I wasn't aware these Xbolts come with the extensions. The Abolt did not. I second the nomination. The Abolt/Xbolt micro series in one of the 08 calibres is a fantastic choice for a one gun hunter, because it works for anyone. These guns are 6lbs before scope, so with light mounts and scope, you can be 7 lbs overall, in my opinion a perfect combination.
Looking for youth hunting rifle recommendations... model and calibre
- Thread starter TheCanAm
- Start date
I wasn't aware these Xbolts come with the extensions. The Abolt did not. I second the nomination. The Abolt/Xbolt micro series in one of the 08 calibres is a fantastic choice for a one gun hunter, because it works for anyone. These guns are 6lbs before scope, so with light mounts and scope, you can be 7 lbs overall, in my opinion a perfect combination.
FreedomIsn'tFree
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Buffalo.
It's a great, lite weight rifle as you mentioned above. I topped the boys with a Bushnell Elite 3500 4-12x40mm and I actually find myself using it now as well.
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
The newer micros don't all come with the spacers included, but they can be added if you get them separately. They also don't all have the same LOP, varying between 12.X" to 13.0 and 13 5/16" (just slightly shorter than a normal x-bolt) out of the box. The spacers from the Maxus shotgun fit.
+1 for x-bolt micro. My wife has one in 243 and it is a very nice, light rifle (a hair over 6lb). I got one last black Friday and browning changed the sticky stock to the one from the micro composite. I was very impressed with Browning's custserv. I like it a lot for small island deer and occasional coyote, but I wouldn't take a 400 yd shot on a deer with a 243 if you genuinely think that's a possibility. I
I started my kids with .243's for deer in Ruger M77 Mark II Ultralight rifles... BUT, they quickly wanted more and moved up to 6.5X55 and 7X57 rifles... I could have, and probably should have just skipped the .243's in their hunting arsenal journey.
The Ruger M77 Mk II Stainless/Laminate 260 Rem. that my son started with quickly became too short in LOP for him, and there were no factory spacers to add. So I found a thick aftermarket Limbsaver Recoil Pad to replace the factory version, it added about 1/2” in length, enough that we all still use the rifle today, it shoulders especially well with heavy clothes on. The scope was a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5x8, but this year I replaced it with a Leupold VX-R 2x7 Firedot. WK
I still remember a classmate getting a Remington 870 Wingmaster for his 13th birthday and coming into class after a mornings pheasant shoot with his shoulder blk and blue....
He previously shot a single shot 410 while out hunting with his dad and granddad.
So, you be the judge on the felt recoil and energy delivered for your choice of a center fire for your child.
Rob
He previously shot a single shot 410 while out hunting with his dad and granddad.
So, you be the judge on the felt recoil and energy delivered for your choice of a center fire for your child.
Rob
FreedomIsn'tFree
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Buffalo.
I wasn't aware of that. The one I bought is the 12.5" LOP with 3- 1/3" spacers included I believe.
Last edited:
I would look for a 6.5 Grendel. It's a far better youth cartridge than the 243 or Creed.
But if you are handloading you can load the 6.5 Creed down to Grendel levels for now. I know Bartell did that for his young nephew and he has used it on elk, moose and deer.
But if you are handloading you can load the 6.5 Creed down to Grendel levels for now. I know Bartell did that for his young nephew and he has used it on elk, moose and deer.
Agreed 100%. The 6.5x55 is an excellent round for the novice as is the 7x57. Both are mild in report and recoil but kill out of all proportion to their ballistics. The .243/6mm class to me are expert rounds. My cousin shot several nice bucks with the .243 in the past but lost a few as the bullet did not exit with consequent lack of blood trail. Don't get all this talk of the 6.5 Creedmore, the 6.5x55 has been around for a 120 years and is a superior round imo. Kind of trying to reinvent the wheel.
While I know it’s not going to fit all budgets, and the stock is a little long. But the Kimber Montana is the best youth rifle going. And they can use it for life.
Nice quiver of rifles! Barrels kinda short on that one ?
fade2black
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Ontario
Lots of good options already recommended. Depending on how tall he is I would stay away from a standard length of pull if it doesn't come with removable spacers. The vanguard compact in 7mm-08 is hard to beat for a first rifle. Has spaces and a few aftermarket stocks for down the road.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I suggest avoiding the 243. Sure it's less recoil and under supervision can be a deer harvester with surgical precision. However sooner or later the hunter in future endeavours will hunt possibly shoot deer under less than ideal conditions. Coyote bait with a marginal hit.
Something in 6.5 or 7/08 instead will serve better.
A co-workers hunting partner has lost two wounded deer in two hunting seasons using his 243. Yay
Something in 6.5 or 7/08 instead will serve better.
A co-workers hunting partner has lost two wounded deer in two hunting seasons using his 243. Yay
As always, it depends.
Myself, I would look at the type of gun required - if it's a beater that will get the crap kicked out of it then a Savage or Ruger American might be fine. If it's a lifelong companion you are looking to buy, I would look at a Winchester Model 70, Remington Model 7 or 700, Browning X-Bolt, Weatherby Vanguard, etc. You can either buy a compact model or buy a full-sized rifle and get a compact stock for it. Main model lines from top manufacturers will retain value and be easy to source parts for in the future.
As soon as (hopefully, fingers crossed here) Remington starts shipping Model 7 rifles out the door, I intend to get one for my kids (and myself) to shoot - my 13 year old is a tiny little guy and a Model 7 in a compact stock could be perfect for now. Gives the option of swapping stocks, solid little rifle, good aftermarket, and as a reloader it's pretty easy to load up some starting loads in .308 or 7mm-08 or whatever to ease the kids into shooting.
Myself, I would look at the type of gun required - if it's a beater that will get the crap kicked out of it then a Savage or Ruger American might be fine. If it's a lifelong companion you are looking to buy, I would look at a Winchester Model 70, Remington Model 7 or 700, Browning X-Bolt, Weatherby Vanguard, etc. You can either buy a compact model or buy a full-sized rifle and get a compact stock for it. Main model lines from top manufacturers will retain value and be easy to source parts for in the future.
As soon as (hopefully, fingers crossed here) Remington starts shipping Model 7 rifles out the door, I intend to get one for my kids (and myself) to shoot - my 13 year old is a tiny little guy and a Model 7 in a compact stock could be perfect for now. Gives the option of swapping stocks, solid little rifle, good aftermarket, and as a reloader it's pretty easy to load up some starting loads in .308 or 7mm-08 or whatever to ease the kids into shooting.
Pointdexter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Lower Mainland
T3x compact in 308 with a limb saver, bolt on brake, or both. Has the spacers needed for size, the limb saver is two screws and if that combo is still too much then the brake can be bolted on. Later on the brake can be sold off.
If you're into reloading the 308 can be loaded down to reduced recoil too. It's super easy.
If you're into reloading the 308 can be loaded down to reduced recoil too. It's super easy.
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Totally impressed with the 7mm Mauser (7 x 57). No more recoil than a .243, less muzzle jump, shoots as flat, and has way more killing power.
- Location
- Steel Town and The Peg
7x57 is in the "sweet spot" for effective terminal ballistics--not surprisingly, Paul Mauser designed it. Aside from that, the cartridge runs like butter in a quality bolt action.
