Youth model recommendations.

[D-Rock425]

Looking for a youth model for my daughter 9 years old come this year's hunting season.  She just passed hunters ed class last month.  Probably going with the 243 although I'd really like a 7mm-08 for her.  She's not very big girl right around the 4ft mark I'd guess.  Mainly looking for one of those package gun scope combos.

[Wetwoodshunter]

D-rock,

The Ruger American with the redfield revolution package (around $450) is one of the best packages that I have seen lately as far as cost and quality. Last year I got a rifle for my wife in 7mm-08 but I went a little different route and spent a little more money because on the west side she will not outgrow the rifle, in fact if I ever hunted modern I may take it in the woods as I think its an ideal brush gun. I purchased a used X-bolt from a member here and put a burris fulfilled 2 on it.

With the package I made for my wife I came in about $100 more than you could get the new Ruger for. Additionally, you could always pick a nice used rifle and get a shorter stock for her to switch back out as she grows and have the same rifle for life. My buddies daughter has shot a few elk with her 7mm-08 and loves it. I think that the versatility of the 7mm-08 and the low recoil make this an ideal rifle for a lot of applications. Depending on your or her anticipated shot distances the .25-06 could be an awesome choice for a rifle for her to learn with, lots of elk an deer have fallen to a well placed quarter bore.

[724wd]

I'm in the same boat, but I already have a rifle for my daughter to use.  It's a .308.  With reduced recoil loads of around 125 grains, it seems like a great start to me!  The 7mm-08 would have been my second choice if it were available in the rifle I bought.  either one will shoot lighter bullets, but as they grow, can throw serious lead.     .243 seems like having a kid hunt with a .410 for pheasants.  a lighter load in a larger caliber (or gauge) will likely produce better results.

[Henrydog]

Weatherby Vanguard Compact. Same as a Howa 1500. Comes with a stock spacer so they can grow with the gun.  .243, 7mm-08 and 308.  My 14 year old got him at 10 in .308.  It is a tack driver but with a short barrel and very light weight it really thumps. 

[huntnphool]

Ruger American Compact 7mm-08

[redi]

My daughter started with a Remington model 7 youth in 243 which served her well shooting the 80 grain Remington core locks with very little recoil. She has punched deer out to 472 yards. For Elk we stepped up to a 7mm-08 until she turned 16.

[bearpaw]

Ruger American Compact 7mm-08

We have a model 7 that has been real good, but the youth American is cheaper to buy and shoots well, a great choice!

[Jolten]

Have you let her shoot a . 243/7mm08? Have her shoot a couple different ones and ask which she liked more.

[Duckslayer89]

Looking for a youth model for my daughter 9 years old come this year's hunting season.  She just passed hunters ed class last month.  Probably going with the 243 although I'd really like a 7mm-08 for her.  She's not very big girl right around the 4ft mark I'd guess.  Mainly looking for one of those package gun scope combos.

Kimber mountain ascent 308. I have one and it's light enough for a kid. Compact too

[theleo]

When I first started my dad got me a Rem 700 BDL 243 and had the stock cut down. It's pretty easy to find a replacement stock as a kid grows for a 700. My first time hunting elk I had a model 7 7mm-08 in my hands and that thing was light but a pain to hold steady. Have you considered splitting the difference between the 7mm-08 and 243 and just get a 260?

[JoeE]

Looking for a youth model for my daughter 9 years old come this year's hunting season.  She just passed hunters ed class last month.  Probably going with the 243 although I'd really like a 7mm-08 for her.  She's not very big girl right around the 4ft mark I'd guess.  Mainly looking for one of those package gun scope combos.

Kimber mountain ascent 308. I have one and it's light enough for a kid. Compact too

That's going to be my next rifle purchase. That's kinda pricey for a youth gun, but it's a gun they could use for a lifetime. The LOP for some kids might be too long though since it's a full size rifle.

[lewy]

T3 compact, Talley lights and a leupy. Cartridge of ur choice, my ol lady's shoots clover leafs.

[stw]

Got my son thats 12 and my daughter is 14 the savage 7mm-08 youth shoot good kicks like the 243 . Something my daughter won't grow out of

[WapitiTalk1]

D-rock, just dug this up.  May help you in your research 

http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/guns/rifles/2012/11/youth-gun-test-ol-reviews-best-new-guns-kids/?image=0

[h2ofowlr]

I purchased Tikka T3 7mm-08 for both of my boys.  Age 10 & 12.