[Mortimer Bondurant]

So, we just moved in June to this property that has boucoup deer but we've never hunted before. I suck at marksmanship so I'm asking my 14 year old son to bag us a buck this fall. He has a much steadier hand (plus, I would rather he got the bragging rights). He has a J.C. Higgins bolt action 22 that we pling with and that my father and I plinged with in or about 1963. It will take 22 short, long, and LR: but not magnum.

I never thought that you would use this rifle to hunt white tails. But the first place I looked online to get advice, Remington.com, under the rimfire section, has a 22 rifle that includes the term "big game" under the description.

Can you really hunt white tail with a 22? If not, what ammo would you recommend for a novice hunter at close range? He would be in a tree stand within 50 yards of his quarry.

Thanks.

Mort

 

[hunt NH]

i would absolutly not recomend a .22 for deer hunting, and in most states it is illegal. my recomendation given the short range of (50 yards) pluss the fact that you stated that he will be "in a tree stand" (thus he wont have to lug the gun through the woods, and that you mentioned he is only 14 would be...... find the heaviest 410 shotgun you can get your hands on. the waight will reduce "felt" recoil. the 410 (using slugs) is more than adiquit for droping a deer at 50 yards. and the 410 will give him the flexability to hunt small game with bird shot. just my opinion.

 

[WisconsinDeer]

A 20 gauge with a smooth bore slug barrel with be just perfect for your son and the 50 yard distance. If he cant handle the recoil of a 20 gauge he shouldn't be hunting.

 

[BruceBruce1959]

I never thought that you would use this rifle to hunt white tails. But the first place I looked online to get advice, Remington.com, under the rimfire section, has a 22 rifle that includes the term "big game" under the description.

Can you really hunt white tail with a 22? If not, what ammo would you recommend for a novice hunter at close range? He would be in a tree stand within 50 yards of his quarry
Thanks.

Mort

Greetings Mort welcome to the club.

You'll have to go back to look at the remington site again I believe you must have made a mistake.
I just looked at the remington site myself and under "Remington Rimfire Rifles" I didn't see anything that mentions "big game" under any of their rimfire rifles.

I don't think anyone should hunt deer with a .22 caliber., the .22 is too small I would suggest buying your son a new rifle to hunt with preferably a .243 caliber or larger.

Good Luck and don't hesitate to ask if you have any more questions.

 

[WisconsinDeer]

Buy this rifle in .243 for your son. The recoil is minimal and the power is plenty for a deer.

Cabela's -- Stevens® Blued/Camo Rifle Combos

 

[Guest]

yea you really got to check into the laws in your state. hunting isn't just killing a deer. there is hunters safety that must be taken ans passed in most cases. then there are licenses and tags depending on the rules in you state. some states its illegal to deer hunt with a 410 shot gun, some states buckshot is illegal, lots of rules to promote ethical taking of game and for safety. keep in mind that in most states the critters belong to the public only the land is yours.

 

[su106]

i would get him a .243 that will do a nice job i have a ten year old son and that is what he uses he got he's first deer last season with it good luck

 

[Hunting Man]

I would look into a muzzleloading rifle as he most likely can increase his hunting time during 2 separate seasons. The new models can be bought fairly cheap and are pretty easy to load/shoot/clean. Most middle age kids can handle 2 50 gr pellets as far as felt recoil.

 

[WisconsinDeer]

I would look into a muzzleloading rifle as he most likely can increase his hunting time during 2 separate seasons. The new models can be bought fairly cheap and are pretty easy to load/shoot/clean. Most middle age kids can handle 2 50 gr pellets as far as felt recoil.

Since he is a kid a muzzle loader might be a bit much. I would say just a bolt action rifle as they are easy to use and you don't have to clean them all the time. He may lose interest in a muzzle loader. Just my thoughts.

 

[o1sick7]

Hit a few local pawn shops. You can usualy find a decent bolt gun. I would go for a 30-06 for the simple fact you can find ammo about anywhere for it. And you have the range from 90gn to 200 gn. Good for coyote to elk and everything in between. Or an old mosin nagant. Sorry I know I spelt it wrong. But will humanely harvest a buck and cheaply do it.

 

[WisconsinDeer]

Hit a few local pawn shops. You can usualy find a decent bolt gun. I would go for a 30-06 for the simple fact you can find ammo about anywhere for it. And you have the range from 90gn to 200 gn. Good for coyote to elk and everything in between. Or an old mosin nagant. Sorry I know I spelt it wrong. But will humanely harvest a buck and cheaply do it.

A 30-06 has quite a bit of recoil. I still stand by the .243 as it is a pretty good all around cartridge, from varmints to black bear.

 

[Guest]

A 30-06 has quite a bit of recoil. I still stand by the .243 as it is a pretty good all around cartridge, from varmints to black bear.

i like the 243 as well but for black bear? eheheheh it better be a well placed bullet.

 

[WisconsinDeer]

i like the 243 as well but for black bear? eheheheh it better be a well placed bullet.

Back about 20 years ago my dad drew a bear kill permit and since my uncle is kind of a bear hunting guide my dad went hunting with him. Well my dad worked full time on my grandpa's farm so he never really had time to pay attention to his guns. He had a Remington 742 30-06 but he never got the time to sight it in...sooo my uncle lent him a .243 to use. When the dogs treed a bear my dad shot and the bear died instantly in the tree. One of the guys had to climb the tree (I'm assuming it was a pine) and push the bear down. Basically what I'm getting at is that a .243 with work just fine with your average 250-325lb black bear as long as shot placement is good, as it should be with any animal. It may not be optimal for a bigger bear around 450+lbs though.

 

[Guest]

thats what i said it better be a well placed shot. for bear i would prefer something with a bit more frontal area which delivers its energy a little more abruptly.

 

[Hunting Man]

Should be able to handle a muzzleloader with no problem. You have to clean any rifle so what's the difference. My son got his Knight muzzleleoader at 14 and had no problem with recoil. He'd be better off with this than a single shot 20 ga or? If not then I'd go with 243 or better yet a Rem 260 and that would service his needs for several years. What I was thinking is for low budget you'll get more gun in a muzzleloader than a regular rifle.

 

[sdwolfden]

I shot my 1st deer with a 20 gauge shotgun with a rifled barrel. When I was looking for a rifle, I looked for a 30.03 or a .270 bolt action. Found a sporterized .303 that fit me. You need to check your state regulations for what is legal to shoot, but the best way to get your son a gun that fits him is to take him along and have him handle as many rifles as possible to get one that fits him. The muzzle loader that I got has no more kick than my sluggun, and both have brought down deer. Hunter safety is important and practice, practice, practice.

 

[extremehunter007]

.270 winchester. you can get 90 grain bullets from SPEER, and use that for furbearing animals, or a 130-160 for large game. and it really doesnt have a ton of recoil. but on the other hand, for the use, id probably agree with everybody else and say .243. tho ammo is kinda pricey.


* i have a buddy that uses an outlaw .22 hornet when he cant shoot his -06 (due to a severe shoulder injury) and he has dropped several deer with it. they are all well placed shots. last year tho, he took a shot at 1 doe, and the 60 grain HP bullet made full penetration, and dropped her and the doe standing behind her. that doesnt happen but once in a million years, and wouldnt recommend it, but it shows your options. but usually nothing less than .24 cal. rifle, a straight walled case .357 mag or larger for pistol, or .38 cal muzzleloader or above are legal around here.

 

[WisconsinDeer]

id probably agree with everybody else and say .243. tho ammo is kinda pricey.

I don't see how the ammo is pricey. A box of 100 gr Winchester Super-X's is only like $16-$17. You can get a box of Federal 100gr SP's at walmart for about $13.

 

[Guest]

I don't see how the ammo is pricey. A box of 100 gr Winchester Super-X's is only like $16-$17. You can get a box of Federal 100gr SP's at walmart for about $13.

yea what he said. 243 pricey?

 

[Rozman62]

I would say the .243 is top choice here and provides the most flexibility in the event different areas are hunted with extended ranges. The 20 gauge would be my next choice.