What rifle to buy a child ??

[savagedasher]

Two guns I started my Grand daughter with after the 22 was a 223 savage at 8 she killed 5 hogs up to 225lb then got her a youth savage 308 with a off on brake .At 9 she got 1900 lb water buff with one shot. She is in the youth section of Barns bullets .Just never put a child on a gun that kicks. Good Shooting Larry

 

[broncman]

After BBguns, my sons each got a firearm every year fro christmas. A 22 cricket, then a youth model 870 that could be converted, 22 semiauto, highpower rifle, a bow and then a blackpowder and last was 22 pistols. They are now all outfitted for basic hunting needs.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I'm a fan of .243's and with that said I look for a 9 twist to support more bullet weights! Ruger uses 9twist and some others.

 

[BigDMT]

I'm a fan of .243's and with that said I look for a 9 twist to support more bullet weights! Ruger uses 9twist and some others.

Remington is a 9 1/4" twist in 243. Savage is also a 9 1/4" twist in 243.

But I'd go with a Stainless Ruger M77 because it is a much more reliable rifle than the others. Will operate and feed better in ANY weather condition.

 

[Raythemanroe]

+1

 

[Nvreloader]

For what it is worth, I have been going thru this same decisions for yrs, with my own kids and now the G kids.

The best solution I have found is a TC/Encore rifle, comes in numerous calibers/gauges, both rimfire/center fire, can be made into any caliber that is safe to use in which ever action type, very easy to adapt to each shooter, single shot, very safe, teaches the shooter to be a hunter, make each shot count, etc.

And the big thing is, with the kids and the way they grow like weeds, every couple of months you have to add more to the butt stock to keep them in proper form etc. I have had to add spacers to the G-son TC 2 times in less than 2 yrs of use, and he is only 9 and still growing.

Get a adjustable length stock that is produced by Choate Company, for either the TC/Encore, looks like a Black rifle adjustable type, length of draw fits from 9"" to 16" IIRR, as they grow or add heavy clothing etc, adjust to fit, etc. Then when they stop growing, you can add the standard wood stock if wanted.

I have just put one one the G-son's, 20ga Rem 870, he won at the sheep dinner, added a good recoil pad and he was braking clay birds, he first time out.

Since adding this stock to his TC, I have added them to my TC/Encore rifles, I like the way they change length of pull to fit any shooters etc. Saves a lot of work and headaches etc, IMHO.

Tia,
Don

 

[Raythemanroe]

T/C good idea!

 

[DaveC]

I’ll bet most of us that are my age, mid-60’s, started out shooting a 22 Remington or Mossberg in the Scouts or even at school. I always start new shooters of all ages with an old Remington 22 because it’s easy to shoot, accurate and a great rifle to teach shooting/safety. They don’t develop bad habits, flinch, trigger jerk, etc. and they look forward to moving up to a larger caliber in due time.

It always cracks me up to watch the he-man types teaching their girlfriend to shoot for the first time. They start out with their favorite 1911 or 44 Mag (sometimes a .357 using hot .357 loads) and it’s generally the last time that girl tries shooting of any kind.

You’ve got a couple of years to find a nice 513T, 510, 513, 504t, etc and refinish it. You can even find a second stock to cut down for a junior shooter.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I just started my two kids with a .22 Marlin bolt with 3-9 scope. I want them to be comfortable shooting first. I believe the post meant he is looking past the .22 he already has!

 

[cotntop]

First item was a lifetime NRA membership. Then got an AR-15 rifle kit, 22 bolt, 223 bolt, 20ga A5 Browning and the kid turned out to like girls better. He will at least have a chance to own firearms in the future, especially a AR-15. If he enters politics as a liberal the NRA membership just might come home to haunt him.

 

[tiny68]

I have built savage based CF with both of my boys. They helped in the stock work, install of the barrels and scope. Both started with a 223 as their first center fire. However, long before that we learned firearms safety with a BB/pellet gun. Then we moved to a single shot iron sight 22LR. I would encourage anyone to go with this route. Most important, let them handle the firearms in your presence. Teach they the key rules of firearm safety. Then you graduate them to whatever they desire. As others have mentioned the Savage gives you the ability to switch barrels and bolt heads to make the rifle what you want. I built both of my on long actions, when thought they started as a 223. They had a follower glue in and shot them a single shots.

Personally, I have no affection for black rifles. I would not start a kid with any kind of semi-auto.

Luck in your choice, Tim

 

[cotntop]

When he gets old enough he will let you know what he wants for Christmas. That is what mine did.