Youth Rifle in 6.5 Creed/.260/6.5X55

[Peakbagger46]

I am looking for a bolt action youth rifle for my daughter in any of the above rounds. Must be synthetic stock and 6.5lbs max weight. Length of pull needs to be around 12.5". Budget is $550 max.

Seems like .243, 7mm-08, and .308 youth rifles are everywhere but I am having a hard time finding something in the 6.5 bore.

Am I missing some options that are out there?

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I'm a huge fan of the 6.5x55 but I suggest for a good youth rifle, you should stick with a short action .260.

Mike

 

[Dr T]

Not synthetic, but look at the Savage Lady Hunter. The ergos are built for a female, and it is available in 6.5 CM. My sister-in-law's is very accurate.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11Lady

 

[CB900F]

Peakbagger46;

I suspect that finding a youth synthetic stocked rifle may be difficult. Is the requirement for synthetic because of the weight or for some other reason? In other words, if you could find a wood stocked gun that met the weight restriction, shortening the stock to obtain the correct LOP would be relatively easy.

I'm a fan of the 6.5 X 55mm Swedish Mauser and became one after getting one as my son's first hunting rifle. So much so that after searching in vain for about a decade I finally had a custom left handed 6.5 Swede made. Now, of course, it's relatively easy to find a left hand bolt gun in Swede, but I don't regret the decision or money in the least. The first place I'd look is Tikka. SoDak Sports in Aberdeen S. Dakota is a master dealer, very friendly people there, and probably the first place I'd look if I were in your situation.

900F

 

[Peakbagger46]

Synthetic is our preference due to the weather and terrain we hunt here on public land in the Rockies. I may have to settle for a 7mm-08 but was thinking a 6.5 would kick less and still be OK for elk at closer range.

 

[Captcurt]

I don't think so.

Not sure but I have not seen a youth rifle in any of your wanted calibers. It is supply and demand on youth guns. 223, 243, 7mm08, and 308 are the going calibers for youth guns. That is especially true in your price range.

 

[Chuck R.]

I went through the same search a couple years ago for my boy. Ended up getting him a REM MOD 7 in .260 REM and mounted a Leupold 2.5x8 VIII on it. It has worked out well. I was going to have the stock cut down, but luckily he's actually tall for his age so it's "OK" for now and he'll keep growing into it.





I reload so I started him out with 100 grain "light" .243 equivalent rounds, and now he's moving up to the 120s. Killed one doe with it so far, with his 1st shot on a game animal.

Chuck

 

[Peakbagger46]

Chuck,
I like that idea, didn't know they still made them in .260. Stock is somewhat shorter on the 7 than other rifles, but may not be short enough. I reload as well and will be able to do light loads for whatever we end up with.

 

[ZGunner]

A Ruger M77 Compact is available in .260, or it was at one point anyways. We found one a while back, blued in wood. It's light and accurate but may be out of the $550 range if you can find one.

I've had a Rem Model Seven but it was in 308 so it wasn't very fun to shoot. Also light and accurate though.

The Ruger American Predator comes in 6.5 Creed but with a full size stock. However, I'd be willing to bet you could find a short LOP stock for it and still be under that $550.

 

[ajd3530]

Savage makes their Model 11 in a "compact" version in 7mm-08. It comes as a package with a Nikon (I think prostaff 3-9x40 scope) and can probably be found at under $600 at box stores like Academy, Gander Man, etc.