Hunting Rifle for My Son

[MAG00]

Alright...it's time to look for a rifle for my 9 year old son. I was wondering if ya'll could give me some recommendations on make/model for him. I know that there are some economical options out there like the Savage Axis, or the Remington SPS compact/youth. I just want to get him something that is a qualty rifle that he can keep for a long time.

Here are some info on what I am looking for.:

• .243 caliber
• Prefer stainless, but not an absolute deal breaker
• Shorter length of pull for him or comes with a stock that could easily be modified.
• As far as a price range, I'm not sure as of right now. Probably something that wouldn't run more than $700 +/- $75 whether it be rifle along or something that has been modified to fit him. For example, if there is an economical option to buy the rifle and then put it into a laminated wood stock (thumbhole would be nice) that could be cut down for him please let me know.

Some options that have been thrown out to me.:

• Ruger American Classic in stainless composite and I believe they make it in a compact as well. I've heard from a couple of guys that they have been impressed with how they shoot. A gunsmith friend of mine said he was reserving his opinion until he had a chance to really check into one.
• Remington 700 SPS Stainless. I would need to pick up an aftermarket stock that is either made smaller or could be cut down for him. I would then cut down the barrel a couple of inches. I like this idea, but I think it would exceed what I want to spend.
• Tikka T3 compact. Not stainless, but still a good gun in my opinion.
• Tikka T3 Lite stainless. Same scenario with having to get a stock to fit him.
• Also, looked at a Savage model 16 stainless, but I would definately have to either cut the stock down or find a youth stock or a cheaper wood stock that I could cut down to fit him.

Also, do you all think a .308 with a break would be a good option for a youth (9 year old)? If so, what break would you recommend for such a set up? This would be going on a factory sporter type barrel, not a heavier barrel.

Thanks for your help.

 

[EchoM70]

Both the Ruger American compact and the Ruger M77 compact seem to fit the bill. They're short and have a shortened length of pull as well. Seems like a perfect youth rifle that he can still use as he gets older.

 

[Steve61]

The Ruger Hawkeye Laminate Compact Rifle has most everything you're looking for. Stainless steel, shortened LOP, laminate stock, sells for $715 at Buds, and is a high quality rifle that he would be proud to own for the rest of his life. I really like my All-Weather Hawkeye.

Another option, since you mentioned 308 and a muzzle brake, would be the stainless Ruger Gunsite Scout. It has a laminate stock, an adjustable length of pull using spacers, and a threaded barrel to attach a muzzle brake if you felt the need. Bud's sells these for about $763, which is close to your price range.

 

[C.R.]

for a 9 year old I would start him out with a NEF handi rifle,it is a break action single shot .Simple and safe. They are available in almost any caliber you can think of,and you can fit extra barrels to your action for shooting different calibers maybe even shotgun sizes also although I am not sure about that. the gun is relativly inexpensive so if your son decides he doesnt like hunting you arent out alot and if he realy likes it,well then you can upgrade his kit!

 

[Savage99]

The first and most important feature for a youth and others as well is a gun with a safety that controls the firing pin, holds it back, as the chamber is cleared when the action is opened.

Such guns include the original mausers, M70 Winchesters and Kimber 84M and 8400 rifles.

Unintentional discharges and deaths have occurred with just trigger safeties.

 

[Bartojc]

I have the Ruger American in .243, and it is certainly as accurate out of the box as anything I've ever owned. More accurate than most.

Factory ammo it's more accurate than my Winchester M70 in 30-06.

All the suggestions here will work though.

-Jeff

 

[jmr40]

I'd buy the Ruger Compact in 243. I'd buy blue and spend the rest of my budget on a better scope and ammo. A 308 with reduced recoil loads is an option, but a 243 will kill any deer at any range he is good enough shot to hit. For larger game the 308 comes into play. As he gets older you can buy a full size stock straight from Ruger. Rumor is that they are selling for about $85. I cannot confirm that, but read it on the internet so take it for what it is worth.

Once he gets older he will have a better idea what he really wants and a better rifle could be purchased at that time.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

What are you figuring for his hunting experience for the next couple years?

Me - I guess I'd stay smaller not expecting him to be taking down deer yet. I know some folk have their kids slaying big game beasts from the stroller - just not me.

As such, accompanying you and engaging in tike hunting, I'd go with a new Ruger in .22 Hornet. 20 inch (maybe shortened more) and shortened pull length. Custom build him a "legacy" gun on the cheap.

 

[Savage99]

A muzzle brake is not a good idea. They will injure your ears and his.

The 243 is an excellent cartridge. It's ok for deer and also varmints. The varmint season is much longer than the deer season. That's where we get lots of hunting.

Consider handloading. My late dad got me an outfit when I was 14 yo and I got my deer with my handloads along with lots of chucks.

 

[CaliCoastie]

Stainless marlin 30-30. Cut the stock down. At a later time gift him with a nice stock set! Best or luck. I like tikka to.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Hunting Rifle My Son

Stainless marlin 30-30. Cut the stock down. At a later time gift him with a nice stock set! Best or luck. I like tikka to.

The last gun I'd buy for a beginner because of the afterthought safety features.

Imagine how crestfallen he will be if he does like 1000's of experienced hunters have done and pulls that trigger in his excitement and the hammer falls on the stupid cross bolt and he watches his first deer run off at the sound


Then if you don't use the cross bolt you go from the most frustrating hunting rifle to the most ND prone


I like break action single shots for this application. They're positive, readily visible when unloaded and all the kid needs to master is leaving the hammer alone till he's ready to shoot. The TC encore is available in stainless

Like this one

 

[Field Tester]

Keep in mind if you're shortening the barrel then you're potentially increasing recoil.
Adding a break is going to greatly increase noise.
This has a possible unintended consequence of having your son develop a flinch.

 

[Ks5shooter]

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/bolt-action-rifles/venture/venture-compact



It comes with a spacer to add to full size when he grows up. I like 7mm-08,but if you are set on 243 they have that too.

 

[mac66]

I've personally been looking at picking up a Ruger American all weather compact in .243 for a 9 year old (a 59 year old that is, i.e,...ME!) I think that would be an ideal, light weight woods gun

 

[Chuck R.]

I went through the same process for my 11 year old this summer. Ended up with a REM MOD 7 in .260REM, that I load down to be about a .243. With a Luepold V4 in 2.5-8X it makes a neat little package that's about scaled to him. I was prepared to find a youth stock, or cut down the factory stock, but it fits him as is.



Chuck

 

[MAG00]

Anybody familiar with the Weatherby Vanguard series 2 youth? It comes with an adjustable (spacer) stock, 3 position safety and 2 stage adjustable trigger. Says it is guaranteed sub MOA.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I am a fan of something with an M4 stock for kids.

You can adjust it out as they grow and with the push of a lever you can still enjoy the gun as well

 

[frankenstein406]

Savage 110 111 package with the nikon scope, plus a boyds laminate $100 stock.

 

[MAG00]

These are the options I've narrowed down to. I have stuck in my head the Remington option since there is a lot of aftermarket items, support, and options to customize later on. Plus I like the stainless option for a kid. i know i the more expensive option though.

Remington 700 SPS stainless .243 - I may be able to get it from a FFL friend for $600 and then either cut the stock (if it can be) or order a Boyds thumbhole stock $100 and from my gunsmith about $50 to cut it, new pad and cut barrel down to 22". Total would be about $750

Tikka T3 Compact .243 - As is and maybe able to get it for $500. synthetic/matte blue

Weatherby Vanguard S2 youth .243 - Comes with adjustable stock and 3 position safety. synthetic/matte blue. Seen them for $449 plus tax

Ruger American Stainless Compact .243 - Seen them for $400 shipped. Not sure I like the 18" barrel though.

 

[Sam1911]

9 years old is still pretty small. Handing a kid a rifle that will fit an adult and making them torque their bodies around to try and make-do is just doing a terrible job of coaching a new shooter.

Whatever you do, make the stock FIT the kid. Look into how you figure out what length of pull is appropriate for a person and make that happen for him.

Then, once he can properly shoulder the rifle, adjust the comb of the stock (a slip-on pad will work fine) so that he can appropriately achieve a cheek weld and see through the sights or scope.

Even the compact and "youth" models are almost all geared toward mid-to-late teens and small women. Don't stick your 9 year old with something like that and make him stretch himself to the gun. He won't like it, recoil will feel worse than it should, and he'll have to UN-learn the bad habits he picks up doing it wrong.

 

[MistWolf]

Keep in mind if you're shortening the barrel then you're potentially increasing recoil

The amount of weight reduction gained by shortening a sporter wight barrel is not enough to increase recoil a significant amount. Shortening the barrel also reduces velocity which in turn, reduces recoil.

The gasses will exit the muzzle at higher pressure, but that does not increase recoil. The gasses leave the muzzle at the same velocity whether the barrel is 16 inches or 36 inches.

The extra muzzle blast of the shorter barrel is significant, enough so that people believe a shorter barrel increases recoil.

For a 9 year old, I would get the 243 in a bolt action rifle with a 22 inch lightweight barrel and a stock cut down to fit their stature and scope with a 32 or 43 mm objective so it doesn't have to be mounted high. Teaching proper mindset, safety habits and setting good rules is far more important than what type of mechanical safety the rifle has. For example, while my father insisted we use the safety and learn how to properly manipulate it, he also made sure we understood that the safety is a mechanical device and prone to failure. It's only there as a last resort to hopefully save us if we are careless and do something stupid. He made us realize we were responsible for safety

 

[Captcurt]

Unless there are other young hunters in the family I wouldn't buy a high dollar gun that the kid will outgrow in a few years. My pick would be a rifle that is adjustable stocked like the Mossberg ATR Bantam. It has a 12" stock with an extra 1" that can be added as the child grows. The Compact Ruger American is another inexpensive option. I have seen suggestions for the NEF Handi rifles, but think about it. This is a rifle with a hammer that has to be cocked and little hands might have a problem cocking the rifle. Maybe I have taught Hunter's Ed too long, but I can't help but cringe at the thought of an accidental discharge because Junior couldn't pull the hammer back to full cock. Even with a transfer bar I would be apprehensive.

 

[MAG00]

I do have another son 3 y/o that will be coming behind him and a 7 y/o daughter too. I still have my first deer rifle as it is a quality rifle and I would like to do the same for my son.

I have bought and sold others myself, but have not nor intend to sell my first deer rifle as it was bought specifically for me by my Dad. I guess that's why I am shying away from the "lower end" rifles. I know they will work and get the job done, but it's just me I guess.

Plus, with the Rem 700 we could always re-barrel later on and jump up in caliber (short action category that is).

 

[razorback2003]

Savage makes a lightweight mountain rifle that is under six pounds. That Remington 7 is another nice rifle that is small. Tikka makes pretty lightweight rifles. Tikka accessories are expensive. Those are some of the lightest mid priced hunting rifles.

The tough part will be the stock. You might want to get a second stock and have it cut down to fit your son and keep the original stock for when he gets bigger.

243 is a good choice and will work for as long as your son wants to hunt deer. I think a 9 year old would find a 308 a little excessive recoil wise.

 

[rick melear]

Started mine out with a H&R Handi Rifle youth model in 223 to help him learn. Sent it back and had a .243 barrel fitted along with a trigger job. He killed his first 2 deer with it. I have no complaints with the way I went but if I had it to do over I would have bought a youth model Remington mode 7 in .243 and been done with it. At 25 he still shoots a .243 and has killed 30+ deer and untold numbers of feral hogs.