Daughter’s rifle

[Glenn Slaven]

My daughter (15 yoa) and I are going in 2020 for a 7 day safari with Kuche and a 10 day with Paw Prints, then a 3 day in Mauritius (for me) to get a Rusa. My daughter has sworn up and down all she would shoot is a zebra. She has never shot a rifle in her life. I was thinking my wife’s 7mm-08 loaded with 170 gr Nosler Partition and a can or my 7x57 (.275 Rigby for you upper crust guys) would be marginal, but enough to work....

Took her shooting today, and started off with a internally suppressed .22 Alpine from PWS, then she shot a .22 Hornet. Shrugged and said it was fun...happy dad.

Thought, what the hell, let her try a .308 with a muzzle brake. She didn’t want to do at first bc of the noise. I told her she wouldn’t hear it it she wore ear pro and actually shot it. She did, turned two big rocks to small rocks with two shots at 175 yards off of sticks. Turned to me and said “that’s not bad at all. It’s fun when you can hit stuff. You have anything bigger?” I feel stupid saying I was over joyed and so proud. When she said she would probably shoot more the just a zebra I was beside de myself. I have been told several times not to worry, she would shoot more than just one animal. I didn’t believe them, but I guess they were right.

My wife said this may have become an expensive shooting trip with her. I say it’s money well spent.

Tomorrow we try the .300 WM and 9.3x62.

Sorry for the long post, jut wanted to brag a little and share my happiness with some other guys who may have been in the same boat as me.

 

[Mekaniks]

Very Cool!
For what its worth my son (age 13 at the time) and I hunted with Paw Prints in 2016 and my son used Pieter's .243 with very good success.

 

[stug]

Well done, my two daughters (14 & 16) bother shot their first deer within the last year using my 7/08 and Barnes 110gr TTSX and Nosler 120gr BT. My 7/08 is suppressed which makes a big difference and helps reduce felt recoil.

 

[Timbo]

My daughter (15 yoa) and I are going in 2020 for a 7 day safari with Kuche and a 10 day with Paw Prints, then a 3 day in Mauritius (for me) to get a Rusa. My daughter has sworn up and down all she would shoot is a zebra. She has never shot a rifle in her life. I was thinking my wife’s 7mm-08 loaded with 170 gr Nosler Partition and a can or my 7x57 (.275 Rigby for you upper crust guys) would be marginal, but enough to work....

Took her shooting today, and started off with a internally suppressed .22 Alpine from PWS, then she shot a .22 Hornet. Shrugged and said it was fun...happy dad.

Thought, what the hell, let her try a .308 with a muzzle brake. She didn’t want to do at first bc of the noise. I told her she wouldn’t hear it it she wore ear pro and actually shot it. She did, turned two big rocks to small rocks with two shots at 175 yards off of sticks. Turned to me and said “that’s not bad at all. It’s fun when you can hit stuff. You have anything bigger?” I feel stupid saying I was over joyed and so proud. When she said she would probably shoot more the just a zebra I was beside de myself. I have been told several times not to worry, she would shoot more than just one animal. I didn’t believe them, but I guess they were right.

My wife said this may have become an expensive shooting trip with her. I say it’s money well spent.

Tomorrow we try the .300 WM and 9.3x62.

Sorry for the long post, jut wanted to brag a little and share my happiness with some other guys who may have been in the same boat as me.

I know EXACTLY how you feel!! My daughter loves to go hunting with Dad, and like me, she loves Africa. I was bursting with pride when she rolled her NT buffalo like a veteran!! I wish you and your daughter lots of successful hunting!!

 

[Areaonereal]

You are so fortunate...the time spent with your daughter in Africa will remain in your memories forever...I am sure in hers also. Enjoy and take many photos

 

[curtism1234]

I think the 7-08 with partitions would be alright. Have you shot the 170's before? Many 7-08's can not handle anything higher than 150's due to the twist.

Federal trophy bonded 140's would be an ok choice too.

You are highly likely not to get an exit hole with any of these though. That's not necessarily a terrible thing as many standard cartridges may do the same thing. You would have someone with you capable of tracking an animal with minimal blood trails

Good luck

 

[Divernhunter]

I started my daughter shooting a 22RF when she was 4.5 Years old. A bit later she was shooting my rifles even when they did not fit her. I bought her a 257R and got an extra stock which I cut down and put on a good recoil pad. Light handloads to shoot at the range and she was happy. She shot it so much she wore out the barrel so dad had a match grade SS barrel installed for her.
Took her hunting before she could hunt herself and I shot a deer which she helped gut/skin. Her 6th grade teacher was unhappy when she proudly showed the photo around. Stupid libtard teacher.
Forward a number of years and we went to Africa were she wanted ONE animal. She brought back 5 and the outfitter/PH/owner enjoyed her so much he had her shoot about 10 more at no charge. She has taken pigs and deer here in the usa with the rifle.

Bottom line---She(or anyone) does not need a big cartridge to kill PG. The ability to place the shot accurately with good quality bullets(Swift, Barnes TTSX, Nosler Partition are good) is the most important factor.

 

[Glenn Slaven]

Just got back from shooting. She shot the R8 in .300 WM and said it was a “shock” but didn’t hurt and shot some more. Nailed a 6” rock every shot off the sticks approx 150 yards. Shot the R8 in 9.3x62 w ported barrel. She shot it and didn’t care for it. Said she could shoot it if she had to, but preferred the .300 WM. I don’t think I need to keep searching for a rifle for her.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Outstanding Glenn!
My youngest granddaughter told me she wants to go to Africa. I told her she had to shoot some animals here in the US first. Booked a cull mule deer doe hunt with Gizmo on AH last fall when she killed 2 using his 243. So I got her a Tikka in 7mm-08 for Christmas. Of course she needed to shoot something with it, so after practicing, we went back to Gizmo’s in January and she shot a Merino and a Corsican rams both over 150 yards off sticks. Like you, I was so proud! (see my reports on both hunts here on AH if interested)
I have 2 30+ yo grandsons and have had son-in-laws, but I could never get them interested in hunting.
So, we (granddaughter and I) have plans to go to Africa when she is 14 in 2020. I am thrilled!
Congratulations to you and your daughter! You’ve got her doing excellent!
We may see you at the PawPrints Limpopo Tent Camp in 2020.

 

[Glenn Slaven]

Outstanding Glenn!
My youngest granddaughter told me she wants to go to Africa. I told her she had to shoot some animals here in the US first. Booked a cull mule deer doe hunt with Gizmo on AH last fall when she killed 2 using his 243. So I got her a Tikka in 7mm-08 for Christmas. Of course she needed to shoot something with it, so after practicing, we went back to Gizmo’s in January and she shot a Merino and a Corsican rams both over 150 yards off sticks. Like you, I was so proud! (see my reports on both hunts here on AH if interested)
I have 2 30+ yo grandsons and have had son-in-laws, but I could never get them interested in hunting.
So, we (granddaughter and I) have plans to go to Africa when she is 14 in 2020. I am thrilled!
Congratulations to you and your daughter! You’ve got her doing excellent!
We may see you at the PawPrints Limpopo Tent Camp in 2020.

Outstanding and I hope we do. We will be there June 22-July 2.

I would like her to shoot something here first, but I’m not gonna press my luck.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

My daughter (15 yoa) and I are going in 2020 for a 7 day safari with Kuche and a 10 day with Paw Prints, then a 3 day in Mauritius (for me) to get a Rusa. My daughter has sworn up and down all she would shoot is a zebra. She has never shot a rifle in her life. I was thinking my wife’s 7mm-08 loaded with 170 gr Nosler Partition and a can or my 7x57 (.275 Rigby for you upper crust guys) would be marginal, but enough to work....

Took her shooting today, and started off with a internally suppressed .22 Alpine from PWS, then she shot a .22 Hornet. Shrugged and said it was fun...happy dad.

Thought, what the hell, let her try a .308 with a muzzle brake. She didn’t want to do at first bc of the noise. I told her she wouldn’t hear it it she wore ear pro and actually shot it. She did, turned two big rocks to small rocks with two shots at 175 yards off of sticks. Turned to me and said “that’s not bad at all. It’s fun when you can hit stuff. You have anything bigger?” I feel stupid saying I was over joyed and so proud. When she said she would probably shoot more the just a zebra I was beside de myself. I have been told several times not to worry, she would shoot more than just one animal. I didn’t believe them, but I guess they were right.

My wife said this may have become an expensive shooting trip with her. I say it’s money well spent.

Tomorrow we try the .300 WM and 9.3x62.

Sorry for the long post, jut wanted to brag a little and share my happiness with some other guys who may have been in the same boat as me.

Glen Slaven
Don't you just hate it when your kids show you up. I know how you feel, it was the same with my 15 year old son. He settled on the 308 and shot more game than me.
Cheers mate Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I started my daughter shooting a 22RF when she was 4.5 Years old. A bit later she was shooting my rifles even when they did not fit her. I bought her a 257R and got an extra stock which I cut down and put on a good recoil pad. Light handloads to shoot at the range and she was happy. She shot it so much she wore out the barrel so dad had a match grade SS barrel installed for her.
Took her hunting before she could hunt herself and I shot a deer which she helped gut/skin. Her 6th grade teacher was unhappy when she proudly showed the photo around. Stupid libtard teacher.
Forward a number of years and we went to Africa were she wanted ONE animal. She brought back 5 and the outfitter/PH/owner enjoyed her so much he had her shoot about 10 more at no charge. She has taken pigs and deer here in the usa with the rifle.

Bottom line---She(or anyone) does not need a big cartridge to kill PG. The ability to place the shot accurately with good quality bullets(Swift, Barnes TTSX, Nosler Partition are good) is the most important factor.

Divernhunter
Seems strange to me us he men need magnums or big calibers to do the same job our kids do with a lot smaller. Maybe the are teaching us but we won't admit it.
Cheers mate Bob

 

[Major Khan]

That is 1 talented little girl you have raised ! I wish you and the young little lady all the best ! Every father would be just as proud of their little girl as you are , if they saw their little girl following their foot steps .
By the way ... a 7 mm calibre rifle is actually a pretty sensible choice for a child .

 

[Glenn Slaven]

So to update, we actually came back from one of our range trips today. She decided on a MRC in .30-06 and it shoots 180 gr Lapua Mega bullets like it’s cool.

Since my original post, she has shot a deer and a hog. Pretty sure she is up on shooting an impala, a blesbok, and warthog as well.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

View attachment 336238 View attachment 336242 So to update, we actually came back from one of our range trips today. She decided on a MRC in .30-06 and it shoots 180 gr Lapua Mega bullets like it’s cool.

Since my original post, she has shot a deer and a hog. Pretty sure she is up on shooting an impala, a blesbok, and warthog as well.

Glen
I'd say she is more than up to it
Cheers
Bob

 

[CBH Australia]

Glen,
It’s good she shot a hog, I shoot Feral Pigs in Australia, it never gets old. Warthogs are cool, I got 3 Warthogs and other stuff in Africa.
So she settled on a Blaser R8 in .300wm, nice. I want another .300wm but Not forking out for a new R8 anytime soon.
It’s good if the kids want to be a part of what you do. Mine boy and girl got some range time in when they were young at a mates place.
I have twin nieces and they were 16 when I received my .375H&H. And took it out first time. I slammed a few through quickly, smiled and said who wants a go, bother we’re quick to say yes, one smaller than the other still smiled after shooting over sticks.
I hope your daughter gets that Zebra and enjoys the trip.
@Ridgewalker , 7mm-08 nice choice. Shooting Merino rams? We use them for breeding, maybe shoot a stray ram messing the bloodline but I don’t think we hunt sheep in Aus,

 

[Ridgewalker]

Shooting Merino rams?

Gizmo was wanting to get a merino ram, a coursican ram and a Texas Dall ram off his high fenced property. He was bringing in Mouflons and didn’t want the old rams fighting and hurting his young mouflon rams. So we took care of them. Great fun and certainly no easy hunt on wild rams. My report of the fun time is on AH.

 

[Glenn Slaven]

Glen,
It’s good she shot a hog, I shoot Feral Pigs in Australia, it never gets old. Warthogs are cool, I got 3 Warthogs and other stuff in Africa.
So she settled on a Blaser R8 in .300wm, nice. I want another .300wm but Not forking out for a new R8 anytime soon.
It’s good if the kids want to be a part of what you do. Mine boy and girl got some range time in when they were young at a mates place.
I have twin nieces and they were 16 when I received my .375H&H. And took it out first time. I slammed a few through quickly, smiled and said who wants a go, bother we’re quick to say yes, one smaller than the other still smiled after shooting over sticks.
I hope your daughter gets that Zebra and enjoys the trip.
@Ridgewalker , 7mm-08 nice choice. Shooting Merino rams? We use them for breeding, maybe shoot a stray ram messing the bloodline but I don’t think we hunt sheep in Aus,

She decided on the Montana Rifle Company in .30-06. I have a Blaser R8 in .300 WM, 9.3x62, and .375 H&H. Getting a .470 Capstick made for it. Favorite gun I’ve ever owned. (And I own some cool guns even if I do say so. M60, M249, M240, MG42, etc...).

Range day for us again tomorrow. I told her we would practice like we will hunt. So we walk from behind the line and I put up sticks. She’s good with that, but 17 year old girls get annoyed when I try to talk to her in a South African accent. Lol. That’s more for my entertainment than for the practice

 

[BeeMaa]

She’s good with that, but 17 year old girls get annoyed when I try to talk to her in a South African accent. Lol. That’s more for my entertainment than for the practice

Gonna need a video.

 

[CBH Australia]

I still here my PH when i use sticks.
Quick get on on the sticks. That one, ready, wait wait ready Take it!
You must remeber to sayvWell done when she gets on tbe msrk.