I have one chance

+1 on learning with 20ga buckshot!

Balloons are a blast to shoot. I think you are doing it right, the biggest thing is you are spending time with him and getting him out in the woods. Regardless of if he shoots or you shoot, he will have memories and you will have a partner in crime for years to come.

55 grain soft points in the 223 will work fine. Just relax and have fun. Have him think small miss small without ever discussing it.The balloon,water bottle targets are a great idea!! 1 223 bullet place in the ear hole is a very dead pig...
Have a blast with you're nephew that's the true joy here

1) Don't push him past what he is ready for. Better 3 years later than he could have done it than 3 seconds too soon.
2) A head shot requires more accuracy than a body shot. Why increase the pressure on him?
3) A rifle that fits is way more comfortable- I got my son a Savage youth model in 243 and it has been a big winner for him. The AR is fine, particularly if you get an adjustable stock.
4) A Barnes TSX will penetrate as well as any expanding bullet and better than most. I would certainly use one in 223 for hunting.
5)Have the first shot be from a blind over a feeder or water, that way you can control the range and he can shoot from a steady rest. His first time should be made as close to foolproof as possible.
6) Range time Range time Range time. And, if you can afford it, don't hesitate to get quality professional instruction.

The AR is a PSA, local company which is why i bought it. His first time shooting it was with one of the trainers at palmetto so he learned it the right way. He had him loading one round at a time, making sure use right part of finger, and adjusted stock to size for him. I put a Nikon p223 scope on it. I know the gun will do its job as it shoots great and consistent. We will be setting up in an elevated blind so he should have ample time to settle his nerves. I am going to try and direct him towards a smaller pig but i know kids (as with myself) its hard not to go for the big one. I think following the concept of treating the 223 like a bow shot and taking a pig quartering away seems the safest. Little far back and it will likely still do its job and it should slow it down for sure which will let me "help" stop it from running off.

I traveled to texas a couple months ago to hunt Javelina and couldnt help but think it would be great to be doing that type of stuff with someone along. Usually its my girlfriend but shes just there to read a book and humor me Planning a canadian bear hunt and then later in year another attempt at Javelina. Hopefully he catches the hunting bug on this trip.

smaller the pig the better the meat.getting to eat his first kill and enjoying it would be priceless.

I think your plan is very thoughtful and he is a lucky kid! a.pig hunt is a great start. Also, if it is an option, wing shooting is a great way to introduce hunting too. Lots of action! Good luck.

I used to work with a guy who had a pheasant farm. That was a truly awesome time. Unfortunately that's 12 hours away now. He actually hasn't shot a shotgun yet. If can get him interested I have a good excuse to buy hunting stuff and take trips. It's a win win

dailor, I read you said if the shot is a little far back, study the anatomy of a pig with your nephew , their vitals are further forward than a deer, more like African game. Also pigs don't stand still very long .
I will second the barnes TSX bullet. they are great penetration bullets. Forrest

I appreciate the warning Kathy. Actually my favorite thing to do is pig hunting. Have a weird attraction to it, even more then deer hunting.

When I say if a little far back, I'm meaning with a quartering away shot. With the angle it should still take a lung on it's journey out of the front of the pig. As apposed to a broadside shot where he may hit too much shoulder or indeed too far back. Hoping the pig drawings on the cardboard will help him picture the shot better

Below is the info on a low recoil load from Buffalo Bore, I have a 10 year old son who shot this without a problem, it kicks less than a 20ga imo. I personally wouldn't go with a 125gr bullet, the standard twist ratio of 1-10 in most 30-06's has a hard time stabilizing a 125gr bullet; although at short range it might not make that much difference. The most important aspect I have found for small shooters is length of pull on the stock. If the stock is too long they have a hard time getting the rifle butt tight into their shoulder and a looser hold makes the felt recoil more severe even on a light kicking gun. AR's with adjustable stocks solve that problem nicely... but I love 06's so I would just cut down the stock a little if it doesn't fit him well, and go with the BB 150gr Low recoil.
Whichever way choose, hunt safe and good luck!

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=339

30-06 LOW RECOIL Ammo - 150 gr. SPTZ @ 2850 fps - 20 Round Box

PRESS RELEASE FOR BUFFALO BORE LOWER RECOIL 30-06
(item 40D)

Our purpose in developing this load was to serve all the youth and small stature female shooters that have access to a 30-06 and want to use it, but do not like the recoil. Never mind all the people who may be suffering from shoulder/arm/hand injuries or aches and pains of other types and like a load that recoils less. This load features a 150gr. Sierra bullet, driven at the velocity we normally drive our 180gr. 30-06 bullets. (2800 fps) This means that the free recoil is reduced substantially. This 30-36 loading is still very powerful and will serve well as a deer or medium size black bear load. It will also kill bigger game like elk or moose, but you’ll want to limit your shots to “double lung” or central nervous system (head or spine) shots, due to the limited penetration of a 150gr. bullet.

All of my 22 inch 30-06 rifles produce roughly 2,800 fps +/- with this loading.

This Sierra bullet is about as accurate a .30 cal. bullet as can be found on the planet. And if you and your rifle are functioning properly, you’ll get great accuracy, without the pounding of our extremely powerful “Supercharged” 30-06 ammunition.

dailordasailor said:

I really appreciate the tips everyone! I am drawing some pig pics up on cardboard at work so can give him real practice at where to shoot. If he isn't doing great with it, it'll become a 2 shooter deal just in case. He honestly shoots great and controls breathing well. You just never know when the first time comes to kill an animal the same size or even bigger then he is.

I am going to approach range time different. Instead of paper, do some balloons and bottles to make little more fun for him. Try to take any pressure off he may feel

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Try empty pop cans full of water and a .22. Spectacular splash kids love it

I agree on the squirrel hunt, using a .22LR. I went through the same with my son. He hunted meerkat and dassies untill he was 11 before shooting his first warthog. I waited untill he asked me to hunt.
Took him to the range every second weekend and he practised with the 6.5x55 on a warthog paper target. His first one went down in a single shot. Last thing you need is a wounded animal on a first hunt.
We hunt regularly now as a pair and enjoy every moment.

I agree with you Alchemist,

And, I raised my two sons beginning with a single shot air rifle to practice with in the back yard.
This gave them a solid foundation of safety at first and eventually with much practice, they both became quite excellent rifle shots as well.
Then for trips out of the city, I provided them with a single shot .22 "Chipmink" rifle for hunting squirrels, rabbits and grouse, out in the woods with me.
I did not hunt for myself, when "PHing" with my young boys.

They had to share the .22 and so, it forced them to make their shot count when finally an opportunity presented itself.
Wether one would take his animal or miss the shot, nonetheless his turn was over and the rifle then went to the other brother.
I taught them how to clean and cook what they shot.
Both have grown up to be fine young men, who love hunting and fishing (and grouse livers pan seared with shallots and garlic, heh heh).

People who can't be bothered to teach their young ones about the outdoors are missing one of the greatest satisfactions that life has to offer.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

Make sure you bring lots of snacks on the hunt.

It seems like you are trying to do the very best for your young nephew, but from my experience with young hunters this hunt may be too much too soon. I teach hunter education classes, in our province youngsters may hunt at 12 years of age with supervision. Each year, about a quarter of my youngest class members are not yet mature enough in stature or emotionally to start hunting. I think that number would be more like 90% at the age of 9. Many of the ones who seem too young will not wait a year or two, and they are the ones who struggle with the training and examinations. A few will never learn to enjoy hunting because of these early struggles.
So, I'd suggest to take him along hunting, but not to put the pressure of shooting a game animal on him just yet. Just my opinion based on somewhat different circumstances.

Velo Dog said:

I agree with you Alchemist,

And, I raised my two sons beginning with a single shot air rifle to practice with in the back yard.
This gave them a solid foundation of safety at first and eventually with much practice, they both became quite excellent rifle shots as well.
Then for trips out of the city, I provided them with a single shot .22 "Chipmink" rifle for hunting squirrels, rabbits and grouse, out in the woods with me.
I did not hunt for myself, when "PHing" with my young boys.

They had to share the .22 and so, it forced them to make their shot count when finally an opportunity presented itself.
Wether one would take his animal or miss the shot, nonetheless his turn was over and the rifle then went to the other brother.
I taught them how to clean and cook what they shot.
Both have grown up to be fine young men, who love hunting and fishing (and grouse livers pan seared with shallots and garlic, heh heh).

People who can't be bothered to teach their young ones about the outdoors are missing one of the greatest satisfactions that life has to offer.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

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ABSOLUTELY... my late father made sure that I learned the ins and outs of the bush, hunting and fishing, ethics, firearm safety and the whole damn sharing thing... with family and friends! I started at age 6...have done the same with my sons. There is nothing more satisfying than being in the bush with them, enjoying the life... and for ME, watching them stalk and take down their first warthog, first impala, first kudu and first Cape Buffalo,,, awfully proud father!!!

I started with squirrels and rabbits with my .22 at that age.

But, I would tag along with my dad or grandpa on their hunts and always had the time of my life. I learned more in those few years of tagging along with my grandpa than in the subsequent 40 years of hunting. When the time came at 12 to take my first buck, I was 100% prepared and comfortable with what I was doing. Take him hunting with you for a couple years, let him experience everything except pulling the trigger. It will be just as fun for both of you.

I shot a 30-06 from the time I was 11 (pre-64 with a plastic buttplate), but my grandpa would never let me shoot it off the bench; always offhand or supported on something, and only a couple of shots at a time. I didn't realize the genius of this until years later; felt recoil is almost double when shooting off a bench. Most people who develop a flinch, do so because of shooting heavy hunting calibers from a bench. Shooting sticks are a fantastic tool for getting people accustomed to hunting calibers.

I'll post a report in the North America thread but all went well and have a proud new hunting buddy. He's going to be coming along to my lease this year for some deer hunting and squirrel

dailordasailor said:

I'll post a report in the North America thread but all went well and have a proud new hunting buddy. He's going to be coming along to my lease this year for some deer hunting and squirrel

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Great news. Look forward to the report.

Good for the both of you!!!! It is so refreshing to hear positive stories about youth and hunting.