Bringing a new person into the hobby

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2 LT CAPTs	Bringing a new person into the hobby	Lead	[-]
Posts: 624 (08/13/09 12:07 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None OK, it seems slow so I will toss this out for discussion. Back in June I finally taught my 9 year old to shoot my Henry 22 (yes, I know...6 years later than i should have...). He liked it...A LOT. I was shooting my Argie Mauser and he asked if he could tryand I said no. My son has some natural abilities shooting as based on cub scout camp (bb guns) and now the 22. He takes his time, is deliberate about his shot, and does not jerk after pulling the trigger. And no flinch. I learned to shot with larger caliber guns and I flinch and jerk the trigger even on a 22 now. I want him to get settled into GOOD habits before he tries any of my big stuff. So, now the question... I may have the opportunity to take him deer hunting with me this fall. All of my guns (with exception of two 22s) are military guns (iron sights etc). IF I take him, and IF I let him have a gun, and IF I let him take the shot, what should I have him shoot with? I am pondering something that will not ruin the aforementioned good habbits that he is developing. I have considered my M38 Swedish Mauser. Also my M1 carbine (though to be honest, I have never shot the carbine so I don't know what kind of kick it might have.) Any advice or thoughts on any of the above?
Mountain Doctor		#1	[-]
Posts: 3651 (08/13/09 12:25 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'd really like the Carbine for a close shot on a small deer, but that's a real can of worms contraversy amongst many people. Maybe an M-44 with a 44 grain FMJ plastic hulled bullet? Downloaded Swede? The kick of the Carbine is very modest.
Bryan 45		#2	[-]
Posts: 2544 (08/13/09 12:42 PM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'd use the Carbine and either the Remington or Winchester JSP. With these loads, the carbine is on par with a .357 Maximum as a deer cartridge. A good shot on a deer, even a big buck, under 100 yards and he won't go very far.
Mountain Doctor		#3	[-]
Posts: 3653 (08/13/09 01:00 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I figure the Carbine was good enough to kill soldiers with it oughta work on a deer.
2 LT CAPTs	Guess the Carbine goes to PA with me in a couple of weeks to "play" then	#4	[-]
Posts: 625 (08/13/09 02:18 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The one concern that I had regarding the carbine was putting a semi auto in my son's hands (given his inexperience). I suppose that I could mitigate that concern by only loading one shot into the mag when we are actually in the field. When hunting, i will be with him so if a follow-up shot was needed, I would have a large caliber bolt action at the ready.
Highpower		#5	[-]
Posts: 1102 (08/13/09 02:23 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Good plan. --------------------------- He who lives by the sword, should go out and get a really nice sword.
m1 talker		#6	[-]
Posts: 6907 (08/13/09 03:14 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I would check and see if the .30 Carbine is legal for deer hunting in your state first. For many years, they have not been legal in Idaho for big game hunting, as they did not have enough muzzle energy. However, its been many years since I last hunted and they may have changed the rules since back then. Around here, we used to introduce youngsters into hunting by taking them bird hunting with us. They would carry a single shot .410, or a 28 or maybe even a single shot 20 guage shotgun with them. I would walk up a road looking for birds and if one was spotted, I would let them have first chance of nailing it. All the time I would be covering with my 16 guage Winchester 97. If the youngster missed, I would quickly nail the bird and give him credit for it. Usually the only credit I got was spotting the bird and usually the backup shot from me was not required. Curt
Bryan 45		#7	[-]
Posts: 2545 (08/13/09 04:08 PM) Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Good point on making sure it's legal, Curt. I always forget that part since I live in KY. Any centerfire is legal for deer. .223, 25-20, .17 Rem. I don't necessarily agree with it, but that's the law.
maxima2		#8	[-]
Posts: 630 (08/13/09 04:50 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'd try to let him try both and see what he likes best. Just be prepared, once he takes a deer with it, the gun will be "his rifle" from that time forward. Dad has to go buy his own. Last Edited By: maxima2 08/13/09 04:54 PM. Edited 1 times.
m1 talker		#9	[-]
Posts: 6908 (08/13/09 04:54 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Well, Idaho used to require a .30 caliber or larger with a certain amount of muzzle energy to be qualified as a big game rifle. This shot out of the saddle a lot of people's hopes in using a Mini 14 or any of the AR-15 type of rifles, as they were chambered in .223 caliber in stock form. I don't know if the law has been changed or not, as it has been well over 35 years since I last hunted for deer. I know that the 6 and 6.5 mm surplus rifles were always a drug on the market here due to that, which left a bunch of Swede Mausers for us collectors. However, the last time I ran into my gunsmith friend, who worked part time at a local grocery store in the produce department, he asked me if I knew where he could get a Swede M-96, as he had some ugly (for us here) plans for making one into a hunting rifle. But by that time, all the imported Swedes were all gone from the market and I did not want to get into discussing the ones I had with him, as I knew what their fate would be. I have a friend with the Idaho Fish and Game Department and we used to exchange e-mails quite often, but I have not heard a peep out of him since mid March. But the next time I hear from him, I will ask him this question regarding minimum requirements for a "big game" rifle in the state. Curt
2 LT CAPTs	Location	#10	[-]
Posts: 626 (08/13/09 05:00 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I am in VA and we will be hunting in WVA. I THINK that 30 carbine is OK but i will dbl check. Good point on the warning about the gun changing ownership if he bags a deer with it. He has already attempted to lay claim to the Henry 22.
WVchuck		#11	[-]
Posts: 12368 (08/13/09 06:38 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	There are few things more rewarding than spending opening morning with your son(s) in the field. I started both of mine with bolt action carbines. They've yet to fill a tag, but when they do, it's going to be a great event here. Make sure the young feller is warm and comfortable. A pop-up blind with seats, handwarmers, hot chocolate, etc... goes a long way in regard to knocking the chill off (for everyone). It does limit your field of view to be in a blind, but it's a great way to hide movement and keep them warm as well as keeping the shots close and thus a better chance of success. What part of WV is going to be the hunting spot for you guys? I loved hunting in Tucker County back in the day. The further off the beaten trail the better.
2 LT CAPTs	Hardy/Grant Counties	#12	[-]
Posts: 627 (08/14/09 07:58 AM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	A friend has access to some property up there. it is where I got my first deer ever last year.
WVchuck		#13	[-]
Posts: 12375 (08/14/09 07:03 PM) Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	That too is some wonderful country!! There are few places that aren't in our great nation, but especially so in West Virginia.... so I'm biased. I love it north of Charleston & south of the northern Panhandle, east of I-79/north of 64/77. Mineral County is a neat place to travel through as well as Randolph if you ever get to do any exploring on the back roads. The last time I was through any of those places, land was getting hard to find in regard to obtaining permission to hunt. If you have a solid "in" with the land owner, keep that contact positive!!
maxima2		#14	[-]
Posts: 631 (08/14/09 08:41 PM) Veteran member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You didn't ask about this but thought I'd put it here as food for thought. Dicks Sporting Goods has Savage NON-accutrigger bolt actions with a short stock and scope in .243. I bought one last year for $299 on sale. I got it for my grandson who just turned 1 year old this month (it will keep). I've already tried it and it's very accurate with light recoil. As he grows I can add a spacer or buy a full length stock. It's nothing fancy but for what you get it's a very good starter rifle and it will be "his" without investing a fortune and could last him the rest of his life. His Dad is still using the Kimber Swede sporter 6.5X55 I bought for him for Christmas a bunch of years ago. A good gun, a good price and you get to keep the milsurps a bit longer.