When new hands come into a profession or vocation, it becomes possible to keep the cycle of entry and exit alive. In hunting, young hunters have a place, as a result of family influences, personal interest or outright curiosity on the part of the entrants.

It is vital to make sure that the first experience for the young hunter is a memorable one and this explains why the first gun handling experience also matters.

There are a number of ideas to look at in this regard. The kind of shooting activity the gun will be put to use in the maturity of the shooter as well as gun exposure are vital to be taken into consideration.

By Type

The Centerfire Rifle

A young hunter who is getting trained to hunt the deer will find a centerfire rifle a good choice. The centerfire rifle that comes to mind is the .243 and it makes a good fit for a starter on the hunting trail.

The fact that it is mild when it is on recoil is a notable plus to look at when choosing the right forearm for young hunters.  The rifle size is handy and won’t be a wieldy hands-on for a nerd.

The downrange energy that comes with the bullet technology of the centerfire rifle makes it a good pick for precision shots that any class of hunter will enjoy on the hunting trail.

The Rimfire

When considering a lightweight gun, the .22-caliber rifle makes a suitable pick for its small size and low recoil action. A young hunter will not find this intimidating and will find it easy to come to grips with as it is put to use.

The cost of the needed ammo for this gun will be eased by the inexpensive and readily available options like the Winchester’s 555 Rounds. The durability of the .22 is also a plus and can be used when hunting rabbits, squirrels, and other small games.

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The Shotgun

If you are looking for an all-around option when choosing a firearm for your young hunter, a shotgun comes to the party with positive highlights.

Shotguns are excellent for busting close-range targets hunt small games, hit clay stands, take down the waterfowl and finish off the bear or deer.

In terms of size, the smallest shotguns are not necessarily the best fit for small hunters or young persons. For example, a .410 can be used to hunt small game and fun to handle, but it has a payload that an experienced hand can best maneuver. A young shooter can get easily frustrated when targeting a target or small game on the move.

In a sense, a 20 gauge could suit a young shooter better as it comes with a reduced size, weight and recoil action. The knockdown energy associated with this firearm will be a good complement for the young shooter.

Young hunters on the trail of geese, squirrels, and ducks will find the loads of the Magnum Waterfowl or the 20-gauge Super X on size 4 to size 8, as high-precision picks. The Partition Gold, Dual Bond or the Rack Master, are fitting for the 20-gauge slug hits.

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The autoloader is a good fit when looking at young hunters and the best firearm choice to deliver the goods. The recoil is mitigated on an autoloader, and this will be comforting for a young shooter.

On the other hand, a pump action rifle will give maximal recoil with a shot, and manipulation can be difficult for the young hunter. Using single shot loads doesn’t make it any better for the young hunter as this comes with intense recoil. The young hunter also will be unable to deliver a follow-up shot that might be unavoidable.

In terms of the guns with the least recoil, you might want to consider the semi-auto type, as this gives a young hunter a better chance to grow into a skillful shooter.

By features

Overall Size

Size matters when choosing the right firearm for a young hunter. It can be burdensome to head out with a gun that the user finds rather inconvenient. There are no guns that do not come with some measure of weight, but, the user needs to find it easy to go along with and handle.

The firearm has to be light for a young hunter and these days, scaled-down guns are available for young hunters and again, the age still matters when selection is being made.

Many skilled hunters will mention the Rossi youth gun, Remington 870 youth model as well as the Mossberg 500 Bantam for use by the young hunter. The Rossi youth model comes with a single load and is easy to get used to as they young hunter gets his intro. As the hunter matures, the 870 or the Bantam pump can become easily handy.

When choosing firearms for your kid, it is advisable to have your ward go along with you to see how it looks and fits like. It is not wrong to have the young hunter handle and see how well your pick fits before you checkout.

Gauge

In terms of gauge, the age of the hunter also comes to play, and should not be overlooked. You should be considering the safety and comfort of the user as you look at the gauge. Many hunters agree that a .410 is a good way to start. While the target options will be limited when starting out with a .410, the young shooter will be assured of a good first-time experience.

When looking at the fitting gauge that suits the young hunter, do not forget that a misfit gauge will mean the young shooter has to over gauge to use the gun. This can be discouraging, and possibly deter the young hunter from going ahead to develop a hunting interest.

Nothing beats a first time that is pleasant, and this applies to getting your young hunter to become mature and retain a hunting interest down the years.