Thread: Selection of caliber for new shooter(s)

Thanks for the input gents. Reading all responses from here and other places, it does seem that a reasonable path is a .22 and then a little later something bigger when we actually go hunting anything bigger than rabbit and\or at longer ranges. The ammo for the .22 seems about half the cost of the 17 and a lot less than the cost of the 223. (based on my maths where I looked at a well known dealer and took the 'averages' of the least and most expensive in each caliber).

With the right gun, ammo and most importantly shooter, sufficient 100m accuracy to take rabbits is possible for .22LR. 75m definitely so. Bullet drop in itself isn't necessarily a problem.

The 22LR is the only one that can be shot indoors do ypu need that. They can also be pretty well silenced for farm shooting.

My usual recommendation for first centrefire is the 30-06 because your shots wil not be perfect but the deer will go down.😃😃
That means your lad will need to wait a couple of years before hes ready to use it. Dont make the mistake of srnding him out for deer or even goats with a sub powered calibre like 223 or 243 - they are good in expert hands.

The 7mm08 also puts them down fairly well so thats my second choice. Be fussy with the ammo you use some is more effective than others. Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets are a top benchmark and available in Norma and Winchester factory ammo.

A T1x 22 paired with a T3x 3006 later will set you up real good. Ideally use similar scopes but for 22 close focus is helpful while in a centrefire a high level of waterproofness ruggedness and simplicity are required.

MB has made an excellent point re bullet drop. Learn to shoot to 200 yards with a .22 and everything else is easy.

yeah if its for rabbits and learning 22LR will suit you perfectly and a tikka make nice well made rifles

a bigger rifle for shooting Deer, tahr, pigs ect can happen later down the track

Depends on how much ammo you expect to shoot per year.

I wouldn't bother with 17hmr as it is expensive.

I have a 243 and it works well. haven't had a bang flop yet but they don't run far.

I have a 308 too, with 110 grain bullets and a good butt pad your 11 year old should be able to shoot ok until he grows a bit.

I would get the 308. It just works.

A .22 first for sure.

A bit later a .223 .243 or .308 depending on what you're hunting.

Yeah. Definitely a .22 to learn on and hunt some bunnies. You will need a centrefire later on for hunting larger beasts.
I wouldn't start an 11 year old on anything bigger than a .223. But .22 is the way to go.

I will find it AGAIN and link you to it...... for the price of a tikka and will do it all and then some...

a cheap used 22lr. cheap shooting all day long.
Re centre fire this is a large kettle of fish.
Personally I'm a fan of the 243. It's enough for most Northisland deer at sensible ranges.
I'll say 300 mtr but further if you home load and practice with quality Long range bullets.

Personaly for a 10-12 year old I would stop at nothing larger than a 7M08. So 243, 260 rem, 6.5 CM, 7M08.
Even then I would consider starting with the reduced recoil load.

Most of us would consider the 223 to be acceptable on goats and fallow deer to maybe 200 mtr.
However it dose not give a lot of room for error

Z
PS controversional thought. I suspect the 6.5 CM will start to be replaced by the 6.5 PRC so this may affect the resale and ammo down the line.

Greetings,
My vote is for the .22RF bolt action. At this stage you both need practice and lots of it. Your pick of the Tikka T1 is a good one especially if your second rifle is also a Tikka. Make sure it comes suppressed. Also ensure that the scope is either a rimfire model or is able to be focussed for distance. At 11 your assistant hunter is still growing so he needs to be able to shoot it as well even if it is just off a rest. If he is still a little chap then a cheaper S/H .22 for him with the stock cut down to suit him might be considered.
As far as a first centrefire rifle goes there are oodles of options. I am a little torn between a .223 (with an 8" twist barrel) and a .260/ 7mm-08 or a .308. Any of these, if suppressed and with a decent recoil pad, will do the job. If hunting for deer is on the menu then one of the bigger ones would be best but the .223 shines for lighter game and longer range than the .22RF.
There are no wrong choices.
Regards Grandpamac.

Yep, another vote for the bolt action .22 and also it's worth joining a local target club (even indoors benchrest) to get into good shooting habits and lots of range time.
7mm08 is fine (and I'd prefer one over a .243)...but just to put something else out there...a 30-30!
Seriously...it's OK out in the bush, and ranges out to 150 - 170 metres.
Very little recoil, but punches a .30 cal hole in a deer, etc.
I'm getting a tad 'frail' with the body not liking things like .444 Marlin anymore...I bruise too easy now.
But a 30-30 would be fine (for me), and is an easy way to get into a big boys rifle for your son to shoot.
Yeah, not a mainstream cartridge now...but they do the job just fine.
Depends where/how you want to hunt. Up close and personal or long range sniping.

you need a 22lr
308 would be a go to, ammo available everywhere, from tiny projectiles up to 240gr.
the 243 is just a necked down 308 as is the 7-08

Someone mentioned shooting rocks with a 22lr. Dont do that, you will get ricochets and then who knows where the bullet is going. 22lr is prone to this on hard surfaces even a tree branch can cause this. Use a soft target and proper back stop when practicing...

My vote is a .22 bolt action. Great for learning. And a lifeling challenge if you really get into it.

Centrefire, I'd go .223 - at least initially. The one thing to avoid at all costs is either of you developing a flinch from fear of the shot / recoil. This is a very difficult condition you eradicate and will seriously affect your enjoyment of the sport. Once youbare confident in your shooting, and you feel you can handle the .223, then consider a 6.5mm or 7mm or even 308. Go to YouTube and watch Mark and Sam after work stretching the. 223 to a couple of km before writing it off as marginal on deer. Just make sure it's a fast twist so you can use heavier projectiles.