Youth Hunting rifle Rifle

Just an annual report.  Over the last three year, my two brothers and I have been working on the son-in-laws, sons, nephews and grandsons to get them started in big game hunting.  Last year we got three guys their first deer, and two guys there first buck.

This has meant buying some youth rifles.  In the past three years we have added new Rem model 7 in 7-08,  a Ruger 270 (used but like new), and a Savage 340 in 30-30 used and I shortened the stock, but shoots sub MOA. 

Last year we added a new Remington M700 youth 243 with a 3-9x scope, mount, sling and caps ($399 NIM).  We need two new ones this year.  And we tried to get the M700 package on sale again.  Couldn’t find them.

But this year's new two youth rifles are:

---  M11FG Savage in 243 Winchesters, complete with slings, 3-9x scopes, caps, gun locks, and certificate for a factory full size stock (good for 50% discount).  Bargain NIB $349.  Couldn’t pass them up.

Our criteria are NO exposed hammers, scope of about 3x, in light kicking cartridges that will drop a deer stone dead at 200 yards or less.

Less you think that the 30-30 doesn’t fall into that 200 yard class, the 11 year old got his doe at 181 yards with one shot, and it fell over and never moved from a heart shot.

Just thoughts I though I’d pass along for those looking for youth model rifles.

BEAR

This year my younger brother and I sat smoking a cigar and having a "splash" of vodka on Thursday evening.  Subject was how many and what we "could use".  the interesting part is both of your rifles were suggested.  I have an 1A Ruger in 7x57 and a Ruger 77 in 257 Roberts.  I thumb-down those, because the stocks are too long and the barrel on the 257 while it is ultra thin, is long and makes the OAL to long for the younger kids.

We will be shooting these with the two "new" boys (ages 12 and 9)  at least two boxes of shells a week all summer in prep for the Oct North Carolina deer trip.  We have tried to emphasis that accuracy is ALL THAT MATTERS.  We force the single shot loading on all the kids guns.  So they know they only get one chance....make it good.  3 years ago we had one boy (youngest) miss 4 shots on the 4 day hunt.  Last year he is the same kid that connected with the 30-30 at 181 yards.  Maturity helps.  Also some people need to have the "buck fever" once before they can settle down when they see game.

The reason not to use my 7mm Ruger is it has XXXX wood and I'm not about to cut any of it off....it is the rifle that will go in the casket with me.

If I would have had a preference I'd have purchased 250-3000 chambers.  I think it is a great round and perfect for kids to grow with.  Light recoil and can shoot the 120 grain bullets as they get bigger/older/more experienced.  But the 243 is a close second.  We start with 80 grain light loads and work up to full power 100 grainers by hunting season IF the kids can handle it.  With light loads and accurate shooting the guns kill deer.  Deer are really easy to kill IF hit correctly (no magnum needed).  We killed lots of deer with kids shooting 30 cal with 125 grain bullets moving at 1900 fps (using down loaded 308, 30-40, and 30-30).

Looking forward to a good fall with the young ones.

BEAR

Dak;

Whassamattayou wit Tikka?

900F

Tikka;

There is no figuring out women  .  You will be old before your time if you try to do it.

 900F

Always thought this would be a good youth deer rifle in 7.62x39:

http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=15

PS: Before you leave that site go to home page and check out the blonde in revolving pics!

CB900F wrote: Ray; They musta changed the mix since you were on.  ..... 900F

Yep - She's not there this time!

Nothing wrong with exposed hammer guns, I've got a few.

But with small kids it is an unnecessary risk.  The risk is that most hammers are sh*t.  so you better get an extension or some thig that grabs you finger.  If you mount a scope it shrouds the hammer.

Small kids (and many adults) can't lower the hammer safely once it is cocked.  Add the excitement of the hunt and it is a unnecessary safety risk.

BeAR

Bear,

     my Roberts is the RL model (ultra light) it has a 20 inch tube.

They make it in .243 too, An ultra light ruger in .243 would be dandy, for a youth rifle. I would like to get a .308 RL myself.

   ...tj3006