RE: Deer Gun for 8 year old
I would check out the ruger m77 compact,these guns are short and light and available in 243 a good deer caliber,I have one in 223 that I use for coyote hunting and it's great,it's lighter than my daughters rem. model 700 SPS youth which would be another good choice in 243.These are the only ones I've had experience with that would be small enough for a youth hunter.I'm sure there are many others I looked at a model 7 youth one time and it's pretty short also.My next walk around rifle will be a ruger compact in 260rem or 308win I am very impressed with my 223's capability's they weight scope and all just over 7lbs which would be great for someone of small stature.good luck.