Recomendations for youth deer rifle

Tuckbass

Tuckbass

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My family and I are moving back to TN this summer and I'm wanting to begin teaching my oldest daughter gun safety and how to shoot.
She is 6 years old, and needs something on the smaller side. She enjoys shooting our .22 but its not made for someone her size. She has trouble with the long stock and the overall weight.

My questions are this.
Any recommendations for a .22 rifle for a youth. (target practice and small game hunting)
Any recommendations for a .243 rifle for a youth.

Lastly, where are some places to look for these rifles?

I have no problems buying used if I find one, but I want to make sure I stay above board with the purchase. (I'm not sure what the regulations are in TN anymore, re:gun purchase requirements)

Thanks,
Mike
 
The Ruger 10-22 is a nice compact little rifle. I like the newer take-down version too. My daughter (10 now) has been shooting them for a few years with no problems. Good luck, and welcome back to Tennessee!
 
I have a Henry youth model lever action 22 (not the brass receiver Golden Boy model) sitting in the gun safe for when my girl gets big enough (she's 3 now). It is bigger than a Cricket but significantly smaller than a full size 22 rifle, and is a very nicely made and accurate gun.
 
the CZ 452 Scout is very good for young/small shooters,,an AR15 with M4 stock is good for kids starting deer hunting,,zero recoil and you can adjust to fit,,
 
I would look at the youth model TC venture 7mm08. IMO they feel better than the Savage Axis and will hold their value a lot better. That being said the Axis is a great rifle so don't think i don't think that.
 
10-22 is a great gun but imo I think a small single shot would be safer than a semi. One shot then you have to reload it. With a semi after a kid shoots they may swing the gun around to ask a question and it would be loaded! For big game I like starting kids out with .22 centerfire guns loud but low recoil, I think this helps a kid to move into the larger cal. rifles better and hopefully by the time deer season they will be shooting the larger cal. gun.
 
300 blackout is perfect for a kid. My 50lb 6 y/o little girl can shoot it without flinching. Not only is it quieter than a 243, it has a LOT less muzzle blast.

Oh, and if you shoot a deer with it... I think you will be much happier with the performance of the round on deer than a 243. At least I have been.

Get a used stock for $10-$20 and chop it off to around 10"LOP and slip on a recoil pad... just perfect for little kids with short arms.
 
Thanks, everyone for your advice. It sounds like we are going to just look around at the pawn shops, gun shows, and classifieds when we get there back there in a couple of weeks. It looks like we are gonna start with a single shot .22. When she's ready to move up from there we will probably stay with the break action single shot rifles as well. I'm sure deer hunting has changed A LOT in the 20 years I've been gone, but I cant wait to get back out in the Tennessee woods.

You've all been so very helpful and I look forward to meeting some of you down the road.
Mike
 
If you can find one, get a Ruger Compact M77 in 260 REM. Best TN whitetail round for anyone from 6 to 106.

They don't make them anymore so look for used.
 
Henry mini bolt 22. H&R Youth 7mm-08. Remove the recoil pad and cut 1 inch off the stock. Re attach the recoil pad. Reduced loads. That's how my daughter started out at 6.
 
If you can afford it, for around $300, you can pick up a Ruger 10/22. Best 22 ever made, in my opinion, and it is super lightweight. Not only is it a good first gun (bought it for my son on his 8th b-day), but it has tons of upgradable accessories. So lets say your kids don't like it, or they love it, later on you can make this thing an even lighter and more accurate tack driver. To me, this is the kind of gun you buy once, and your kids keep it and shoot it forever.
 

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