Son's first deer rifle

[Badboymelvin]

Hey,

I have just finished sighting in my 12-year-old son's first (real) deer rifle, and it's an absolute cracker.
It's a BSA Monarch in one of my favourite cartridges... the .270 Win.
I picked it up for an absolute steal and thought it would make a great deer rifle for young Harry.

I originally bought him a Howa mini-custom in 300BLK but sold it, as I just didn't feel comfortable with the 300BLK as a deer rifle - especially for an inexperienced hunter.
I know a lot of people use it, but I would hate for Harry to lose his first deer because he wasn't using enough gun...

So I picked this up from a mate, fitted a Nykron 2-7x32 scope on it, and bought a pack of Norma Whitetail 130gn ammo for it.
Went to my usual spot and fired exactly one round, then the scope broke!
But it wasn't a wasted trip, as I put a couple of rounds over the chronograph and checked the rifles' feeding and ejecting.
Feeding and ejecting was perfect, and I found the rifle holds 5 cartridges, 4 in the mag and 1 in the chamber.

The velocity clocked in at 2886fps, and I was curious about the velocity, as Norma states 3080fps but I wasn't expecting to see that, as this rifle only has a 22" barrel, and in my opinion .270's need at least a 24" to wring out all the velocity.
Before I left, I guessed around 2900 fps, and I was nearly spot on. But velocity and power were the last things I was worried about, as even a mildly loaded .270 is plenty for deer.

So the very next day, saw me back out for round 2 in sighting in the rifle. The rifle now wore a Japanese-made Nikko Stirling 6x32, and even though the sighting in session took a little longer than expected, I finally had it spot on 3" at 100m.
This made for a 200m zero with a drop at 300m of 8.5", plenty good enough for deer.

I am just so happy with this rifle. It was surprisingly light and handy, plus it proved really accurate with the Norma ammo, and everything on the rifle worked as it should. Plus it feels great having another .270-calibre rifle in the safe.
This is my second .270 Win, plus I've also owned 2 rifles chambered in 270WSM – which is an awesome cartridge.
I just love .270's, and even though I've never owned one, I reckon the .270Wby would be just more of a good thing.
Man, I'd love one of those...
It's my personal opinion that the .270 is the best of the bunch of cartridges based off the '06 case. And that includes the original .30/06. I just reckon Winchester got everything right when developing the .270.

So I'm really happy; Harry's really happy (he especially loves the wood stock), and we just can't wait to take it out in the field to try for a deer.

So keep your eyes peeled for a hunt report from a very happy 12-year-old!

Russ

 

[BourbonTrail]

I like a 30-06, but a 270 bolt gun is hard to beat for anyone. It’s exceptional for newbies. I had a Ruger M77 in 270 for most of my early hunting. Total deer slayer.

Smart move skipping the 300BLK - they work, but the penetration can be iffy in my experience.

Good work and cheers!

 

[Wolfe375]

Hey,

I have just finished sighting in my 12-year-old son's first (real) deer rifle, and it's an absolute cracker.
It's a BSA Monarch in one of my favourite cartridges... the .270 Win.
I picked it up for an absolute steal and thought it would make a great deer rifle for young Harry.

I originally bought him a Howa mini-custom in 300BLK but sold it, as I just didn't feel comfortable with the 300BLK as a deer rifle - especially for an inexperienced hunter.
I know a lot of people use it, but I would hate for Harry to lose his first deer because he wasn't using enough gun...

So I picked this up from a mate, fitted a Nykron 2-7x32 scope on it, and bought a pack of Norma Whitetail 130gn ammo for it.
Went to my usual spot and fired exactly one round, then the scope broke!
But it wasn't a wasted trip, as I put a couple of rounds over the chronograph and checked the rifles' feeding and ejecting.
Feeding and ejecting was perfect, and I found the rifle holds 5 cartridges, 4 in the mag and 1 in the chamber.

The velocity clocked in at 2886fps, and I was curious about the velocity, as Norma states 3080fps but I wasn't expecting to see that, as this rifle only has a 22" barrel, and in my opinion .270's need at least a 24" to wring out all the velocity.
Before I left, I guessed around 2900 fps, and I was nearly spot on. But velocity and power were the last things I was worried about, as even a mildly loaded .270 is plenty for deer.

So the very next day, saw me back out for round 2 in sighting in the rifle. The rifle now wore a Japanese-made Nikko Stirling 6x32, and even though the sighting in session took a little longer than expected, I finally had it spot on 3" at 100m.
This made for a 200m zero with a drop at 300m of 8.5", plenty good enough for deer.

I am just so happy with this rifle. It was surprisingly light and handy, plus it proved really accurate with the Norma ammo, and everything on the rifle worked as it should. Plus it feels great having another .270-calibre rifle in the safe.
This is my second .270 Win, plus I've also owned 2 rifles chambered in 270WSM – which is an awesome cartridge.
I just love .270's, and even though I've never owned one, I reckon the .270Wby would be just more of a good thing.
Man, I'd love one of those...
It's my personal opinion that the .270 is the best of the bunch of cartridges based off the '06 case. And that includes the original .30/06. I just reckon Winchester got everything right when developing the .270.

So I'm really happy; Harry's really happy (he especially loves the wood stock), and we just can't wait to take it out in the field to try for a deer.

So keep your eyes peeled for a hunt report from a very happy 12-year-old!

Russ

I had let my oldest use a 300Blk with 150gr powershoks for pigs in North Carolina and it worked at 30yds, had to head shoot deer though because they didn’t seem to bleed much when behind the shoulder. Now he uses a 450 bushmaster and we hadn’t had to track anything.
A .270 is a perfect rifle he’ll never need to feel under gunned with for most animals, being short on listed velocity isn’t a bad thing either.

 

[Ragman]

Very nice. One of the older guys that I grew up moose hunting with had one in .30-06 and I always thought it was the fanciest guns in camp!!!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

The 300 BO is a 30-30 with pointed bullets. Or load 30-30 round noses and have a bolt action 30-30. Plenty of rifle for a deer. That being said the 270 is maybe the most perfect deer cartridge created.

 

[deewayne2003]

I like a 30-06, but a 270 bolt gun is hard to beat for anyone. It’s exceptional for newbies. I had a Ruger M77 in 270 for most of my early hunting. Total deer slayer.

Smart move skipping the 300BLK - they work, but the penetration can be iffy in my experience.

Good work and cheers!

Agreed, My first new purchase rifle was a M77MKII stainless.270 with Vari-xIII 3.5-10x40 and it was something greater than the some of its parts and lost count at 50+ deer killed with that rifle.

And congratulations to you’re son @Badboymelvin, killed my first deer with the above mentioned .270win

 

[Badboymelvin]

The 300 BO is a 30-30 with pointed bullets. Or load 30-30 round noses and have a bolt action 30-30. Plenty of rifle for a deer. That being said the 270 is maybe the most perfect deer

The 300 BO is a 30-30 with pointed bullets. Or load 30-30 round noses and have a bolt action 30-30. Plenty of rifle for a deer. That being said the 270 is maybe the most perfect deer cartridge created.

Disagree about the BLK mate, but totally agree about the .270

 

[Tex .416]

A .270 was my first rifle and only rifle for a long time. Absolutely still one of the finest deer cartridges ever. Suggestion, zero it for 100m and get him close for his first deer.

He has no business taking a 300 or even 200 m shot starting off.

Set him up for success.

New shooters with “buck fever” are more likely to not have a firm hold on the rifle, which causes shots to go high, sometimes way way high. So adding 3” at 100 may put him firing way too high and over the top. Yanking the trigger like a lawn mower pull cord is the other most common “buck fever” shot I see sitting with new hunters, which will go low and left for a right handed shooter.

I found videotaping the deer as the kids shoot helps check shot placement after the fact and assess the situation if the deer runs. Also a video is fun for them to see a video for the memory.

For a first deer, get him close.

Good luck and looking forward to the successful report!

 

[Badboymelvin]

A .270 was my first rifle and only rifle for a long time. Absolutely still one of the finest deer cartridges ever. Suggestion, zero it for 100m and get him close for his first deer.

He has no business taking a 300 or even 200 m shot starting off.

Set him up for success.

New shooters with “buck fever” are more likely to not have a firm hold on the rifle, which causes shots to go high, sometimes way way high. So adding 3” at 100 may put him firing way too high and over the top. Yanking the trigger like a lawn mower pull cord is the other most common “buck fever” shot I see sitting with new hunters, which will go low and left for a right handed shooter.

I found videotaping the deer as the kids shoot helps check shot placement after the fact and assess the situation if the deer runs. Also a video is fun for them to see a video for the memory.

For a first deer, get him close.

Good luck and looking forward to the successful report!

Absolutely agree about getting him in close, and there will be no 200m or 300m shots as far as he's concerned.
However, I always believe in sighting in a rifle to best take advantage of a cartridge's trajectory.
It doesn't hinder 100m shots – but it is crucial if a long shot is needed.
And that possibility may happen as I am growing more fond of this .270 by the day, and I may just take it on my next deer hunt!

 

[Tex .416]

Taking new hunters out is one of the great joys in life.

Where are y’all hunting?

 

[CBH Australia]

Well done mate. Teach em young to respect the firearms and the bush.
I know Harry has been tagging along for a few years and I recall your post/thread where Harry helped you track a deer.
Here’s hoping to hear about Harry’s hunting adventures.

 

[CBH Australia]

 

[1dirthawker]

i have recommended the 270 win to multiple beginning hunters, recoil is not bad, shoots flat and punches above its weight class. a great choice melvin!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Disagree about the BLK mate, but totally agree about the .270

You don’t have to agree, but I’ve seen it in action and used it plenty myself. The BLK is a darn good deer rifle.

 

[Gomer]

I recently picked up a Kimber Montana in 6.5 Creedmoor for my kids. Should be a gooder.

 

[BTP-KennethWRoyce]

Your son will love that handsome new rifle. I'm a .30-06 man, but if you're a .270 clan, then so be it!
Its 120-150gr bullet weights should do well for your intended game.
Good hunting!

 

[Same'Ol]

Consider kids his age are glued to their devices. This is really nice to see.

 

[Badboymelvin]

Taking new hunters out is one of the great joys in life.

Where are y’all hunting?

Hey mate,

Our favourite Fallow spot is near the Victorian/South Australian border.
I don't want to start him on Sambar yet due to how physically challenging it can be, but the flat terrain of our fallow spot will e perfect for him.

Russ

 

[JFE]

The 270 is one of my favorite cartridges. Loaded properly it is quite versatile.

A 22” barrel 270 might be a little blasty for a 12 year old. Muzzle blast is more off putting than recoil IMO. If he starts to flinch you might want to load it down to reduce the muzzle blast, at least until he becomes accustomed to shooting it well. With the right powders the 270 responds well to being loaded down.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Hey,

I have just finished sighting in my 12-year-old son's first (real) deer rifle, and it's an absolute cracker.
It's a BSA Monarch in one of my favourite cartridges... the .270 Win.
I picked it up for an absolute steal and thought it would make a great deer rifle for young Harry.

I originally bought him a Howa mini-custom in 300BLK but sold it, as I just didn't feel comfortable with the 300BLK as a deer rifle - especially for an inexperienced hunter.
I know a lot of people use it, but I would hate for Harry to lose his first deer because he wasn't using enough gun...

So I picked this up from a mate, fitted a Nykron 2-7x32 scope on it, and bought a pack of Norma Whitetail 130gn ammo for it.
Went to my usual spot and fired exactly one round, then the scope broke!
But it wasn't a wasted trip, as I put a couple of rounds over the chronograph and checked the rifles' feeding and ejecting.
Feeding and ejecting was perfect, and I found the rifle holds 5 cartridges, 4 in the mag and 1 in the chamber.

The velocity clocked in at 2886fps, and I was curious about the velocity, as Norma states 3080fps but I wasn't expecting to see that, as this rifle only has a 22" barrel, and in my opinion .270's need at least a 24" to wring out all the velocity.
Before I left, I guessed around 2900 fps, and I was nearly spot on. But velocity and power were the last things I was worried about, as even a mildly loaded .270 is plenty for deer.

So the very next day, saw me back out for round 2 in sighting in the rifle. The rifle now wore a Japanese-made Nikko Stirling 6x32, and even though the sighting in session took a little longer than expected, I finally had it spot on 3" at 100m.
This made for a 200m zero with a drop at 300m of 8.5", plenty good enough for deer.

I am just so happy with this rifle. It was surprisingly light and handy, plus it proved really accurate with the Norma ammo, and everything on the rifle worked as it should. Plus it feels great having another .270-calibre rifle in the safe.
This is my second .270 Win, plus I've also owned 2 rifles chambered in 270WSM – which is an awesome cartridge.
I just love .270's, and even though I've never owned one, I reckon the .270Wby would be just more of a good thing.
Man, I'd love one of those...
It's my personal opinion that the .270 is the best of the bunch of cartridges based off the '06 case. And that includes the original .30/06. I just reckon Winchester got everything right when developing the .270.

So I'm really happy; Harry's really happy (he especially loves the wood stock), and we just can't wait to take it out in the field to try for a deer.

So keep your eyes peeled for a hunt report from a very happy 12-year-old!

Russ

View attachment 794869

When my brother came to me and said he wanted a good deer rifle, and didn't like a lot of recoil. I steered him to a .270 and told him it would cleanly kill any deer n earth. So, good on ya mate! Your boy's a lucky young man!

How was my Australian?

Doug