearm. It was time well spent learning the basics and accessing my interests in big game hunting.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

There are many past threads on this so you might be able to find info on those also. It often comes up around the Christmas season.

 

[CJ6]

My oldest will be turning 5 this summer and is wanting to go deer hunting next season. I will get her out next summer and start her off plinking with a 22. In Iowa we are able to use most anything .350 bullet diameter and larger. I still think a 350 legend will be a bit too much for her. I'm thinking of having her practice with a 22LR T/C Contender and get a 357 Mag barrel and have her shoot 38 Spl. and work her up to the 357 Mag. I know 357 Mag isn't an ideal cartridge but with a decant handload with Barnes bullet anything within 80 Yards should be good.

Any input on how others started their kids out would be greatly appreciated.

I think you're on the right track. Keeping the platforms weight reasonably light is important as is the recoil aspect of it.
With Iowas 35 cal. Minimum the 357 at your suggested range max is doable with practice.
Good luck with her and enjoy your time afield with your daughter....It's priceless.

Edit to add.....If you follow Trophy Bucks of Iowa, there are some really nice deer pictures with youth that have taken some good ones this year.

 

[WyleWD]

Start her out with an accurate 22 that she can handle well. Do a lot of plinking and practice this spring and summer. If things are going well introduce her to squirrel hunting as much as possible when the season opens and evaluate those hunting, stalking skills, safety, early mornings, etc. And if all is going well it could be an easy transition to deer hunting with a 357, 44 mag, or 45 colt. JME. Good luck and hopefully you can build some really good memories with her. WD

 

[Drop Port]

Without getting into all the other factors discussed, start off with having the rifle fitted. Nothing worse than trying to teach a kid fundamentals with an adult length rifle.

 

[Oso]

I am a father with children from age 8 to age 22. My youngest weighs 58 pounds. He accompanies me to the range on occasion (whenever he want to go). If he asks to go then my original plans for the range gets scrapped and the focus shifts to him and I only bring rimfire. Keep in mind there is still a 50/50 that when we get there we might not stay. If there is a crowd &/or loud rifles then he doesn't even want to get out of the car. I don't force him.. What is acceptable level of noise and percussion to me is punishing/deafening to a child. If we can't find a quieter area then we call it and go get burgers. My point is what I want and what is best for my child may be different. I have to remind myself that what was acceptable when I was a child is no longer sufficient standard for my child.

Don't rush the experience and run risk of causing hearing damage or causing a mental flinch. You have time. Have fun enjoying rimfire for a couple of more years. If she is bugging you that bad or if you just can't wait to take her into the woods then bring her along as your sidekick spectator.

Remember to bring proper hearing protection, binoculars, and a flashlight. Most important make certain the IPad is fully charged and you bring a backup battery pack. If you want Rockstar Status then get her own backpack that she can carry her gear, supplies, and snacks. Basically, you need to brink along and entire spare outfit for her plus pack 2-3 of everything you would otherwise bring if it were just yourself

Sorry - this went long but I find myself smiling and remembering some great memories. The hunting and shooting were just the back drop / secondary to the sharing time and strengthening relationships.