Best youth deer rifle

[MarkA]

I like the way you think. Most of the new hunters I take out are teenage girls. I have 4 daughters. Slight frame. Before we go hunting I take them out and tie balloons about 6" diameter to sage brush and we pop them from 50 to 150 yards. They have a ball & I get to watch them and help correct any problems. Some don't even notice the recoil. The ones that do we try a shoulder pad and that seems to work.

The Ammo is something I have had to play with. The 243 likes Remington 100gr corlock "sp". Sub moa at 100 yrds. Some of the others can be over 1 1/2'

Same here with the girls, females are great shooters! I use gallon jugs with water and they get in to watching the explosive water sprays!

 

[skippertwo]

There was no mention of budget.
DPMS lightweight hunter in 243.
low recoil and 308 upper could be added as they grow.
I am a big bolt action fan but it seems that all the young'uns want black rifles.
just an opinion.

 

[Shortywy]

You know if your budget will let you the DPMS Ar even the 308 recoil would be really low.

 

[bigtuna431]

Remington Model 7 in 243...

 

[greenejc]

Most stores that sell ammo have Remington and Winchester, and maybe Federal in the popular (for that area) calibers. You can test different brands at the range, and 1 1/2 inch at 100 yards will let a 12 year old hit a deer out to 250 yards depending on the caliber used. A 243 is a good starter rifle and can be used for other things, such as varmints. A 30-30 is just fun. I think a .308 would be a bit much for a 12 year old unless he's big for his age. A Ruger American with the adjustable stock could grow with him, and it would be easy to re-barrel to .308 or any other short action non-magnum. Just a thought.