I am looking for a good youth model gun to buy for my 12 year old girl for deer hunting. I would pefer a model that is single shot. Any sugestion would be greatly appreciatted.

I'm also looking for my thirteen year old daughter. Here in Michigan they can't hunt deer until they are fourteen so next year I hope to get her something like a 30-30 or maybe a single shot .44 mag rifle I saw that was cheaply priced.

I would suggest a .243 caliber rifle, they are typically shortened versions of the larger caliber rifles so they are easier to aim for youngsters and ladies with shorter arms and the recoil is insignificant but the ability to take down deer is definitely proven. Try looking for that caliber in Remington or Savage. The other round I would look at is the 30/30 but it can have some well defined recoil depending on the round.

Chris

I would take a look at the New England Firearms single shot rifle. Yoy can get a .243 in a youth model and when it gets too small you can get a new stock for it. For the money (less than $200) you can't beat them. Any other single shot like Ruger, Marlin, Thompson Center will set you back more than a few bills. Heck you can't get a TC barrel by itself for less than $250.

Edited by - bigbulls on 11/28/2002 03:37:23

I agree with bigbulls about the handi rifles. the're inexpensive rifles but are real shooters. Also when your daughters get bigger, you can send the reciever back to NEF and get different callibers that will shoot,almost like the T/C encore but alot cheaper.
Deano

Savage youth package rifles. THey are a good setup out of the box, and priced under $380 most all the time, on sale you can find them for around $320. The nifty thing, you can buy a full sized stock as your kid grows.

NEF or a savage in their youth stocks will worl wonderfully for any young shooter or hunter

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

The handy rifles are great for young hunters. I know many kids who started with either the .243 or .30-30 handy rifles and killed many deer. And the great thing is they are cheap and later on when your daughter gets older and can handle more recoil, 75 bucks and you have a new barrel in a larger caliber.

Here in Ohio we can only use shotguns for deer(bow,muzzleloader as well).I purchased a New England Firearms 20 ga. for my 10 year old son.After trying Federal slugs an Remington Sluggers with no luck,we tried Winchester Super-X Hollow point slugs and I'll tell ya that little gun is very acurate up to 60 yds its right on the money.For around $100 it came with a sling even.
I think its best for young kids to learn to sit still and be quiet and learn patience.So a close range shotgun(i feel)is a beter choice than a rifle.
Happy Hunting
mike

Bad day in the woods beats a good day at the shop!