Center fire for Youth

[Calif Hunter]

I have heard good things about the 7.63x39 in Ruger and CZ bolt action rifles. A friend has the Ruger that he loves and it has shot some decent groups.

[XVIga_Rob]

[NapalmCheese]

I always figured a 6.5 Grendel in a mini action would some decent weight behind it would be a good choice.

[IronsightsRifleman]

M1 Carbine.

[Calif Hunter]

The CZ 527 in either .223 or 7.62x39 is a great shooting little gun. My son at age 12 shot his first javelina with one in .223, using a 55 gr Hornady spitzer - the one with the cannelure. That older rifle has the slower twist - I think the newer ones have a faster twist that should shoot the 55 gr Barnes copper bullet. As is, it shoots 55 gr or lighter bullets into half MOA groups.

[NaClAddict]

Due to the height issue I’m looking into a cheaper savage in .243 I can chop down. Future hunter has two younger siblings so I hopefully it will get passed down. Looking for a straight stock to allow for smaller hands. Anybody with experience chopping down a stock for a kid chime in.

Also, have AR receivers and m1 carbine but think small hands make these less plausible.

[Munny$hot]

Ruger American Ranch in 5.56 or 7.62x39

[RNE228]

Have them try it to see if it fits or close to fits. You can cut it down, but get an idea if it fits them at all.

I've found straighter stocks to have more felt recoil. Like a straight stock '94 30-30. The 30-30 is really a mild cartridge. But in my experience those straight stock carbines have a lot of felt recoil for the relatively mild cartridge.

[LynnJr]

Most of the newer stocks are plastic and hollow..
When you cut it down wrap it in masking tape so you can follow a straight line.
If you chop it off enough for a short child the recoil area will now have a very small cross section. I would cut it twice so the original recoil pad and a short section of the stock can slide over the top of the new stock and you can epoxy it in place.
Dont worry about looks as the stock will need replacing if you plan on ever selling the gun.
Dont be afraid of cutting the stock very short as it will make the gun easier to shoot for a small hunter.

[FishnHunt]

I have a tikka T3 in 223 in youth stock for my boy . Only thing I don’t like is it’s 1:10 twist. Wish it was faster. But no recoil and I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot deer with in 200 yards maybe 300 with the right bullet
Also got a cz527 in 76239 which is really accurate with cheap Russian rounds a s big enough for elk with in 200 yards. Think of it as 30/30 in a bolt action.
Young shooters need lots of trigger times

[aspenvalley]

What range? Henry makes a single shot 357 mag.

My first choice would be 243 as well.

[ar15barrels]

1:10 should shoot 69gr smk great for target use or 70gr soft points for deer.

[k1dude]

.350 Legend in an AR.

[silvertriple]

I always figured a 6.5 Grendel in a mini action would some decent weight behind it would be a good choice.

+1 on this. Howa mini is a nice little rifle.

[FishnHunt]

1:10 should shoot 69gr smk great for target use or 70gr soft points for deer.