I need some advice on what to buy my 7 year old son. I originally bought him a NE Arms 223. It shoots accurate but it has no knockdown power. I am leaning toward a Remington model 7 with a muzzle brake. What caliber would you suggest that can be muzzle broke down enough for him to shoot?
Youth Rifle for 7 year old ???????
- Thread starter Toddbo34
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El Tejon
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Lots of threads on this topic and always good see more. The children are our future.
Why not a .22 rimfire?
The CZ 452 Scout is an excellent choice (lots of others). Good luck.
Why not a .22 rimfire?
The CZ 452 Scout is an excellent choice (lots of others). Good luck.
telomerase
Member
Yes, go for a .22. No reason to give him a flinch at 7 years old, and .22 is cheap.
By the time he grows up he'll be using a laser anyway... no need to hit him with extra muzzle blast from a brake.
(JMHO, and an elephant rifle would be better than no shooting at all!)
By the time he grows up he'll be using a laser anyway... no need to hit him with extra muzzle blast from a brake.
(JMHO, and an elephant rifle would be better than no shooting at all!)
bartsimpson123844
Member
For a step above a .223, I would go with a .22-250. More stopping power and just about the same, if not the same, recoil. Barely any recoil at all. Just my 2 cents...
El Tejon
Member
A blackpowder rifle so you can control the charge?
mustanger98
Member
Toddbo34, I have two ideas right off. Marlin makes a youth version of the 336 in .30-30; the stock is shorter and .30-30's plenty for deer. I've been seeing other posters (in other threads here) referencing a 125gr hollowpoint loading by IIRC Federal. The other idea is that new Ruger scout rifle in .243Winchester, but while the .243 has more than enough power for deer, it also has a lot bigger sharper muzzle blast. With either one, be sure he's wearing enough hearing protection at the range. When the time comes for him to shoot the deer, well, my Daddy told me and then I found out for sure, you don't feel it kick and you about don't hear the report.
Hardbottom
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Ruger Mini 30
When my son was 4-5 years I started him target shooting with a Ruger 10-22. I practiced with him until he could hit a paperplate at 50-75 yards consistantly. This year he turned 7 in July, I bought a Ruger Mini 30 and put a 2-7 x 33 Leupold on it; the Mini 30 is almost identical in size to the 10-22. About a month ago I offered to let him shoot and at 70 steps he put 2 of 2 in circle the size of a softball. 2 weeks ago he shot his 1st deer, at about 80 yards.
BTW I also have a New England 243, but the gun is heavier and I am not a fan of the exposed hammer.
Biggest challenge with a 7 year old is after about an hour in the stand you have just about maxxed out his attention span. Bring toys, books, etc... to keep them occupied.
HB
When my son was 4-5 years I started him target shooting with a Ruger 10-22. I practiced with him until he could hit a paperplate at 50-75 yards consistantly. This year he turned 7 in July, I bought a Ruger Mini 30 and put a 2-7 x 33 Leupold on it; the Mini 30 is almost identical in size to the 10-22. About a month ago I offered to let him shoot and at 70 steps he put 2 of 2 in circle the size of a softball. 2 weeks ago he shot his 1st deer, at about 80 yards.
BTW I also have a New England 243, but the gun is heavier and I am not a fan of the exposed hammer.
Biggest challenge with a 7 year old is after about an hour in the stand you have just about maxxed out his attention span. Bring toys, books, etc... to keep them occupied.
HB
Was a little confused at first with,
Thought to myself, what kind of knock down power is a 7 year old looking for?
Then,
Oh, I see.
As others have mentioned, .30-30 sounds like a good choice. Possibly, even 7.62 X 39, it isn't too punishing.
Thought to myself, what kind of knock down power is a 7 year old looking for?
Then,
Oh, I see.
As others have mentioned, .30-30 sounds like a good choice. Possibly, even 7.62 X 39, it isn't too punishing.
rangerruck
Member
rossi and nef , both make a youth model , in 243.
I know a guy who's 12 yo daughter shoots a 7mm-08. The brake would help, but I've never shot one and I've never met your son so I couldn't comment on how he'd handle the recoil.
It's certainly enough gun to kill a deer. Borrow it from your dad and let him shoot it.
If it doesn't have a recoil pad, you might want ot think about getting a slip-on one. The downside to that is the added length to the stock. The gun might be too big for him as it is. If your boy can handle the gun, you could pick up a youth stock for it and maybe talk your dad into giving the gun to his grandson.
It's certainly enough gun to kill a deer. Borrow it from your dad and let him shoot it.
If it doesn't have a recoil pad, you might want ot think about getting a slip-on one. The downside to that is the added length to the stock. The gun might be too big for him as it is. If your boy can handle the gun, you could pick up a youth stock for it and maybe talk your dad into giving the gun to his grandson.
Clipper
Member
Check the figures for the .260 Rem. Light recoil and enough oomph to take elk, and you can get it in the Model 7. Gonna get one for my wife, and if I could have gotten one, I would have gotten it in my Win. M-70 featherweight classic...
trkyshootr
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I have a new Model Seven CDL in .260. It's fantastic, and I've killed two does with it this season. If the gun itself isn't too large for your son, one consideration is the recoil pad. The CDL, unlike some of the other Sevens, comes with Remington's R3 pad. The recoil feels virtually nonexistent on this gun in this caliber and with the R3 pad.
I don't like the muzzle brake idea because of the added noise. Braked guns are much louder than their non-braked equivalents. Even with muffs or plugs the additional sound is offputting and could discourage the young shooter.
If ammuntion availability is a concern, the .243 would be ideal. Also, a Seven Youth in this caliber likely would not kick bad even without the R3 pad.
Speaking of recoil, I have a Winchester 94 .30-30 and find that its recoil is more uncomfortable than that from my .260 and .308, and about on par with my .280. Whether this is from stock design or what I don't know, but for this reason, would recommend something else.
Regardless of your decision, good luck and safe hunting.
Merry Christmas
I don't like the muzzle brake idea because of the added noise. Braked guns are much louder than their non-braked equivalents. Even with muffs or plugs the additional sound is offputting and could discourage the young shooter.
If ammuntion availability is a concern, the .243 would be ideal. Also, a Seven Youth in this caliber likely would not kick bad even without the R3 pad.
Speaking of recoil, I have a Winchester 94 .30-30 and find that its recoil is more uncomfortable than that from my .260 and .308, and about on par with my .280. Whether this is from stock design or what I don't know, but for this reason, would recommend something else.
Regardless of your decision, good luck and safe hunting.
Merry Christmas
mustanger98
Member
I'd blame it on the stock and it's fit to the shooter. This old Winchester I brag on all the time... the recoil's just about non-existent to me.
The Marlin 336... I think they call their youth version the "Spikehorn"... the stocks shorter for a smaller shooter. At the same time, if recoil is that much of an issue, keep in mind that the 336 is built heavier than a '94 and that extra weight soaks up recoil at the same time as the stock fit is compensating for it.
BoySetsTheFire
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The answer really depends on your child and what he can handle. If the rifle is a bolt action, as oposed to an autoloader, then you can handload any caliber down to where he comfortably handle it. The advantage there is that he can shoot .308 or 30.06 at an early age, as long as you handload the round to his level. Then you can step up the charge as he grows larger and stronger.
IMHO, the gun is really not that important with a 7 year old as is the general firearms and safety training. If you get that into his head at an early age, he will benefit for the rest of his life.
IMHO, the gun is really not that important with a 7 year old as is the general firearms and safety training. If you get that into his head at an early age, he will benefit for the rest of his life.
RNB65
Member
The CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 would make an excellent deer rifle for a boy. The recoil isn't bad and it can easily reach out a touch a deer to 150yds or so.
I am a bit late in replying, but I was in a similar situation last year with my 7-year-old daughter. After months of research, I learned a lot and obtained many opinions. We went to numerous gun shops, where my daughter had an opportunity to hold different rifles, which I highly recommend to anyone. In the end, we went with the Remington Model Seven Youth in the 7mm-08. I have absolutely no regrets with the choice. My initial fear was that it was going to be too much gun for her.. But boy was I wrong. I put a Simms recoil pad on, and she handles the recoil with no problem what-so-ever. The one thing I like about the Remington is that it has open sights, whereas some of the big name competition rifles need to be scoped. Call me old fashioned, but I believe that every youngster should learn to shoot with open sights and get some experience before jumping to the scope. Also the scope adds weight, which wasn't an option. Oh.. and I must add that she did not like the sights that came with the rifle, so we purchased some Williams sights which did the trick..
MD_Willington
Member
A friend of ours has a .243 for his son, the boy is about 11, he handles it no problem..
Here it is, Remington Model 710 Youth
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/youth/model_710.asp
Or a 700 ADL, comes in .243, .270, .308
Here it is, Remington Model 710 Youth
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/youth/model_710.asp
Or a 700 ADL, comes in .243, .270, .308
O.S.O.K.
Member
Having experience with this
I'll add another vote for the Cz in 7.62x39. Corbon makes some excellent hunting ammo for this - 150 grain soft point. It will fit him and be light enough for him to handle. Kick is just a little less than a 30-30. Has a single set trigger! Just push forward to set - that will help his accuracy a lot.
I'll add another vote for the Cz in 7.62x39. Corbon makes some excellent hunting ammo for this - 150 grain soft point. It will fit him and be light enough for him to handle. Kick is just a little less than a 30-30. Has a single set trigger! Just push forward to set - that will help his accuracy a lot.
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