Youth Rifle

[redfox33]

My daughter, who's 7,  got her first deer this year and really enjoys going huntin' any chance she gets.  I've been looking for a couple of weeks at youth and compact rifles for her.  I know she could handle a .243 so that is what I'm looking for.  I think I have narrowed it down to a few.  They are the Browning Micro, Ruger Compact, Remington SPS Youth and a Weatherby Youth, I like the extra full-size stock that comes with it.  I'm leaning toward the Ruger Compact, I feel it would be perfect but I'm concerned about the 16.5" barrel length, should this be a major concern??  The only thing is the trigger pull needs to be less than 13" and I would like the weight to remain under 6.5lbs.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.   

[Chuck White]

redfox33
The only thing I dislike about short-barelled rifles and beginning hunters (and "some" veteran hunters)  is the fact that it is so easy to point that muzzle at yourself!

If you get her the compact, please emphasize this point to her!

Other than this safety issue, I think it's a great gun for a kid to grow up with!

[ScoutMan]

Redfox,

I have the Compact in .308. The Length of Pull (LOP) is 12.5". Mine is decked out with a Leupolld M-8 2.5X compact scope. The whole outfit including sling comes in at an even 7 llbs.

Leupold does'nt make the M-8 sight anymore. They do however make an "ultralight" series.

My advice would be, don't overscope. A variable is not necessary. If you need to go below 7 lbs, then you will have to go to a ghost ring rear post front sight to save weight.

[tennbuck]

if thats your choice i would go with the browning. for less $ the weatherby comes with 2 stocks which is a great idea. i've shot a weatherby for years, great rifle. i don't know, but i hear the ruger trigger is not that great.

[sgtt]

I don't particularly like the 243.  If you reload you could go with a 7mm-08 or 308 and use single shot pistol bullets.  Or....buy some of the reduced recoil fodder.  I would give serious thought to the Savage. 

[ONE HOLE 4570]

I'm in the same boat with my son 10,. shoots a 3030 single shot but wants a bolt rifle. I was looking at a model 7 & putting a ramline cadett stock on it, limsaver pad and saving the std mod 7 stock for later. I'm looking into the .260, .243 I am not a fan of (just a personal thing) mAY BEE A 7-08 but I like the sec density if the 6.5 round too many options have to narrow it down

[Val]

I personally believe that the .243 is the right cartridge. Many adults use and kill deer with a .243. I shot my blacktail with a .243 this year, it took one step and keeled over. As she gets older and possibly wants a larger caliber, I would restock and she'll have a hell of a varming gun with lighter weight pellets.