Deer Rifle for 12 year old

[JeremySS]

What kind of money are you looking to spend? Can you hunt with 5.56 there? If so, why not an AR as it has an adjustable stock and could grow with him (physically and technically) as he gets older.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Jeremy, I don't know. Price didn't really factor into it, but I'm not getting him a Heym. More concerned with an optimal choice than a price point. However, I'm still not getting him a Heym.

I believe you can hunt (deer) with a .223 there (when I was young it was .23 or bigger, but now the regs just say centerfire), but the deer there are big like here. Not certain if .223 is an optimal choice.

If so, why not an AR as it has an adjustable stock and could grow with him (physically and technically) as he gets older

Self-loaders are a no-no in Pennsylvania (unless you have lost an arm and my nephew has both).

You could convert your AR to a single shot and be legal in PA but his father and I prefer the bolt-action weapon.

 

[JeremySS]

Jeremy, I don't know. Price didn't really factor into it, but I'm not getting him a Heym. More concerned with an optimal choice than a price point. However, I'm still not getting him a Heym.

I believe you can hunt (deer) with a .223 there (when I was young it was .23 or bigger, but now the regs just say centerfire), but the deer there are big like here. Not certain if .223 is an optimal choice.



Self-loaders are a no-no in Pennsylvania (unless you have lost an arm and my nephew has both).

You could convert your AR to a single shot and be legal in PA but his father and I prefer the bolt-action weapon.

Then I would suggest a Ruger M77 or Remington 700 in .243 Win. The recoil will be manageable and the round will be potent for dear. It is a very good caliber that does not get enough attention. Also, Remington make a "youth" model Centerfire Rifle - Model 700 SPS - Remington Centerfire Rifles

 

[Mrmonte]

I shot a few deer with the .243 in PA as a kid also. Its a fine choice. Have you looked at the Remington Model 7 yet? Its a little smaller and lighter than the Model 700 and might fit a 12 year old better.

 

[djl02]

Get him a heavy barreled New England Arms single shot with a scope. hit a coke can at 100 yards consistently with them. Priced right as well.Muzzleloaders are also a good choice. thats all I use during gun season.

 

[PaPa 260]

Your first choice of the CZ was a very good one. Chambered in 7.62 X 39 it is a decent deer killer out to 150 yards. My gun smith built one for a friend of mine's wife. She uses it every year in KY for deer with good success. She is small of build and the rifle fits her perfectly. It is easily sub 1 MOA at 100 yards.

PaPa 260

 

[Expat]

Sako SAKJRS1B17 25-06 SAKO 85 STAINLESS SYN JRS1B17 Sako, 85 Hunter, Bolt Action, 25-06 Rem, Stainless Steel, Standard, No Sights, Walnut, 7-1/4 lbs., OAL 42-3/4, Twist 1:10, Mag Capacity 6 East Coast Gun Sales
Sako SAKJRS1A15 243 WIN SAKO 85 HUNTER JRS1A15 Sako, 85 Hunter, Bolt Action, 243 Win, Blued, Standard, No Sights, Walnut, 7 lbs., OAL 42 5/16", Twist 1:10, Mag Capacity 6 East Coast Gun Sales

Kirk, a couple of really nice Sakos in either .243 or 25-06.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Sako is very nice and my brother owns a TRG42.

What is the length of pull on those Sakos?

 

[tem375]

I have a very nice rem 700 in 6mm, it was my first firearm, my grandfather got it for me when I was 8. I love it, and it have always shot well, unfourtunately we never got to go on an out of state hunting trip together and it has never taken a deer. All around great caliber for hunting deer, however .243 and is balistically similar(??) and is easier to come by in the stores(in this area at least) so I would probably be leaning that way.

 

[rhart]

I agree that I have yet to see a .410 that was very accurate.
I have never heard the law about a front and rear sight for a shotgun to hunt deer. Guess I need to brush up on my laws, although that would be a good one actually.
Paperboy has a good suggestion, the Handirifle in a .357 (or a 44 mag that you could shoot 44 special in as well). Not the best heirloom gun though. A 357 or 44 nice winchester lever gun woulf be a good heirloom gun. Then again, the blackpowder gun would teach disapline to make the first shot count. Encore would be one to consider as well making it a very versatile gun.
Good luck

 

[Expat]

Looks like 14 inches. This page has a link to a owners manual for one of the models.

SAKO 85 Finnlight

 

[MinuteMan47]

I saw a nice Rossi Puma .454 in the classifieds...

 

[win87]

Get a winchester model 92 in 38/40 or 44/40. The gun is a good shooter and will gain in value as time goes on.

 

[Joe Williams]

Savage makes a really nice combo in .243, complete with scope and their Accutrigger, for a decent price. In our store, they are about $600. Liable to be able to find them a little cheaper with some shopping.

The scope is adequate, the rifles are very accurate, and I cannot sing the praises of the Accutrigger highly enough. Just another option to consider.

 

[sp3worker]

Savage makes a really nice combo in .243, complete with scope and their Accutrigger, for a decent price. In our store, they are about $600. Liable to be able to find them a little cheaper with some shopping.

The scope is adequate, the rifles are very accurate, and I cannot sing the praises of the Accutrigger highly enough. Just another option to consider.

+1

Best rifle for the money. I've had really good experience with Savage rifles, my .223 is a sub-moa gun with factory ammo. My buddies have a 25/06 and .270, both are excellent shooters. I'd look into a .243 or 7mm/08 for a kid.

 

[downzero]

I was thinking that a 7mm-08 would be an even stronger choice than .243 or 6mm Rem. 7mm bullets have really high BCs, fly like a laser, and the 7-08 has low recoil and you can make the brass from .308.

 

[dross]

Single-shot handi rifle in 7mm 08. Inexpensive, low recoil, more forgiving of less than perfect placement than the 243, and the single shot teaches him to make the first shot count.

Every boy's first rifle should be a single shot.

Here's a link to one with a scope:

YOUTH H&R HANDY RIFLE COMBO

 

[Barry Vance]

My nephew shoots the 243 and loves it. He has taken 2 bucks with it. Good round for the kids.

 

[Igotgills2]

My 2 cents-- .357 carbine. I bought a .44 ruger last year and have no intentions of changing. Reloading to maximize for the rifle vs. pistol is recommended.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Why the intentionally handicap of a pistol cartridge?

Since he can use a rifle cartridge, why not do so?