Cheap to feed, lead ban exempt, small deer calibre?

[HallyButt]

My 15 year old is showing an interest in deer stalking and I have a .223 slot currently free that could be a good option. He is aware he needs to get good with the rifle before let loose stalking even under supervision which means time at the range, that won’t be happening with Copper Sako Blades…

So… .223 or something else ?

We will need a rifle and a mod but have spare scopes etc, so I’m not worried about the rifle costs …just keen to not burn through £k’s shooting paper and steel!

 

[sauer]

.223
Cheap to reload
Not fussy to reload

Plenty options available but hard to beat a T3 a


Get a springer air rifle to simulate cheap practice from sticks or tripod etc
Can do it in garden


Paul

 

[takbok]

Hard to beat a 223.

 

[WalkedUp]

If you want I’ll message directly wrt under 18s FACs and Section 1, the UK legislation is a frustration.

 

[HallyButt]

.223
Cheap to reload
Not fussy to reload

Plenty options available but hard to beat a T3 a


Get a springer air rifle to simulate cheap practice from sticks or tripod etc
Can do it in garden


Paul

Indeed, he is already great on the crappy Turkish springer we have at home, no squirrels within 30 yards stand a chance! Just mindful that a CF is a different ball game and, if it all goes wrong, the dog will bring down a clipped squirrel, less so with Deer I recon!

 

[HallyButt]

Thanks guys! Guntrader has suggested a number of .223 at sensible Money! Franchi horizon varmint or Benelli lupo amongst them!

 

[WalkedUp]

I’m sure he will be as accurate with a centre fire as anyone else, a .223 is negligible felt recoil IMO. This is my then 9 year old with a .308” at 100 yards, split the heart on this Blesbok. Air rifle and grey squirrel head shots from sticks should be a good testing challenge in preparation.




As my sons aren’t yet old enough for their own FACs (14) they can only shoot .22 rimfire at HO approved clubs. Not centrefire or deer legal calibres. Very annoying for them, but in some ways an enforced apprenticeship. SGC was granted aged 9.

 

[WalkedUp]

Thanks guys! Guntrader has suggested a number of .223 at sensible Money! Franchi horizon varmint or Benelli lupo amongst them!

How big is your son? Making the stock and comb fit well from the start is really helpful for accuracy and consistency. Most Tikka stocks etc are pretty small and light.

 

[enfieldspares]

My 15 year old is showing an interest in deer stalking and I have a .223 slot currently free that could be a good option. He is aware he needs to get good with the rifle before let loose stalking even under supervision which means time at the range, that won’t be happening with Copper Sako Blades…

So… .223 or something else ?

We will need a rifle and a mod but have spare scopes etc, so I’m not worried about the rifle costs …just keen to not burn through £k’s shooting paper and steel!

Head says .223 Remington. Heart says .222 Remington Magnum. Idiot in me says 5.6x50. But .223 Remington is really all you need if INEXPENSIVE is the main goal.

 

[Jon69]

Getting behind a rifle (and scope setup!) that fits a smaller kid properly is essential to give them any chance of repeatable accurate shooting. Smaller .22 CF recoil def isn’t the issue, I’d imagine a hefty springer air rifle would be similar to a 223 with a mod

 

[Tim.243]

My 15 year old is showing an interest in deer stalking and I have a .223 slot currently free that could be a good option. He is aware he needs to get good with the rifle before let loose stalking even under supervision which means time at the range, that won’t be happening with Copper Sako Blades…

So… .223 or something else ?

We will need a rifle and a mod but have spare scopes etc, so I’m not worried about the rifle costs …just keen to not burn through £k’s shooting paper and steel!

My choice is to chop the .243 for a .223 come 2029 and use copper in the .270. it will cover me for my MJ (unless they move the goal posts)
No mod, swing off mounts for a glass also digital scope is the fwd plan

 

[HallyButt]

Getting behind a rifle (and scope setup!) that fits a smaller kid properly is essential to give them any chance of repeatable accurate shooting. Smaller .22 CF recoil def isn’t the issue, I’d imagine a hefty springer air rifle would be similar to a 223 with a mod

He’s 15, 185cm and 80kg, definately not ‘small’

 

[HallyButt]

Head says .223 Remington. Heart says .222 Remington Magnum. Idiot in me says 5.6x50. But .223 Remington is really all you need if INEXPENSIVE is the main goal.

Yeah, I like the fact that if he wants to fling 50 rounds down the range week in week out it doesn’t hurt bank of Dad too much!

 

[HallyButt]

My choice is to chop the .243 for a .223 come 2029 and use copper in the .270. it will cover me for my MJ (unless they move the goal posts)
No mod, swing off mounts for a glass also digital scope is the fwd plan

Sounds like a plan !

 

[Confidis]

Thanks guys! Guntrader has suggested a number of .223 at sensible Money! Franchi horizon varmint or Benelli lupo amongst them!

Had a horizon horrible thing rejected it . Horrific barrel.
I have a tikka now .
Tikka tok timex guns .

 

[VSS]

My 15 year old is showing an interest in deer stalking and I have a .223 slot currently free that could be a good option. He is aware he needs to get good with the rifle before let loose stalking even under supervision which means time at the range, that won’t be happening with Copper Sako Blades…

So… .223 or something else ?

We will need a rifle and a mod but have spare scopes etc, so I’m not worried about the rifle costs …just keen to not burn through £k’s shooting paper and steel!

He will need to have his own FAC in order to use a Section 1 firearm at that age.
It's not a big deal. There are no additional hoops that young people have to jump through over and above an adult applicant: My daughter had her FAC, with open conditions, at 14.

 

[Riverwye]

Get him his own FAC and a .22 rimfire, cheap as chips to get started and learn gun handling/safety etc. Box of ammo less than a pint of beer.
Your location doesnt say much of where abouts you are if you were fairly local i know of couple little .22's could be donated to youngster starting out.

 

[HallyButt]

Had a horizon horrible thing rejected it . Horrific barrel.
I have a tikka now .
Tikka tok timex guns .

I have a t3x, fancied something else as it’s boringly good, maybe the lupo… although ace looks cool

 

[HallyButt]

He will need to have his own FAC in order to use a Section 1 firearm at that age.
It's not a big deal. There are no additional hoops that young people have to jump through over and above an adult applicant: My daughter had her FAC, with open conditions, at 14.

Yep, in progress and with mentoring condition with me which is fine, FAO comment was ‘once you have the rifle and are through a dozen boxes of ammo amd a few deer we can review mentoring’ it’s a moot point as he can’t get to stalking grounds without my unpaid taxi service…

 

[penta]

Airgun Is where I learned most . Rellum .22 . I was around 12 at the time. Learnt safety first on back stops. And instilled within me after more. All with open sights, Then when I was 14 I got an HW80 for my Christmas present complete with a 4 × 40 nikko sterling scope.

I couldn't believe it, I still relish that Christmas day forever, had spent many hour's in the Christmas school holidays shooting my pride and joy. And even when the school holidays were ended, I ran home to get my airgun because I had limited time before the darkness fell.
That was my start in a hobby I love and still to this day!

What I'm trying to say Is nurture from the basics and progress within there own interest.