Help me pick a rifle for my kids

[PredatorSlayer]

I would get them a ruger american in 6.5 creedmoor and add a Boyds at One stock.

 

[Bomberodevil]

I got a CA Mesa in 6.5 CM for the grandkids, and I think it’s a great cartridge for youth hunters. Of your rifle models, I’d go with the Tikka Compact, and they can grow with it. That would be a very reliable system for your kids. That‘s the rifle I would have gotten if I hadn’t stumbled upon the Mesa on sale.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

Started my youngster off with the Tikka compact/light in 243. When an elk tag came up I made the mistake of getting a 7mm-08 Micro Midas, and should have just gone straight to 308. 7-08 was too easy/light.

I did pay a lot of attention to scope and accessory weights though. No sense in carrying around too much weight. Kid even asked to ditch the sling.

 

[hunt1up]

Well things are ordered.

Tikka Compact in .308
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40
DNZ medium one piece rings/base

And I found a few boxes of HSM reduced recoil loads. We’ll see how it’ll likes those.

 

[hunt1up]

Ready to go. I ended up putting a VX3HD on it instead of the Freedom.

I’ve got plenty of ammo to try:

-HSM Reduced Recoil 150 Sierras
-Nosler Trophy Grade Accubond 150s
-Federal Premium Partition 150s
-Hornady Custom Lite 125 SSTs(pending)

My plan is to get the kids shooting low recoil on the bench to get used to the gun. I should be able to sneak up to the 150s by time they’re hunting with it.

Despite having my full size rifles I really enjoy toting around a compact. Shouldering a short gun has never felt odd to me. I used a compact 20 gauge for turkey this year and it’s so pleasant. I can see some scenarios where I might tote this one around too.

 

[wyosam]

T3x compact in 7-08. You can pick up a full-size stock for cheap when they’re ready, and it will last them forever. Fantastic rifles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Stinky Coyote]

ruger American ranch in 6.5 grendel, Mdt Lss xl-gen2 chassis, magpul ctr buttstock is what I did for the kids, they are 14/15 now but started at 12 when legal, they are batting 1000 on 4 deer and 1 bear so far, they have some misses on coyotes though but don't we all, they shoot it great and kills out to 355 yards for them, rifle about 8 1/4 lbs all up making recoil energy about 6.5 ft/lbs (about same as a .22-250, middle of a .243 and .223 but in all reality the heavier 123 gr bullets push makes it feel more .243 to me), they can stay in scope and spot hits etc. great set up

 

[sndmn11]

@hunt1up do you reload?

 

[hunt1up]

@hunt1up do you reload?

I don’t. I don’t have any intention of starting to be honest. My plan was to start them out with the light shooting factory loads and work up from there.

 

[sndmn11]

I don’t. I don’t have any intention of starting to be honest. My plan was to start them out with the light shooting factory loads and work up from there.

If you did, I was going to suggest a light bullet like a 130ttsx or 124gr hammer.

 

[hunt1up]

If you did, I was going to suggest a light bullet like a 130ttsx or 124gr hammer.

I know some guys that do that I could probably whip me up some. I was going to start with the Hornady Lites with the 125 SSTs.

 

[XLR]

It is super important to have a rifle that fits them! We have all heard the term "they will grow into the rifle" which is unnecessary. Our chassis with a TR-2 buttstock has an adjustable LOP from 12-15 inches with the standard buffer tube. This is the best way to go for the little ones because it allows the rifle to grow with them! This will make them more comfortable behind the rifle and break better shots than if they have to stretch to get a proper sight picture. You can pick up a Tikka for $600-700 if you search around. The chassis will be $670 if you go with the mentioned configuration. You now have a lightweight rifle that will fit anyone in the family!

 

[RS_Non-Res]

+1 LOP fit - my kid has loved the collapsible stock on the mouse gun since he was 4?

 

[hunt1up]

It is super important to have a rifle that fits them! We have all heard the term "they will grow into the rifle" which is unnecessary. Our chassis with a TR-2 buttstock has an adjustable LOP from 12-15 inches with the standard buffer tube. This is the best way to go for the little ones because it allows the rifle to grow with them! This will make them more comfortable behind the rifle and break better shots than if they have to stretch to get a proper sight picture. You can pick up a Tikka for $600-700 if you search around. The chassis will be $670 if you go with the mentioned configuration. You now have a lightweight rifle that will fit anyone in the family!

Thanks. I will certainly look into that for the Tikka.

 

[swavescatter]

I've got an XLR chassis on order, but if you want something near term I'd go with a Sig Cross in 6.5CM. I'm hoping that XLR delivers my chassis in August and I ordered it in January...

Infinite adjustability and barrel upgrades can be done as needed.

 

[Imabballer]

Hard to go wrong with a tikka. I’ve never had one that didn’t shoot.

Although for the price the Ruger American is one heck of a rifle. My youngest daughter has killed several whitetail with an American in .300blk.

 

[A-Brakke]

I loved my Howa 1500 in 308. Very mild kick, tons of ammo available, and shot 1/2”-3/4” groups at 100 all day long with Barnes TTSX. Also nice cause the actions are the same as the weatherbys so you get the quality at a much lesser price. I do believe a different bolt though. Either way it was an awesome dependable rifle that didn’t break bank.

Don’t think you could ever put down the Ruger American either tremendous little rifle for the price.

 

[A-Brakke]

I loved my Howa 1500 in 308. Very mild kick, tons of ammo available, and shot 1/2”-3/4” groups at 100 all day long with Barnes TTSX. Also nice cause the actions are the same as the weatherbys so you get the quality at a much lesser price. I do believe a different bolt though. Either way it was an awesome dependable rifle that didn’t break bank.

Don’t think you could ever put down the Ruger American either tremendous little rifle for the price.

My bad, looks like your kids already got a badass set up. Hope they have fun!

 

[Kernalbragg]

I got a CA Mesa in 6.5 CM for the grandkids, and I think it’s a great cartridge for youth hunters. Of your rifle models, I’d go with the Tikka Compact, and they can grow with it. That would be a very reliable system for your kids. That‘s the rifle I would have gotten if I hadn’t stumbled upon the Mesa on sale.

My son loves shooting his moms 7mm-08.