My son hunted with me for the first time but didn't let him shoot. I think next year he will be ready. Headed to a gun show here in Longview. Any recommendations for a youth gun?

Something you can change to a regular stock over time. Chances are if he has shot enough a .243 would be a great rifle that he will still enjoy when he's older. Put a limbsaver recoil pad on it

I'll be getting one of these for my daughter's soon.

Rossi 3 in 1

I'm a fan of the .243, I started a young boy out with one, he loved it as he was a bit recoil shy. He took three very respectable mule deer bucks, a Texas Dall ram and two pronghorn antelope with that rifle.

I like that but looks like it would be hard to mount a scope on.

How so? The .243 barrel has an integrated rail

Oh didn't see that. That might be something to look into.

remington model 7 20 inch barrel with a youth stock-you can get a full size stock later-it will drop in to real easy! to model 7 with the 20 inch barrel may be a bit heavy for him but the extra weight will help soak up recoil and be easier to hold steady on a rest. .223 will do the job but a 80 grn .243 would be a bit more effective. I have taken several kids under 10yrs old and this set up is just about right for all of them...

If the son is recoil shy at six years old, maybe he needs a little more time to get older.

Encore with collapsible AR stock.

One of the guys at the lease was going to have his 11 year old daughter use a 300 win mag. I let him use my 22-250 instead. 243 is a good caliber.

Howa is bringing out a 6.5 Grendel in a bolt action this Summer, less recoil than a 243 and similar effective range. Not that there is anything wrong with a 243.

On the Rossi be sure the forearm is screwed on the same any time it is removed. Screw tension on it affects point of impact and accuracy of those little rifles. Or at least the ones I have delt with it did.

6.8spc in AR platform with collapsible buttstock

Similar ballistics to a .270

My kiddo (6) shot two deer and a turkey this year with a little break over 223. Looked at all the guns and shot a few but this one was perfect for him. He used the fed fusion ammo and they ran about 30 yards.
Had a deer pic on my phone to remind him where to shoot and made him point at it before every shot. I think trying to explain where to hit them was the hardest part. Good luck!

I had a youth 7mm-08 single shot. We reloaded shells so I had a custom load but you can buy light loads for them.

The 270 blows away the ballistics of a 6.8spc.

270 - 130 gr SP -3,060 ft/s, 2,702 ft·lb

6.8SPC - 120 gr sst - 2,460 ft/s, 1,612 ft·lb

I did not know Rossi made this. I might get one myself. Thx

.270 130 gr. Hornady sst 3200 fps, and 2955 ft. Lbs at the muzzle

I wouldn't consider that blown away, and indeed they are [/b]similar[b] as previously stated - however the discussion was not one about ballistics but a suitable firearm for a 6 year old, which the AR platform offers.

I'd say a roughly 50% increase in energy is blowing it away. But... Dead deer are dead deer.

I picked up a mossberg 243 with a fluted barrel for my lil man. He loves it and busted His first spike this year. His first doe was when he was 6 was with with my wife's 243. Can't go wrong. Biggest thing is don't rush it!

If you want a youth single shot, I would recommend an H&R over the Rossi. We've never had any issues with several H&R's, but we never could get a Rossi to shoot worth a dang. There's a noticeable difference in quality, just holding the two.

x2 - comes with adjustable trigger & stock! http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mossberg...ldCatid=3119721

I have a full size mossberg 243 and it is extremely accurate - smooth action - way better value than Rossi's (hit or miss on accuracy, awful trigger)

Go to Academy and look at one!

Edit - Hornady makes a LITE ammo that is awsome to start him on ... - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/485517/...n-sst-box-of-20

Picked up a CVA youth hunter 243 last year for the kids. Think the combo package with scope was round $209 at Dick's. Shoots well, they didn't get anything but range time. I killed 2 doe with it.

Have heard not so good things about the Rossi from people that own them. I'd go CVA or H&R if you want a single shot. If not look at an AR in an appropriate caliber. Mild recoil, adjustable stocks, accurate.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/cva-hunt...ildCatid=994856

me, my wife, and my daughter all shoot a 7-08.
My son did also until he outgrew his youth stock.
Between us, we have a Rem model 7, a Ruger compact, and 2 Savages.
By far, we like the Savages best.
My wife shoots the Savage Ladyhunter which would be great for a kid. shorter LOP and only about 5 pounds.
If he doesn't like that "model name", they also make a Savage Lightweight that would do the job.