Deer Rifle for 10yr old

I was in the process of getting a remington model 7 sent to Derrick for barreling but a customer in my dad's shop offered me $600 for it to use as a truck gun on the farm so it's gone. Now I don't have any spare actions that to use for a build and really don't want to spend that kind of money for a rifle that will not fit my boys in five years. What are your recommendations on a factory rifle for a lanky 10yr old?

Savage Edge or Ruger American.

I would go with a Savage or Ruger. Both are good values

I would prefer something with at least a 22in barrel.

I would look at a wby vanguard. The one I have has been great.

At 10 years old I started hunting with a Rem 700 270 win and had no problems with the size of the rifle or shooting it and I wasn't a big for my age kid, just your average joe... story of my life.

Suggestions above are good ones.... Although going from a Horizon customized Rem 7 to those is kinda like waking up Chrismas morning expecting a Daisy Red Ryder and getting socks and underwear.

I have a browning 25-06 A-bolt I haven't shot in years I might try. I would rather something in a 6.5, never cared to much for .25 cal's. I've had them shooting a AR last few years but its time to turn up the horsepower.

Shot my FIL"S Rem 700 25-06. Like you I have never cared much for the caliber, but it does seem to bring a decent amount of killing power and range to the table with surprisingly low recoil. I figured being based on the '06 family it would have a little more rumble, but was very mild.

Most people on here turn their nose up at the H&R single shots but they have proven to be reliable and accurate over the years. I agree with the 25-06. In 100-120gr bullet they are very deadly with mild recoil. I prefer the 7-08 but it has more felt recoil to me. The H&R has several stock options that can bought for about $25 so you can cut away on them as the child grows to get the length of pull correct.

I bought my kids just recently a CVA youth rifle. Single shot .243 and I LOVE IT!!!!!! It fits my kids just fine and it's not so short that I can't shoot it. And I live to shoot it. It is a very very accurate gun. Paid $250 and that included scope. All I've done is put a sling on it. Maybe a new scope one day but for now it stays. Absolutely worth the money

Savage Trophy Hunter youth package would fit the bill, and comes with a decent scope.

My 10 yr old shoots a Rem 700 7mm-08. Recoil is not a problem with 140 gr bullets, but reduced recoil ammo is available if recoil is a problem. Personally my setup doesn't seem to punch any more than a 243 would.

Being a 700 action, Horizon can always make something of if in the future if I would decide to go that route. Your son could continue to shoot a 7-08 for as long as he likes no need to "graduate" to a larger caliber when he becomes older. I've just about given up on all of my rifles and now carry that 7-08 even when I'm not hunting with the kids.

I started my boy with a Savage Axis 22-250.. No complaints

Ruger American Compact 12.5 LOP 18" Barrel IIRC...243 or 308 (with managed recoil ammo to start)...

Remington 700 in a 243...he can grow with it and will probably keep for the rest of his life.

Savage 11 Trophy Youth Hunter package in .243. Comes with a Nikon scope which will work great. As he gets older, replace the scope, buy a new stock to fit him for 100 bucks. He can keep the gun forever and if he wants a bigger caliber down the road replace the barrel with 6.5 creedmoor or .308.

Savage 11 doesn't look bad, might have to go with a short barrel.

Currently Remingtons are having quality issues, low end Savage like Axis or Stevens 200 (if you can still find one) also Ruger American. 7mm-08 with managed recoil loads to start with then he can grow into in, and kids grow fast after 12 or so. The .243 will remain lower end on caliber when the 7mm-08 can be loaded up to taking larger game like elk, moose even bear.

Why not buy another upper in 6.8 or 6.5, especially if they're already used to the rifle?

The youth models come with a 20" barrel, works well for that age. I like using it for that matter-makes a good coyote rig.

This is my thought's on a youth rifle if you are building one and reload.
257 Roberts with a 100 gr. or a 7 x57 mauser with a 120 gr, or a savage 250\300 100 gr. for the lightest recoil.
If you buying a gun I would recommend a 243 win.
You could take your a bolt 25\06 and download it with 257 Roberts powder charged.
I had two big boy and I had then shooting a rem 742 semi auto in 308 by the time they were six.
If you can find a good used semi auto in 6mm or 243 would be sweet.

Not getting one built, only wanting to spend $700 max. I do handload for all my rifles and will be for this one. I have a .243 in a AR 10 but is to heavy for them.

Light weight ar in 300blk or 6.8 would be good deer medicine.

.

I honestly think most of it is preference. I haven't owned or laid hands on a non bargain buy(read rem 710/770 etc.) factory rifle that didn't shoot fine with factory or handloads. Have a pretty recent vanguard, savage and rem 700 all shoot great with my handloads and could be had in your budget.

I think caliber and practice are going to be you most important focus points. I think a 243 makes a lot of sense, but on the other hand if they can handle more and will be hunting game larger than whitetail it also makes sense to look toward a bigger gun if they can handle it.

30-30

.243 or 22-250, or a .270

I'd buy a Thompson Center Venture Youth gun, with the adjustable stock insert, that converts it from a 12 1/2" LOP to a 13 1/2 LOP. About the same bux as a RAR, lot's better ergo's and MOA guaranteed + comes with a Lifetime Warranty. Look at Bud's for a deal & good selection with free shipping. www.TCARMS.com
Ron

Sounds like you done sold off the perfect gun for the boy! Go get it back.

My 10 yr old son has been shooting my AR-15 in 223 and 300 blk out very well. It has the 6 position stock, which will fit him very well. I also like the shorter barrels, since it allows him to control the rifle better.

Bullfrog, the model 7 wasn't user a rifle I cared for.

minus the user, don't know where that came from

What was wrong with the model 7?

I have 3 daughters and all of them have hunted with a 25:06, starting at 10-12 years of age. I have shot at least 200 animals with it myself from my ranch in Texas to Wyoming. It's a great flat shooting, low recoil gun. I have a pretty much all the calibers and for whitetail-antelope-mule deer-hogs it is great. I shoot it out to 400 yards no problem. 100 grain Barnes TTSX at about 3300-3350. It is killer on hog behind the ear shots. My BIL shot a 400 pound boar behind the shoulder and it only went about 50 yards last year. That one even surprised me. He shot 3 behind the shoulder same hunt. The other 2 were 200 and 100 pounds all only went about 50 yards. Yes I have a hog problem. He is not confident enough to try a head shot from 150 yards so I told him to shoot behind the shoulder.

http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/5687736/$75_REBATE_on_TC_Ventures_star#Post5687736

I've heard nothing but good things from folks who have the Ventures...with that rebate that is the direction I'd go for a hunting gun for a 10 year old. A single shot wouldn't be a bad option either and probably a little safer with a hammer to pull back. You could always buy/build him a nicer one as he gets older and is more experienced (read safe).

Good luck! I started with a single shot on everything before Dad upgraded me.

How about a Thomson center contender handy rifle you can find them used with a lot of caliber choices an barrel length an weights.
You said he cannot handle your AR 10 in in 243 maybe you can find a setup that will work.
The other option is a short action 243 or 22-250. A savage axis might fill the bill.

Model 7 was not to accurate and recoil was a bit much.

Another vote for a 6.8 spc ar15. Collapsible stock will be easy to set a proper length of pull, and he won't outgrow the rifle.

Install an adjustable gas block to turn off the gas if you don't want him handling a semi-auto for a while. Either that, or buy a bob sled to only load single shots until he is safe and ready.

^^^^^This times 10!!!

the model 7s are also the "new remingtons" not made in New Haven or wherever in Ammerica they were made and lack the quality. Remington is no longer the old Remington...for American made, go Ruger or Savage, even Winchester is foreign made.

Decided on a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 creedmoor.

I had to start my daughter out with an AR15. For some reason the stocks on rifles just didn't work for her. A AR with collapsed stock does though. This year I have setup her a 6.8 with 18" barrel. Still doing load work for it though. I started out buying one of those model 7 compact's to try before heading down the AR road.




This was the first trip to the stand last season. We had to get it up in the window to make sure it was even possible for her. She handled it like a pro when it came time to get some dinner. I wish I would have gotten it on video. 125 yard shot clean on a decent little doe. The 223 did the job but just not my first choice for deer hence moving up to the 6.8

My oldest son killed his first 3 deer with a AR but is limited to certain stand locations because of the distance of some of the shots. My youngest will be shooting the AR this year and will be limited to the same stand locations. The oldest was shooting a model 7 .260 but I didn't feel comfortable with the 300 yard groups, I must have loaded over 50 different loads with nothing satisfactory, the gun was old and has been shot alot so I think it may have been burnt from years of shooting.

thats a novel idea, lol yup da turdy turdy is small light not much recoil and hits with authority. a 243 is another choice in a ruger american

Another vote for 30-30. My son started using mine when he was 11 or 12. A couple of years ago I gave him a choice for his first deer rifle. I was thinking of a bolt action in 243 or 7mm-08 but he opted for a Marlin 336 in 30-30. I found an older JM stamped Marlin in great condition for him and pulled a scope from another rifle for it.

It shoots 3 shot groups under an inch at 100 yards consistently, which is the limit of his ability right now. He shot his first deer with it last season. He may want something more powerful in the future but at 14 he still loves that rifle.

My son wants the same gun as daddy if you can relate so the lever action is out. We shoot nearly every evening when I'm home so he's pretty educated and hooked on burning ammo so I feel comfortable let him stretch out to 300 yards which is not a uncommon shot on our lease plus I love the look on other peoples faces when he stacks them at 300 with an AR.