Rifle for 6 year old nephew?

[ReddingArcher]

Hey everyone, I am looking at getting my 6 year old nephew into shooting right now and hopefully hunting in the next couple of years. His dad bought him a .22 a couple years ago that he has shot some but he doesn't see his dad much right now so I want to do what I can to get him into shooting. I'm looking at something easy and cheap to shoot, .223 or 22-250 in a savage or ruger. What does everyone think? Anything else I should take a look at? I figure worst case scenario he doesn't like shooting and I have a cheap little coyote rifle.

 

[Elkfitness]

I bought a ruger American in 223 for my 7 yr old. Also have a 22 I used as a kid and he likes it too.

 

[Cant hit em]

You cant beat a 10/22 to start em up

 

[mtswampfox]

Am shooting a 6 mm tcu on a contender frame. No recoil but slings a 70-80 gr bullet just under 3000 fps which is deer medicine here in ga.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I went and looked around a few of the gun stores in town and got to talking to one of my buddies in the sporting goods stores and he showed me the 17 short mag and also just a regular 17. I can get either for 300 bucks. Anyone have any experience with these? I was originally thinking the 223 so he could maybe shoot one of the little blacktail around here with it but if he does decide he wants to hunt I'll probably have him use my 7-08 instead of the 223. The 17 seems like a good way to break him into shooting.

 

[elkguide]

The 7 - 08 is a great deer rifle and a great kids/woman's rifle. (not bad for us guys either!)
I have always been a .22 fan for teaching kids to shoot.
I know that ammo is harder to find now but because of the zero recoil, I find it to be the best of the best for a youngster to start with.

 

[Marshmstr]

Started my son with be BB gun, then .22...now he is deer hunting with a 300 blackout...had him start off shooting subsonic, and switched to hot load while hunting.....

 

[Jimbob]

Started my boy with a bb gun, then added a savage rascal .22 and now he just started shooting a Tikka compact in .308. He loves all of the guns but the sense of pride all over his face from shooting the tikka is priceless. I loaded up some reduced load .308 125 grain bullets and the recoil is no problem. First time at the range he sat in the snow and shot off shooting sticks and rang the 8" steel all three shots from 100 yds.

We hunt moose/deer/bear so I wanted a rifle that he could use now but would still be practical when he starts hunting big game. I just don't have the funds for multiple rifles so wanted to get a do all rifle and the .308 fits the bill.

My boy is 8 yrs old now.

 

[ST52v]

The new Howa mini action in 6.5 Grendel would be worth a look.

 

[6mm Remington]

A .22 is a must have and a 223 Remington or 22-250 would be a great starter for him. When he's ready to shoot the centerfire rounds put both soft plugs in his ears and earmuffs over the top. It helps keep them from becoming afraid of shooting a rifle, especially when they are younger and for some reason if it's not really loud, the kick doesn't seem that bad either.

 

[ReddingArcher]

A .22 is a must have and a 223 Remington or 22-250 would be a great starter for him. When he's ready to shoot the centerfire rounds put both soft plugs in his ears and earmuffs over the top. It helps keep them from becoming afraid of shooting a rifle, especially when they are younger and for some reason if it's not really loud, the kick doesn't seem that bad either.

The double ear protection is a good idea 6mm I'll definitely do that with him. So do you guys think the 17 wsm would be a good route to go? I am seriously considering it simply for the fact that I see ammo for it all over and 22 ammo is non existent here and then in another year or so bump him up to a 223 or 22-250.

 

[elkguide]

Personally I would go to the .22-250/.223 now if that is where you are going. They are more versatile rounds than the .17. It frustrates me too that .22 ammo is so hard to come by/expensive right now But I would go the BB - .22 - light loaded 7-08 route if it were my choice.
(what I did with my boys and girls and am now doing with my Grandchildren.)

 

[hodgeman]

I love the Ruger American Compact for a starter gun.

I think the .223 is far more practical than the .17s and while I love the 7-08 for a lot of reasons. It's still has enough recoil to thump a 6 year old straight to Flinchville. My son started shooting the 7-08 at 11 and he's taken several caribou over the last couple of years.

 

[1hoda]

I bought my son the CZ Model 527 Carbine in .223 when he was ready to move past the .22 rimfire. We looked hard at the Ruger and I'll admit I wasn't sold on the idea of a former FSU made rifle that the gunstore was pushing, but it was indeed the right great choice. It's a tackdriver of a rifle, built just for a smaller shooter, low recoil obviously, and cheap to shoot. It has a 3 position safety and set trigger, both were helpful with a developing shooter. It was a great way to develop confidence and ability. When it came time to hunt he took a few deer with it.

 

[ReddingArcher]

Thanks everyone! I think I'll go with a .223 most likely in a Ruger. I can reload for him and figure it'll be cheaper in the long run. I'll probably have him shooting it out of a lead sled to begin with so he shouldn't feel much recoil. I'll also have him with double ear protection. I'll post up some pictures of the gun and him when I get it all set up.

 

[T43]

Just since it seems to get overlooked with the 6/6.5 mm craze that's been going on. Don't forget about the 243. More versatile than the 22-250 more capable than the 223 and less recoil than a 7mm08. They're easy to find ammo for and every gun mfg has one.

 

[1hoda]

The .243 was our next step after my son had shot the .223 for a few years. Was a smooth, easy transition. I think going from a .22 rimfire to .243 would have been too big of a step for the young shooters at my house. I'd rather not make the mistake of having them flinch and then having to back down and correct it. Plus, it's supposed to be fun and if they are afraid of the gun, it might not be as much fun. That's been the right approach for us anyway.

 

[Mr Drysdale]

We started all three grandsons with a single shot 223 and stepped each one up to a Model Seven in 260 caliber. The two older boys shoot theirs well. The seven year old had rather shoot the 223 so we let him. The ear muffs or plugs are a must!!!

 

[bcimport]

Savage rascal has been good for my kids. Great trigger, very accurate and so small sometimes I take it along on day hunts for a Grouse getter.

 

[ReddingArcher]

Thanks everyone, I'm gonna try and get into sportsmans tomorrow and pick up a 223 for him. I'll think he'll do good with it in a leadsled.