Help choosing "budget" adjustable LOP rifle to share with my 12 year old

[CoMtnMike]

My son will turn 12 this spring and can now hunt in CO this fall instead of just going with me and enjoying the glassing and stalking as he has the past 4 years. He is small for his age - about 10th percentile at 65lbs and 4' 8" tall. I'm 6'1" and 215. So my standard Savage Axis II in 30-06 that I have been hunting successfully with since 2016 wont be a good choice for him to use both size and recoil wise. But given he will grow and I would like a lower recoil rifle now to better see my hits I want to look at rifles with adjustable LOP so we can share vs a dedicated youth rifle. Cartridge will be 6.5 CM shooting copper, I can daydream about suppressed but that is too expensive to consider for some time, so likely naked as a muzzle brake and fully inserted plugs (maybe muff too) could hamper communication when setting up etc.

So adjustable LOP is mandatory. I prefer a bladed trigger for extra safety with a light trigger and a new youth hunter, but not a complete dealbreaker without it. Adjustable comb is nice but easily accomplished with foam and neoprene wrap. Threaded barrel is nice in case I can afford a suppressor in the future. Coated or stainless barrel is a bonus but my blued Axis is doing fine with plenty on snow and rain contact and basic maintenance.

The options I see in the $600 range:
Ruger American Gen 2 - all the wants and only concern is at least one person on reddit had a stock break at the LOP spacer which seems to be least robust attachment. But it also has a cool kit to add 1.6lbs of weight to the stock which could reduce recoil for practice and maybe in the field if not hiking too far...
Savage 110 cheaper configs - looks like more robust spacer attachment with structured spacers instead on just hollow tube, but lower end configs arent widely available and often come with a scope
CVA Cascade - doesnt have the bladed trigger and I know the least about it. also unclear on the LOP spacer structure.

Thoughts on those options or one I forgot? (Mossberg does have a compact adjustable LOP option but doesnt go to full standard LOP for a large adult) Experience with these options and small youth?

Thanks for thoughtful comments!

 

[Maverick1]

Appears you have most of the usual candidates identified. Another option for consideration is:​

Tikka T3x Lite Compact 6.5 Creedmoor 20" 1:8" JRTXE382CSB​

$699.

 

[CoMtnMike]

hmm, interesting... but what I see on it is changeable grips but not LOP spacers to remove / add

Choose your own Tikka rifle from a variety of innovative models

Tikka is able to meet the requirements of modern hunters by combining traditional gunsmith know-how with advanced technology. Choose your own Tikka rifle now!

choose.tikka.fi

 

[gbflyer]

Factory tikka stocks come up in the classifieds often. Easy to change a compact for an adult. If a tikka is in the budget.

 

[Kurts86]

hmm, interesting... but what I see on it is changeable grips but not LOP spacers to remove / add

Choose your own Tikka rifle from a variety of innovative models

Tikka is able to meet the requirements of modern hunters by combining traditional gunsmith know-how with advanced technology. Choose your own Tikka rifle now!

choose.tikka.fi

The compact stocks come with a 1” lop spacer and full sized Tikka stocks are $75 quite regularly.

 

[CoMtnMike]

The compact stocks come with a 1” lop spacer and full sized Tikka stocks are $75 quite regularly.

good to know - I havent found that on any website description, including at tikka.... I would like to be set out of the box and be able to switch LOP quickly with just a few screws if we both have a tag or a practice session at a long range that is almost a 1.5 hr drive etc - he gets his in the morning and swap in the spacer and be able to be hunting for mine after cutting and bagging his etc...

 

[Maverick1]

good to know - I havent found that on any website description, including at tikka.... I would like to be set out of the box and be able to switch LOP quickly with just a few screws if we both have a tag or a practice session at a long range that is almost a 1.5 hr drive etc - he gets his in the morning and swap in the spacer and be able to be hunting for mine after cutting and bagging his etc...

The Tikka youth/compact model would accomplish that just fine. Two screws and a screwdriver and you are all set to easily go back and forth from the youth configuration to the adult configuration.

From the youth/compact configuration: unscrew two screws, remove youth recoil pad, install 1" spacer, screw in two screws. Rifle is set up in the adult configuration.

From the adult configuration: unscrew two screws, remove 1" spacer, install youth recoil pad, screw in two screws. Rifle is set up in the youth configuration.

 

[Antares]

good to know - I havent found that on any website description, including at tikka....

Scheels



Cabela's

 

[KenLee]

Tikka compact or Savage 110 Apex Hunter.
Eurooptic for Tikka and Gunbroker for Savage. Lady friend uses a 6.5 Creedmoor in the Savage Apex with no complaints. I've carried it a few times and been told how cute I am with a pink camo rifle . It comes in black and regular camo also.

 

[BLJ]

Tikka T3x Lite Compact 6.5 Creedmoor 20" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXE382CSB

Tikka T3x Lite Compact 6.5 Creedmoor 20" 1:8" Bbl Rifle JRTXE382CSB For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

I know it’s over budget and no bladed trigger, but the compact versions are out there and available.

 

[camelcluch]

Tikka with Boyd’s At One stock.

 

[TradLife406]

I just said yolo last year and bought an Sig Cross for my kids. It's been worth it. I can shoot it then suck the butt stock in within two seconds and have my 7 year old shoot it.
Trigger is my only complaint. Not sure why they went to a two stage. And there's no aftermarket options.

One other quirk is if your mag is empty you can't single feed a round into the chamber.

But for being adjustable, arca and suppressor ready it's a slick system.

 

[DAOutfitters208]

Very pleased with the Ruger Gen 2. Very accurate rifle and my kids can handle it easily.

 

[CoMtnMike]

Very pleased with the Ruger Gen 2. Very accurate rifle and my kids can handle it easily.

good to hear, I like the feel of the Gen 2 stock and trigger although the spiral fluting is a bit much visually, wish it was just straight fluting - but does it help cool the barrel for more shots before it heats up like a standard sporter barrel? More practice and less waiting to cool is a benefit...

 

[CoMtnMike]

Tikka with Boyd’s At One stock.

the more expensive rifle AND an aftermarket stock wouldnt qualify as "budget"! But it would be cool!

 

[camelcluch]

You can find tikkas for the same price as gen 2s.

 

[WhatToHunt]

From personal experience of the Savage 110 Storm in 6.5 cm, I'd recommend for the adjustabilty. There are other similar models to the Storm too, of course. Bought it so my son could use when he was 10 and I could use too. Swap the spacers and he used it for youth season, then I used for myself swapping spacers with ease. I don't love the 90 degree bolt throw though - the bolt knob rubs on my scope cap. Aside from that, it's very accurate, the trigger weight was easy to adjust, and I can get past the less than smooth action. In three years of use he and I have 6 deer between us with it, so again, would recommend overall.

That said, I'm leaning towards getting him a Tikka for his own first rifle. But from an adjustabilty standpoint, Savage 110 was a great buy.

 

[Julius K]

Look at the mossberg.

 

[CoMtnMike]

From personal experience of the Savage 110 Storm in 6.5 cm, I'd recommend for the adjustabilty. There are other similar models to the Storm too, of course. Bought it so my son could use when he was 10 and I could use too. Swap the spacers and he used it for youth season, then I used for myself swapping spacers with ease. I don't love the 90 degree bolt throw though - the bolt knob rubs on my scope cap. Aside from that, it's very accurate, the trigger weight was easy to adjust, and I can get past the less than smooth action. In three years of use he and I have 6 deer between us with it, so again, would recommend overall.

That said, I'm leaning towards getting him a Tikka for his own first rifle. But from an adjustabilty standpoint, Savage 110 was a great buy.

the storm would be nice with stainless and adjustable LOP and comb, even the 110 Apex or Apex storm would be nice.... same with a Tikka (compact) that everyone loves... maybe I just need to keep checking for sales and rebates...