Rifle for my son?

[turkeyfeather]

I need help guys and gals. My 9yr. old will be going out for his first deer season this year. I have been trying to find a used youth rifle but having no luck. I didn't want to have to spend the extra $ to buy a new one. Does anyone have one they would like to sell? Can I trim down an adult rifle to fit him better? And lastly I have been thinking about a .243 or.25-06 which do you think? I don't want him to be afraid to pull the trigger. Thanks for the help.

[Axle]

A 257 Roberts would be perfect for the young one. I still use mine.

[Emptyhanded]

I love the .243! That's what my first deer rifle was (Remington Model 7) and my main deer rifle now is a .243 as well. I would lean toward the .243 if it was me, but there's nothing wrong with the .25-06 either. I'd be looking for a used Ruger Compact or a new Marlin XS7 if i was in your position. The Marlin usually runs right around $300. Hope this helps.

Jesse

[SemperFidelis97]

I bought 2 of the Marlins in youth .243 a couple years back for my kids my son was nine at the time I think I got them on sale at Cabelas for 289.99 wont find a used one for that cheap.  That is my son in my signiture with the buck he shot with his the next fall.

[mallard79]

Remington 770 youth in .243. My 8 yr old loves his. Under $300 with a scope. Not the best scope but it will get him started. It also comes with spacers to lengthen the stock as he grows. Our gun is gunna be used for deer and coyotes. It groups factory 100gr bullets arountld an inch at 100 yards. I did up some handloads for yotes that are shooting 3 shot groups that are inside a dime at 100. Great guns for the $$$ as far as I am concerned. 

[Wenatcheejay]

These threads come up alot. The most accurate gun that you can afford and that doesn't make your child flinch is the right one IMO. My son shoots a 7mm-08 youth Beretta T3 and heck, I love it. If you are in Wenatchee you are welcome to have your son shoot it. I plan to buy one LH for my daughter as soon as she takes Hunter Safety. There is nothing better than letting him try out a few before committing. I am sure there are a few guys in Spokane that are on the board that might do this. You can also tailor loads to what he can handle if you handload or there are Federal rounds that are mild if you don't for nearly any caliber. I also like all Remington 700's for their after market upgrade capabilities.

Hope this helps 

[sebek556]

i have a ruger m77 m11 that doesnt kick, but it's a bit long for kids, my son shot it at 7 a few times. my daughter (12) has a 308 semi with a limbsaver recoil pad on it and it works for her.  wife(she's only 5'2") has a ruger gunsite scout in 308 and it is really smooth. I also have a older break action 243 with a bull barrel on it for the kids to shoot. and my first rifle a lever action 30-30. Spokane area, so if yah wanna do a range test let me know.

[C-Money]

Remington Model 7 youth would be a great rifle. Heck... Ruger, Howa, Marlin, Rem they all make great rifles youth rifles. I think you will like them all!

[arees]

I got a Remington 700 in .270 for my 7 year old son.  I have taught him to reload with Trailboss powder.  Using this powder lets us drop the power down to something he is comfortable shooting.  We can load it up later as he develops more tolerance.

[carpsniperg2]

7mm-08 hands down. It will take any animal he wants to shoot. A great gun is the tikka t3 affordable and a tack driver.

[Recurve-Elk]

A great gun is the savage Axis XP series.  I have one in .223, originally wanted the .243 but it wasn't in stock locally.  You can find em' for about 300 bucks at sports authority, they come with a scope.  The .243 would be a great gun to learn how to shoot comfortably.  Very little recoil yet still very powerful.  There was a post in the elk section about a kid that took a spike elk with a .243 no problem. (although I wouldn't use it for elk, personally.)

PS - mine is extremely accurate.  Smooth, and well built.  I would definitely recommend if you don't want to break the bank!

Here is the youth model.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/70939-1.html

[superdown]

How about a H&R youth 7mm-08 for $228.85 NEW from these guys you cant beat the simplicity of a break action single shot for a beginner  http://www.tacticaloutpost.com/servlet/the-43091/H%26R-1871-Handi-Rifle/Detail

[Recurve-Elk]

How about a H&R youth 7mm-08 for $228.85 NEW from these guys you cant beat the simplicity of a break action single shot for a beginner  http://www.tacticaloutpost.com/servlet/the-43091/H%26R-1871-Handi-Rifle/Detail

Another good choice.  I've got Three of their guns. 

[CedarPants]

Turkeyfeather - have you checked out Northwest Pawn on Pines and Broadway?  Keith always has a nice selection of used guns with a good amount of calibers available in what you are looking for.  Very reasonably priced as well

[spookgus]

I also like the Marlin and Savage youth models because the barrels are 22 inches long. Part of the flinch in new shooters is the muzzle blast.