Youth Rifle / Caliber

Wallenstein

Wallenstein

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I was planning on getting a Marlin Youth model as a first hunting rifle for a 12 year old.

Those have disappeared.

Tell me what you'd recommend as an alternative.

Looking for ease of use and soft recoil.

Target : Deer.
 
Wallenstein said:
I was planning on getting a Marlin Youth model as a first hunting rifle for a 12 year old.

Those have disappeared.

Tell me what you'd recommend as an alternative.

Looking for ease of use and soft recoil.

Target : Deer.
Click to expand...

Comment about the post being in the shotgun forum deleted now that it's fixed.
 
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Wallenstein said:
I was planning on getting a Marlin Youth model as a first hunting rifle for a 12 year old.

Those have disappeared.

Tell me what you'd recommend as an alternative.

Looking for ease of use and soft recoil.

Target : Deer.
Click to expand...

Take a look at the Weatherby Vanguard S2 compact/youth rifles. They have a short LOP with a spacer you can add back in later on when your kid gets bigger. The barrel length is shorter as well so they are a nice compact handling rifle and not too heavy. They also use a 3 position safety which is great for a kid starting out. Get one in 7-08 and the recoil is very reasonable.
 
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Lots of youth rifle's out there caliber is the biggest factor.
Imo the 243 win is about perfect.
 
243 Win from any manufacturer, Model 7 Rem., Savage Axis Compact, Browning Micro.
Depends on your budget.
I only say 243 as it's readily available at most stores.
243 is good for a number of animals.
 
260 or even a 6.5x55 can be found cheap and could cut stock down to fit
They are found at a very good price range for husquarna 1600,1900 series
Could look at intersurplus site on here as they have many listed
Remington model 7 are nice.
 
Weatherby Vanguard Compact, Tikka T3X compact, Winchester XPR Compact.

Any of those in 6.5 Creedmoor would be my recommendation, I own or have owned the full-sized versions of these rifles and prefer them to their competition (Savage and Ruger specifically) in the same range.

I know the XPR has a package option with a Vortex Crossfire II scope, not the best glass but important for a young hunter is if it gets damaged at all it's covered by the Vortex VIP warranty (some package options you go through the rifle manufacturer and whatever warranty they offer), so just send it in for repair/replacement. It's fine as an aiming device. The XPR also has the nicest recoil pad, IMO.
 
keith mokry said:
260 or even a 6.5x55 can be found cheap and could cut stock down to fit
They are found at a very good price range for husquarna 1600,1900 series
Could look at intersurplus site on here as they have many listed
Remington model 7 are nice.
Click to expand...

The sporterized 6.5 x 55 M38 and M96 rifles are good value; if they have a cut down military stock the are a bit shorter in LOP. Issue is that if you don't homeload, there is not currently a lot of factory ammo out there at the moment. As much as I don't care for the 6.5 CM, It would be a good choice up to large deer, and lot's of ammo choices. It will do a good job with 120-140 gr. Save the heavier bullets for the Swede.
 
Wallenstein said:
I was planning on getting a Marlin Youth model as a first hunting rifle for a 12 year old.

Those have disappeared.

Tell me what you'd recommend as an alternative.

Looking for ease of use and soft recoil.

Target : Deer.
Click to expand...

Do you reload? If yes, then you've got tons of options.

If no, then 243 or 6.5x55 would be my top choices for off-the-shelf ammunition availability.

I think every major manufacturer has a youth-specific bolt action model with these cartridges. I don't think there's a bad option among them. Selection just depends on your budget and stock/finish preferences.

I will advise against an adult rifle with a shortened stock (heavy for a 12 year old), and going too short with the barrel (muzzle blast). And personally, I think a detachable magazine is best for youngsters.
 
im gonna go a different direction

My son loves his SKS.
Its already a short LOP, the semi makes recoil quite manageable

Just buy good ammo for hunting

It was cheap and "pre dropped" so I don't care if he scuffs it up like a teenager is likely to do.

Edit: I just noticed your location. Here in east Ontario most shots are under 150 yards (MAX). You may be going a bit further out so the SKS wouldn't be accurate enough
 
I started my kids with 7mm-08 with a lighter load in the 120 grain area. Then as they grew older moved to the 140-150 grain pills.

Can't go wrong with the light recoil, the reach and the stopping power of the 7-08. I have a 243 also that I grew up starting with, but prefer the 7-08.
 
CVA Scout takedown .243 or 300 blackout. Economical as I'm sure it will be replaced in the future. Low recoil, accurate and a single shot is such an intuitive action.
 
Depends if you reload or not.
If you do, a cz527 in 6.5 Grendel would be nice. Cut off a part of the wood stock to adjust LOP.
If you don't, cz527 in 7.62x39.

The x-bolt micro can often be found for a decent price. If you buy new it comes with a 50 percent discount on a full sized stock within 5 years. Personally I like the shorter LOP for use with a coat. 243 or 7mm-08.
 
6.5x55, 260 Remington, 7-08 are the top contenders for light recoil big game guns that can do it all. Find a gun that you like and order a Boyd's stock for it in the proper length of pull for now and you can switch it back as he grows or they have an adjustable stock that might work good.
 
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