Youth deer rifle

[Ladys man]

I'm really wanting to start my son out with the 350 legend in ruger american, as I am interested in using this round too, but his ears are very sensitive, so starting him out on a large caliber that I have never shot kind of scares me.
Has anyone started out a soon to be 8 yr old tried this?
What other rifle/caliber would be a good choice given the demands for factory ammo as I don't reload.

 

[Jcalder]

Fast twist 223. 77gr tmk or 75 eldm.

6mm arc

22 arc.

Get a suppressor

 

[backyardtndeer]

Hearing protection. My 12 year old is high functioning autistic and loud sounds bother him, but when he is shooting with hearing protection he does just fine.

 

[ruger7mag]

I would think the Ruger American's stock is too long for an 8 year old.
My son will be 8 this April. He has been shooting a youth Mossberg Patriot 243 since he was 5. Recoil isn't bad. A good set of earmuffs will be needed with just about any deer rifle unless shooting suppressed.

 

[Wade195]

I am not sure about others but my Henry in 350 legend is not loud at all. In my opinion

 

[knightrider]

Ruger american ranch with ear protection and he will be just fine, the 350 kicks less than 243 or 30-30 and kills them dead dead! We have two of them and love them! Had a six year old shooting one of mine just fine last year

 

[Boone25/06]

My 10 year old son shoots a ruger 350 legend. Light recoil on the 150g but can be a little stout with the 170s. I am a big Ruger fan but do not like this rifle very much. The box mag is a pain and not very smooth. I would definitely look into the CVA cascade sb in 350. It is the best feeling small framed 350. Electronic ear muffs are probably your best bet as 350 won't go through a 30cal suppressor and if you don't have one yet I wouldn't step up to a 45 suppressor for the first one.

 

[Ladys man]

another thing is adding another straight wall to the arsenal he could go with me on out of state hunts.

 

[Remi]

If I was looking at a 350 Legend I'd look at the Winchester xpr compact.


Mine is an Axis 2, it shoots good but other than I am not a fan of the rifle. I would recommend ear pro, mine is loud.

 

[Ladys man]

My 10 year old son shoots a ruger 350 legend. Light recoil on the 150g but can be a little stout with the 170s. I am a big Ruger fan but do not like this rifle very much. The box mag is a pain and not very smooth. I would definitely look into the CVA cascade sb in 350. It is the best feeling small framed 350. Electronic ear muffs are probably your best bet as 350 won't go through a 30cal suppressor and if you don't have one yet I wouldn't step up to a 45 suppressor for the first one.

Looked at this as well. My 35 whelen in the hunter edition is a shooter.

 

[rem270]

@RUGER had some earmuffs a couple weeks ago that you could turn the volume up and hear an ant poop but muffled the muzzle blast. I'd get some of those for him.

 

[RUGER]

@RUGER had some earmuffs a couple weeks ago that you could turn the volume up and hear an ant poop but muffled the muzzle blast. I'd get some of those for him.

Yep they rock !

 

[Boone25/06]

Looked at this as well. My 35 whelen in the hunter edition is a shooter.

I haven't shot the SB in 350 but I have shot a 6.5 in it and it was a shooter! It has a nicer feel to it than the Ruger ranch does. That's coming from a guy that has over 45 rugers in my safe. The Ruger Americans are great guns but hard to get past the cheap stocks. I have truck bed coated and painted all mine with high density spray foam inside them. It helps a lot but before I do it to my sons I think I'm going to trade it for the sb cascade.

 

[deerhunter10]

They make ear muffs that block out loud noises but you can still hear they are awesome.

 

[Bucket]

Get the muffs below and use them religiously. Then just choose the right caliber for your son. I know it's the butt of all the jokes, but both of my boys love shooting their 6.5's.

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1018596572

 

[WORM82]

Just got my 8yo a mossberg patriot bantam in 243 and he loves it. He killed his first deer with it 2 days after he got it and I killed a buck with it a week later. Just use ear protection

 

[square]

Make sure to use eye protection too.

 

[huntkid]

My ten yr old just got a Mossberg patriot bantam in 350 this year an love it is an understatement I'm even in love with the way it shoots an the performance is stellar to me even out 175 yards not the quietest rifle but for sure not the loudest by a long shot

 

[DC219]

I started both of my kids on a 6.8spc AR. We use electronic hearing protection and an adjustable stock. It works great. .223/5.56 is fine too; just use premium bullets to get good penetration.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

I started both of my kids on a 6.8spc AR. We use electronic hearing protection and an adjustable stock. It works great. .223/5.56 is fine too; just use premium bullets to get good penetration.

Only do this if you want the greatest kid hunting platform ever. 6.8spc

 

[Union Co. Boy]

I bought my son a CVA Cascade in the .350 Legend. It has the removable spacer for the stock that lets him keep using it comfortably as he grows. He's 7 now and has used it since being 6. He loves the gun and so do I. It is extremely accurate and the recoil is very light. You can get a muzzle brake, but he hasn't needed it. He doesn't care for really loud noises either, but some $30 muffs have solved that problem. This is a quality gun that is IMO perfect for a kid. In fact, my buddy shot it and went and bought one for out of state hunting that very week. It's a cut above the American in quality, and you can feel it when you use it. Just my recommendation. Beat of luck!

 

[Remington700]

I have two kids and went 2 ways with them. One started with a youth Remington model 7 in 243. They both shoot this platform now. My youngest is on the small side so I started her with an AR platform shooting 223. They both did the job, but the 223 did not leave much blood. You'll get a lot of different opinions on this. As long as the caliber and gun is t too big. You will be fine, just teach shot placement.

 

[Lost Lake]

I'd find a youth Remington model 7 in .243., or a standard sized one and have a cheap synthetic stock cut to fit for him. As he grows you can add the adult sized stock.

 

[outdoors crazy]

Both of my kids have used the CVA compact .243. Its a single shot and both have had great success killing deer with it.

 

[Jbird22]

Both of my kids have used the 350 Legend in AR platform. It's ideal for kids given the adjustability. My son transitioned to a CVA Cascade in 350 Legend after the AR. As stated a few posts ago, the Cascade is an awesome gun. I think the 350 Legend is perfect for a kid who's just starting out or even for an experienced hunter who knows and respect its limitations.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Only do this if you want the greatest kid hunting platform ever. 6.8spc

View attachment 208173View attachment 208173

Congratulations to your daughter. My 12 year old son is shooting/hunting with an ar10 platform 6.5 cm that I built. Having a 6 position stock is great for the kids with getting length of pull just right for them.

 

[archer19]

Got son CVA Scout 243 when he turned 10

17 now 6'-2" 185 lbs
Still using it
He just says " it's a killer"

 

[outdoors crazy]

Got son CVA Scout 243 when he turned 10

17 now 6'-2" 185 lbs
Still using it
He just says " it's a killer"

Thats the one we have. Ive packed it a time or two as its light and gets the job done.

 

[Tn_Va_Hunter]

My son started out with a savage 110 lightweight in 6.5 cm. He's killed a boat load with it.

My girl is much smaller and started her with a 300 blackout. She took her first this year at 8yo. I recently bought her a 350 legand. Just got to site it in.

 

[Vince]

I bought a Mossberg patriot bantam in 243 this year for my daughter (since my rifles were too heavy and long for her). Was a pita to sight in as the factory scope wasn't bore sighted or set up properly. It's nice and light weight to carry around; I liked it too and took it with me on a couple of hunts and shot a deer too…