Youth Rifle Recommendation / Advice

[dscubame]

After reading up on the Rossi Trifecta it seems the gun is not so good with users reporting an average of 9 inch groups at 100 yards.

Whacker1 had some good advice about buying a quality rifle so the value remains intact, I agreed.

My daughter is 9 and taking hunter safety in March preparing for the 2011 big game season.  Her name is Rylie.

Here she is shooting yesterday as we were goofing off up in the NE corner around monumental mountain.

So what can you folks recommend?

Thank you,  Dan

[wadu1]

  Try to find a used .243 that can have a youth stock added, keep the full size until she gets older then cut it down. Just keep her shooting and having the fredom to do so.

[dscubame]

Now that is a heck of an idea.  Really liking that thought, thank you.

[Bob33]

I assume she has ear protection...

Starting with a quality gun is smart.

[Wenatcheejay]

I started my son on a .243 (Rem 700) after shooting a deer (100 gr Sierra BT) and not being impressed we moved him up to a 7mm-08 (Tikka 3) and he loves it. The 7mm-08 has less felt recoil IMO and his opinion (He is now 12). He took a deer last year (140 gr Nosler Partition) with no problem. Both rounds are great but the 7mm-08 gives you a lot more power through a heavier bullet option without more kick to a little body.  

I hope that helps.


BTW Cute Picture of her

[JackOfAllTrades]

After reading up on the Rossi Trifecta it seems the gun is not so good with users reporting an average of 9 inch groups at 100 yards.

I don't know where you've been reading.. 

I've had two Rossi Triple Plays, (Trifecta).. for my boys.  Both did well under 3" at 100yds with factory loads and aproached 1 1/2" with hand loads.

You get what you pay for. They're not a TC, but for the money, they're fine for a beginner.

In my eyes though, the best bang for the buck though is the Marlin XS7.

-Steve

[dscubame]

Thanks Steve. 

I just Googled it and stopped my research after the first 3 user reviews that came up on page one so I may be way off.  You found the Rossi to be acceptable then I will look into it further because I really liked the 3 barrels in one concept. 

Also interesed in the Tikka 3 idea from WenatcheeJay and will look up the Marlin XS7.

Thanks.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Suggestion...

Eye and ear protection for your daughter. Teach her right. 

-Steve

[dscubame]

Ear protection we use the old school plugs.  Eye protection not happening.  Bring on the criticism but not happening as I do not feel there is an exposure on that one.  Thanks for all the concern.

[Wenatcheejay]

Dan, I don't know what your budget is but the better rifle/scope/ammuntion you can afford the better. I just bought a Savage Edge but have not taken it out yet. That was $329.00 with scope or you could buy it for $250.00 in black stock at Cabelas through the 31st. I don't know about youth stocks for it. I may gift it to my brother (which is why I bought it.) That gun does have a hard trigger pull but that it not always bad for a young shooter. It's reviews says it is an accurate (MOA) gun.

I picked up the .243 (Rem 700 used) for $350.00, it was very accurate, and the Tikkia (Very Accurate) was $600.00 (new), both youth models.

Steve, I would consider 3" totally unacceptable, even 1.5" would not be something I would consider OK, but to each their own.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Steve, I would consider 3" totally unacceptable, even 1.5" would not be something I would consider OK, but to each their own.

Last time I checked... The kill zone is bigger than a couple inches. I kept my boys under 100yds with iron sights for their first kills.  The youth Rossi's where only because they were small kids. They've moved on to bolt guns..

-Steve

[carpsniperg2]

If a tikka will fitter i would get her a t3 lite in the 7mm-08. A great caliber with low recoil and has enough puch to take any animal around here.

[Wenatcheejay]

Steve, I would consider 3" totally unacceptable, even 1.5" would not be something I would consider OK, but to each their own.

Last time I checked... The kill zone is bigger than a couple inches. I kept my boys under 100yds with iron sights for their first kills.  The youth Rossi's where only because they were small kids. They've moved on to bolt guns..

-Steve

Geeze Steve, I am not trying to be rude here. I have no problems with whatever people choose to do. Like I said, "To Each Their Own." If you choose to keep your young hunters under 100 yds and feel a 3" group is acceptable that is your thing. If you can get their groups to 1.5" even better. I don't and have never wanted to own a Rossi Trifecta. I was not trying to undermind anyone who wants to own one. I also was not the one scolding people for posting politically incorrect pictures on the site. I simply gave my opinion and shared the rifles that worked for me and my youth hunter.  Be it 9" or 3" best case scenario I think an ethical hunter owes it to the animal to be as accurate and humane as possible. That is all I am sharing. 

[hookr88]

My son started with the Tikka T3 lite 7mm-08 at age 12 and 5'2" 100lbs and no problems. He is now 6' 1" and 160 and he still shoots it and loves it. It is a great gun and something she can shoot now and grow into it with no mods.

[Wenatcheejay]

Steve, If you are going to PM me then listen to my point. If I came across as rude to you I am truly so sorry. It seems to me that there is a big change at Hunt Wa and that personal attacks are the sport of the season. That is not me. That you would take your children out to the wild and share hunting with them, you have my total and complete respect. And, that you have Rossi's that shoot more accurate than what Dan quotes, even better. As I said in my messages to Dan, (That included a response to your response to him) I find 3" unacceptable. Why? Because where my son took his first deer 200 yds were average shots. So our needs were different (Yours and mine) I totally respect that you take your kids out. If you think I don't respect that you do that all I can say is that I do. I was sharing my take for Dan, I tried to include price and my personal results to him. 

[Bob33]

If a tikka will fitter i would get her a t3 lite in the 7mm-08. A great caliber with low recoil and has enough puch to take any animal around here.

My 9 year old son shoots my T3 and also a Win Mod 70, both in 30-06. The key is using very mild ammunition.  A 30-06 with very mild ammunition has recoil that matches a 243...just something to consider.  I hope that whatever you end up with makes your child a happy hunter for life!

[TeacherMan]

I love the 243. I have killed deer and elk with that caliber. Great gun for under 300 yards on large game. Best whitetail gun I own, before people go off I do not recommend it for elk, that was back in the day when both species where open at the same time and we just happend upon a group of elk while deer hunting. I would get the longest barrel that your daughter can comfortable handle. I love the 80 gr. federal load or if you hand load 85gr loads are great. I can't say enough about this caliber. Good luck, there is very little kick but I still would put or have put on a Sims Recoil Pad. Recoil can make bad habits. Good luck, I can't wait until my two daughters are a little older.

[bearpaw]

I love the 243. I have killed deer and elk with that caliber. Great gun for under 300 yards on large game. Best whitetail gun I own, before people go off I do not recommend it for elk, that was back in the day when both species where open at the same time and we just happend upon a group of elk while deer hunting. I would get the longest barrel that your daughter can comfortable handle. I love the 80 gr. federal load or if you hand load 85gr loads are great. I can't say enough about this caliber. Good luck, there is very little kick but I still would put or have put on a Sims Recoil Pad. Recoil can make bad habits. Good luck, I can't wait until my two daughters are a little older.

I agree, 243 or even a 7mm/08 in a remington model 7 or similar is an excellent kids gun.

[demontang]

I bought a mossberg youth 243win and I have to say it will shoot clovers with my hand loads and about 1/2 moa with factory ammo. I have noticed its seems to be a savage action and the newer ones have the savage accutrigger too. They are over looked rifles but so far mine has been a great cheap starter rifle.

[Raul Duke]

I picked up a Remington model770 .243 @ BiMart with a box of ammo for under $300
Great 1st gun for my little guy, shoots straight and I don't feel bad about getting rid of it once he out grows it.
Only thing I dont rally like id the way the bolt action works. But new out of the box for under 300, I can't complain.

[Emptyhanded]

I started out with a Remington Model 7 in .243 and it was a sweet little gun. If i wear to buy a youth rifle today i would buy another model 7 or a Ruger Compact. If money was a concern i would buy a Marlin XS7 in .243. What ever you end up choosing try feeding it 85 TSX's... awesome bullets.

[Pathfinder101]

PathfinderJR just got a Marlin XS7Y in .308 for his last birthday.  He loves it, it shoots great and I am impressed with it. 

[TeacherMan]

I started out with a Remington Model 7 in .243 and it was a sweet little gun. If i wear to buy a youth rifle today i would buy another model 7 or a Ruger Compact. If money was a concern i would buy a Marlin XS7 in .243. What ever you end up choosing try feeding it 85 TSX's... awesome bullets.

I really like the fit of the ruger compact, and just the overal feel of it but the barrel length is to short. The extra 2-4" of barrel is very important in this caliber. The compacts barrel is only 16.5" You will have a much better gun if you can push that 20" mark.

[Emptyhanded]

I started out with a Remington Model 7 in .243 and it was a sweet little gun. If i wear to buy a youth rifle today i would buy another model 7 or a Ruger Compact. If money was a concern i would buy a Marlin XS7 in .243. What ever you end up choosing try feeding it 85 TSX's... awesome bullets.

I really like the fit of the ruger compact, and just the overal feel of it but the barrel length is to short. The extra 2-4" of barrel is very important in this caliber. The compacts barrel is only 16.5" You will have a much better gun if you can push that 20" mark.

I hear ya on that one. My buddy has one and that little barrel "barks" quite a bit, to say the least. I think my Model 7 had an 18" barrel. Handled really well and carried even better.

[TeacherMan]

I had a buddy that had a single shot handi rifle in a 243 that I believe had around a 20" barrel on it and it was a tack driver. Nice inexpensive little gun.

[birdwacker]

Howa who makes weatherby rifles for them makes a 2in 1 rifle that comes with 2 hogue stocks one for youth and the other for adults also comes with a decent scope for under 400.00. The are imported by www.legacysports.com and sold at sportco in Fife and other large stores.

[Gotm4]

My 10 Y.O Daughter is shooting a Synthetic stocked Remington model7 youth in 7mm-08 and loves it this next year will be her first year hunting. My 7 Y.O. daughter wanted to start shooting a centerfire, I found her a used model 7 youth, wood stocked .260 rem. She shoots that with no problem at all. We have been shooting along with handloads, remington corelocks (Yellow and green box). I went with these two calibers mainley because of the bullet weight choices over the .243.  And after shopping around I liked the Remington, Ruger and Browning best for thier quality. I did not like the rossi as it came off as very cheap. (quality and price) I wanted to spend just a little more on the rifle knowing they would probably be shooting these rifles into adulthood, on the model7 they can change the stock if needed for a longer LOP. And both calibers can handle elk and smaller size game with excellent long range capabilities. Take it slow get the word out there on what your looking for and the right deal will show up!!!