Recommendations for a young shooter?

mtnhunter · #1 08-09-2018, 05:44 PM

Hi everyone, I'm looking for make/model recommendations for a first rifle for my 12 year old son. Looking for something that will fit him well, not be too heavy to carry for miles in the bush, last him a number of years, and not break the bank. Any and all suggestions welcome!

JTRED · #2 08-09-2018, 05:54 PM

Bought my girls a Savage Axis youth combo in 7mm-08 when they turned 12 and 14. They found it fit them well and shoot it very well. Cost with tax and two boxes of ammunition was under 550. It shoots a variety of ammo into under 1.5" groups some less then .75". Loaded with 139gr GMX(which it shoots the best) I would use it on elk, moose, bear,etc. I have packed it a few backpack trips just because it is 3.5" shorter than all my other hunting rifles. It's a great rifle for the price and a great caliber.

Scottmisfits · #3 08-09-2018, 06:28 PM

Most of the youth models would be good. Some shims that can go in the stock as he grows, then replace the stock when hes done growing.

As far as what cartridge, it really depends on the kid. My son was shooting a 12 gauge and 308 at 10, but my buddies kid can barely handle a 243 at 12. That being said, if the 7-08 doesn't scare him off in terms of power and noise, it would be a great one to go with.

bsmitty27 · #4 08-09-2018, 06:39 PM

lots of rimfire, and dryfire training. 243, 7mm08 ish. lots of dryfire training. What ever cal you decide, watch for flinching and train more rimfire and dryfire.

West O'5 · #5 08-09-2018, 11:22 PM

Bought my boy a Ruger American .243 couple years ago when he was 13,he was a skinny lil kid then no issues. Not so skinny and not so lil anymore,lol...I suspect he'll be taller then my 5'11" before he's 16 in 4 months from now.

Stinky Coyote · #6 08-10-2018, 02:25 AM

https://shop.whittakerguns.com/product/38253

Would be tough to beat, Howa mini youth in 6.5 gendel

bubba300 · #7 08-10-2018, 06:08 AM

I would start them out with something like 243win or 6mm Creedmoor.or if you think they can take a touch more recoil something in 6.5 mm.
I bought my nephew a youth savage axis 243 win when he was 12,I never liked it but it shot good.I have bin hearing good things about the winchester xpr and remington 783's.

elkhunter11 · #8 08-10-2018, 06:46 AM

I would be looking at a rifle chambered in 260rem, or 7mm-08. The model depends on the youth, some 12 year olds are large for their age and can handle a full sized rifle, and some would be better off with a youth model.

sns2 · #9 08-10-2018, 07:30 AM

308 with reduced recoil loads

mtnhunter · #10 08-11-2018, 09:45 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Does anyone have experience with the T/C Venture Compact?

58thecat · #11 08-11-2018, 10:03 AM

Rem model 7 stainless synthetic chambered in 7-08...he will hunt, carry it and keep it his whole life, yes he will go through later in Life the macho need a magnum phase but he will soon be reaching for what worked on all game in North America, throw on a nice Burris 3-9 X 40 scope to complete the package and there will be many smiles for many years.

Jayhad · #12 08-11-2018, 03:00 PM

I've got an Axis in 7mm-08. It's cheap, light, has little recoil and shoots good groups with factory loads. They aren't pretty but effective.

360hunt · #13 08-11-2018, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnhunter

Hi everyone, I'm looking for make/model recommendations for a first rifle for my 12 year old son. Looking for something that will fit him well, not be too heavy to carry for miles in the bush, last him a number of years, and not break the bank. Any and all suggestions welcome!

I would suggest a Swedish mauser 96.
Either by husqvarna or Carl Gustav in 6.5x55

A very pleasent round to fire with low recoil and very good knock down power. Ranging from 85 grain bullets to 160 grain .
Very good metal was used to produce these rifles. They are control round feed and normally range in price from $250-$450.00

Take a look at trandx Canada.

Sask Bearman · #14 08-11-2018, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnhunter

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Does anyone have experience with the T/C Venture Compact?

No experience with the compact but I have used a couple of the regular T/C Ventures. Very accurate. Good barrels and most have good triggers. In my opinion, a very good rifle for the money. 7mm/08 is a great cartridge, not only for a young person but for anyone. All the best to you in your search.

elkchaser · #15 08-12-2018, 07:04 PM

My son started shooting at 6 with a 25-20 regularly with his sister . On his 12 birthday he received a marlin xlr 30-06 I sighted in for him and then let him shoot reduced recoil loads for the fist year ,after that was regular loads once he was used to it . Glad we did it that way because if we had started him off with a 243 I know I wouldn’t have felt comfortable when he was getting his cow elk 3 years later . He has never complained about recoil when he harvested his deer,s or elk . My daughter started with a 243 savage axis at 12 and was shooting a 308 Winchester semi with no complaints by 14 . The axis was later customizied stock , trig , scope and is a fine yote and deer back up .