Youth Rifle Question

HGHCOUNTRY

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Looking for any feedback on a couple calibers before I purchase a rifle for my kids. Decided on a Weatherby vanguard compact in either 6.5 creedmoor or 7mm -08. Primary use for deer/pronghorn and the occasional elk. Most shots will be under 300 yards - hopefully closer. Am I splitting hairs on recoil differences between these calibers? I reload and already have a 7mm -08 so it would be easy to start working on a reduced recoil load, but have heard some great things about the 6.5. Kids are 11 and 13. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or feedback.
 
Since you're already setup to load , 7-08 is a no brainer. Vanguard is a good rifle too , my son's shoots 3/4 MOA with cheapo factory ammo.
 
Either caliber will obviously be great choice.
It is a great idea to stick with the caliber you already load, but I think the kids would like having a 6.5 creedmore . Not much recoil difference but I think they would notice the difference more.
Full power loads in either shouldn't be more than they can handle.

Hunt and fish and do anything else you can, whenever you can with your kids.
Life's shorter than we realize.
Good that you are thinking of them before you buy. I have no doubt they will always remember the time you spend with em no matter what your doing.
 
6.5 creedmor is the current fad diet....it is just a rifle cartridge, nothing magic. That 7mm-08 is familiar...stick to it.
 
My wife shoots a weatherby vanguard s1 youth in 7mm-08 and the deer and elk shes taken had no complaints with it. Also shes 4'10" and tiny she doesnt handle recoil well but can manage the little 7mm just fine.
 
Since you already have and load for 7-08 it makes the most sense to get them a 7-08 also. Reduced recoil loads with 120gr bullets would be perfect.
The rifle looney in me says get the 6.5 creedmore cuz it's a fun caliber and inherently accurate.
Either way I'm sure the kids will have fun and success.
 
You guys have basically summed up my thoughts the last couple weeks or so. The 7mm -08 would be easy to load for and do the job, however part of me would like to see if the 6.5 is as close to perfect as I can get for a youth rifle. I know I am over thinking it...Picked up a Leupold-VX2 4x12 to top whatever one we end up with. I haven't shot a 6.5 - if it came down to just felt recoil is there enough difference to go with the 6.5 over the 7mm-08?

Thanks for all the info!
 
Not to complicate your thinking, but have you thought about the XPR? I ask simply because I stumbled upon an XPR Compact in 6.5 Creedmoor at CDNN Sports online for $380 + $100 rebate (so net $280). I was not looking for a compact at the time, so I passed it up.

But checking it now, it looks like they have changed it in their description to not be a compact but still have some of the "compact" language - maybe worth a call? If I hadn't just purchased the XPR in 308 (for net $230) I would probably jump on the 6.5...
 
If you already have the 7-08 go with it. As you already know it is a fine cartridge. Not trying to say the 6.5 is not. Folks have been killing moose, 'elk' in the old world with 6.5's forever.
The Howa 1500 or under the Weatherby label, the 'Vanguard" is a fine rifle. You might also take a look at the Ruger American compact or the Savage AxisII. Both fine rifles that will save you some bucks!
Norkal

"One can take my life but not my faith or my
confidence. I fear none and respect all."
 
Ended up going with an XPR compact in 6.5 creedmoor topping it with the VX 2 4x12x40, kids are excited for hunting season! Thanks for all the feedback guys!
 

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