recommendation for youth 7mm-08

[woodchuckc]

It may be a bit premature seeing as my daughter is not even 2 yet, but she is already showing a great interest in the outdoors. She is always eager to find me in the house and drag me to the window overlooking the field behind the house to point out the deer and turkeys she sees out there, so I'm hoping that she will become my hunting buddy as she gets older. I figure there is no time like the present to start preparing, so am thinking about going ahead and getting a youth deer rifle for her. If it turns out she does not have any interest, I can either sell it or put a stock extension on it and use it myself. I know a lot of people are fans of the 243 for youth, but I think a 7mm-08 would be a great caliber that would serve her and / or me as well.

There are quite a few choices out there - Marlin XS7, Savage AXIS and Model 11, Remington 700 SPS and 770, Howa 1500, and Ruger M77 Compact are some I have seen advertised. Anyone have recommendations for one of these or another rifle not listed above? I won't say that money is no object, but I would be comfortable spending $500-600 for a rifle now and buying a scope to go on it later.

 

[FULLDRAWXX75]

My opinion...............

I would look for a good used or new what ever you feel more comfortable with NEF or H&R single barrel in a 7mm-08, They are of very good quality, not pricey, a manageable size gun for a youth and...............if she does change her mind on the whole hunting thing, you are not out a boat load of money. You can always move up when the need arises.

I have always been a fan of teaching/starting out a young hunter on a single shot weapon, I feel it makes them a much better shooter, when they know they only have ONE shot to get the job done correctly. That is how I learned and how my son was taught.

Best of luck

FDXX75

 

[BigD_625]

Remington 700 youth. I had one in .308 and put a Hogue full size stock. It's a shooter. Full size stocks are everywhere.

 

[AllOutdoors]

I bought both my daughter and son youth model 7 for hunting.They took their first deer at age 7. But not the with the youth model 7. At 7 yrs old the youth gun is still much to long for them. I bought a youth H&R 7-08 and cut another inch off the stock and replaced the recoil pad. Now it is a true youth gun, and they have killed truckloads of deer with it.

 

[Roost 1]

Check out Whitakerguns.com... Used NEF youth .243 $229. I think NEF snd H&R same. He will ship to your ffl...over 6000 guns new and used

 

[Rubberduck270]

Remington 700 youth. I had one in .308 and put a Hogue full size stock. It's a shooter. Full size stocks are everywhere.

Yup. If she changes her mind you'll still have a good rifle that you can use too. H&Rs aren't a bad choice though.

 

[woodchuckc]

Remington 700 youth. I had one in .308 and put a Hogue full size stock. It's a shooter. Full size stocks are everywhere.

Yup. If she changes her mind you'll still have a good rifle that you can use too. H&Rs aren't a bad choice though.

I'm kind of leaning that way. If nothing else, I can break it in for her over the next few years instead of using my 30-06 all the time. :grin:

 

[Rubberduck270]

Keep in mind its easier to find full size stocks rather than youth models. Id buy the youth 700 then spend $100 on a Boyds thumbhole laminate and keep the youth for when she's ready to hunt.

 

[Model 1]

I bought my daughter a ruger compact, stainless with the gray laminate stock,in 7mm08. She has no problem shooting it and I've been known to control the population with it every now and then.

 

[Kimberman]

I would go with the Marlin XS7 or the Ruger Compact.

 

[woodsman87]

I had a model 7 7mm-08 when I was young. It was not the youth model 7. I don't think the youth was much smaller either. I love the gun.

 

[W.Seay]

Definitely Remington 700 with stainless barrel and x mark trigger or browning micro Midas.

 

[TNhunter]

Model 7 or 700 either one.

 

[1 good shot]

i would avoid the ruger compacts for a child simply because they are so dang loud with those 16 1/2 barrels and you know that the cringe factor will come into play
i have both the 7-08 and 243 in the youth models that i got for my nephew and nieces when they were small but i still use them just the way they are (model 700) the triggers are easily adjustable and they are fine shooters but you do have to put extra effort in to keep them from rusting
i have no experience with nef so i can't speak of them
i have looked at the marlin and savage youth models and was not impressed but have never shot one

 

[redblood]

I would go with the Marlin XS7 or the Ruger Compact.

two good choices. the break actions, well, u get what you pay for. they have a lot of inherent accuracy issues, which can be a destructive for a new shooter. the first hunting rifle should always be a good 22 long rifle, imo

 

[redblood]

model 7 cdl another great choice
kimber 84 classic if money is not an option

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

My 7-o8 is a Winchester model 70 classic featherweight.

 

[stik]

a coworker bought his daughter the marlin x7 for Christmas. i saw it yesterday and it looks/feels like a fine rifle for the price. and it's a marlin.

 

[woodchuckc]

I would go with the Marlin XS7 or the Ruger Compact.

two good choices. the break actions, well, u get what you pay for. they have a lot of inherent accuracy issues, which can be a destructive for a new shooter. the first hunting rifle should always be a good 22 long rifle, imo

I already have a youth model Henry lever action 22 put back in the gun safe for her (BTW, I am SUPER impressed with the fit and finish of it, and even with my poor old tired eyes and open sights it is a very accurate shooter). I need to look at the Marlin in person - it looks good on a computer screen and the specs are good. Depending on my real life impressions, I may go with it or a Rem 700. I am a little concerned with the noise factor for the really short barreled (16.5") guns like the Ruger Compact, but it sure is a sweet looking piece!

I appreciate all the other suggestions - I didn't realize there were quite so many options out there for youth sized deer rifles!

 

[WGK]

I have 2 XL7 in my safe for the grandsons I will be buying a third shortly GREAT GUN GREAT PRICE.

 

[woodchuckc]

Thanks for all the suggestions and insights. I decided to go with the Marlin X7Y (youth model) in 7mm-08. They didn't have one at my LGS, but I did handle a full size model and it seems like a solid gun and the price was reasonable. It should be in next week, and I hope to find a good deal on a Zeiss 3x9-40 scope to go on it before spring.