Youth rifle stock ideas (edited)

[Prestjd]

One of my kiddos has a 6ARC in a Howa Mini. He’s got hits out to 589 yards and wants to get out to 1k this summer. (Shooting 108 ELD-Ms).

With a collapsible AR buttock, it’s easy to adjust the LOP to his preference as he grows.

Is that the factory stock/chasis? How heavy is it? That does look appealing

 

[Skerhunter]

I started my daughter out at 12” LOP at 6-8, this year we finally had to lengthen it some (she is tall). I would get sub 12.5” if you can and then a spacer/bigger pad will get him through the up coming years. I went the easy route with a ruger precision .17hmr and xlr chassis for 22 creed.

Being able to handle the weight of the gun (7-8lbs) is the only thing holding her back from deer hunting now.

 

[eric1115]

Is that the factory stock/chasis? How heavy is it? That does look appealing

The factory Howa Mini Excl-lite chassis (at least a few years ago when I was looking at them) had a very long trigger reach. I modified the factory stock grip area with epoxy putty to build up a shorter reach vertical grip (as well as cut down LOP, shorten and shave the long fat fore end, and stiffened it up with carbon arrow shafts) and now it's a pretty good stock. I've considered doing another round of modifications to chase Rokstok functionality (higher negative comb, flatter toe, even shorter trigger reach and a bit more palm swell), but I think I'd probably just get the Rokstok lite when it's available instead.

 

[Prestjd]

The factory Howa Mini Excl-lite chassis (at least a few years ago when I was looking at them) had a very long trigger reach. I modified the factory stock grip area with epoxy putty to build up a shorter reach vertical grip (as well as cut down LOP, shorten and shave the long fat fore end, and stiffened it up with carbon arrow shafts) and now it's a pretty good stock. I've considered doing another round of modifications to chase Rokstok functionality (higher negative comb, flatter toe, even shorter trigger reach and a bit more palm swell), but I think I'd probably just get the Rokstok lite when it's available instead.

I like looks the howa mini excel with collapsible butt stock. I haven't felt or seen one in person but have heard great things.
How is the weight on that rifle? I'd probably have my smith buddy cut and thread at 16".

I'm hoping to stay in the 6ish lb weight IF possible. I need to order another suppressor that is smaller, lighter than mine as well.

 

[Marty]

Is that the factory stock/chassis? How heavy is it? That does look appealing

MDT LSS-XL Gen2: https://mdttac.com/ca/lss-xl-gen2-chassis-system

In hindsight...

• I would not have purchased an odd length action (Howa Mini). If I could do it over again, I'd get a M700 clone action or tikka action. Because I'm already invested into the M700 type actions, I'd likely just stick with that from an accessories compatibility standpoint. As @Formidilosus mentioned, the bolt lift on the Howa Mini is stiff for a youth shooter to manage. Likewise, Howa Mini mags are way less common than your average 6CM/6.5CM/308WIN SA AICS length mags.
• The current LSS-XL Gen 2 Chassis; it's stiff, accepts a variety of buttstocks, and has MLOK. Any my kid thinks it "looks cool." If I had a M700 SA or Tikka, then I'd be open to a HNT 26 or RokStok with an ARCA under it. One notably problem with the chassis is the mag release. That joker is stubborn. I need to go in and trim the spring to reduce the tension.
• Cartridge Debate: Not looking to get into this too deeply but I'm content with the transition from rimfire to centerfire. The 6mm ARC checks the boxes needed but there are plenty of other informed choices out there. My kids cartridge checklist (and slowly becoming mine too lol) -Low recoil, shoot suppressed, and keep the target type fun.

Cheers!

 

[KenLee]

Guess which is which. Both deer shot inside 100 yards. 1 with a 300 win mag, 180 ttsx, 1 with a 223, 77 tmk.

Deer #1
View attachment 879379
View attachment 879381
View attachment 879378

Deer 2
View attachment 879382
View attachment 879380

Pop one with 150 gr NBT 300 wizzum and we'll see the difference. Yes I also have a 223 shooting them splatter bullets.

 

[Prestjd]

MDT LSS-XL Gen2: https://mdttac.com/ca/lss-xl-gen2-chassis-system

In hindsight...

• I would not have purchased an odd length action (Howa Mini). If I could do it over again, I'd get a M700 clone action or tikka action. Because I'm already invested into the M700 type actions, I'd likely just stick with that from an accessories compatibility standpoint. As @Formidilosus mentioned, the bolt lift on the Howa Mini is stiff for a youth shooter to manage. Likewise, Howa Mini mags are way less common than your average 6CM/6.5CM/308WIN SA AICS length mags.
• The current LSS-XL Gen 2 Chassis; it's stiff, accepts a variety of buttstocks, and has MLOK. Any my kid thinks it "looks cool." If I had a M700 SA or Tikka, then I'd be open to a HNT 26 or RokStok with an ARCA under it. One notably problem with the chassis is the mag release. That joker is stubborn. I need to go in and trim the spring to reduce the tension.
• Cartridge Debate: Not looking to get into this too deeply but I'm content with the transition from rimfire to centerfire. The 6mm ARC checks the boxes needed but there are plenty of other informed choices out there. My kids cartridge checklist (and slowly becoming mine too lol) -Low recoil, shoot suppressed, and keep the target type fun.

Cheers!

Thank you for the feedback. I was a little leary of the howa for the reasons you mentioned. I have heard a few people complain about bolt lift.
I'm pretty invested in rem 700s and tikka parts already myself.
The more bottom metals and mags I've used I'm considering my next gun build to have a bdl style for a hunting rig.
I personally think most of the 6mms that are suppressed are great. I'm probably going to put me a lightweight gun in the same caliber that I end up choosing for my son.

 

[Prestjd]

Guess which is which. Both deer shot inside 100 yards. 1 with a 300 win mag, 180 ttsx, 1 with a 223, 77 tmk.

Deer #1
View attachment 879379
View attachment 879381
View attachment 879378

Deer 2
View attachment 879382
View attachment 879380

If we are comparing unnecessary carnage for zero benefit. Here is a 30 cal 165 grain accubond traveling fast.

 

[BigNate]

I do apologize if I came off as a dick to anyone. But I just didn't want this to come off as a caliber pissing contest.

I just want to hear any gun builds revolving around light and short lop gun builds as well as youth, compact guns. I am definitely a fan of the tikka compact.

I enjoy reading, hearing others experiences and opinions. I appreciate all the feedback back

LOP and cheek weld are paramount. That and getting eye relief correct. A proper fit won't cause odd recoil transfer.

 

[eric1115]

I like looks the howa mini excel with collapsible butt stock. I haven't felt or seen one in person but have heard great things.
How is the weight on that rifle? I'd probably have my smith buddy cut and thread at 16".

I'm hoping to stay in the 6ish lb weight IF possible. I need to order another suppressor that is smaller, lighter than mine as well.

If at all possible, I'd definitely put one in your kid's hand. My then-9 year old was almost straight on his second knuckle, all the bend happened at his first knuckle (opposite of what's best). If I remember right, he had to cheat his grip forward and hold the pistol grip back at the heel of his hand to achieve even that. Total deal breaker for me. I suppose a guy could build that grip up with epoxy to shorten the trigger reach, but it didn't seem like a great solution to me .

 

[justin davis]

One of the reasons I like the XLR chassis is the adjustable stock. It’s nice being able to set up the lop for the kids

 

[KenLee]

My first centerfire rifle was a Remington 600 in 243 with an 18.5” barrel. Good intentions but that little firebreathing dragon resulted in tons of problems for me that took years to resolve. Every kid is different, but you are best off letting the kid determine what they will shoot best before you invest a bunch of money based on what you think. See if you can find some friends who have guns they might let him try out. The best thing a parent can do for their kids is to stay open minded and recognize their experience may be different from yours. When you asked my take, I gave it. It’s the centerfire rifle that taught my daughter to shoot on, and it’s what we killed deer with last fall. She’s going to college this fall and it’s still her favorite rifle.

The 600s are the devil and kick stupid hard for caliber. In my opinion, Tikas and Ruger Americans also kick hard for caliber.

 

[ElPollo]

The 600s are the devil and kick stupid hard for caliber. In my opinion, Tikas and Ruger Americans also kick hard for caliber.

Kids rifles are tough because the kids don’t have that much upper body strength yet to hold the gun steady and offset the recoil. We often try to get the something light weight and short to offset make holding it easier. But light weight and short makes for increased recoil and muzzle blast. So that caliber we think is something they can handle might not be as pleasant for them as we thought. Then we go the other direction and put the gun on a tripod which takes away most of the things they need to learn to be good with a rifle. Using a smaller caliber with good bullets and a suppressor generally fixes most of that. The rest is working with them on ensuring good shot selection and placement, but you can’t even get to that point until you figure out how to deal with the physics of gravity, recoil, and muzzleblast.

And as a parent, I can say that the other thing we often do is project our expectations onto our kids. We don’t do that because we’re assholes, we do it because we love them and are proud of them. It’s just easy to get our own cart out in front of their horse.

 

[PNWGATOR]

FWIW my post has nothing to do with a caliber.

Bullets (wind and wound channels) matter.

Delivery systems (safety, reliability) matter.

Recoil (hit rates) matters.

Effectiveness afield (shoot A LOT) matters.

Simply wanted to help and share what I’ve learned, especially for non/rare-shooters/kids, along my journey.