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Recs for 8 yr old first hunting rifle????.

I built my 7yo son a Zeus with Quick change barrel option and a MPA chassis with short lop buttstock. This is a bit over the top for a 7yo but I did it for 2 reasons. Number 1 he has a rifle he can grow in to a use for anything for the rest of his life. Number 2, he can use any of my barrels for his needs. He is currently shooting it with .223. I will probably throw my dasher barrel on it for his first deer hunt.

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Yeah I thought about this . I have 3 qc (zues and valor) already so it would be nice to use barrels and stuff I already have. However, it would just be too much with Christmas already. I don't want to give him that much stuff for Christmas, just not a good thing to do. This is definitely an option I've thought about a lot though
 
What about finding a cheap used hunting rifle in .243?

The biggest issue for an 8 y/o is going to be finding a rifle with proper LOP.
Yeah .243 would be very good but that's why I am trying to do 6cm, since I already have a ton of 6cm loads and stuff for it. Wouldn't make since to get a 243 which is basically the same thing vs 6cm for me.

I checked and he can reach the trigger on my 270 now but sight picture isn't good. He can't get far enough up on the stock to get a good picture really. An AR style butt or short LOP chassis would be ideal.
 
Yeah .243 would be very good but that's why I am trying to do 6cm, since I already have a ton of 6cm loads and stuff for it. Wouldn't make since to get a 243 which is basically the same thing vs 6cm for me.

I checked and he can reach the trigger on my 270 now but sight picture isn't good. He can't get far enough up on the stock to get a good picture really. An AR style butt or short LOP chassis would be ideal.

I think 6cm would be great, I only suggested .243 due to availability of used rifles that could suit this purpose.

Not many options in 6cm unless you want to build.
 
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I think 6cm would be great, I only suggested .243 due to availability of used rifles that could suit this purpose.

Not many options in 6cm unless you want to build.
Yeah that limits it for sure. I found a Rug American in 6cm but the lop has me unsure if I could get it set up well enough. Also, I can't seem to find if it's a threaded barrel. That's a must so we can shoot suppressed.
 
cut down the tikka stock. with all the folks like me harvesting complete tikkas for the action, should be able to buy a new takeoff stock for $100 if not free.
That's a pretty good idea. That's what I did for his bb gun to get him started shooting when he was little. Well, I made a new stock in my shop that was small. I sure would like an AR stock set up though
 
That's a pretty good idea. That's what I did for his bb gun to get him started shooting when he was little. Well, I made a new stock in my shop that was small. I sure would like an AR stock set up though
I have several new / take off Tikka T3 & T3X Stocks. We can work something out if you decide to go that route.
AR-15 is the "Easy Button" for kids.
Primary Arms has a BF Deal on LaRue MBT Triggers for $ 80.00
Pin on an upper in the desired caliber and barrel length and you're in business.
You can go 223, 300 BO, 22 ARC, 6 ARC, 6.5 Grendel or even 6.8 SPC when you want to.
IMG_9036.JPG
6.5 Grendel works very well for kids.
Catie @ 9 YO with my rifle,
the 115 Barnes TAC- TX factory load works !
That upper has a thermal and a suppressor mount on it now for hogs and coyotes.
The lower has a telescopic tube and a https://www.opticsplanet.com/fab-de...e-cheek-riser-battery-storage-and-rubber.html Fab Defense Buttstock with adjustable cheek riser.

16" 6.5 Grendel AR for Tree Stands and tight areas
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So, the boy wants to hunt with me this year and I shoot lefty, he's right handed. (Though I'm questioning his eye dominance)

The only RH hunting rifle I have left is a .270 feather weight Win mod 70. Love the rifle but not a gun I really want him shooting just yet, it kicks pretty hard.

Id like to get him his own rifle but I really don't know how much he's going to be into it, so I'm not forking out custom action money just yet. He'd rather play ball than anything else and has always been that way. He's 8 years old and about 55 lbs., so I'd really like it to be a 6cm (I already load and shoot a lot of this), but I suppose a 6.5cm would work too (I load this too a lot).

Any recs for a solid rifle that will be good for hunting but could also reach out there when he goes to the range with me? I'm guessing Tikka will be a common rec but is there anything I could get that wouldn't suck for say $500-$700?? I havent bought a factory rifle in quite a while, so I am pretty apprehensive about it, and would love some info. Used is also on the table very much but its hard to find a hunting type (not super heavy) 6cm. I have a scope I can put on it. I'd hate to get him a rifle that has a crappy trigger and isn't accurate but I also don't want to fork out big bucks for this.

Thanks

Tikka T3X Youth here:


Once he grows you can drop it into a chassis/Bravo to accommodate his changing LOP. I'd do 7mm-08

TM6
 
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I'd recommend you looking into the Ruger American Rifle. It's pretty budget friendly and has a decent trigger. Plus, it comes in both 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5mm Creedmoor, which would fit your needs perfectly. The Tikka T3x Lite is also a great choice if you can stretch the budget a bit. Both should be light enough for him to handle and accurate enough for some range time.
Have fun hunting with the little man
 
My second option was a Tikka for my son. Great shooters out of the box and as much aftermarket support as Remington clones. But it made too much sense to do something we could share barrels and mags
 
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Its a new caliber, but 6.8 spc fits the bill perfect here, mild recoil, a lower you already have, kill deer good with many bullet offerings. For simplicity in an AR-15 you could just buy factory ammo. I have shot a number of deer with a 6.8 SPC flinging 95TTSX at 2850 or so and it did a nice job.
 
Its a new caliber, but 6.8 spc fits the bill perfect here, mild recoil, a lower you already have, kill deer good with many bullet offerings. For simplicity in an AR-15 you could just buy factory ammo. I have shot a number of deer with a 6.8 SPC flinging 95TTSX at 2850 or so and it did a nice job.
New? It’s been out for 2 decades. No, it’s not 30-06, but it’s not exactly new. I mean 6ARC and 22 ARC are both newer.
 
You people have restored my faith in the human race. .223’s with good bullets, 330 Blackout’s the 6ARC.

I can only add which is essentially what @Punkur67 thought, get something he can grow into if that is workable. Otherwise, the three mentioned above are great for kids. Makes enough bang to get their attention, but no whack to get them flinching.

One thought about the .243. Brenda has one and it’s a deer killer. But the original Remington BDL stock does not fit me. I’d rather spend a day blasting away with my .35 Whelen, then shooting a three shot group with that .243. Point, If anything more potent that the above three is considered, make sure the stock fits really well. (Its one of the very old BDL’s with the rounded fore tip).
 
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and that’s why the XLR chassis are so great. Uses a buffer tube setup and is incredibly flexible to set LOP

MDT LSS does too
Just learning about this option but worried about comb height with the ar buttstocks. is there a butt stock that has adjustable or raised comb option you'd recommend or have some pics with setups you could share?


OP I'd recommend a t3x compact in 223 or 243. if you truly want a 6cm, McGowan has a sale on prefits rn you could get one for pretty cheap
 
Just learning about this option but worried about comb height with the ar buttstocks. is there a butt stock that has adjustable or raised comb option you'd recommend or have some pics with setups you could share?


OP I'd recommend a t3x compact in 223 or 243. if you truly want a 6cm, McGowan has a sale on prefits rn you could get one for pretty cheap
Yeah there's a few ar stocks that have an adjustable comb but I have one already that isn't adjustable, but has a raised plastic pad that works well for him. It's a Fab defense I think. He uses it on a 10/22 that's in a chassis with a similar set up.

I will check out the McGowan. Pva has a barreled action for pretty cheap though it's a solus and not an origin, which I would prefer since I have origin already myself. I think they both are the same exact prefit and tennon though so may not matter in that respect
 
The XLR has adjustable comb. This is my son's 457 with the new barrel I just screwed on today.

He's been using this chassis setup since he was about 12 - not with this heavy barrel. But he could have used it when he was younger - especially if I would have removed the folder adapter. The folder alone adds at least an inch to LOP.

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I set my kid up with a Tikka compact (short stock) in 6.5 cm, chopped and threaded for a can, trijicon accupoint 3-9 mil-dot. Haven’t connected yet on big game up here yet, but not his fault. Now at 12, he’s pretty hard on steel to about 500 with hold overs.

If you’re already into 6.5 cm, tikka compact is the easy button. Reality though, any factory rifle can be chopped on either end to fit a small shooter. Good luck and good job dad.

Edited to add: XLR has the shortest LOP on the market. Run a separate buttstock for you, avoid screwing with adjustments for load development or whatnot.
 
Another crazy thought for adapting a rifle for a recoil sensitive shooter who is smaller would be reduced recoil loads. The Hornady ones work great, and still are quite accurate and have good terminal effects.

I have worked some of these up for 308 with a 125 SST and 110 Tac-Tx over either H4895 or INR 4895 with a velocity around ~2500 fps and they are exceedingly pleasant to shoot. This would allow stepping up to more powerful loads once he is bigger and not changing rifles.

If you put this into a stock or chassis that has an adjustable LOP this would provide a nice scalable option to grow with him.
 
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@BuildingConceptsllc

One thing about aN Origin (Im a fan) over the Solus is that with an HLR lug, he can use TL3 barrels too.
See them for sale a lot more often (I have like 9 TL3 barrels and 2 Origin barrels…..)

The LuthAR MB4a butt stock on an MDT LSS XL works awesome for kids and gets LOP to like 11”.
Thats why I built my daughter’s rifle with.

It can swap to a lighter barrel and be a hunter or 24” M24 and be a pig for extended range time.
She runs .223, 6br, and 6.5 creed barrels currently.
And still is stealing my Origin/proof/EH1/vx5 elk rifle to carry hunting.
“It’s so nice and even lighter. I just love it!!”
🤣
 
@BuildingConceptsllc

One thing about aN Origin (Im a fan) over the Solus is that with an HLR lug, he can use TL3 barrels too.
See them for sale a lot more often (I have like 9 TL3 barrels and 2 Origin barrels…..)

The LuthAR MB4a butt stock on an MDT LSS XL works awesome for kids and gets LOP to like 11”.
Thats why I built my daughter’s rifle with.

It can swap to a lighter barrel and be a hunter or 24” M24 and be a pig for extended range time.
She runs .223, 6br, and 6.5 creed barrels currently.
And still is stealing my Origin/proof/EH1/vx5 elk rifle to carry hunting.
“It’s so nice and even lighter. I just love it!!”
🤣
Yeah I have an HLR lug too. Those are all the reasons I'd really prefer the Origin.
 
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@BuildingConceptsllc

One thing about aN Origin (Im a fan) over the Solus is that with an HLR lug, he can use TL3 barrels too.
See them for sale a lot more often (I have like 9 TL3 barrels and 2 Origin barrels…..)

The LuthAR MB4a butt stock on an MDT LSS XL works awesome for kids and gets LOP to like 11”.
Thats why I built my daughter’s rifle with.

It can swap to a lighter barrel and be a hunter or 24” M24 and be a pig for extended range time.
She runs .223, 6br, and 6.5 creed barrels currently.
And still is stealing my Origin/proof/EH1/vx5 elk rifle to carry hunting.
“It’s so nice and even lighter. I just love it!!”
🤣
I didn't know until it was too late about brownells having the origin on BF sale. The PVA BA sale also is out of the Origin so, may just wait until I can find a used BA or at least the action and just let the boy shoot the AR for this year unless that happens quick. I got a few TT triggers and I got a Tac21 chassis from mdt bf sale. So I'm only about $500 in it so far. If I could get a Origi. BA for 1k or so, I'd be pretty happy with that set up for 1500 all in. I have some AR stock stuff I can put on the Tac21 chassis I think and mounts and scopes already.
 
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Do you have an accurate 16” AR?

Im fixin to try some of the AAC 556 with 70 gr barnes in one of mine.
That should work fine on AL deer.
Or 77 TMK.

One of the 16” ARs here is set up with a MLOK arca section for tripod use.
Now sports the magpul DT PR stock with a riser (really nice fit, easy to adj LOP).
My daughter has claimed it as her own…..

My Dad and son both shot deer yesterday with a 223AI with the 77tmk. Bullet worked flawlessly.
Last year he used a 22-250 with the 77tmk. Also killed everything he pointed it at.
 
Well did you get son a new Ruger American
Boy oh boy.... to answer your question, no I didn't. I went ahead and got a vector with a 308 and 223 bolt from a guy on here. I then went on the mdt bf sale ride, to end up with a chassis set up that wouldn't work (totally my fault after not being able to get an LSS that I wanted). So I traded the tac21 for an LSS with another guy on here. (Piece missing from new tac21 I traded him, and I never even looked at it before hand, but mdt has made right).

So I was about to buy a prefit barrel for it....

I took the boy with me to zero my rifle (left handed rifle), and just let him shoot that this time, when I notice he keeps trying to lean way over to get sight picture. He was trying to use his left eye to get sight picture in my scope. So, I got him to shoot fully left handed, which he greatly prefers, and yes, he is left eye dominant .

So, the bad news is I now (through much toil and aggravation), have a right handed chassis, 2 triggers, and action with extra bolt..... that I have no use for. However, I don't really need to get him a rifle if he can just shoot mine. He shot my 6.5cm rifle suppressed and it was fine so we will stick with that and I will I guess sell this stuff off or maybe the younger one will shoot right handed.... but that isn't likely I don't think.

You got more than you bargained for on that question huh? :)
 
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Boy oh boy.... to answer your question, no I didn't. I went ahead and got a vector with a 308 and 223 bolt from a guy on here. I then went on the mdt bf sale ride, to end up with a chassis set up that wouldn't work (totally my fault after not being able to get an LSS that I wanted). So I traded the tac21 for an LSS with another guy on here. (Piece missing from new tac21 I traded him, and I never even looked at it before hand, but mdt has made right).

So I was about to buy a prefit barrel for it....

I took the boy with me to zero my rifle (left handed rifle), and just let him shoot that this time, when I notice he keeps trying to lean way over to get sight picture. He was trying to use his left eye to get sight picture in my scope. So, I got him to shoot fully left handed, which he greatly prefers, and yes, he is left eye dominant .

So, the bad news is I now (through much toil and aggravation), have a right handed chassis, 2 triggers, and action with extra bolt..... that I have no use for. However, I don't really need to get him a rifle if he can just shoot mine. He shot my 6.5cm rifle suppressed and it was fine so we will stick with that and I will I guess sell this stuff off or maybe the younger one will shoot right handed.... but that isn't likely I don't think.

You got more than you bargained for on that question huh? :)

Well at least now you don’t always have to buy both a LH and RH version of every rifle like I have to. I was hoping my son would be left eye dominant like me but he’s normal. So every rifle I buy now, I end up buying 2 versions.
 
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Well at least now you don’t always have to buy both a LH and RH version of every rifle like I have to. I was hoping my son would be left eye dominant like me but he’s normal. So every rifle I buy now, I end up buying 2 versions.
Yeah, it's definitely a plus that he can shoot all my rifles that are already lefty. I really should have thought about this before I did all this. I knew he had a tendency to kick a ball with his left foot, but he's right handed (or we made him that way, I think he actually could have done either).

The youngest boy also uses his left hand a lot and left foot so I suspect he's going to be an actual lefty. I'm not an actual lefty, I just had to learn to shoot lefty after an accident caused me to not be able to see out of my right eye, so I do everything right handed, accept shooting. My mother is a lefty. It's so much easier to be right handed shooter, I guess I was hoping that would work out for him and he wouldn't have to do all the crap I do to get a decent rifle but it's not a big deal. I might can even trade someone for lefty stuff but I will probably just end up selling this stuff and buy me another suppressor
 
My Great Grandson is 7 years old. Weighs around 70 lbs. He used my Rem SS 700 .270 this year with reduced loads. WW cases, 34gr imr 4064, 130 gr Nosler AB @ 2217 fps. Recoil in a 8.5 lb rifle app 7.28 lbs. 100 yard energy 1075 @ 200 900 lbs. He hit a nice 6 pt @ 125 yards dead on the shoulder. Dropped like a rock. Recoil just a little over a 22/250. Ez to practice with also. He was so excited. Just my 2 cents. Rob
 
My Great Grandson is 7 years old. Weighs around 70 lbs. He used my Rem SS 700 .270 this year with reduced loads. WW cases, 34gr imr 4064, 130 gr Nosler AB @ 2217 fps. Recoil in a 8.5 lb rifle app 7.28 lbs. 100 yard energy 1075 @ 200 900 lbs. He hit a nice 6 pt @ 125 yards dead on the shoulder. Dropped like a rock. Recoil just a little over a 22/250. Ez to practice with also. He was so excited. Just my 2 cents. Rob

That is a story that our friend @Foul Mike would have love to have read, or better yet, heard from you via the phone.

Be well sir!
 
My Great Grandson is 7 years old. Weighs around 70 lbs. He used my Rem SS 700 .270 this year with reduced loads. WW cases, 34gr imr 4064, 130 gr Nosler AB @ 2217 fps. Recoil in a 8.5 lb rifle app 7.28 lbs. 100 yard energy 1075 @ 200 900 lbs. He hit a nice 6 pt @ 125 yards dead on the shoulder. Dropped like a rock. Recoil just a little over a 22/250. Ez to practice with also. He was so excited. Just my 2 cents. Rob
That's a big kid if he's 7 and weighs 70lbs but wow, that's a really light recoil. Honestly, I should have had my boy go shoot my 6.5cm with my can on it (I always shoot suppressed ) before even doing this whole project. If I had, I would have seem how easily he did it and also would have noticed the left eye dominance.
 
I do miss talking with Mike. Commrad in arms, so to speak. Talked about alotta things. Good with the VA. Talked me down one bad night. Always wanted to jump on the bike and head his way. Sad day when we lost him.
 
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