Youth deer rifle

[bubbadye]

What would everyone recommend as a good, low recoil caliber rifle for a young kid to shoot? Looking for something that they can grow into that can consistently take a deer out up to 200yds. Been looking at 243, maybe 7mm-08, 300 blackout. Asking for recommendations based on experiences. Thanks for any help.

 

[Poleaxe]

You can't grow into a gun. Either it fits or not. Your gonna get tons of replies. I learned the right way. It all has to do with Length of Pull. Just because it's a youth rifle doesn't make it their size. 95% of them are still to long for under 11yr old. Having to reach for the trigger is something you don't want them to learn. You tell me their height and age and I'll tell you the gun.

 

[GRIT]

243
308

 

[TraumaSlave]

Savage Axis Youth in a 243. Best rifle I have bought my son.

 

[THEdonkey0515]

I used a 30-30 when I was a little guy.

Loved the gun still use it till this day every now & then.

 

[EastTNHunter]

6.5 creedmore. I really like the look and feel of the Ruger American compact in this caliber for a youth rifle

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

6.5 creedmore. I really like the look and feel of the Ruger American compact in this caliber for a youth rifle

I second the Ruger American but in a 308. That what my boys use. Ruger American is a great compact rifle and you can get it in several cal. Good luck and what ever you do, dont force them to use one that kick hard or is heavy. They will be afraid of it.

 

[monjorrow]

My first was a NEF Handi rifle in .243. I think the single shot is ideal for a first deer gun as it forces you to make the first shot count. And I had no problem killing deer out to 200[emoji1303]


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[rem270]

7mm08

 

[Stykbow]

I'm a 243 fan for young/small kids. Very low recoil and it'll kill a deer as dead as any round.


Jack of all trades, but master of none!

 

[bubbadye]

When i said grow into, I was thinking more along the lines of shooting distance. I dont want my 8 year old little girl trying to make a 200 yd shot. But I would like to have a gun in her hands that she can still be using in a few years that would reach out that far if she feels comfortable taking that shot. My boy is 10 girl is 8. Maybe an inch height difference between the two of them. Thanks for all the input so far. I been doin some checking on the calibers mentioned. I was really expecting to hear more 7mm-08 recommendations. I had always been told it was a good one to start with. But like I said, im still researching and taking any recommendations. Thanks again.

 

[Remington742]

7mm-08 is a great gun to start with I love mine and still shoot it to this day.

 

[hunter0925]

The 7mm08 is an awesome caliber for the youth or adults. I don't know if you reload or not but 120grain ballistic tips are great and you can move up if game bigger than deer is gone after. I still hunt with my 7mm08 fairly regular and the recoil is extremely mild and deer drop like they were hit with a hammer.

 

[John.M]

300 blackout. My nine year old didn't like the recoil of the single shot 243. She rocked the 300 today.

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[John.M]

A benefit of the AR platform is the adjustable LOP.


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[Doskil]

.22 Hornet

 

[scn]

Without factoring in the size of the child, it is pretty hard to make a recommendation. For the smallest, something with the AR platform and the adjustable stocks may be the way to go.

If the child is big enough to handle it and you want a rifle they can use for several years, take a hard look at the Remington Model 7 in 7mm-08 or .243. They are light and compact and are usually great shooters right out of the box. I took several deer with the Model 7 I had bought for my kids before I sold it to a friend for his son last year. It was a really nice little rifle.

 

[mike243]

I bought a AR for the grand kids,stock adjustment means a lot ,grandson is a lot bigger than grand daughter so 1 rifle covers both,never seen any body say a 22 hornet,best I remember they are under powered and not much better than a 22 mag? all will kill a deer if properly used

 

[Deerhunter]

I built my son an AR in 6.8 SPC. He has been shooting it since he was 5 or 6 with no problems. No recoil and the adjustable stock make it the perfect deer rifle for him. I also much prefer the 6.8 over the 300blackout for shooting longer distances or if not shooting suppressed.

I originally bought him a 7mm08 model Seven but he doesn't like the recoil and the lop is still too long.

 

[TX300mag]

My oldest daughter shoots a 7mm-08 Rem 788 carbine. I'm not sure why, but the recoil is a lot higher than I would have thought it was. She's not recoil shy at all, though.

I just picked up a model 7 7mm-08. I'm hoping the recoil is milder with it. My oldest son is a little more recoil sensitive.

I had a 788 carbine in .243 growing up. I still used it regularly as an adult. I had planned on my kids also using it until thieves thought otherwise about 10 years ago.


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[Poleaxe]

Without factoring in the size of the child, it is pretty hard to make a recommendation. For the smallest, something with the AR platform and the adjustable stocks may be the way to go.

If the child is big enough to handle it and you want a rifle they can use for several years, take a hard look at the Remington Model 7 in 7mm-08 or .243. They are light and compact and are usually great shooters right out of the box. I took several deer with the Model 7 I had bought for my kids before I sold it to a friend for his son last year. It was a really nice little rifle.

Finally, somebody understands.

 

[Gravey]

My first was a NEF Handi rifle in .243. I think the single shot is ideal for a first deer gun as it forces you to make the first shot count. And I had no problem killing deer out to 200[emoji1303]


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What he said. My son killed his first deer when he was 7 with one. I sold it and he's now 14 and hunts with my Encore .243. Heck I hunted with it until last year.

 

[280longshot]

My daughter started out with a CZ 527 in .223 caliber , she loves how light it is and it fits her.
I see they are making it now in 6.5 Grendel which would be an excellent youth rifle, something that will hold its value.
If price is a concern Howa is also making one in 6.5 Grendel.

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[HuntingDicksonDTC]

Son started with a Howa lightweight in 243. Daughter a model 7 7mm08. Cut stock down to fit my daughter's LOP and put an adjustable comb on the stock. When her cheek touches the higher comb she has full view thru scope and she shoots rifle very well.

 

[Cazador]

Like SCN stated. AR platform. If you already have an AR all you will be looking for is an upper to go on it.

That said. When I bought for my daughters. I bought a Rem Youth 700 in 243. Short stock and barrel. I still take it to the woods. I take some church kids or other neighborhood youth on the Juvi hunts. I bring them to the house and let them shoot until they are consistent at 100 yards. Winchester 85 grains have little recoil and drop deer.
I like it because when it's cold and you are all bundled up. The length of pull is perfect.

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

Remington model7 243

 

[Smo]

I've never owned one but I hear a 25-06 is a good round.

But if it were me with a child just starting out.....

A Handi Rifle in .243 would be where I would start.

Aim small , miss small.

 

[Winchester]

.243 served both my boys well and performed flawlessly. If the youth is young and small you can start out with 85 grn bullets and move up to the 100 grns as they get used to the light recoil. This round is supremely accurate and will kill with great efficiency. Like I said my 2 boys have killed dozens and some big bodied bucks as well with no problems at all.

 

[TN RDG RNR]

My son had a handi rifle 243 at 6 and killed 9 deer with it. At 10 yo got him a Model 7 .308 and shot low recoil ammo in it for a couple years.

 

[bamarp]

7mm- 08 My son has one and has killed several deer with it.