Deer rifle for kids

[jrebel]

6.5 creedmoor, 7-08, .308 with a suppressor if sound is the issue.   The suppressor will help with noise and recoil.  If recoil alone is the only issue then go with a break.....it will tame them All to a manageable rifle.  A heavier rifle will also tame recoil so don't be afraid of a nice wood stock. 

[Bushcraft]

Considering he may be most concerned with the noise, I don't think you will find much difference with him with a .243 vs. a .308, without hearing protection, they are both loud.  If you are concerned with other items such as form factor, weight, lop, etc, you may find youth model rifles will specifically resolve most of those issues.  All of my boys started hunting with a Remington 700 .243, youth model,  and it has killed every deer it was pointed at.  They have all moved on to larger calibers now but I still have the .243 and carry it when I'm out coyote hunting.

If you want to shoot it and see how he does with it, PM me, I'd be happy to try and make that happen.

^^^ Listen closely to this response.

[Stein]

I bought a youth Savage Axis in .243 for my daughter when she started hunting.  I will do the same for my son in a year or two, they are great rifles and don't break the bank.  I put a Vortex Diamondback on it and cut a few coils off the trigger spring and she is shooting sub MOA, sometimes closer to 1/2 MOA with handloads. Out of the box it was MOA with factory Core Lokt.

I am tempted to carry it for deer sometimes, it is so light and short it's a dream to carry.

They aren't heirloom rifles, but they work great, are budget priced and nobody cries when they get scratched or dinged up.

[huntnphool]

 I have a couple youth size rifles, Ruger Hawkeye Compact in 7mm-08 and a Remington 700 Compact in .243. You are welcome to shoot them both if you would like him to try it.

[yorketransport]

My son is the same way about noise. I’ve found that the 6.5 Grendel and 6mm BR are both good options for him. I started him with a 19” barreled single shot 6mm BR in a pretty heavy rifle before moving to a CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel. My son isn’t interested in hunting but he did want to be able to come out shooting with me and both of these guns have worked well for him and would be very capable of taking a deer if he decides he wanted to. I’d be happy to try and meet up with you ever wanted to try either of the rifles.

[jrebel]

If money is not an issue, suppressed is the way to go.  If your son wants to shoot a suppressed 7-08 or 6.5 creed and you are in the Wenatchee area, we could make that happen too.  Only bad thing about suppressors is the cost and wait time for the federal tax stamp.   They also add length to the rifle and weight but those are easy to deal with if the kid likes to shoot the rifle. 

[Alchase]

When my son first started, I went with the .243 WSSM in a youth model 70.
If I had know how loud the .234 WSSM is over the standard .243, I would have got the .243.
I love the caliber and the rifle, but it is substantially louder sharper report.

So my point is different calibers will be louder on different rifles. Most calibers will be louder on lighter synthetic stock than they will be on a solid wood stock.

[ctwiggs1]

What’s the deal with suppressors?  I have heard that if you get the federal stamp, your residence can be searched or something like that?

[Karl Blanchard]

What’s the deal with suppressors?  I have heard that if you get the federal stamp, your residence can be searched or something like that?

I'm not up to speed because I could buy like 4 Idaho deer tags for what one costs. I've mentored almost a dozen youth hunters over the years and my go to is muffs over ear plugs.

[ctwiggs1]

Thanks for bringing me back to reality 

[Stein]

Just do what most of us did as kids, a bit of cotton in the ear.  After a few trips to the range you don't even need that.

From my experience, the sound isn't much of a problem, like was said you can get good ear pro these days.  Just pick a day it isn't busy or find a place in the woods for yourself.  I can't stand being next to a brake or even short barrel AR going crazy.

[dreadi]

What’s the deal with suppressors?  I have heard that if you get the federal stamp, your residence can be searched or something like that?

ATF can demand to see the stamp and item at their discretion. It doesn’t give them the right to search your home. I personally know people with NFA items and one person that has owned a machine gun for over 30 years and he’s never had a visit from the ATF.


On the topic of noise, can he wear ear plugs? Myself and a friend keep them around our necks during modern season. When it’s time to pull the trigger, stick them in and BOOM isn’t so bad.
Also, you may want to consider a muzzle device such as a linear compensator that directs the SPL more downrange than other devices.

[Goshawk]

243, 257 Roberts, 6.5 Sweed and half a dozen other 6.5's, and if you load, the 270 is great with reduced loads and makes a fantastic big game round once he adds a few pounds for full power loads.  Add just about anything from the 308 on down and you'll do fine.  If you don't load your own, it's easy enough to find someone who will for you, or look up the Hornady low recoil line of ammo.

I'd stay clear of exposed hammer models like the old Win 94 and Marlin.  That hammer is just too tempting not to play with and can slip when a kid gets excited.  Better stay with a good quality bolt.

[jrebel]

What’s the deal with suppressors?  I have heard that if you get the federal stamp, your residence can be searched or something like that?

I'm not up to speed because I could buy like 4 Idaho deer tags for what one costs. I've mentored almost a dozen youth hunters over the years and my go to is muffs over ear plugs.

Unless your an Idaho resident ......that is 100% not the case.  I hunt Idaho and I bought a suppressor so that is slightly exaggerated.  They are not cheap.....but definitely worth the money if a kid is sound sensative. 

To answer your question about home searches ...... I don't know for sure but I have never heard such a thing and it does not make sense.  Because you legally purchase something does not mean you forfeit your rights to legal search and seizure laws.  But if they really want to look at my kids dirty rooms .... Come on in!!   

[Karl Blanchard]

What's the stamp cost? Most the suppressors I've looked at have been $800 and up. 4 Idaho deer tags at $301 a pop is $1,204. So a guy gets a $900 can plus tax and stamp    is there less expensive ones and what's the difference between two?