Suggestions for kids first rifle

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Pootle

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Burnaby BC
Hey everyone... advice requested...

I'm starting my research for a Christmas present for my soon-to-be 11yr old munchkin.

I'm looking to buy him his first non-22 hunting rifle. I want this to be a "forever" rifle, something that he has until he dies. I may decide to have it engraved with a birthday message or something similar -haven't decided yet.

Criteria are:
MUST have a wood stock
"Compact Size" - he is a bit of a runt (although he likes shooting my BRNO 2E which is a really long 22)
Calibre - greater than 243 and easily findable at your local gun store or Canadian Tire - I was originally leaning to 6.5 Swede, but am thinking Creedmoor might be a smarter choice. 7mm-08 just doesn't seem to be around as much as it used to (although that's an option too).
Price - retail of $1200 CDN or less (I figure if I wait for a sale that means I can get it for $1,000 which is about my budget).

The only things I've really found are:
Browning Micro Midas (not a huge browning fan)
Winchester M70 Compact

Any other ideas? I'd prefer to buy new but would consider something Euro from Tradex if everything was right (his grandfather has an old Voere with no model name on it, so that's an option for family continuity).

The devil on my shoulder also suggests the Marlin 336 Youth model in 30-30, but I'm resisting.

Appreciate any ideas you folks may have.

David
 
Pootle said:
Hey everyone... advice requested...

I'm starting my research for a Christmas present for my soon-to-be 11yr old munchkin.

I'm looking to buy him his first non-22 hunting rifle. I want this to be a "forever" rifle, something that he has until he dies. I may decide to have it engraved with a birthday message or something similar -haven't decided yet.

Criteria are:
MUST have a wood stock
"Compact Size" - he is a bit of a runt (although he likes shooting my BRNO 2E which is a really long 22)
Calibre - greater than 243 and easily findable at your local gun store or Canadian Tire - I was originally leaning to 6.5 Swede, but am thinking Creedmoor might be a smarter choice. 7mm-08 just doesn't seem to be around as much as it used to (although that's an option too).
Price - retail of $1200 CDN or less (I figure if I wait for a sale that means I can get it for $1,000 which is about my budget).

The only things I've really found are:
Browning Micro Midas (not a huge browning fan)
Winchester M70 Compact

Any other ideas? I'd prefer to buy new but would consider something Euro from Tradex if everything was right (his grandfather has an old Voere with no model name on it, so that's an option for family continuity).

The devil on my shoulder also suggests the Marlin 336 Youth model in 30-30, but I'm resisting.

Appreciate any ideas you folks may have.

David
Click to expand...

Well perhaps a Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 ($700) in 243 Winchester with what ever scope/mount/rings you want to buy with the left over budget. However the Vanguard has a synthetic stock. Why wood for a first gun? It is going to get scratched up and it really narrows your selection and price will actually go up.

You could get a Savage Model 110 Classic ... but that is $1000 CAD

Cabelas has a Savage Model 110 with a Vortex scope package in 243 Win for $889 CAD ... but it is a synthetic stock.
 
If you reload, I'd suggest a 308win and use reduced loads until he grows into the rifle.
Lots of ammo around and a nice all around chambering.

Your location suggests there should be gun shops local that would have such rounds
on the shelf.
 
CZ 527 in a 7.62x39. Compact, Great trigger, iron sights and a walnut stock, cheap military surplus ammo to practice with, and reliable hunting rounds. I love mine, and my oldest son is admiring it a bit too much...might have to get a second one...
 
357Maximum said:
Tikka T3 compact, swap out a full size stock later.
Click to expand...

This. A T3x compact in 308. If the wood stock is an absolute must, pick one up on the EE and get it cut to fit him. But if it were me, I'd just stick with the synthetic stock. It comes with a spacer so that when he grows up a bit, you can put it in and it'll still be his "one and done" gun.

Onies said:
CZ 527 in a 7.62x39. Compact, Great trigger, iron sights and a walnut stock, cheap military surplus ammo to practice with, and reliable hunting rounds. I love mine, and my oldest son is admiring it a bit too much...might have to get a second one...
Click to expand...

This is a pretty good choice too. IMHO however, the chambering limits it. A rifle that you want him to use and keep forever is going to have to be chambered in as versatile a cartridge as possible. And as much as I love that little rifle and cartridge, it falls a bit short in regards to versatility. I miss my 527 in x39 but it was replaced with a T3x Battue in 30-06 and I don't regret making that choice. YMMV
 
My first official firearm was a New England Arms Pardoner 410 shotgun, but a Rossi pump action .22 was the first one I shot.
I vote for a 22 rifle, maybe a 223 youth
 
I got my son a Weatherby Mark V in .257 for his first main rifle. He was 10 or so. Prices were different back then and I’m pretty sure I paid less than 700 used.

Today; and with the price range you’ve given I’d take a long look at the Vanguard Deluxe or Laserguard in .257, 270 or 30-06. Recoil is quite modest, and the rifle should make any 11 year olds eyes light up. If the LOP is a bit much there are poles of take off synthethic stocks around that you could likely get for nothing and cut up.

Those vanguards have an annoying habit of out shooting more expensive guns.
 
Browning used to have a "grow into" offer for their midas guns. Within the first five years you could get a full size stock from them at 50% off.

There are Vanguard S2 compact (synthetic stock with a stock spacer) for sale at the $500,- mark sometimes. Leaves enough room for nicer optics and you can always get a wood stock from Wby or Boyds later.

The .243 can take on lots of game and ammunition is on the lower priced side while it is readily available. I would not just discard that idea and jump on the 6.5 creed hype band wagon.
 
For me, I always lean towards the small and light rifles as my favorites. The cz527 already mentioned in 7.62x39 is an excellent choice. They really speak to me. But I don't have one... One of these days... Also look out for an older i unabused Browning abolt micro. One in 7-08 is an awesome rifle. I like the feel of it (stock fit) more than the newer, decent xbolt micro.
In the higher price category perhaps this Kimber :
Kimber 84M classic select grade on the EE comes in around 5.5 lbs

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1855315-Kimber-84M-257-roberts?p=16045806#post16045806

Here's a little YouTube on that one :

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=76H_8itUEvE

You know prophet river in Lloydminster carries all sorts of beauties like this

https://store.prophetriver.com/winchester-7mm-08rem-model-70-featherweight-compact-bolt-action-rifle-walnut-blued-20-barrel-5-rounds-mfg-535201218-s-n-35gzp08296/


I hope this gives the OP a few ideas.
 
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How about a vintage Winchester 1894 30-30 (or 30 WCF as they were called back then) - maybe one used by the Canadian forces on the west coast in WWII if you can find one in good shape. Not only a useful calibre, but also a great piece of Canadian history!
 
This is a nice little rifle at a nice little price.
http://northprosports.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=9308&search=243
 
If you are looking for a new rifle hen the Tikka T3 is a great option and you can get it in pretty much whatever caliber you want. 6.5 Swedish is a nice an mild round and there is a wide variety of hunting ammo available or .308 is great for most anything and is readily available.
If you don't mind used that a Winchester 94 in 30-30 (30WCF) is also good because they are reliable and 30-30 is also nice and mild but will take anything you want to hunt.
Alternatively, if you want something he can start with now and then grow into a bit a sporterized .303 Enfield may be worth considering. Sporterized ones are fairly cheap because of how many were chopped up after the war and have been used as hunting rifles ever since. Many are already drilled and tapped for scope mounts or can be used just fine with iron sight. They are always available on the EE as well.

If youre not totally set on a rifle a 20ga shotgun may be worth considering depending on what you are looking to hunt
 
How about a Ruger compact, not sure what you will find new, I had one wood and blue in a 308 I have seen them for sale in 260 and 7 08,
 
Both of my kids got 7.62x39 rifles for their firsts. My daughter, a Ruger Hawkeye Compact and my son, a Zastava M85.

A Ruger compact in any of the .308 case based chamberings would be my suggestion.
 
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