Youth rifles

Sooner · #1 05-19-2010, 12:09 AM

Ok, so my son is turning 12 in 2 weeks. We have his win card so he can start applying for draws to build up his priority. He is going to take the hunter training on line coarse. He is pretty good with a .22 and wants to be the official grouse hunter this year. I am asking for options of youth rifles, we hunt deer and moose. Recoil is my main concearn, dont want to scare him right off the bat. We/he have no urge for him to hunt deer this year but would like to research some youth rifles this year. What are some caliber choices that have a easy recoil yet can still take down a deer or even a moose. Not looking to shoot past say 200 yrds. I have heard some youth rifles come with two stocks so they can switch as they grow. Give me your opinions on make and calibers. As I am a guy who has used the same gun since I was 14(42 now). I am not a expert at all in the rifle dept, any suggestions with what has worked for your kids or wifes are appreciated.

Thanks

yellowknifedave · #2 05-19-2010, 12:25 AM

Have started my boy on a norwegian krag carbine in 6.5x55se. Small and light firearm, and started him with reloads using 85gr hp, with xx grains of unique. The thing recoils like a rimfire, and as his accuracy improves, I am increasing the power of the shell, and recoil.

He is also using a springfield m6 scout in 22/410, and shoots both barrels well, and with comfort. Mostly range work, and plinking, but will get him out for gophers this summer with both. He turns 12 the week of rifle season for deer. If he is shooting consistent groups with a suitable load in the krag, he will get a tag.

YKD

Marlin xl7 · #3 05-19-2010, 07:30 AM

I started two years ago at age 12 with a 257 Roberts in a Ruger m77, the rifle fit me nice and the recoil is very mild. It hits like a train and will drop a moose in its tracks. I know a couple that all they use is the 257 for everything. I've also used an old 6.5x55 that also works great.

redranger15 · #4 05-19-2010, 08:01 AM

Check out the Vanguard Compact. It has a youth stock and comes with the full length one for when they grow.I'd get it in 7-08. I think WSS has them for 699. Good chance he could use that rifle for life and when , or if he has a young one some day out comes the short stock. I think they come in .308, 7-08 or .243.

heckrb · #5 05-19-2010, 08:11 AM

I bought my girlfriend a Rem 700 Buckmasters youth rifle in 243 win. Its a decent litttle gun. Nice and light and short. Plus she likes the camo finish on it. It has a SPS stock with an inch shorter lenght of pull. I wish it had a detachable mag instead of the floorplate, but what can you do.

I went with 243 because of its versatility. You can run 55 gr bullets for plinking or coyotes, and i load 85 or 90 gr bullets for her for deer. Its fairly loud but it doesnt recoil much. feels about the same as a 22-250. Or if you dont reload factory stuff is readily available.

Any of the calibers listed above tho fit the bill pretty nice. the 7mm-08 is a nice choice for a bit heavier bullet selection if you plan on getting into some bigger game. 6.5 x 55 is also a very versatile cartridge.

There are so many choices. all will work really. i would say any gun that fits him the best.

Gonehuntin' · #6 05-19-2010, 11:43 AM

My wife shoots a Rem. 700 youth model in .308, and loves it. I load her ammo down a bit to control recoil. We use 165 HPBT for practice ammo, and Barnes x's for hunting season. It's a nice little rifle, the only problem I have with it is that it has a blind magazine, but in reality, that's really not such a big deal.

walking buffalo · #7 05-19-2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin xl7

I started two years ago at age 12 with a 257 Roberts in a Ruger m77, the rifle fit me nice and the recoil is very mild. It hits like a train and will drop a moose in its tracks. I know a couple that all they use is the 257 for everything. I've also used an old 6.5x55 that also works great.

Great caliber,easy for smaller shooters to use accurately. I started with a 257 Roberts Winchester Model 70 XTR Featherweight. I still use it today, 25.7 years later, and it's the gun I share when starting new shooters and hunters. The 257 Roberts has never let me down on the bigger game, moose, elk, bear, and many buffalo.

Factory ammo is getting harder to find for this caliber, but is usually available at well stocked stores. This caliber is even better with handloads, most factory loads are light due to many older 257's still being used today.

PoppaW · #8 05-20-2010, 01:33 AM

When you got your first gun you were 14. He is 12. You still shoot the same gun now and it works. Get him the same or real close to what you have. Obviously its a good setup.

gunner72 · #9 05-20-2010, 07:31 PM

Check out Ruger Compacts or Browning Micro Hunter. I was wondering the same thing for my daughter a couple years ago and found a ruger compact in a 243, nice gun, very accurate and nice short stalk. I almost wish i would have found a 7mm-08 especially if I was going after moose. Plenty of gun at 200 IMO. Either one comes in 308, 243 or 7mm-08 i think. To be hounest my daughter hasn't ever shot it yet but I love it lol.

AB2506 · #10 05-21-2010, 11:24 PM

Take a look at the Savage youth models. Good value. I one for each of the girls.

Marlo19 · #11 05-22-2010, 05:39 PM

Ruger Hawkeye in a .25-06

Ormachek · #12 05-22-2010, 07:45 PM

Do you reload? If no I'd go with a .308. you can get reduced recoil loads that are still adequate for deer under 200yds, then when the time comes for moose, and your buy grows you can move him up to the full power loads. This will give him a rifle that can grow as he does, and will always be good for whatever game he goes after, with cheap, available factory ammo.

If you reload, a cartridge like 6.5x55/260rem, or 7mm-08 would be fantastic. Expensive to shoot factory and not much variety available, but if you're reloading you can get some fantastic low-recoil, big game killing performance out of them. Try loading 120grain bullets at a medium velocity for a low-recoil deer load, then eventually move up to the 140-160 grain full power loads as he grows.

pogo · #13 05-23-2010, 11:51 AM

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...fire/336SS.asp

This? 7#'s of everything a 12 y/o wants.

Rantastic · #14 05-23-2010, 05:03 PM

Smart advice poppa

Id recommend a 243, good enough to moose up to 200 yards pending a good shot and the lightest recoil a legal big game rifle has i believe.
If your kid doesnt mind recoil(it never bothered me and i started with a 300 savage to a 7mm Rem Mag shortly) get him a 25-06, great for all around stuff.

Sooner · #15 05-31-2010, 11:55 PM

Thanks to all who replied and pm'd me. I appreciate the info. 7-08, 257, 25-06, i have some research to do I see. I dont reload so its store bought ammo. My 308 savage has been a great gun for me and I dont think it kicks too much. I guess the boy will have to try and shoot it this year to see if it scares him. I will drag out my dads old 303 british and buy a couple boxes of shells. I learnt how to shoot with it, very little kick too and it will give him a idea of what recoil is. I know I would like his gun to have a clip and that option limits choices I hear. Thanks again.

gear04ipod · #16 06-01-2010, 10:35 PM

im 13 and i shoot a .270 its perfect 4 me! for a 12 year old i highly suggest not going up to a higher calibre because he does have ro hole it and feel comfy when shooting it. a .243 is a little to light for moose its more a deer gun i shoot my .270 it takes a moose down fine. 308 30-06 are definatley way to high powered for a 12 year old. ( and im not a weackling ether i play lacrosse) .270 is the gun u need! go for the .270 remington start him off with low recoil ammo then 130 grain for deer to 150g for the tasty old
moose,

hope this helped! good luck this hunting season to all