Didn't think I'd be faced with this yet. Rifle for youth, deer

[Tony 270WSM]

On a budget too. My 12 (almost 13) year old nephew has shown an interest in hunting. Have talked to him about it and he sounds interested in going and hunting himself. Just the thought of it gets me pumped up about it. Have a six year old girl and she doesn't have any interest in it, but I'd happily take my nephew and get someone new into hunting.

So, he's pretty small for 12, could easily pass for under ten right now. Only have my WSM and don't think that would suit him well at all. Want something with less recoil, don't want to get him gun shy.

Thinking 243, 257 Bob or 260 Remmy. Don't have a Wal Mart around here, but have heard of some smokin deals, like the Vanguard for only $299 on sale. Also open to a Savage or anything else cheap. His parents don't hunt and don't have the $$$ to buy him a gun, so I'm trying to scrape up some cash to pick something up.

Anyone know of some good deals going on? Also thinking a fixed 4x to top it off. Simple and to the point.

[Huntbear]

Unless a repeating rifle is mandatory, how about a NEF single shot in what ever caliber.  Then later can add barrels as he grows into shooting.

[jackelope]

look at the NEF youth handi rifle. i picked one up for a soldier buddy's boy for when he hunts with us this year. $200.00 new, neat rifle and real small framed for a youth. it hasn't been fired yet but they have a rep of being pretty accurate.

[HUNT]

The .243 makes a great first deer rifle...  My 9 year old shoots his Remington Model 7 with no problems...  I put a synthetic stock on it to make it lighter for him....  The recoil isn't too bad.  You should be able to find a used one for 300-350.....  If you can't find one locally--  check out gunbroker.com

[Mookie]

Might be a bit far to drive, or to much kick, but I have a friend with a Rem 710 .270, barely been shot, under 50 rounds, and comes with whatever scope they put on it. He only wants $250.

[addicted]

check out a pawn shop. econemy should have put a good selection in there. get something cheap in the caliber you want and cut the stock to fit the kid.

[ICEMAN]

A thought...

I purchased youth sized rifles for my kids, everything is a bit smaller, easier to shoulder etc.... Bought Mossberg .243/s for both of them in the youth size. My kids are 11 and 13yrs...The stocks can be replaced later with full size stocks.

I also place value in the tang safety which is visible for everyone to see, all the time. Plus, the safeties match their Mossberg youth shotguns....

[Gutpile]

I bought a youth 870 20 ga. and a youth Ruger 77 in .260 as soon as my girl passed the test. I've passed them both down to my youngest now and will probably upgrade the youngest to adult models next year. That .260 is a sweet little rifle.

[satchel3006]

you can get a weatherby vanguard youth rifle which comes with a full size stock for when hes older. my dad has one (with the full size stock on it) and its a shooter under an inch at 100 yards. NEF is also a good choice

[whacker1]

I started with Savage .243, and once I stuck with it moved to a Savage .270.  Both were model 110c.  They can be found at gun shows at a relatively inexpensive level.

6mm is another good choice.  The key is to use the short stock with a good recoil pad, as to not scare them from shooting. 

 

[BULLBLASTER]

i shot my first buck with my very own 7mm mag. when i was in 7th grade. i saved my allowance and my dad said he would match anything i saved. i shot 120 grain ( i think) factory loads and still love that gun today. i was out of high school before i got my .243. i went backwards i guess. the NEF ones seem pretty good. you could get a decent gun for yourself and him to use until he is older then let him have it. give him somethin to look forward to when he is old enough.

[jackelope]

i also have a savage model 10gy, which is their youth rifle, in .243. it has a 20" barrel and a short stock. it actually used to have a short stock and i bought a full sized savage tupperware stock off of ebay for it for $30.00, now i have a short little lightweight pack rifle.

[huntnphool]

I agree with the .243 the guys have suggested, there are plenty of good deals on gunbrokers these days.

[newbs55]

.243 is good but i would rather start with a .308 same recoil more bullet weight choices. that way if he wanted to go after elk or bear you could step up the grain and not be underguned

[Straight Shooter]

A thought...

I purchased youth sized rifles for my kids, everything is a bit smaller, easier to shoulder etc.... Bought Mossberg .243/s for both of them in the youth size. My kids are 11 and 13yrs...The stocks can be replaced later with full size stocks.

I also place value in the tang safety which is visible for everyone to see, all the time. Plus, the safeties match their Mossberg youth shotguns....

 

Stock is adjustable w/inserts...

http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=MB26240&mfg=Mossberg&family=100+ATR+Series&model=100+ATR+Super+Bantam