Good Youth Starter Rifle

[MAG00]

I have started looking into getting my son his first rifle. I would like to get him something that he can not only learn to more accurately shoot with but that he can deer hunt with as well. I think I would prefer to get something that is stainless/synthetic just so that is easier to maintain and I tend to worry less about the guns finish. I have a 6mm Remington model 7 (wood/blue) that was my first rifle, but I was thinking maybe a 243 for him. Plus 243 ammo is a lot more readily available than 6mm (factory ammo that is).

What do you all think?

Here are some of my thoughts/ideas:
- Caliber: 243
- Rifle Make/Model: I was thinking either a Rem 700 SPS stainless or a Tikka T3 Stainless
- Size: One of my concerns is to make sure it will fit him in regards to the stock and length. FYI - He is 8 years old and of average size He is not big, but definitely not small (meaning short) either.

Thanks and I look forward to your input.

 

[Deerhunter28]

700 P
Buds Gun Shop
.223-.308
Best bang for the $$$$$$$


PSE EVO 60 Lbs.
Blacked out

 

[Delta4-3]

My wife has a youth Ruger 77 in .243 with the short stock and 16" barrel. The thing really shoots, and it's small enough for her to handle easily. It's also loud enough to kill any deer that is in close proximity to the one she is shooting.

 

[MAG00]

700 P
Buds Gun Shop
.223-.308
Best bang for the $$$$$$$

I agree that the Rem 700P is a good gun, but I think the size/weight, 26" barrel would be too much for him. Plus I want something bigger than .223 and I'm not sure he is quite ready for a .308.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Remington 700 youth model 243. The youth stock comes with a spacer system, but it is not SS.

Or if you need SS then buy a regular 700 with 22" barrel and pick up a youth stock when one comes up in the classifieds.

 

[MAG00]

If I were to go with a .243, what twist rate barrel would be best. I think the Ruger 77 is 1:9, the Remington 1:9 1/8, the Tikka T3 1:10.

 

[Oregonmuley]

As much as I like my Remington's and the SPS stainless in .243 wouldn't be a bad option, I'd really take a look at the T3 Lite stainless in .243. For about the same price you will get a great shooting rifle - and a bit lighter than the SPS. The Tikka's all seem to shoot great without much fiddling needed. The one plus on the SPS like already mentioned was you could probably pick up a shorter youth stock here or some other website, have the barrel cut down to maybe 22" and a nice crown put on it and he would have a fine rifle. Or maybe tried finding an older Remington Mtn rifle in .243, another good option for you??
Good luck!

 

[MAG00]

As much as I like my Remington's and the SPS stainless in .243 wouldn't be a bad option, I'd really take a look at the T3 Lite stainless in .243. For about the same price you will get a great shooting rifle - and a bit lighter than the SPS. The Tikka's all seem to shoot great without much fiddling needed. The one plus on the SPS like already mentioned was you could probably pick up a shorter youth stock here or some other website, have the barrel cut down to maybe 22" and a nice crown put on it and he would have a fine rifle. Or maybe tried finding an older Remington Mtn rifle in .243, another good option for you??
Good luck!

The Tikka does seem to be a nice rifle. However, after thinking about it and reading your comments, I'm thinking the Rem 700 SPS stainless 243, have my gunsmith cut it from 24" down to 22" and then look into getting a stock for it that would fit him (maybe even a thumb hole stock) would be an excellent option for him. Would cost me more on the front end over just getting something factory that would fit him like a Savage Axis or something, but I think this would make for an excellent starter rifle that he could carry for a very long time and would give a good platform to maybe improve upon later.

Any other thoughts or recommendations guys? Maybe a recommendation on a stock if I went the above route.

Thanks thus far.

 

[Delta4-3]

Tikka t3 costs the same as a 700, but in my opinion is a LOT better gun. You get dbm, great trigger, stellar accuracy, very smooth cycling, fit and finish that is remarkable, and they are machined very well, unlike the countless 700's I have trued.

I can't say enough good about them.

Just my opinion, not a slam on Remington's.

 

[PRDRIVER]

Tikka T3

My only remaining 700 is a VS in 22-250 and that may be replaced with a Tikka next year.

 

[MAG00]

Are there many options on stocks for the Tikka? I think the factory stock would be too long for him (i.e. LOP).

 

[long range newbie]

tikka t3 sporter 243, light and accurate.

 

[mark5pt56]

And be proud to say you have one.

Model 70 Featherweight Compact -- Winchester Repeating Arms -- Product Item Detail, ITEM 535126212, UPC 048702118999

 

[Delta4-3]

Are there many options on stocks for the Tikka? I think the factory stock would be too long for him (i.e. LOP).

I've cut the factory one down before.

 

[Jon Lester]

Why not run the 6mm mod 7? if it is stock long, buy a cheap stock from e bay and cut it. That was my route with a 260 model 7 for my son when he was 8 and it is still his go to at 19years with a new stock.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

If you want him to learn to shoot more accurately get him a 22. He can shoot all day for little cost which means more trigger time and errors are shown much more with a 22 than a center fire. It also a better way to practice if you're limited to say 300 yards or less.

Then let him use your 6mm for deer if you still have it.

 

[Oregonmuley]

The Tikka does seem to be a nice rifle. However, after thinking about it and reading your comments, I'm thinking the Rem 700 SPS stainless 243, have my gunsmith cut it from 24" down to 22" and then look into getting a stock for it that would fit him (maybe even a thumb hole stock) would be an excellent option for him. Would cost me more on the front end over just getting something factory that would fit him like a Savage Axis or something, but I think this would make for an excellent starter rifle that he could carry for a very long time and would give a good platform to maybe improve upon later.

Any other thoughts or recommendations guys? Maybe a recommendation on a stock if I went the above route.

Thanks thus far.

Like I said, nothing wrong with a SPS stainless to start with, easy to work over and end up with a nice rifle especially if going for a "hunting" class rifle. Not a .243 but close, this one is a SPS 7MM-08 cut down to 22.5" and dropped in a McMillan Classic Edge, 7 lbs 1 ozs all up without the bipod. Check in the classifieds for a cut down stock - they do come up. Maybe change out the trigger and you are good to go.

 

[Rustybroadhead]

I set up a rifle for my two nephews this year. These two are great kids but have very limited experience handling a firearm in the field so I wanted something as safe as humanly possible. I had an old Thompson Encore in 25-06 that I have not shot in several years. I had it parkerized several years ago so I am sure they cant hurt the finish. I bought a Choat collapsible stock for it (AR 15 style) that they can adjust in or out to fit whoever is shooting and found a bushnell 2.5-10 scope on sale for about $300. It really turned out to be pretty handy!

my .02

 

[hahco]

this dude is 8 ... the Remington 700 youth in .243 is the right suggestion. As he gets bigger, you can swap the stock out to a full size McM. I think the .22 LR suggestion is good (better?) too.

 

[roggom]

All of the rifles are good suggestions, but having gone through this I will give you some lessons learned.

My girls have been shooting with me since 8, started them with a Marlin 22lr 915Y single shot.

Their first big game rifle was a 7x57 Mauser with stock cut to 12.5", 19" bbl. Using the Hodgdons "youth loads", I rolled them some 120 gr reduced loads and they did very well (age 12)

Of all the rifles suggested, I have most of them and my girls have shot them as well.

The Winchester gets my vote, here is why:

-bolt is very easy to open
-safety blocks the cocking piece, not just the trigger
-aftermarket unfinished walnut stocks can be had on ebay for $30, so you will have a nice fancy stock to save and cut the cheap one to 12.5
-trigger is rock solid and breaks clean
-IMHO the Winchester Featherweight is not just a place mark rifle, it is one you keep for a lifetime.


Other than that, a break action rifle would be good, as it builds a loading and firing regiment that is easy to follow. Open, Load, set and fire.


Sometimes we look at rifle based on our needs and then want a smaller version for the youth. Little ones dont care, they are usually more concerned with the empty cases on the ground than rifle features. They will; however, get bored if the rifle is too cumbersome or complex.

 

[Crosshair]

The Ruger American compact would probably be a good starter rifle, and very light and compact.

 

[EasternNChunter]

I think Savage gives you more rifle for the money than anyone else. They are also super accurate.

 

[luvtoclimb1976]

I had to get my son his first rifle a couple years ago. I went with a Rem 700 youth model in 243. He has killed two deer with it and it is a very nice rifle for him.