New rifle - Shifting gears....

[Panhandler80]

Great thread from a week or so ago here... https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...rtridge-suppressor-brake.448272/#post-4665104

Going to just stick with what I have. Ordered a chronograph that showed up yesterday. Will get actual muzzle velocities on the 270WSM and 300WM with the ammo they like the best, and then have to free CDS made that I've never used.

INSTEAD... I may buy something for my son who is about to turn 7. He did great with the his little .22 a couple weeks ago. Be great to put him on his first whitetail this coming year if we could get some practice in before then.

Suggestions on cartridge and make / model of rifle? Obviously the lower the recoil the better. I'm thinking 50 yards or less. I have an ancient 257 Roberts that cycles smoothly. Have never shot it, and have a gunsmith I'd trust to go through it. Thinking maybe a bit much for a 7 year old though? Would like to fix that gun up regardless, though. Maybe join the subsonic 300 rage?

 

[Tanner]

I was in a similar situation with my 6 year old, wanting to shoot further than his .17 would allow. I grabbed a Gen 1 RAR 5.56 from a friend, put a SWFA UL on it, and will cut the stock down to about 10.5-11” for him. With suppressed 55s I think it’ll be more than gentle enough, but for sub 100 yards you may consider a similar setup with subsonic ammo? Could be a nice little whitetail killing setup.

 

[Panhandler80]

I was in a similar situation with my 6 year old, wanting to shoot further than his .17 would allow. I grabbed a Gen 1 RAR 5.56 from a friend, put a SWFA UL on it, and will cut the stock down to about 10.5-11” for him. With suppressed 55s I think it’ll be more than gentle enough, but for sub 100 yards you may consider a similar setup with subsonic ammo? Could be a nice little whitetail killing setup.

I had not thought about the size of the gun. The physical size. That would rule out the 257. I would not want to modify it.

 

[Tanner]

I had not thought about the size of the gun. The physical size. That would rule out the 257. I would not want to modify it.

That portion of the equation took some real world feedback for me too. I had a heavy LPVO on his .17 and the rifle wanted to tip over every time he laid down prone, and going to a lighter scope helped a lot. So I set the .223 up as light and handy as possible for him, it comes in about 7lbs 5oz with the suppressor and a full mag, and will be even lighter with the stock cut. Makes a big difference to be able to handle the rifle.

 

[JMundy84]

Cva scout XP. SB in .223 looks like it could be a good option that's ready to go for little ones with no modifications. I started mine out with a wood stocked R700 223 that I chopped the stock down on. Now they're both shooting 243 in factory compact stocks.

 

[eric1115]

Zero question, I would get a suppressed .223 Tikka compact.

Thread 'Kids rifle manifesto' https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/kids-rifle-manifesto.348812/

There is a lot of great information from a bunch of different people in this thread, I would recommend reading it.

 

[Panhandler80]

Zero question, I would get a suppressed .223 Tikka compact.

Thread 'Kids rifle manifesto' https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/kids-rifle-manifesto.348812/

There is a lot of great information from a bunch of different people in this thread, I would recommend reading it.

Hmmm.... Interesting. Rifle looks like it might be a bit long, even though dubbed "compact," but maybe not...

In the pictures above (two weeks ago) that's a single shot .22LR Cricket. Quick internet search says that's 11.5" of pull. The Tikka .223 says 12.5" of pull. I bet he can handle another inch. Overall length is 48" vs 30.5" though. Guess it wouldn't be a huge deal... we'd be tree stand hunting every time for now. I'll carry rifle and set it up for him, so I guess overall length isn't a huge deal.

EDIT: Just read another another article that says OAL of 40". That's a lot less than 48". Can't access firearm site from work computer. Guess I need to get on phone and check out Tikka's website for actual measurements.

EDIT 2: Just called Beretta (I guess they do the domestic distribution) and they it's the Compact Lite (Part number JRTXEC31220MT) and the rifle has a 12.5" pull length, 40.2" overall length, and comes in at 6.2 pounds. SO... only an additional inch of pull, and only about 10" more overall length.

EDIT 3: Then I go here and yet again get different specs... frustrating. https://tikka-rifles.com/tikka-t3x-...lt-action-rifle-223-remington-20in-41-rounds/

EDIT 4: And this says 39”. https://www.eurooptic.com/jrtxe312c...3M9HDAQqcXDP2rDwXDIxeEZ9IS_WN43ZziRGpFCspXVmC

EDIT 5: Back to 48" here. WTF. https://governorsgunclub.com/produc...d-steel-receiver-fixed-black-synthetic-stock/

EDIT 6: This the same as the “compact?”

https://www.cabelas.com/p/tikka-t3x-lite-stainless-steel-bolt-action-rifle-with-threaded-barrel

 

[BLJ]

I have a Tikka 223 compact I will measure with and without the spacer when I get home.

Then you’ll definitely know the correct measurements for at least one.

 

[Panhandler80]

I have a Tikka 223 compact I will measure with and without the spacer when I get home.

Then you’ll definitely know the correct measurements for at least one.

Awesome. Thanks. I just left a local gun shop. They have two of these showing up on Monday. I just paid for one. He said they will absolutely sell the other one tomorrow and would’ve sold both of them.

Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen-K 6.5MM - Silencer Shop

Otter Creek Labs Hydrogen-K 6.5mm

www.silencershop.com

He can also get me the 223 compact

 

[Tmac]

These work great for small kids. Basically an AR style adjustable butt stock. I found one for an old Howa 1500 in .223, it stacked a pile of deer and antelope with 62 gr. Fusions.

Vista Outdoor Media - Tagged News Releases

 

[Kyguy]

Get a longer bodied scope with good eye relief and that'll help as well. I don't think there are any factory centerfire rifle traditional style stocks that are shorter than 12.5". I've got a friend that's rather short and shoots 11 7/8" LOP and he has to cut everything.

 

[Panhandler80]

Suppressor actually came in today. About to go pick it up. It's the Otter Creek Hydrogen K-6.5. Kinda excited!

 

[Panhandler80]

Zero question, I would get a suppressed .223 Tikka compact.

Thread 'Kids rifle manifesto' https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/kids-rifle-manifesto.348812/

There is a lot of great information from a bunch of different people in this thread, I would recommend reading it.

Having a hard time buying into the 223 route, but going to give it a try. I definitely want him to enjoy it and be accurate. Between the initial low recoil and the suppressor, this ought to be a real pleasure to shoot. With the addition of the suppressor, I was kind of considering the 243. Gun shop owner said he’s personally killed piles of deer with a 223 though. That was his recommendation after thinking about it for a little while seeing pictures of my Kid discussion about experience to date, etc..

 

[Kyguy]

.223 with heavy bullets all day long, just like others are saying. Let's be honest.... the .223/5.56 has been killing 200lb men with aplomb for decades, as much as people try to denigrate it. Use a good bullet and run with it.

 

[HuntHarder]

Having a hard time buying into the 223 route, but going to give it a try. I definitely want him to enjoy it and be accurate. Between the initial low recoil and the suppressor, this ought to be a real pleasure to shoot. With the addition of the suppressor, I was kind of considering the 243. Gun shop owner said he’s personally killed piles of deer with a 223 though. That was his recommendation after thinking about it for a little while seeing pictures of my Kid discussion about experience to date, etc..

I put together a Tikka .223 for my 7 y.o. boy. He shoots it really well and I have no doubt it will be enough gun for deer sized game. Bulk, ammo is shooting 1.2- 2 moa at a 100. I put a trijicon huron on it. I regret that purchase, that scope's image is trash imo. I will likely swap it out here shortly. Ammo is cheap and plentiful. Having the suppressor on it makes it enjoyable for him to shoot. He's kind of spoiled in that, he hates shooting any gun without a suppressor now. I'm going to try and grab a Nano for it this weekend

 

[Tmac]

A 223 with a decent bullet is plenty for deer. We’ve had good results with 77 gr TMK’s and 62 gr Fusions. But if you are not onboard with a 223, consider the 6mm ARC.

The 6mm ARC suppressed has little recoil and throws a heavier bullet than the 223 or 243. Might be a good one to consider. Howa mini barreled action and a MDT LSS chassis takes an adjustable AR butt stock. Works well for small shooters. Can also just get it with the plastic stock and cut it down to fit the child and then get a nice stocky’s when he grows a bit.

 

[JMundy84]

Tikka compact stock with a limbsaver recoil pad on it

22" barrel in the same stock they don't make compact lefty rifles so I modified a standard compact stock to left and dropped this rifle into it.
8# even by my bathroom scale with a credo 3-9x40 mtn tactical cheek riser and butler creek sling on it.

 

[Panhandler80]

Just did all the paperwork. He said early next week should be able to Pick up suppressor. That was easy!

 

[Panhandler80]

View attachment 1056845
Tikka compact stock with a limbsaver recoil pad on it
View attachment 1056846
22" barrel in the same stock they don't make compact lefty rifles so I modified a standard compact stock to left and dropped this rifle into it.
8# even by my bathroom scale with a credo 3-9x40 mtn tactical cheek riser and butler creek sling on it.

So you’re a little over 41 inches with a 22 inch barrel? The rifle I’m looking at has a 20 inch barrel. So I’d be. Too inches shorter than that!!.

 

[JMundy84]

So you’re a little over 41 inches with a 22 inch barrel? The rifle I’m looking at has a 20 inch barrel. So I’d be. Too inches shorter than that!!.

Yeah and the limbsaver pad adds a little over the factory one.