Thinking of new rifle for daughter.

[Halo]

Was thinking of getting my 16 year old daughter a new rifle for her birthday. What do you guys think of this combo?
a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Stainless Compact Laminate in 7mm-08

http://www.ruger.com/products/HawkeyeLaminateCompact/models.html

For a scope It would definitely be Leupold, probably VX-2 2-7x33 CDS

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/vx-2-riflescopes/vx-2-2-7x33mm-cds/

and a couple boxes of Hornady ammo.

http://www.hornady.com/store/7mm-08-Rem-139-gr-GMX-Superformance/

Also thought of taking it down to Montesano to Northwest Hydroprint and putting the Muddy Girl camo on the stalk just to customize it a little for her, and so she wont be as concerned about me wanting to borrow it all the time.    I get the occasional shot at a coyote from the house, (usually out the bathroom window  ) out to as far as 350 yards. I'm betting they wouldn't be safe even if I wasn't home with that, and if she wants to go hunting with me she will be all set up.

[270Shooter]

Sounds like a great setup to me. I too am a leupold fan and I have several, however I'd take a look at vortex, my girlfriend has a 3-9x40 and it is a very nice scope for the money and has a great warranty.

[HawkCreek]

I picked up a Ruger Frontier in 7mm-08 for a now ex-girlfriend. I had the Burris handgun scope already just collecting dust and it worked great on that rifle. I would also have preferred a Leupold but the Burris was taking space and the little Frontier needed glass so... I have never handled a Hawkeye Compact but the Frontier was a great little shooter. With 120 or 140 grain Cor-Lokt (dont remember which I was shooting) it would shoot around an inch at 100 yards as long as I shot slow enough to keep the barrel from warming up (sported weight, not a big deal my Remmy 700 .30-06 and most sporter weight barrels are the same way).

I think it's a great set up for smaller framed shooters. For that matter I'm 6'2" and I liked shooting it to!

The GSR at top is mine, just in there to show how small the Frontier really was.

[ROCKWHEELER]

What about a savage lady hunter or a tikka t3 compact. Wife has a lady hunter and loves it, things shoots under moa. Ruger makes fine rifles though.

[RadSav]

I get nervous combining marginal velocity rounds with 18" barrels.  For that reason I am with Rockwheeler on the Lady Hunter or something similar.  That extra 2" makes a big difference in the 7-08. Weatherby Youth, Winchesr M70 Compact and Browning Micro Hunter would also be on my list of small guns with a better barrel.

If you do end up with an 18" barrel I suggest handloads with Winchester ball powder or similar made for short barreled military use.

[woodswalker]

Another thought would be a Remington Model 7 in 7mm-08 or 260, its also available in .243 and .308.  If the regular Model 7 is not small enough there is also the Compact model in .243 and 7mm-08.

Great for the smaller stature and rock solid.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire/model-seven/model-seven-synthetic.aspx

[MHWASH]

I'm not a fan of short barreled rifles for youths. My sons first deer rifle was a Ruger compact .260. I know everybody should wear ear protection when hunting, but its not very practical. His first shot was a miss, and instead of concentrating on the second shot, he set the rifle down and covered his ears. I got him set up for another shot and he killed his first deer.  These guns are very loud and have lots of muzzle blast. The rifle we use now is a Marlin XS7 youth 7-08.. It has a 22" barrel short stock and is light enough for them to pack around.

So far 2 now 12yo boys have shot 3 deer and a cow moose with this rifle. Scope is a Leupold 6x.

I find this combo perfect.

[rim_runner]

I picked up a Ruger Frontier in 7mm-08 for a now ex-girlfriend

I got a rem 700 in 243 for my ex-wife. I consider it one of the best trades I ever made   

[jrebel]

The savage lady hunter would be my first choice and only choice.  Unbelievable shooters and the comb is made for women.  I like the 7 mm 08, .243 or even the 6.5 creedmoor......good luck.  Make sure to update us with your final decision and range reports....always good to here feedback. 

Also....Happy birthday to your daughter!!

[huntnphool]

Was thinking of getting my 16 year old daughter a new rifle for her birthday. What do you guys think of this combo?
a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Stainless Compact Laminate in 7mm-08

http://www.ruger.com/products/HawkeyeLaminateCompact/models.html

For a scope It would definitely be Leupold, probably VX-2 2-7x33 CDS

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/vx-2-riflescopes/vx-2-2-7x33mm-cds/

and a couple boxes of Hornady ammo.

http://www.hornady.com/store/7mm-08-Rem-139-gr-GMX-Superformance/

Also thought of taking it down to Montesano to Northwest Hydroprint and putting the Muddy Girl camo on the stalk just to customize it a little for her, and so she wont be as concerned about me wanting to borrow it all the time.    I get the occasional shot at a coyote from the house, (usually out the bathroom window  ) out to as far as 350 yards. I'm betting they wouldn't be safe even if I wasn't home with that, and if she wants to go hunting with me she will be all set up.

 My daughter uses the M77 Hawkeye Compact 7mm-08 and shoots it very well, it's a very nice little gun.

 You are welcome to have your daughter shoot it before making your purchase if you would like.

 Also have a Remington 700 Compact you could have her try as well.

[b23]

In case you don't have enough suggestions,    maybe take a look at the Howa Youth 2-N-1 rifle package.  It can be bought in 7-08 and it comes with two stocks, a shorter youth version and the adult size stock. 

Weatherby Vangard has some pretty cool youth rifles that come with adjustable length of pull stocks and you can even get them in girl camo colors, too.

Good luck with your search and I'm sure she'll be thrilled with whatever you get her.

[Halo]

Dang you guy's have come up with a load of good info & suggestions, some I have looked at some I haven't, YET. Thanks. That's one of the things I love about this sight, the vast amount of knowledge on it. Time for some more research & pondering. 

[bigsads]

Although I will never tell someone not to buy a Ruger M77, I will say I have a HOwa 1500 in 7mm-08 compact, and it is a nice shooter. I installed the 5 round detachable mag conversion kit.  Also, I will repeat on Vortex glass.  The Crossfire II is excellent for the money

[wadu1]

Way to go DAD  , what ever you get her will be great and having it done by Hydroprint and putting the Muddy Girl camo will be a pluss.

[Halo]

Ok, I'm not a huge fan of Ruger bolt action rifles but I don't really have anything agaist them, I'm more of a Savage fan, I have a 116FCSAK in 30-06 and a 116 Bear Hunter in .338 and they are both great guns and sub MOA. That being said I have a hard time buying a rifle that isn't stainless. Probably too many years hunting elk in the coastal jungles of Pacific County during monsoon season.  That's what keeps bringing me back to Ruger. This is the latest one I was looking at, the Ruger All-Weather Compact.

http://www.ruger.com/products/americanRifleAllWeatherCompact/models.html

The main difference between this and the Hawkeye from what I can see is the All-Weather is 1/4 lb lighter with an 1-1/2" longer barrel and a rotary magazine. Not sure what to think about the rotary magazine. more pondering I guess.