Ruger American Rimfire compact

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I'm interested in getting a bolt action 22 for a teenager. I do have a 10/22 but it's "finicky" and I want her to start off with a bolt action gun instead.

I'm interested in the RAR compact as it looks to be a similar length, weight, and length of pull as the 10/22. Bigger than a cricket or rascal, but smaller and lighter than some of the full size rifles.

Are there any other models I should consider in this price range with similar specs?

This would be for paper targets 50-75 yds and plinking steel out to 100.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[pinger]

I favor the ruger model 8358. It has a sporter weight 16" barrel. This model has the same ruger modular stock but comes with the full length buttplate. The youth buttplate can be purchased seperatly to make it compact.

I had several 10/22s and RARs with this modular stock. The 10/22 lite comes with this stock and 16" barrel. I put the compact butt on that rifle and really enjoyed the size. I also had the limited 2nd amendment edition 10/22 that came with thiis stock and 16" barrel.

The compact 10/22 has this same configuration. The 16" barrel is the way to go.

[TheFlash]

pinger is right about the Ruger model 8358 being very compact.
That was a model I also briefly looked at for my teenager, but did switch back to the RAR Compact.
Why?
The model 8358 has the rail and requires an optic to be mounted for sighting.
I want my teenager to start with iron sights and know how to use those first before going to any optics, hence my sticking with the RAR Compact.

Both models are good choices and it just depends on your preference and use...

[RandyD]

I have a Crickett rifle that my daughter used to learn on, for sale. I highly recommend this rifle as a trainer for a beginning shooter. Its a bolt action, single shot, and has to be manually cocked after loading. It has an internal lock on the gun, where the bolt can be locked open or closed. It is accurate, I can hit a quarter at 25 yards with it. The factory iron sights are not very good, so I bought the scope rail and rings and put a cheap $150 Leupold 2.5 power scope on it and that brought out the accuracy of the rifle.

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Thanks for the replies everyone, gave me some more to think about