Camo Rifle
Youth rifles
The rifles we kids wanted were the light, compact Marlin 336 and Winchester 94. We couldn’t afford either one but my dad borrowed a 94 from a neighbor. At age 12 I could handle it, though the stock was a bit long for me. It also had a lot of drop at heel which made even the mild. 30-30 cartridge kick fairly hard. At least that’s how I remember it. The snow was deeper then, too. Currently there are a number of bolt-action rifles made specifically for young shooters (or for that matter small-statured adults). Nothing builds enthusiasm like success. Everyone shoots better with a rifle which fits them. My favorite cartridges for youth rifles are based on the .308 case: .243 Win, .260 Rem, 7mm-08 Rem and .308 Win. I have a soft spot for the 7mm-08, but for deer and antelope hunting I’d be happy with any of them. Fire piston is made for hunters and fishermen. Actually if someone would build a light .250 Savage on an appropriately sized action they’d have a perfect deer rifle for youngsters. Or women. Or big strong men, for that matter. I don’t use centerfire .22s for deer hunting, for the very good reason they are not allowed where I usually hunt. Others who use them tell me they have excellent success with .223s, .22-250s and .220 Swifts, generally using Nosler Partition or Barnes bullets.
Browning micro hunter
Not promoted as a youth model since the stock length of pull is 13-1/2″, I include it because it is light, compact, well made and accurate. Having the stock shortened an inch or so should not be a traumatic or expensive operation. Back in the early ’90s my 5’4″ wife wanted a new rifle. At the SHOT Show one year we looked over a bunch of compact models. She selected the (now discontinued) Micro Medallion A-Bolt in 7mm-08. With 120-grain bullets loaded to 2,700 fps, it has little recoil and more than adequate power and trajectory over 200 yards or so. Works so nice I borrow it once in a while.
CZ 527
This neat little mini-Mauser action rifle weighs under 6 pounds and is just over 37″ long. Like the Browning, above it has a 13-1/2″ length of pull and for most young shooters will need the stock shortened. It’s available in .223 and in 7.62×39, a cartridge on the order of the .30-30.
mossberg 100 atr
Mossberg offers this in a youth model. Stock length of pull can be user-adjusted to either 12″ or 13″. With walnut stock it weighs 6-1/2 pounds, has a 20″ barrel and is offered in .243 or .308 Win.
remington 700
The flagship 700 is currently offered for young shooters as the SPS Buckmasters Edition. It has a 20″ barrel, 12-3/8″ length of pull, a synthetic stock finished in Realtree Hardwood Camo and is available in .243 Win. A left-hand version is also offered. As an option Remington offers a set of three spacers (two 1/4″ thick, one 1/2″ thick) which can be fitted beneath the butt pad to adjust length of pull. As your youngster grows, spacers can be added. The youth version of the compact Model Seven is not currently listed on the Remington website but the value-priced 770 is available in a youth version (.243 Win.) with 12-3/8″ length of pull.
ruger 77 hawkeye Compact
I’ve never known anyone, youth or adult, who didn’t like this little rifle. It has a 12-1/2″ length of pull and with its 16-1/2″ barrel, overall length is a under a yard. Weight is just 6 pounds. This is one sweet-handling little carbine. It’s offered in a wide range of cartridges from .223 to .308. May as well order two or the kid isn’t going to get a chance to use it!
savage
Savage offers several youth models. For pure value it’s hard to beat the Edge youth model. Just over 6 pounds with synthetic stock, it has a 20″ barrel and is available in .243 Win or 7mm-08 Rem. The 11FYCAK has a 12-1/2″ lop and 22″ barrel with muzzlebrake. The 11FYXP3 is a “package” deal with 3-9X scope mounted. Available in .243, 7mm-08 and .308, it has the excellent AccuTrigger.
Weatherby youth
The Vanguard line offers exceptional value, and the Synthetic Youth model is no exception. Stock length of pull is 12-1/2″ but a spacer is included which extends length of pull to 13-5/16″. Barrel length is 20″ and weight 6-1/2 pounds. A “feature” more people should take advantage of is the Weatherby Custom Shop. If your youngster gets this rifle at age 12, by the time he’s in his 20s it will have gathered a lot of memories. But now he wants something a little fancier. Borrow the Vanguard back and ship it to Weatherby to have a nice walnut or synthetic stock fitted, maybe even a bit of engraving. There’s a rifle that won’t get traded off. I’ve limited my list to bolt actions but if you like other actions consider the Thompson/Center or NEF single shots, or a Marlin 336 with shortened length of pull.
kimber montana
This light rifle is one of the sweetest hunting rifles available. I didn’t show it on the chart as it has a 13-1/2″ lop and its synthetic stock can’t be easily shortened. Still, once you’ve handled a bunch of light rifles, and helped select one for your youngster, you probably want a lightweight of your own. A thoughtful parent deserves a reward.
About the Author
In future releases, I’ll tell you about Paracord bracelet. Wait …
CAMOUFLAGE JACK PYKE STEALTH CAMO GUN TAPE. SHOTGUN Pt1.
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