Good caliber for 13 year old daughter.

[vtrednek]

Just getting some insight..I have the chance to purchase a .243 youth handi rifle with simmons scope. The local gun shop suggested this rifle as its inexpensive and a good starter caliber. Any words of wizdom would help.... She has shot a 20gauge and said it wasnt bad, one guy I talked to said it kicks bad and his 15 year old doesnt like it.. Not much time left and I dont want her to be afraid to pull the trigger..

Father of 2 Hunting girls...

[BruceBruce1959]

the .243 is probably the best choice to start a youth hunter with.
the .243 has a long history of taking deer.

All I would suggest is taking both of your girls out and let them watch you take the first 2 or 3 shots,
that way they will hear what the .243 sounds like (so no flinching when they shoot)
that will also show them what sort of kick it offers. (If any)
It sounds like you're looking at the New England Firearms Superlight Youth Handi Rifle .243 Winchester, is it? is it the synthetic or walnut stock?
The NEF is a great starter rifle.
Good Luck to you and both girls, and Welcome to the site...

[vtrednek]

Thanks Bruce for both the good luck and the info. Not sure where you are but we are in Milton and the guys at the Powderhorn in Williston are the ones that have helped me. I ran into a guy in Dicks last weekend looking for a new rifle for his daughter and as it happens he has the rifle I was looking at. Its the composite with blued barrel, and I think he said a Simmons 3-9x40mm scope. Any suggestions on ammo..? I have heard the lighter the grain of lead the less recoil..?! Im sure my daughter will love the rifle as I said she liked the 20 gauge single at camp. My 17 year old was shocked when I told her she was going to get my 30-30. Its an older Marlin 30a. Walnut stock that is engraved with a bucks head and checkering. I put a slip-on recoil pad on it to help with the kick. It had just the plastic butt protector. One of my better deals from the Powderhorn. Bought it 5-6 years ago with the scope for $245. And Bill even gave me an old soft case he had...Cant say even about the crew over there. Best of luck to you and yours as well...

[HuntingGal&HuntingKid]

Im for that 243 :) My son started using Oscar when he first started hunting 5 years ago when he was 7 and he Loves the feel of it.

[DeerHunter1]

Yea a .243 would be a good choice for her. That is what I used and I Sluged deer with it, it is a good little gun

[timberghost]

Yes, 243....

[Hunting Man]

again he 243 makes a great youth rifle for deer, Shoot the heaviest bullet in it. The lighter the stock thr greater the kick will be, Choose wisely and you can;t go wrong.

[tlpoore]

I have a 9 year old & he is doing just fine with the .243 that I bought him. So i would agree with the rest of the hunters the .243 is the best gun for him.

[nepaguy35]

I'll be the odd ball. My 12 year old girl shoots a ruger m77, 25-06 and when she's not hunting I carry it. light, no recoil and drives tacks. Or you could always go with the old 30-30 works great light recoil and has killed more deer than all the 243's combined.

[on_the_fly]

I bought my 9 year old a Rossi tripple threat it came with a 22, 243, and a 20 guage shot gun. he like them but will still not shoot the 20 though.
I realy like the Rossi gun, the inter changable barrels are nice and easy. I also like the trigger safety key lock. Wife like that feature more so though. and best of all its a great price for the multi gun pack in a youth stock.