For young hunters, the challenge arises even before the question of the right caliber is addressed: finding out which type of rifle best suits their needs.
In principle, it is important to be equipped for as many hunting opportunities as possible and not to be burdened by complicated handling or a difficult-to-shoot caliber - the first shot is already challenging enough due to hunting fever.
The following is a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the most common types of rifles.
Repeater Rifles for Young Hunters
Repeater rifles are the most widely used type of hunting weapon,
which means that the market for used weapons is very large, and high-quality rifles can be found at low prices after a short search. In practice, repeaters are convincing because multiple shots can be fired in quick succession. This is practical for driven hunts, and it gives the young hunter a sense of security knowing that they can quickly take another shot in case of a miss. Compared to break-action rifles, repeaters are usually a bit heavier, which means that the recoil is less intense for the same caliber. The higher weight also reduces the risk of shaking during the shot. However, repeaters are often slightly longer than break-action rifles, making them less maneuverable.
Gear Tester Festival: The Best Opportunity for Weapon Tests
Anyone who wants to experience and test hunting equipment and weapons in a practical way should not miss the Gear Tester Festival. Here, visitors have a unique opportunity to try out various weapons such as silencers, shotguns, and handguns under real conditions and get a feel for their handling. From shooting from a goose hide to innovative applications – the festival offers an ideal platform to test products up close and get comprehensive information about the latest developments on the market.
Break-Action Rifles for Beginners
Break-action rifles are the lightest rifles and are therefore particularly well-suited for stalking in addition to the classic sitting position. A break-action rifle can also be easily disassembled and transported in a backpack, which is a significant advantage when hunting in mountainous areas. Although it takes longer to reload than with a repeater, one advantage of break-action rifles is that reloading, at least without ejectors, is silent, which is not possible with repeaters and semi-automatics. However, the body movement required for reloading is more noticeable and can potentially be detected by game. Double rifles, while slightly heavier, allow for two shots to be fired in quick succession - faster doubles are possible than with repeaters. However, with soldered barrels, the point of impact can shift with multiple shots in quick succession. This cannot occur with single-barreled rifles.
Combined Weapons for Young Hunters
Combined weapons refer to long guns with at least one shotgun barrel and one rifle barrel, or with multiple rifle barrels in different calibers. The most common models are the over-and-under shotgun or the classic drilling. The greatest advantage of a combined weapon is having the right cartridge ready for all types of game. A disadvantage can be that there may be confusion when choosing the barrel - which can be a dramatic problem if, for example, one accidentally shoots a red deer with a shotgun cartridge. Drilling rifles are also relatively heavy. They are suitable for experienced hunters for stalking, but otherwise, combined weapons are ideal sitting weapons due to their versatility.
Semi-Automatic Rifles for Young Hunters
The least common category of long guns among hunters is semi-automatic rifles. They allow for very quick shooting without the need for a reloading motion, although the capacity of the weapon is legally limited to three cartridges. Although they are actually very practical, they play a subordinate role in hunting because they are considered by most hunters to be unethically sporting.
Marketplace
The choice of the right weapon, like the choice of caliber, depends on the intended hunting method. For a young hunter, we would recommend a repeater rifle in a suitable all-round caliber, as it is suitable for most hunting opportunities.
