Recomendations for youth deer rifle

[Tuckbass]

My family and I are moving back to TN this summer and I'm wanting to begin teaching my oldest daughter gun safety and how to shoot.
She is 6 years old, and needs something on the smaller side. She enjoys shooting our .22 but its not made for someone her size. She has trouble with the long stock and the overall weight.

My questions are this.
Any recommendations for a .22 rifle for a youth. (target practice and small game hunting)
Any recommendations for a .243 rifle for a youth.

Lastly, where are some places to look for these rifles?

I have no problems buying used if I find one, but I want to make sure I stay above board with the purchase. (I'm not sure what the regulations are in TN anymore, re:gun purchase requirements)

Thanks,
Mike

 

[stik]

one of the little cricket 22's might be the ticket.
not a fan of the .243

 

[infoman jr.]

Marlin XT

 

[MUP]

The Ruger 10-22 is a nice compact little rifle. I like the newer take-down version too. My daughter (10 now) has been shooting them for a few years with no problems. Good luck, and welcome back to Tennessee!

 

[knightrider]

Mossberg atr 243 youth great youth gun and 300 bucks at academy sports, and 10-22 for the rimfire

 

[Rubberduck270]

Ruger 10-22 and a Ruger American Compact for the 243. Although I'll suggest a 7mm-08 over the 243.

 

[woodchuckc]

I have a Henry youth model lever action 22 (not the brass receiver Golden Boy model) sitting in the gun safe for when my girl gets big enough (she's 3 now). It is bigger than a Cricket but significantly smaller than a full size 22 rifle, and is a very nicely made and accurate gun.

 

[mr.big]

the CZ 452 Scout is very good for young/small shooters,,an AR15 with M4 stock is good for kids starting deer hunting,,zero recoil and you can adjust to fit,,

 

[mr.big]

pretty good deal on a scout

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/vb ... d&id=67596

 

[pressfit]

I bought my daughter a 7/08 in the youth size, muddy girl pinl camo.. also bought her a couple of boxes of reduced recoil loads... perfect combo IMO.. I ordered mine online from Buds gun shop. here is a picture
http://www.cabelas.com/product/SAVAGE-A ... 706755.uts

 

[rem270]

I would look at the youth model TC venture 7mm08. IMO they feel better than the Savage Axis and will hold their value a lot better. That being said the Axis is a great rifle so don't think i don't think that.

 

[Deer Assassin]

pawn shop 7/08

 

[260rem]

10-22 is a great gun but imo I think a small single shot would be safer than a semi. One shot then you have to reload it. With a semi after a kid shoots they may swing the gun around to ask a question and it would be loaded! For big game I like starting kids out with .22 centerfire guns loud but low recoil, I think this helps a kid to move into the larger cal. rifles better and hopefully by the time deer season they will be shooting the larger cal. gun.

 

[megalomaniac]

300 blackout is perfect for a kid. My 50lb 6 y/o little girl can shoot it without flinching. Not only is it quieter than a 243, it has a LOT less muzzle blast.

Oh, and if you shoot a deer with it... I think you will be much happier with the performance of the round on deer than a 243. At least I have been.

Get a used stock for $10-$20 and chop it off to around 10"LOP and slip on a recoil pad... just perfect for little kids with short arms.

 

[Tuckbass]

Thanks, everyone for your advice. It sounds like we are going to just look around at the pawn shops, gun shows, and classifieds when we get there back there in a couple of weeks. It looks like we are gonna start with a single shot .22. When she's ready to move up from there we will probably stay with the break action single shot rifles as well. I'm sure deer hunting has changed A LOT in the 20 years I've been gone, but I cant wait to get back out in the Tennessee woods.

You've all been so very helpful and I look forward to meeting some of you down the road.
Mike

 

[Deerhunter]

Since you've decided on a single shot 22, take a look at the Savage Rascal. It's got a good steel peep sight, adjustable accu-trigger and cocks with the bolt lift like a centerfire bolt gun. Much better rifle than some of the other youth models available.
http://www.gunblast.com/Savage-Rascal.htm

 

[W.Seay]

7/08

 

[jakeway]

If you can find one, get a Ruger Compact M77 in 260 REM. Best TN whitetail round for anyone from 6 to 106.

They don't make them anymore so look for used.

 

[AllOutdoors]

Henry mini bolt 22. H&R Youth 7mm-08. Remove the recoil pad and cut 1 inch off the stock. Re attach the recoil pad. Reduced loads. That's how my daughter started out at 6.

 

[MGarner]

If you can afford it, for around $300, you can pick up a Ruger 10/22. Best 22 ever made, in my opinion, and it is super lightweight. Not only is it a good first gun (bought it for my son on his 8th b-day), but it has tons of upgradable accessories. So lets say your kids don't like it, or they love it, later on you can make this thing an even lighter and more accurate tack driver. To me, this is the kind of gun you buy once, and your kids keep it and shoot it forever.

 

[Hunter 257W]

I know you already decided what to get but in the interest of others who may read this with the same question I have a suggestion that is the route I'm taking with my daughter. She's 13 but small for her age (4'11" 103lbs) so this is the 1st year I've felt she can really handle a rifle capable of humanely killing a deer.

I already had a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 that I knew should be a great 1st deer rifle for a kid. Not why I bought it though - I LOVE the idea that I can deer hunt with a rifle so compact and handy. :) The only negative I can see for this model as a 1st rifle for a kid is that the length of pull on the buttstock is dimensioned for an adult like a "standard" rifle. What helps cover that up though is the short lightweight of the barrel and forearm. Total weight is 5 7/8lbs. That helps weaker young arms hold it way better than they ever could a full size rifle. Yet in spite of being such a fly weight, the 7.62x39 cartridge still has no significant recoil even for a 103 lb kid. Also, CZ states that the rifle is intended to shoot the cheap steel cased ammo best so you can buy 500 rounds of the Russian steel cases soft point ammo for $125 and hunt for a lifetime. Hard to beat that deal.

http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-527-carbin ... -5-rd-mag/