First hunting rifle for 7 & 8 year old

[Adoons]

My very small for age daughter, currently 15 have been shooting my Howa with a suppressor in 6,5x55 with 140 gr Federal Fusion factory ammo since being 12. Her 12 would have been smaller and weaker than your 7 and 8 year olds 10 to 1! She is like really small. Lately she uses 156 gr handloads (Norma Oryx). Any BWB or Kudu can be taken with confidence. Not saying the 156 to be better than 140. She just read up a lot and asked for the heavier bullet for the heavier quarry.

Light Monolithics also an option. I am just a Lead+Copper Bonded believer.

A 6,5 CM is the same ballistic class for hunting purposes than a 6,5X55 Swede. The Swede might have less felt recoil as it is operating with lower pressure due to more case capacity. A Swede is still carrying more "class" with it...

Between a 243 and 308 I would suggest a .308 for the simple reason that should 2 kids arrive on my farm to hunt BWB or Kudu and they have a .243 and .308 with them that they can shoot equally well, I would rather have them hunt with the .308

[Logs]

If you're considering the Swede, a friend just had his excellent condition Sako 85 listed by a KZN reputable dealer:

https://www.natalguncompany.co.za/20...-5x55mm-rifle/

[Bushcourt]

+1 for 6.5CM

Cousin bought one to teach his daughters to shoot post 22lr 10 years ago. St the time daughters was 12/13. In the meanwhile the creedmoor has become the go to bakkie gun. Taken significant amount of kudu and others on the farm. Was the inspiration for my own creedmoor. Versatile long range gong seeker and very capable hunting calibre.

[A-R]

My personal take on the matter, and that comes from experience with my 4 kids (2 sons, 2 daughters) going through the process. (My youngest daughter, aged 15, has just submitted her Competency application at the DFO.):

1. I never encouraged them to go shooting or hunting with me. I let them beg me, and then only allowed them under strict conditions. This ensured that they were always keen to go. As soon as they feel they need to do it to please you, the enjoyment of shooting or hunting is gone, probably forever. (Beware! This is the expensive option.)
2. I started them on airguns until they handled them safely, even when unsupervised. Then they got introduced to .22LR rifle and pistol.
3. Center fire guns were only introduced much later, when they had the strength to handle them. Only one shot at first. Another later, when they asked. Not more, as then the recoil becomes a problem.
4. My kids started their center fire hunting with a 223. Small game and vermin off course.
5. Now that I have a few 223's with 1:8" twist barrels, this has opened a whole new world of hunting applications. The heavier (70-77gn) bullets penetrate much better than the fragile 55gn bullets normally used in 1:12" 223 rifles. They have taken baboon, warthog, impala and kudu with these, obviously with proper shot placement. Note that while legal and allowed in my specific circumstances, this may not be possible for everyone.

My recommendation for a beginner center fire hunting rifle caliber would include the following:
1. 223 with fast (1:8") twist and heavy bullets (where allowed). Reloading will be required.
2. 6,5 Grendel. This makes a very soft-shooting bushveld cartridge, allowed everywhere. Conventional cup/core bullets with weights around 120 - 123gn seem to work well. Factory ammo is scarce, but available.
3. 7,62x39mm. The old M43 cartridge is now available in decent bolt action rifles and very capable at bushveld hunting distances. 123gn bullets are basically standard. Soft-point bullet ammo is available and cheap practice (steel case) ammo is plentiful.
4. 300BLK. This versatile number does everything the 7,62x39mm can, plus much more. You can shoot bullets weighting from 110 to 250gn. While factory ammo is available, reloading brings out it's best potential.

You will notice that all the options listed are intermediate cartridges. This means the rifles are shorter and lighter, and the recoil much softer. This makes them easier to handle for sub-adults. Mind you, after a while you might just want to take it back for your own use.