The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - .243 or .30-30 for Youth?

bamaranger · October 31, 2012, 11:18 PM

I am not a fan of .30-30 levers for kids, though I know many of us started on one. Lowering the external hammer on a live round is tricky for small hands and the "solution" was the now "lawyer" safety on lever carbines.

I think a full size .243 bolt kicks less than .30-30 carbine too. But watch out for too long butt stocks. The big thing for youth can also be rifles that are too heavy.

I would also be very selective on who I gave an AR to for a first deer rifle. The .223 requires exact bullet placement, and I have never been a fan of a semi for newbies either. A single shot HR or a Mini-Mauser in .223 would seem more appropriate. While I'm at it, the 7.62x39mm in a bolt, as in an Ruger MkII or a CZ carbine makes a good youth rifle to about the distance that most youngsters ought to be shooting at game.

October 31, 2012, 11:18 PM	#33
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	.243 or.... I am not a fan of .30-30 levers for kids, though I know many of us started on one. Lowering the external hammer on a live round is tricky for small hands and the "solution" was the now "lawyer" safety on lever carbines. I think a full size .243 bolt kicks less than .30-30 carbine too. But watch out for too long butt stocks. The big thing for youth can also be rifles that are too heavy. I would also be very selective on who I gave an AR to for a first deer rifle. The .223 requires exact bullet placement, and I have never been a fan of a semi for newbies either. A single shot HR or a Mini-Mauser in .223 would seem more appropriate. While I'm at it, the 7.62x39mm in a bolt, as in an Ruger MkII or a CZ carbine makes a good youth rifle to about the distance that most youngsters ought to be shooting at game.