Light Recoiling Deer Rifle

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I don't know if you reload, or know someone who can load for you. I was faced with a similar dilemma with my 12 yr old daughter last year. 243 was just to much for her to handle, managed recoil 270 was a no go too. Finally I tried loading 270 with Hodgdon youth loads H4895 and Hornady 100gr SP. Hodgdon says the loads are good out to 200 yds and she can shoot them all day with no problems. She busted a big ole doe at 120 yds.
 
AR 15 in .223 if legal in your state. Otherwise an AK or SKS. Semi autos have less felt recoil than other actions.
 
My first 'follow dad around through the trees' rifle was a .257 Roberts in a model 722 Remington.

Nice little rifle, low recoil. I'm not sure which manufacturers chamber it today. Based on the 7mm mauser (7 x 57) - which is another nice round. I've always had something of the hots for a 7x57.
 
Ruger mini 30. Light handy quick pointing. Cheap ammo for practice .
Change out the standard wooden stock with a black or camo zytell one.
Carried one my last few years deer hunting in Maine.:D
 
I haven't shot all the choices, but I agree that the muzzle flash and report is sometimes as big an issue as the shot to the shoulder. If a moderately weighted 243 is a bit much, that may be more of the issue than the actual recoil. 30-30's don't have a big kick and are low on the flash and bang, even easier on the shooter with the 130gr flatnose bullets. I've only seen and shot one 7.62/39 bolt, and I couldn't tell ya what brand it was, but it was a pussycat. Our SKS has practically half the recoil of my 30-30, another option.The 357 lever and bold guns with the longer barrels aren't bad on report and solid performers. my .02
 
30-30 Winchester is comfortable to shoot all day long, and Marlin makes them in Youth Configuration. Add a recoil pad if required.
 
I'll echo what other people have said and suggest that you stick with the .243 and get in some more practice time. Also, doubling up on hearing protection is a big deal, especially if you are shooting under a line shelter or inside. I always double up on hearing protection, I found that if I didn't I tended to start opening up groups after a box or sometimes less... not so good when you're trying to work up loads.
 
Looks like the 243 recommendations are a big majority. Thanks for all the recommendations. I'm going to start looking for a decent bolt.
 
Are you kid din' me. 25-06 in a runaway. Stunned no one championed that quarter bore. Get one on a mauser action and no as in zero recoil!
 
My suggestion is get him to shoot the gun off of the bench. Recoil from an offhand position is usually nothing compared to shooting a benched gun.
 
AR 15 in .223 if legal in your state. Otherwise an AK or SKS. Semi autos have less felt recoil than other actions.
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That depends on the shooter. My wife insists that shooting my AR15 and AK hurts, but has fired slugs through a 5lb 20ga and my lower powered 8mm loads without complaint.

A .250 Savage would be ideal probably if you could find one
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I was going to post that.
 
.243 is about as good as it gets in a bolt. .30-30 is a pretty good entry level round for a lever. Some might recommend a .357 lever, as well.

Either way, remember that a stock that's too long is going to exacerbate the recoil to begin with, and for most 13 year olds any factory gun is going to be too long. More important than caliber is a good fit. Cut the stock down, and put on a good limbsaver or decelerator recoil pad, and you should be in good shape.
 
I would have said the 25-06 a long time ago, but if a .243 is too much recoil how could he handle a heavier bullet moving faster? In a comparable rifle the recoil would be more.

best of luck and get the kid some range time
 
.30-40 Krag in a Krag carbine... smoothest bolt action ever made, excellent action, mild recoil, and better than .30-30 ballistics. Plus you might engender an appreciation for classic things.


Willie


.
 
So many great options.

I really like the .357 lever suggestion because with 38sp ammo it makes for a cheap practice gun, yet with 357s will kill deer no problem. The gun's weight will be enough and the barrel long enough (don't buy a carbine) that full-house 357s will be easy shooting. Cool looking gun and fun to handle, easy to carry.

Bonus, later on it will make a perfect cowboy action rifle.
 
.243 w/ 60-70 grain bullets in a youth model bolt action, OR, a .357. depends on the state you're in.
 
How about a heavy barrel .308 with light loads? Excellent accuracy, stable, minimal recoil.

At 5'6" and 125lbs, I'm certainly not huge, but I'm also not recoil shy. In addition to finding a different gun, there's also much value in training to use what's available.

If I can handle a 12 gauge with 3" OO buck...I'm sure a kid can be trained to use a 243.
 
What about an AR in 6.8 or .300 Blk? We are starting to see those back on the shelves now. Either would greatly reduce felt recoil.
 
The recoil of a .243 is about the same as the 6.5x55 SE.

Either one in a CZ 550 American, which weighs eight pounds without a scope, would be quite manageable for the youngster sitting in a stand I would think.
 
He just needs to man up...it's all mental.
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Your diagnosis is correct, but your attitude might not be productive. I see this at the public range all the time, guys telling their gf's who are recoil-sensitive to just 'man up'.

Some people are sensitive to recoil. It often depends on how the force is delivered. If the recoil is spread out through more time and one is introduced to recoil through progressively larger and harsher guns, it becomes easier to handle.

My advice would be to have him spend some time shooting a .223 in a semi platform to start getting used to recoil if all his experience has been with a 22lr. Once he's comfortable there, break out the deer rifle with a recoil pad on it. Don't overdo sessions.

Also, some people are more sensitive to the concussion of the shot and perceive this as part of the recoil. Wearing low-profile muffs can help this and still allow for proper cheek-weld.

Finally if nothing works, get a .308 and tell him its a 22lr. You only need one good shot in hunting, so as long as he gets it in his brain that its not going to recoil out of control or hurt him, it will be a good first shot.
 
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