I wouldnt think the OP would mind the derailment of the thread but Ill wait till Im closer to taking action on a new rifle and start my own thread.
Until then, Im considering a 22 caliber that will handle a heavy hunting bullet for kids to shoot deer with. No head/neck shots. Need lots of margin for error on the shot, so need to be able to hit in the shoulder and kill. Same body shot performance capability on hogs. Custom barrel and handloads.

I hate to recommend for kids with out knowing kid, with that said, I think fit and hearing protect mean way more than caliber.

I think the best option for MOST kids would be an Sig cross rebarrelled to 22CM or 6CM, With Suppressor. Reason Sig cross, adjustable LOP and check, 2 stag trigger(slack to back wall, then squeeze through), ambidextrous safety, and barrel is easily swapped out by a gun smith in no time.


22 CM
77 TMK or 80 ELDX

If you aren’t sold on 224 size performance next step up

6 CM
103 Eldx

I’d pick the 22CM or 6CM over the 223/22-250 because you can run a much shorter barrel with same or better range.

A suppressor for a kid is must as it prevents flinch(sound causes more flinches then recoil but suppressor will reduce recoil some too) and is safety for both your hearings

Good bang for buck is AB- A-10 suppressor ($450-$480). Great performance for the price


if sig isn’t your jam
Horizon makes a 22CM
Springfield has waypoint in 6 CM

^^^ I ain't arguing against any of that...

I did rebarrel a 6.5 Creedmoor Cross to 6 Gaymoor...needless to say I have sold it already, a buddy wanted it worse than I did haha. Great platform to rebarrel tho.

right on

You can get good reduced loads that mimic a .30-30 or a 6.8 spc

We use reduced loads in the 7mm-08 from hornady and they work just fine….129 grain bullet at 2650 fps.

Good bullets in 22-250 work fine also.

They don't have quite the same pop.

I have a Browning Micro in 22-250 and the thing is like a laser.. Seriously, you can be looking through the scope and once you pull the trigger you can see the round impact whatever it is you are aiming at even before you feel the recoil. I typically shoot 55 grain V-max because my rifle has a LOT of free bore before the rifling and I have found that seating a 55 grainer WAY out of the case gives me the best accuracy. I LOVE the 22-250 as a varmint round, but would never consider taking it out on a deer hunt-though I have several friends that use them for neck-shooting deer and when they put the bullet where it belongs-it always lays them down right there on the spot.. I always opt for something heavier typically in 7MM-08 or larger territory for deer hunting... I'm sure I could do it all with the 22-250... But I like the insurance of a larger, heavier, bullet should I miss the exact mark I was aiming for.. Otherwise, if you are a crack shot-every time... A 22-250 with the right bullet would do the trick.

The Micro Midas A-Abolt was one of the best rifles Browning ever made.

That and the Model 7 Remington