Grown out of a compact rifle...what's next?

[SuperCub]

The BLR is a hideous abomination of a rifle.

If one just had to have a lever gun, the BLR 81 would be hard to beat.

Saying that, I would replace the Compact with another bolt action (full sized), probably in 308 as the lad is familiar with that cartridge.

 

[SuperCub]

Looking at the long term, a nice light 6.5CM or 243 would be a great choice for deer and later a 30-06 for larger if that interests him.

One could hunt the rest of their lives in Canada with those two and want for nothing.

 

[Colroggal]

I'd suggest a ruger gunsite scout in .308. Comes with the option of an adjustable length of pull and you can scope traditionally or use iron sites or a forward scout scope.

Love my ruger Hawkeye rifles. I am a fan of levers (left handed), but I've never been fond of blr's.

Colin

 

[Boomer]

There's much to be said for stocks with adjustable lengths of pull. From a young man's teenage years until his early 20s height increases, sometimes dramatically in short periods of time, but from 20 to 30 bulk may increase through his chest, arms, and shoulders which actually reduces the appropriate LOP. Differences in seasonal clothing also affects LOP as anyone who shoots in both the heat of summer and the cold of winter will understand, so a stock with an adjustable LOP has year round utility even after someone stops growing. IMHO, there is nothing your son will be able to do with a full size .308 that he can't already do with the carbine, except get puffed out more quickly if hunting in rough or steep country. A 20" barrel generally seems to suit the .308, a 24" barrel seems to suit the .30/06, and a 26" barrel seems to suit the .300 Winchester.

 

[Kilo Charlie]

You could add a full size Boyds stock to your existing Ruger and shoot it forever.

This, for sure.

 

[Kenny_G2]

I have had both, the M77 only stuck around a couple years, it wasn't anything to get excited over and was in a caliber I did not need at the time.

The BLR in 308 was my go to moose gun for 15 or so years. It was not a tack driver but it could manage just over a one inch group at 100m for 3 shots, after that they started to wander as the thin barrel heated up. Cleaning it was a hassle every few years but it was manageable. It was not great in the snow and cold, the action would freeze up. I found it to be well balanced and easy to handle, the detachable mag was an important feature for me, however since it was an older version I could not get any spares.

 

[dukecrab]

BLR, in my opinion, is not just a tool, but also a toy, so much fun; while M77, is only a good tool. Life is short, have fun !

 

[littlehughey]

Purchase the full size M77 - keep familiarity with the rifle platform.

 

[Slimbo]

A full size stock on a ruger compact with a 16” pencil bbl will look and balance like crap. If you like the ruger, buy a bigger ruger

 

[SuperCub]

A full size stock on a ruger compact with a 16” pencil bbl will look and balance like crap. If you like the ruger, buy a bigger ruger

That be true.

 

[kamlooky]

I have both a Ruger 77 in .308win and a BLR .358win.
I use both depending on the course of the day.

Did you ask yer son wtf he would like to do?

 

[Rich the Butcher]

I have both a Ruger 77 in .308win and a BLR .358win.
I use both depending on the course of the day.

Did you ask yer son wtf he would like to do?

We talk about it every night at dinner, and every night he changes his mind...haha.
We have however agreed to keep the Compact, so his next rifle will be an addition instead of a replacement.
Thanks everyone, but please keep the info coming. We've really enjoyed reading all your input.

 

[SuperCub]

My kids love the Ruger PC9 with Red dot. So do I for that matter!!!!! One of the most fun guns I own next to my AR15.

Is that your hunting rifle?

 

[Butcherbill]

We talk about it every night at dinner, and every night he changes his mind...haha.
We have however agreed to keep the Compact, so his next rifle will be an addition instead of a replacement.

Win win then, he gets another rifle and keeps the one he already shoots well.

 

[Hitzy]

Also, Ruger has a lifetime warranty on their rifles, Browning is one year. That might say something.

I love both brands though, I think my x bolts are top notch.

Ruger has zero warranty on any of their firearms...never have.

 

[Dagmaar]

We talk about it every night at dinner, and every night he changes his mind...haha.
We have however agreed to keep the Compact, so his next rifle will be an addition instead of a replacement.
Thanks everyone, but please keep the info coming. We've really enjoyed reading all your input.

That’s good . Keep his first for his own kid/s someday perhaps .

 

[BigUglyMan]

In case it hasn't already been mentioned, though he is growing like a weed he likely isn't putting on a boatload of weight or muscle very quickly. A full-sized adult rifle likely won't fit him well due to the extra length (especially in the barrel) and the attendant weight. he will likely find it hard to wield. I would suggest either adding spacers to the stock of his existing rifle while maintaining the short barrel for a few more years until he beefs up. Or you can buy a new adult sized stock for the rifle and go from there which will keep the weight closer to the butt where he can manage it better.

My two cents.