Softest centerfire, moving up from 22lr

[johnk518]

So I'm contemplating moving my kid up to a soft centerfire round in Bolt, or lever. I have a pretty good understanding of pistol rounds. But for rifles, I have only shot 223 and for the most part don't know squat.

What would you guys say is the softest centerfire round and a couple of good rifle options for me to check out in bolt and lever? Gun will be used only for the range and probably no hunting. Time frame is probably Mid Summer, and to answer a question I'm sure I'm going to get "why not stick with rimfire?", I want a round to reload too. Thanks!

[73Jim]

17 hornet. I have a Savage walking varmiter and it's quite soft shooting. And reloading is super cheap between the low powder usage and cheap bullets. Accurate too!

[jwfire25]

I think 223 or 5.56 will be a good option. I bought my wife a Ruger American Predator in 223. It takes AR mags which I like. She enjoys shooting it with no complaints about recoil.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[JackEllis]

I have a couple of .223s. The Howa 1500 has a varmint barrel and is surprisingly consistent (small groups) for the price. The Tikka T3 is much lighter and not quite as consistent but I'm able to get a lighter trigger. Reloads with used brass run me about 20 cents apiece. You can get FMJ flat-based or boat tail bullets in bulk for 7-8 cents apiece and I've had good success with 20 grains of IMR 4198.

[johnk518]

17 hornet sounds interesting

[MongooseV8]

If reloading a 17 or 22 Hornet

[WHH]

So I'm contemplating moving my kid up to a soft centerfire round in Bolt, or lever. I have a pretty good understanding of pistol rounds. But for rifles, I have only shot 223 and for the most part don't know squat.

What would you guys say is the softest centerfire round and a couple of good rifle options for me to check out in bolt and lever? Gun will be used only for the range and probably no hunting. Time frame is probably Mid Summer, and to answer a question I'm sure I'm going to get "why not stick with rimfire?", I want a round to reload too. Thanks!

A 357 lever gun shooting 38 special is very mild. Marlin, Rossi, Winchester, Henry...

[Black Majik]

How about a pistol caliber Carbine, such as a MPX or CZ Scorpion or Ruger PCC, it shoots 9mm and is a lot quieter than a .223/556 carbine. Good for up to 100 yards on a somewhat flat trajectory out of a carbine.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

There are nice lever rifles chambered in 22 magnum and 32 H&R. If I didn't have so many rifles already I'd like to have one of them.
22 magnum gives more punch and longer range than 22LR. 32 would be cheap to reload but not if you don't.

[k1dude]

.17 Hornet, .204 Ruger, .22 TCM, .223, .32 Long, .32 H&R Magnum, .38 Special.

Semi-auto kicks less than a bolt action or lever action.

[Carcassonne]

38 Special lever gun
9mm Carbine (Ruger PC 9 is most likely the best option here, but I have not shot one yet, so I do not know how good they are)
223 AR
22 Hornet Bolt Action, but ammo is hard to find unless you reload


.

[Beetle Bailey]

For a lever-action, it is hard to beat a .357 magnum. You can shoot .38 Special, .38 Special +P, and .357 magnum, all with a good variety of bullet weights. Handloading is easy, as it is a straight wall case. If you have to buy ammo in a pinch, it is readily available. No kick at all with the .38 specials, not even the +P loads. I always transition new rifle shooter from .22lr to my Marlin 1894 in .357 magnum and it is never an issue.

For a bolt-action I will recommend .223 rem. Yes, there are lighter centerfire rifle cartridges that are more economical on powder usage. But you have a lot of choices in rifle models with a .223 and getting a rifle that fits/feels comfortable will go a long way towards having a fun shooting experience.

[johnk518]

So here's what I've previously considered:

Yes on the PCC, which would only be a Ruger PC9 for me, plus I like it and the controls are the exact same as the 10/22. and Bonus. . .super cheap

Considered a Henry 357/38, I know they are great but I really would like a loading gate. Which I think tossed me into Marlin land.

I've also looked at a .25-20 Winchester pricy, and a Marlin 336 35 not too bad under $600.

I do like pistol calibers and am very comfortable with them, and I assume reloading them is way easier than a rifle cartridge. The 223 could work, but I haven't explored those in bolt yet.

From recommendations here, I'm liking the hornet rounds so far. Is it a super super soft shooter if a 38 sp. is soft? Thanks again gang!

[TMB 1]

Another vote for 22 Hornet but only if you reload. Have it for TC Contender pistol and a H&R Handi Rifle.

[baih777]

223.

Lever action might not for him.