Hunter 257W
Well-Known Member
I know you already decided what to get but in the interest of others who may read this with the same question I have a suggestion that is the route I'm taking with my daughter. She's 13 but small for her age (4'11" 103lbs) so this is the 1st year I've felt she can really handle a rifle capable of humanely killing a deer.
I already had a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 that I knew should be a great 1st deer rifle for a kid. Not why I bought it though - I LOVE the idea that I can deer hunt with a rifle so compact and handy.
The only negative I can see for this model as a 1st rifle for a kid is that the length of pull on the buttstock is dimensioned for an adult like a "standard" rifle. What helps cover that up though is the short lightweight of the barrel and forearm. Total weight is 5 7/8lbs. That helps weaker young arms hold it way better than they ever could a full size rifle. Yet in spite of being such a fly weight, the 7.62x39 cartridge still has no significant recoil even for a 103 lb kid. Also, CZ states that the rifle is intended to shoot the cheap steel cased ammo best so you can buy 500 rounds of the Russian steel cases soft point ammo for $125 and hunt for a lifetime. Hard to beat that deal.
http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-527-carbin ... -5-rd-mag/
I already had a CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39 that I knew should be a great 1st deer rifle for a kid. Not why I bought it though - I LOVE the idea that I can deer hunt with a rifle so compact and handy.
The only negative I can see for this model as a 1st rifle for a kid is that the length of pull on the buttstock is dimensioned for an adult like a "standard" rifle. What helps cover that up though is the short lightweight of the barrel and forearm. Total weight is 5 7/8lbs. That helps weaker young arms hold it way better than they ever could a full size rifle. Yet in spite of being such a fly weight, the 7.62x39 cartridge still has no significant recoil even for a 103 lb kid. Also, CZ states that the rifle is intended to shoot the cheap steel cased ammo best so you can buy 500 rounds of the Russian steel cases soft point ammo for $125 and hunt for a lifetime. Hard to beat that deal.http://cz-usa.com/product/cz-527-carbin ... -5-rd-mag/
