After looking, I can't find anything decent used, so am going to buy the boy a new gun.

In compacts or youth models, there's not a lot to choose from. I really wanted to get him a wood stock, but short of the Winchester Model 70 compact, there really aren't any out there.

So now I'm considering the Tikka compact. It comes with a 1" stock spacer to add later. My main concern is the 20" barrel.

What is the consensus on either a .243 or a 7mm-08 with a 20" barrel? I own a Tikka in 25-06 and know they shoot, but am trying to find the right rifle and round combination for a first deer rifle that will reliably put a deer on the ground. I would appreciate input from you guys who have been through this decision.

I've put a lot of deer in the freezer with a 20" barrel gun with a smaller caliber than that, so I guess it can be done.
I've only encountered 22" 243 and have no interaction with 7-08, so I can't speak for those. But, I assume that if a smaller bore can do the job, then the .243 or 7-08 will as well.

If you're not set in stone on the Tikka, the Weatherby Vanguard (youth model) is also a sure-shot. The S2 seems better than the original, which is what I use.

Good luck.

My son shoots the Tikka T3 Varmint in 223 suppressed very well. He's 11 now (10 last season). I cut the barrel down to 17". It's a great little rifle for him and he shoots it well. He likes the low recoil (and suppressed!), so it is a factor for youth.

A 243 Win would be a good choice since it has lighter recoil. You can also run some reduced recoil loads in the 243 with a lighter bullet, and still get good performance. 20" is plenty of barrel. Not knowing how old he is, it's hard to say on caliber. But the main thing is getting him shooting and practicing before season. A 22LR or cheap 223 is good practice medicine. 7-08 would be good, if he can handle the added recoil.

One of my daughters has a tikka t3 compact in 243 the other has a browning xbolt micro Midas in 243. Both have dropped deer. Both shoot good. Tikka prob shots better but the browning wood stock is nice.

I'd look hard at the 7-08. Good selection of bullets and maybe a little more versatile.

Marlin 336y

I'd go .243. That Marlin 336Y that Tactical Cowboy posted is cool, but I want it for myself.

Check out th ruger american compact ,you can get it in 300 black out

He shoots his scoped .22 well. And he skeet shoots in 4H with a 20 GA so I think the 7mm-08 recoil will be okay. He just turned 10. He's probably about 80 lbs.

Redsnake, how is the trigger on that Browning Micro Midas?

Browning X-Bolt Micro Midas.

If you don't mind spending the money on the Micro Midas, then you won't mind the rifle one bit. They're beautiful rifles that shoot as well as they look. The trigger isn't the best or the worst. I would call it acceptable.

Don't fear the short barrel. I just built a 16" 243. The 3 shots in the middle measured about an in. Not a very impressive group until you realize it was done searching for a max load. The three shots span 1 grain. 40, 40.5, and 41 grains of h4350.

What is the concern about a 20" barrel?

Accuracy, velocity. I'm not a huge rifle guy. More of a wing shooter. So not sure what impact a 20" barrel will have. I remember reading all of the back and forth on here about the already shorter Tikka barrels.

A shorter barrel is stiffer, which tends to be more accurate. The velocity loss is not a concern to the average hunter.

The Mossberg Patriot comes in wood in a youth model for under $400.00. If you want a longer barrel you could get a .243 with a standard wood stock and have it cut down. The gunsmith I use charges $45.00.

My daughter has the Vanguard S2 Youth .243. It comes with a spacer and Sub-Moa guarantee. We are very happy with it but it doesn't come with a wood stock.

Like sneaky suggested... It's acceptable. It didn't really make an impression on me one way or the other. Tikka factory trigger is quality and can be real nice if adjusted.

Have no idea how many deer have been killed with my 18.5 inch barreled 7mm-08, it has worked well on shots from 5 yards to 350. Unless he is shooting a gas semi-auto 20ga recoil will not be much different with the 7mm-08 than his shotgun. Managed recoil loads reduce it even further.

Select a scope for him with generous eye relief, one he can see full view and not bee too close and give him a doted eye.

Several good choices already mentioned above and the Howa Mini-action in Grendel or the CZ 527 carbine in 7.62X39 would also be a good choice.

He does shoot a gas semi-auto 20GA.

Recoil on the 7mm-08 is my other concern. Some tell me it's no different than a .243....some tell me it's more. The math says it would be more.

Had a couple Remington 788s, 243 and 7mm-08. The math doesn't lie. As far as either being too much depends on the shooter. Kids that I have taken hunting and let use my rifles, only one and he was 9 at the time said the 7mm-08 was too much with a reduced load.

What ever rifle you get put a good recoil pad on it and if needed cut it, get a scope for it with 4 inches or more of eye relief.

I would avoid very light weight guns although they are easier to carry around the recoil will be more.

Of course you could always use a muzzle break or suppressor to remove a lot or recoil.

I bought an adult size Weatherby Vanguard S2 in 243 for my kids and then put it one of these:
http://www.opticsplanet.com/blackhawk-kn...ion-rifles.html

I initially tried to use that stock with my Weatherby 308, but even with the recoil reduction from the stock, it was still too much for the kids. So I picked up the 243 and haven't looked back.

My son has been shooting that setup since he was 6 and my daughter since she was 8. The adjustable stock is nice because we can take one rifle to the lease and the three of us can use it. If you go this route, get the limbsaver recoil pad that goes with it. The built in pad is your typical AR type pad and is hard as a rock.

We have been shooting 100gr Coreloc's for the past 4 years with great success on shots out to about 150 yards. We switched to Remington reduced recoil rounds last year and my son took 2 does at about 130 yards that dropped right where they were standing. With the reduced recoil rounds, the thing barely kicks at all. Granted, since you said he shoots a 20G, he probably wont; think the 243 kicks at all.

The downside to that stock setup is that it's heavy. However, if you are shooting from a blind, you won't notice it.

Oh, Vanguard triggers are nice, 2 stage and adjustable.

I compare that to stock triggers on R700, R770, Savage Accutrigger, and the Tikka's.

Mossberg offers their smaller "Batam" Patriot with two types of stocks. A synthetic version with extensions that can be added to the stock to make it longer as the child grows, and a fixed length wood stock with shorter length of pull.

Academy carries both.