"Child friendly" rifle

[KNOT]

Hi everyone,

My laaitie is now old enough to hunt and is now joining me on hunting trips. He shot his first buck this weekend. I use a .375 which I love but it is a bit big for him so have to "borrow" from fellow hunters for him to shoot. I would like to get a rifle for him to use. I have come to the conclusion that a 22-250 with a silenser is the way to go. It will be something I can use as well once I get tired of doing the math over longer distances with the .375. :to:

Any sugestions on suitable "child friendly" rifles or any comments on a 22-250 would be appreciated?

[Socrates]

Hi everyone,

My laaitie is now old enough to hunt and is now joining me on hunting trips. He shot his first buck this weekend. I use a .375 which I love but it is a bit big for him so have to "borrow" from fellow hunters for him to shoot. I would like to get a rifle for him to use. I have come to the conclusion that a 22-250 with a silenser is the way to go. It will be something I can use as well once I get tired of doing the math over longer distances with the .375. :to:

Any sugestions on suitable "child friendly" rifles or any comments on a 22-250 would be appreciated?

Also consider the .243 and the 7x57

[Bundu Ric]

If you hunt on commercial hunting farms you might need to look at something in the .243 and bigger range.

Alot of hunting farms dont allow calibers like the 22-250.

[hagar]

The 22/250 is loud, and only works to it's optimum with a 24-26 inch barrel. It also eats barrels, by 2000 rounds most of them are toast, especially if you shoot a lot of rounds at a time. I would get a 223 with a 1 in 9 twist barrel, that way you can shoot some good heavier bullets, like the 69 Sierra. Else get him a 7X57 or a 257 Roberts (same cartridge necked down).

[THOMAST]

How old is your son?
You should also consider the 260 Remington(also known as 6.5mm08), a necked down .308 with a 6,5mm bullet, or the 7mm08, a 308 necked down to 7mm. Those with a silencer and you will be leaving the 375 to gather dust in the safe!
If he is still very young you might also look at the 6x45, basically a .223 with a 6mm bullet.
Do you reload?

[Wismit]

I read in the Magnum that it is not even advisable to shoot a warthog whith a 22-250.

I got my 9 year old a .308. Using reduced loads at this stage he has taken a number of Impala and warthogs. As he grow up we will increase the loads untill hhe can shoot normal loads. Then you can shoot everything up to a Kudu Bull. If you are daring you can even try Eland with 200gr bullets at 2400 f/ps.

[obasch]

How old is your son?
You should also consider the 260 Remington(also known as 6.5mm08), a necked down .308 with a 6,5mm bullet, or the 7mm08, a 308 necked down to 7mm. Those with a silencer and you will be leaving the 375 to gather dust in the safe!
If he is still very young you might also look at the 6x45, basically a .223 with a 6mm bullet.
Do you reload?

I second that! Also look out for a 6,5x55.

[Glocky]

I would look at a 243 , ammo is alwasy availible ,as to with less comercial calibres ammo might become a problem

[Redhawk75]

In the bush my son hunts with a Ruger M77/44 (44 Remington magnum), loaded with 300gr bullets we are yet to recover any bullets. Overall size is perfect & recoils less than a 223 but flipping loud!!!!!!!!!!! Now looking for a second rifle for the plains (6.5, 270 etc)!

[ikor]

I like the .243 idea. Lots of commercial loads available...the round kills well with decent bullets placed halfway well...and it lends itself to short, light rifles and suppressors if desired.

Elsewise I really like the 7mmx308 and full .308. As mentioned, you can download a .308 now and upload it later. I'm no hunter, so take that with a grain of salt, but I have killed Rooibok at almost 200yd with a 165gr .308. Dropped like a sack of sand hit him! JMO