a question for you all on gun purchase for my son

[Luked]

so my boy is 6 and he has been going hunting with me some when he can. here the only thing we are mainly hunting is whitetail deer. this year I would like to get him his own gun so be able to use
I'm looking at getting him a 243. but I'm kind of in a little quandary. I also like to shoot a lot so I had thought about getting something like a savage model but a full size gun and just try buying a youth stock. that way I could swap the stock for him to use it and I could put the full size stock on it for me to use also
just thought I would ask you all of this was a good idea or should I just get him a youth model gun and be done with it?

 

[muleman]

I personally would, did and will get my kids there own guns. My kids feel more invested when they have their own gun.

Along the same line of though. Look at getting a gun that can grow with your boy. There are a couple of youth ready guns that either come with a second stock or a spacer so the gun can grow with the kids. My oldest two kids have Thompson Venture youth models; both chambered in 7mm08. However I think .243 more appropriate for a 6 year old.

 

[Luked]

been looking pretty hard at the howa 1500 youth it's in 243 and also comes with a full size houge overmoulded stock as well as the youth stock

 

[Shrek]

If you handload then I'd get the 7-08 and do very mild 120gr loads. He won't be six but for a blink of an eye but a quality rifle in 7-08 will be good for life. A savage with both a youth stock and an adult stock will be a keeper. Make it his and get your own though. Like muleman said , he will be more interested if it's his.

 

[Rucker61]

Can you buy a youth model and just add a slipon buttstock pad to lengthen the LOP for you?

 

[Zbowman1]

Maybe look at a Rem. Model Seven. My dad purchased one for my younger brother when he was 12. He is now 6-4" and still uses the same gun. It may also be possible to swap the youth Stock for adult stock as he grows. (not 100% sure on that)

 

[HOT ROD]

Check out the new tikka youth model... Looks nice

 

[tstowater]

Just a couple suggestions: First, get a caliber that won't punish the kid. Last thing you want is the kid being scared of the gun. Second, make sure the stock is not too long. If the stock is too long, it will likely kick more and he will have a difficult time getting on to the animal.

I'm in the camp of getting him his own gun. You don't need to let him know that now if you want to use it, but it will make a difference down the road. My son, who will be 16 in a couple weeks, has a couple 22's, a couple high-powers and a shotgun or two. He still has access to all my guns (as long as I am not using them), but he will use his own first. This gives him a sense of ownership and investment in the guns. Fortunately, my son has won most of his so I'm only out the raffle tickets which would have been a donation anyway.

 

[KMD]

.243 is a good caliber choice for a young'un.

As for rifle choice, I think its GREAT that some companies offer a 'youth' model rifle with an accompanying full length stock, as a package deal! That sure makes things easy on ya, for when Jr. grows up...
In any event, it isn't all that hard to find a 2nd stock for just about any rifle nowadays. So, you could basically choose any brand/model rifle on the market. I have a 2nd stock for the Model Seven .22-243 that will become my niece' 1st centerfire rifle. Was gonna build her a .223AI, but this .22-243 is a lamb with light bullets. Niece is growing like a weed and just might be OK with the existing stock, but I still have a factory lammy stock bedded that will be cut down to size for her...

For both practical & sentimental reasons, one rifle with two stocks makes the most sense to me. Pride of ownership means ALOT to a child who's earned their first rifle. And it will mean just as much for them to enjoy using it their whole life...

Good luck & have fun!

 

[pyroducksx3]

You will think I'm crazy but an AR in 6.8 ,if your state requires 243 or larger, with a 6 position stock. The vertical handle put kids little hands in a much better position to pull the trigger. When they shoot it collapse the stock, when you want to extend it takes 1 sec.

 

[Luked]

You will think I'm crazy but an AR in 6.8 ,if your state requires 243 or larger, with a 6 position stock. The vertical handle put kids little hands in a much better position to pull the trigger. When they shoot it collapse the stock, when you want to extend it takes 1 sec.

I had also thought about an AR also. just not sure if I could get the wifey on board with that lol

 

[muleman]

For first guns, I prefer single shots or bolt actions. Because having limited capacity teaches making accurate first shots. I have seen kids with a 10-22 do the spray and pray approach. While the kid with the single shot is real dead eye. If you went the AR route I would suggest using as a single shot until good habits are developed.

 

[pyroducksx3]

I had also thought about an AR also. just not sure if I could get the wifey on board with that lol

It makes a great home defense rifle as well. Many examples of women shooting shotguns vs AR. So now its a youth rifle/adult rifle/home defense rifle that she can use as well. It sells itself!

 

[Zbowman1]

It makes a great home defense rifle as well. Many examples of women shooting shotguns vs AR. So now its a youth rifle/adult rifle/home defense rifle that she can use as well. It sells itself!

Please call my wife (-;

 

[AGPank]

I think bolt action or single shot are safer for a youth.

 

[realunlucky]

I think bolt action or single shot are safer for a youth.

Not sure why you think that. All three still a muzzle and a trigger that's what safety is about. The ar platform is a great starter large array of adjustability lower felt recoil and quick follow ups. That said I like a classic bolt action with wood stock. Ar is just ugly looking rifle. 7mm-08 awesome round that has plenty of load choices that can put game down without punishing the shooter.

 

[AGPank]

Just my opinion that a semiautomatic has another one in the chamber when the trigger is pulled, the others require a human action. There can be a lot of excitement when shooting and an inexperienced hunter has one more thing to remember. Just how I was raised. Muleman makes some great points too.

Again, just my opinion. Nothing against the AR or calibers listed. It's all Luked decision, not mine. I think it's great his son is involved early. In Colorado I wasn't allowed to take big game until 13, not sure what the currents regs are. The ranch I was raised around was very negative on semiautos for hunting big game. They pushed 1 shot accuracy.

 

[unm1136]

Another issue against the AR platform is weight of the gun for a young shooter. I have a .22 SBR that while it looks cool, it is too heavy for my younger kids to shoot unassisted. 6.5 pounds with an empty 15 round mag without the red dot or suppressor. Several friends criticized me because the single shot Chipmunk that I bought her wouldn't grow with her. Despite the fact it didn't grow, she still really enjoys shooting it. Less than 4 pounds, iron sights that make her work, and single shot. When she moved up to a centerfire rifle last year I got her a single shot .260 Rem. I have never really cared for .243, so .260 or 7/08 made a lot of sense. My local sprting goods shops had lots of .260 on the shelves when shipments of 7/08 were generally snapped up within the hour. I also got a screaming deal on a .260 T/C Contender rifle. Barring another super buy on Gunbroker my next daughter and son will likely have 7/08s.in the next couple of years. They are waiting a couple more years until they prove to be a little more responsibe and trustworthy.

pat

 

[Backpack Hunter]

My parents let me buy my own shotgun and rifle when I was 16. Had to use one of dad's before that time.
I use a .243 quite a bit, consequently my wife and kids do as well. Once the kids get a little bigger they will practically have the youth stock on the rifle all the time.

 

[mtswampfox]

remember my first, a savage 22/410 . learned to shoot everything with this combo squirrel,rabbit,trap,tincans and reams of paper. my choice for a kid now would be a tc encore. you can have rimfire, centerfire,shotgun with one receiver. youth and full size stock. even turn it into a pistol if desired. still my go to hunt camp gun as can have my 25-08 for deer and 12 g for turkey all in one small hoppes hard shell case that fits behind the sofa in the camper.