Youth Rifle Recommendations??????

[RIVERRAT]

I have a nearly 10 year old daughter that wants nothing more than to shoot her first deer (next season).   She has a bow but isn't pulling enough poundage at this point,  So I am looking at rifles.  She has a 10/22 at this point....I just fear scaring the tar out of her with too big a wallup of large caliber.     Any experiences or suggestions of caliber/brand would be greatly appreciated.     By the way....I am one thrilled dad with her love of the outdoors and hunting!!

[Huntbear]

do you have or have access to a .223 to introduce her to center fire rifles?

after that, .243 and .257 Roberts are the softest recoiling of the big game guns.... most youth rifles are .243, .260 and 7mm-08. 

[dscubame]

Tikka t3. In .243.  I did a lot of research and handling.

[Raul Duke]

My daughter (12) just took her first deer this year, after completing her hunters ed during the summer. I picked up a Remington Model 700 .243 from Walmart.  She did great. Every time we went out shooting , I made sure she had hearing protection on so the BANG wouldn't scare her.  I've seen other kids not want to go shooting because of the bang. They can usually handle the kick, but the bang makes them flinch. So they tend to jerk the trigger.
 Needless to say , I one proud dad. Meat in the freezer, and a .243 casing on my desk.

[Dan-o]

NEF HandiRifle in 243 or 7mm-08,

Either will kill any deer out there.

I've read bad things about the 257 Roberts on this site, so you might steer clear of that caliber.   (OK, that last art was just a joke....   Sorry John)

[Bob33]

Hearing protection, youth sized stock, mild ammo. Caliber can really be a secondary consideration these days because of reduced recoil ammo. My 10 year shoots a 300 Win Mag
with no trouble...with mild ammo. A 30-06 turns into a 243 recoil wise. If I had to pick a caliber I would choose 7mm-08.  Versatile and powerful enough for elk. A 243 is a good deer cartridge but marginal for elk IMO.

[RIVERRAT]

Thanks guys!!!   I will have to look into these and the prices.   

[runningboard]

remington 700 youth sps in 7mm-08 but make sure it has the 24" barrel, yes they come that way. pushes instead of rising when shot and less muzzle blast further from shooter, more fps than same in a short barrel.
check out the new lady hunter by savage too, nice rifle but only if you expect her to not be a 5'-11" grown woman.

[724wd]

7mm-08 (or 7x57 if you can find one!) or a .308 with managed recoil rounds would be great for a small girl.  either will be enough gun to grow with and hunt larger and larger game.

[RIVERRAT]

hahahaha  ....  no she will be a lil thing.  mom made sure of that.    Any thoughts on the Marlin X7 youth 7mm-08?

[sirsnap]

I second the 7mm-08.  I bought my daughter one in weatherby vanguard when she was 10.  It came with 2 stocks so it can grow with them.  I just put the little longer one on this year which is a much nicer stock.  It has very little recoil with normal 140 bullets, but also has reduced recoil options from remington and hornady.  She has now shot 5 deer in 4 years with that gun.  Had a second deer tag this year.  Everyone has dropped in it's tracks all the way to 200yds except the doe this year which ran just a little.

[viva_che1363]

maybe im biased with my appreciation of lever guns but a good old 30-30 is nice in my book, but that kinda limits you if you want to go after elk

[elkoholic1]

3rd the 7mm-08  its an awesome youth and all around good round even for a non youth itll last them forever..

[runningboard]

also might wanna look at Howa, also comes with 2 stocks, hogue which are quieter when bumped than other synthetics. just for reference my wife shot a raghorn bull elk with a 140 Nosler partition from her 7mm-08 at 248 yards, he took 3 steps and fell over. couldn't have been deader if he was hit with 338 Lapua or Rem Ultra-Mag

[huntnphool]

 My daughter shoots a Ruger 7mm-08 compact, 16.5" barrel and really likes it.

[carpsniperg2]

7mm-08 all the way. 140 accubonds and she can knock down anything around here without to much recoil.

[RIVERRAT]

Thanks for all the great input.....   If anyone is parting with a used 7mm-08 youth rifle, PM me.   

[carpsniperg2]

You can pick up a brand new tikka for around 500.00. A great gun at a great price.

[Stalker]

Rem. 700BDL in either 243 or 7mm-08 put on a Blackhawk Axiom (sp) stock. This will grow with her, has a couple recoil reducers, stock is adjustable and you will build her a tack driver that introduces hughe confidence when it is time to take the shot.

[Bullkllr]

I checked out the Marlin X7 after reading some good reports about it. They seem like a really tight gun for the money. Never shot one, but again accuracy and reliability reports are great for a gun in that price range. If I were looking for a relatively inexpensive rifle, Id seriously consider throwing down for the X7. Action fit and stock seemed better than most similarly priced models. Check 'em out!

[Dan-o]

Someone has a nice new 270 for sale in the classifieds (New in box).   I bet you could get a good deal.

[Kola16]

I don't know anything about a 7mm-08, but if you want her to grow into a great cartridge, I am almost positive that she could shoot a .308 or even lighter recoiling......a .270. Both can take elk easily 

[kglacken]

My cousin who is 16 now, used to shoot a Browning .270 wsm with a muzzle break. And I tell you what, I have shot everything from 7mm, .325 wsm, .375, 30-6, .35, 30-30, and her .270 wsm is amazing. It kicks like a pellet gun and will drop anything around here in their tracks. I shot a bear with it from 100 yards and the bear was dead instantly. Come top think of it, I have never seen anything run after being hit with her .270. She grew up on it and loved it. Only thing I recommend is ear protection is a must. With the muzzle break, it creates a ton of noise. Good luck! and let us know what you decide! 

[huntnphool]

I don't know anything about a 7mm-08, but if you want her to grow into a great cartridge, I am almost positive that she could shoot a .308 or even lighter recoiling

The .243 and 7mm-08 use the same case as the .308 but necked down. The 7mm bullet has a better BC than the .30 cal though.

[Kola16]

I don't know anything about a 7mm-08, but if you want her to grow into a great cartridge, I am almost positive that she could shoot a .308 or even lighter recoiling

The .243 and 7mm-08 use the same case as the .308 but necked down. The 7mm bullet has a better BC than the .30 cal though.

I would never think about shooting a elk with a .243. I mentioned those because they can easily take down an elk.

Maybe a dumb question, but is the 7mm-08 the same as a 7mm mag 

[abe henderson]

My nine year old son shot his first deer this year with a Ruger compact .243.  He was terrified to try it cause I said it kicked a little harder than his 20 gauge and when I sighted it in it was very loud due to the 16.5 barrel (which is awesome to carry!)

I don't reload so I asked around and a friend of a friend did.  I researched reduced loads on the internet and came across Trail Boss powder.  I bought the powder and some .243 dies and went over and loaded up a half dozen rounds for him to try based on the info on the Hodgdon website.  He didn't want to shoot it so I shot it while he stood behind me twenty yards with his hands clamped over his earmuffs.  The thing really hardly kicked at all.

After his first shot he started laughing and yelled, "this thing is awesome!"  He blew through the ammo just as fast as I could hand him the shells and was bummed when it was gone.  I was bummed he wasn't hitting anything until we went to look at the pop can at forty yards that was full of holes...just never tipped over.

I went back and loaded up some slightly reduced loads with some powder that the friend was familiar with and just a few days later he shot a doe through the shoulder at 75 yards with one shot.  She dropped in her tracks and he never even noticed the difference in recoil.

I've got a seven year old and I'm planning on loading up a BUNCH more Trail Boss loads for him.  I mean it kicks so soft they will blow through it like .22 ammo and love shooting it.  My oldest son, after that experience, put a jar on top of the refridgerator with a tag on it that says "Reloading Stuff" and put seven dollars of his hard earned money in it.  Dad couldn't be happier!

BTW, the nine year old is 57 pounds soaking wet and can be a pretty sensitive little guy.  I'm sure a similar formula will work for any kids that can pass Hunter Safety.

Hope this helps,

Abe

[huntnphool]

I don't know anything about a 7mm-08, but if you want her to grow into a great cartridge, I am almost positive that she could shoot a .308 or even lighter recoiling

The .243 and 7mm-08 use the same case as the .308 but necked down. The 7mm bullet has a better BC than the .30 cal though.

I would never think about shooting a elk with a .243. I mentioned those because they can easily take down an elk.

Maybe a dumb question, but is the 7mm-08 the same as a 7mm mag 

Same bullet, different case, the 7mm mag is much larger.

[carpsniperg2]

7 mag is just that a magnum with a lot more powder. Like phool said the 7mm-08 is a necked down 308 case using a 284 cal bullet. You get a better bc and it is a very flat shooting round as well, with little recoil.

243 will kill anything, good shot placement and a good bullet is all one needs. Heck there is a young lady that just put a moose down with one shot from a 243. I know of one rez hunter that shot probably 100 elk and deer with a 243. Never had any problems with killing power. I do like the bullet choice on the 7mm over the 243. You can get into some heavy bullets for the 7mm and really work them well with some handloads.

[ICEMAN]

My kids both have Savage youth .243 compact with accutrigger and extendable stock for as they grow.

Great rifle at a great price. They will keep them when they grow out and use as a yote gun...

[Kola16]

I don't know anything about a 7mm-08, but if you want her to grow into a great cartridge, I am almost positive that she could shoot a .308 or even lighter recoiling

The .243 and 7mm-08 use the same case as the .308 but necked down. The 7mm bullet has a better BC than the .30 cal though.

I would never think about shooting a elk with a .243. I mentioned those because they can easily take down an elk.

Maybe a dumb question, but is the 7mm-08 the same as a 7mm mag 

Same bullet, different case, the 7mm mag is much larger.

Thanks, that's what I thought 

[Kola16]

7 mag is just that a magnum with a lot more powder. Like phool said the 7mm-08 is a necked down 308 case using a 284 cal bullet. You get a better bc and it is a very flat shooting round as well, with little recoil.

243 will kill anything, good shot placement and a good bullet is all one needs. Heck there is a young lady that just put a moose down with one shot from a 243. I know of one rez hunter that shot probably 100 elk and deer with a 243. Never had any problems with killing power. I do like the bullet choice on the 7mm over the 243. You can get into some heavy bullets for the 7mm and really work them well with some handloads.

I guess it is just me. I like a bigger, more powerful bullet. You could ethically hunt with a pellet gun if you put the pellet in the right place. I just prefer a little more bang for those.......well, you know.....less desirable shots  It happens, just sayin'

[carpsniperg2]

Yep what ever floats your boat

[Kola16]

Yep what ever floats your boat

Or sinks it with a bigger hole 

[bobcat]

Nothing wrong with the 7/08, but I'd go with the 243 if only for deer, or if bear and elk might be on the menu, I'd go with a 270 or 308. The only real difference between any of them is the price of ammo. 270 and 308 will be cheaper than 7/08, simply because they are more popular.

[GEARHEAD]

another vote for 7mm-08, very low recoil. can push a 140 gr bullet at 3000 fps.  as stated try and get a 24 inch barrel,  add a muzzle break, like i have, and it kicks like a .223

[X-Force]

You cant go wrong with a 7mm-08. But I really like the 6.5mm either 260 or 6.5 cm... 
Another good gun to look at would be the savage lady hunter

[rebal69972]

My kids hunt with a 308 and used to hunt with a 35 rem. I will say stay away from the 35 rem. Ammo will kill the bank. My 11 y/o daughter shot her first deer with the 308 when she was 6 and even now she is a very small child, maybe 65 lbs but she has always been able to handle the recoil, its the noise that gets her. All of my kids love to hunt but hate to go to the range. When your in the field they don't remember the noise or the recoil but getting them to the field when they don't like the noise is a little tough.  Good hearing protection is a must

[Raul Duke]

One other thing I forgot to mention. Shooting Sticks, I picked up a set (tripod) for her so she don't have to work as hard.  On are stand where she got her deer. We set her up on a ridge looking down. Set up the sticks and waited.
 I made it as easy as possible for her on her first hunt. I wanted her to learn and have fun.  And it all paid off.

Good luck to you and your daughter. Your going to have some great memories.

[C-Money]

As far as a cartridge goes, cant go wrong with a 7mm-08. Accurate, and plenty gun for North America. Remington Model 7 is a great choice. The NEF single shots are great rifles. Ammo for the 7mm-08 is around the same price as anything els these days. I was just looking at the pile of ammo at wal-mart the other day, 7mm-08 was right there with the other popular cartridges. 

[HUNT]

I'll second the 7mm-08 in the Remington model Seven.   They are tough to find, but you can usually find one on gunbroker.com.   All three of my sons have shot the rifle and love it.  The stock fits a shooter of smaller stature really well.  It is a great round that has the knockdown of a 270 with the recoil similar to a 243.  Good luck in your search.   

[whacker1]

Hunt beat me to it, but I will post anyway
Remington Model SEVEN is also another choice for youth.  It is a standard rifle with lighter action and shorter stock, so a little easier to handle, and is made in the common calibers we are talking about .243, 7-08 and a few others.

[blacktailcody]

243. Tikka t3.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Tikka-T3-Lite-Bolt-Action-Rifles-150-Stainless-Steel-Barrels/706383.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dtikka%2Bt3%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=tikka+t3&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

[gunnarnewt]

7/08 all the way! Great little gun for ladies and children.

[dscubame]

You guys keep throwing out calibers.  With my 9 year old it was not about the caliber it is about what was weighted appropriatley and the ability to hold the gun up with proper stock length and barrel heavy variations.

I had over 12 different "models" in her hands and two stood out dramatically...the tikka t3 (whatever caliber floats your boat) and the youth model 700 (again whatever your ego tells you on caliber). 

Now this is for her size at 9 yrs old, her arm length, her strength etc...So get your kid in a bunch of gun stores and find the best fitting "model".  You all try on boots before you buy don't ya?

[dscubame]

You guys keep throwing out calibers.  With my 9 year old it was not about the caliber it is about what was weighted appropriatley and the ability to hold the gun up with proper stock length and barrel heavy variations.

I had over 12 different "models" in her hands and two stood out dramatically...the tikka t3 (whatever caliber floats your boat) and the youth model 700 (again whatever your ego tells you on caliber). 

Now this is for her size at 9 yrs old, her arm length, her strength etc...So get your kid in a bunch of gun stores and find the best fitting "model".  You all try on boots before you buy don't ya?

Oh ya ended up buying the Tikka T3 in .243 and now I find myself hunting with it more than anything else.  Love that Tikka.  Nice bear and 4 point buck down so far with it this season.

[C-Money]

The Model 7 we have has a lower quality wood stock. It is a great shooter, and I dont mind it not being a pretty chunk of walnut, its a work horse gun for my kids that looks pretty close to how it did the day we bought it.  Heck, even my Dad harvested his biggest mule deer with the little Model 7, no complaints from the old man.

[ckr]

I got my 7yr old son a weatherby vanguard in 308.  Came with both a youth and adult stock. 
It was fairly cheap and very accurate

[RIVERRAT]

WOW....Thanks to all for the great information.  It is most appreciated!!!!!   I will be getting her one very soon.