Choosing the appropriate firearm for young hunters can make the difference between a good, enjoyable experience and one that might make them never want to pick up a gun again. As Brad Fitzpatrick comments, “Kids can’t enjoy shooting guns they can’t control.” The challenge with young shooters isn’t so much the weight of the firearm as it is the length of the stock. A well-fitting gun can keep a youth interested in hunting and shooting sports.
A few firearms are especially suited for young hunters. The Ruger American Rifle Compact has a shortened synthetic stock and an 18-inch barrel, making it manageable for kids, while accuracy is assured via its cold hammer-forged barrel and adjustable trigger. Another great choice is the Winchester Xpert 22, which made its debut at SHOT Show 2022. This bolt-action .22 rifle weighs very little, thanks to a polymer stock and an 18-inch barrel, and is very easy for young shooters to handle.
For shotguns, the Franchi Affinity 3 Compact delivers. This Italian semiautomatic shotgun gives young hunters some versatility by handling most shells and has adjustable spacers in its stock to grow with the young shooter. Bergara’s BMR Carbon is another top pick for young hunters with a lightweight carbon fiber barrel that weighs minimal and strikes the target with superb accuracy.
In all, the evolution of deer hunting over the years within southern Michigan has been immense. Tom Lounsbury gives details of changes in firearms and ammunition regulations. He outlines that in 2014, the adoption of the “Limited Firearms Zone” allowed rifles that fire specific straight-wall cartridges. This created an opportunity for more accurate deer hunting rifles to come through the door. Popular new cartridges include .44 Magnum, .450 Bushmaster, and .350 Legend.
Of these, however, it seems that the .450 Bushmaster has gathered the most following. Randy Brown of Randy’s Hunting Center worked with Ruger to develop an affordable bolt-action rifle in .450 Bushmaster, and it seemed almost overnight that this became a hunting favorite. The performance, aided by a good quality muzzle brake, supplies manageable recoil with outstanding accuracy for this cartridge.
Craig Boddington emphasizes above all else that fit and recoil management in a first hunting rifle are very important. He says the choice of a firearm should be guided by the user’s physical stature and recoil tolerance. Properly fitting the stock can reduce felt recoil, which will make the experience of shooting much easier on one’s body.
Boddington also discusses action types and various cartridges suitable for the beginner. While bolt actions dominate this category due to their relative inexpensiveness and user-friendliness, other types, such as single-shots and AR-style rifles, can also be very effective. The 7mm-08 Remington is highlighted as an excellent choice for a first-hunting rifle because of its mild recoil and versatility.
In summary, the ways to select the right firearm for first-time youth hunters or deer hunters include fit, recoil, and use. Using the correct choice, a young shooter can enjoy a positive and engaging experience that cultivates a lifelong passion for hunting and shooting sports.
A proper firearm choice for young hunters is important in ensuring that they will have a great experience and will remain interested. As Brad Fitzpatrick explains, “Kids can’t enjoy shooting guns they can’t control.” However, the weight of the firearm is not the real challenge to young shooters but the length of the stock. A fitting gun will keep a young person engaged in hunting and shooting sports.
Some firearms are more appropriate for younger hunters than others. The Ruger American Rifle Compact, with its synthetic stock that is shortened in length and fitted with an 18″ barrel, is easily maneuverable by kids. It also delivers accuracy with a cold hammer-forged barrel and an adjustable trigger. Another fine offering is the Winchester Xpert 22, which made its debut at the 2022 SHOT Show. This polymer-stocked, bolt-action .22 rifle with an 18″ barrel is light and easy for young shooters to handle.
The Franchi Affinity 3 Compact offers another, more versatile option for those interested in shotguns. This semiauto, made by the Italians, can eat anything from the lightest target loads to the hottest 3-inch magnums. It also has adjustable stock spacers that can be added or removed as the young shooter grows. Another favorite with young hunters is the Bergara BMR Carbon, featuring a lightweight carbon fiber barrel that’s mere ounces in minimum weight but delivers superb accuracy.
It’s changed a lot over the years, deer hunting in southern Michigan. Tom Lounsbury writes about changes to firearms regulation and ammunition. In 2014, a new “Limited Firearms Zone” made legal rifles firing specific straight-wall cartridges. In so doing, that opened the door to more accurate and efficient deer hunting rifles. Now the .44 Magnum, .450 Bushmaster, and .350 Legend have become popular choices among hunters.
Of course, some have drawn particular interest to the .450 Bushmaster. Randy Brown of Randy’s Hunting Center teamed up with Ruger to produce a reasonably priced bolt action rifle in .450 Bushmaster. It immediately became a favorite among hunters who like the performance of the cartridge and a good muzzle brake, making recoil very manageable, with very good accuracy.
The most important things for those choosing their first hunting rifle, according to Craig Boddington, are fit and recoil management. “Consider who the gun is intended for,” he advises, “and what they can stand in terms of recoil. A well-fitting stock can make a big reduction in perceived recoil.”.
He discusses the types of actions and cartridges that might be appropriate for a beginner. While bolt actions dominate the market—they are relatively cheap and easier to use—single-shots and AR-style rifles have their applications. He then goes on to talk about the 7mm-08 Remington as an excellent choice for a first-hunting rifle because of the flat trajectory, mild recoil, and versatility of the cartridge.
In summary, selecting the appropriate firearm for a young hunter or deer enthusiast needs to consider fit, recoil, and intended use. Making the right choice can give a young shooter a positive experience that can translate to lifetime enthusiasm for hunting and shooting sports.