Question for you guys:

My son is 8yrs old and I am going to get him his own rifle this year to deer hunt with. He is fairly good size and been shooting 22's for years. My concern in the length of the stocks on the guns. I know there are several manufacturers that make youth guns...but honestly, I'm not totally up on all the new stuff out. I mostly bowhunt now, and haven't bought a rifle in over 10yrs.

I have had very good luck with Rem rifles, so I am partial to them. I was thinking to get him a Mountain Rifle in .260 rem. Ipersonally haveone in .280 and love it. I think the Mountain Rifleis a great all aroundgun and ever since the .260 came back out, I've really been wanting one.So my thoughts are to get him the .260 MR, and then buy a youth stock for it....for him to use for a few years. Once he's bigger, I can take that off, put back on the orig stock...and he's got a gun that will last a lifetime, and probably be able to handle anything he'll ever hunt.

If I do get him a MR, where can I buy a cheap youth stock to fit it? Or if theydon't make one...where can I get a cheap full size to cut it down a couple inches (or whatever he needs to fit properly)? I'm thinking of getting the LSS, because that is such a beautiful gun.

Let me know what you think. I am also open to suggestions as to other types of guns available. I just love my mountain rifle so much, that I'm really leaning towards that. I know it will cost a few hundred more to do it this way, but I don't really care about that. I don't think I amreally interested in "youth" gun, that will only be good for a few years for him.

You guys are the experts....give me some feedback, please.

Thanks!
-Mike

Sold several 243 youth model Rems. Loved them shooting wise. No fan 260 in Rem. Few ammo choices to start with and I have had problems with getting to shoot good. The guns are great, cartridge capable, never meshed well in early combinations, don't know about now.

I got my son a NEF handi youth 243 when he was 8. Im not a huge fan of single shots,but it was a pretty good fit. Now that he is a little older Im going for the weatherby vanguard that comes with both a youth and adult stock in 7mm-08. Iam a big remington fan myself but you might want to take him to the store so he can see what fits him best.

You're talking about buying him an adult rifle and getting a youth stock for it. What is the difference between doing that or buying a youth rifle and getting an adult stock for it for when he gets bigger?

I got my 12 year old a Remington Model 7 Youth in .243. When he gets a little older, I'll get an adult sized Model 7 stock for it. The .243 is more than adequate for the deer we hunt in the Texas Hill Country. It's a very nice rifle. Remington also makes a Model 700 Youth that you can retrofit later with an adult sized stock. I don't think they make the Mountain Rifle in a youth version.

There are also nice youth rifles made by Savage and Howa.

I would look at a T/C Encore with a Bantam Stock. Good luck.

Don't forget the browning micro hunter. Those rifles are awesome to shoot, and I'm 6'4"! They would fit a kid nicely. I get one in 7mm-08.

Thanks guys.
I know Rem makes the mod 7 in youth, my nephew has one. It's a nice little gun and would fit him perfectly....but I really like the mountain rifle better, and prefer the laminated stock on stainless. I'm not sure the Mod 7 comes in LSS anymore as an option. If I bought a youth gun, thenhad to buy a laminated stock later....that would cost me a bunch for sure. Thats why I am considering buying adult, then finding a youth stock.
I've also looked at the Weatherby compact....it seems like a decent no frills gun...and it's nice that it comes with the adult stock.
I'm not really interested in the single shot options at this point (personal preference). I'm still kicking the whole thing around, I just wanted to find out all my options so I could compare them andthe pricing etc.

So does anyone know who sells stocks at a good price? Also does anyone make a youth stock for the Mountain Rifle (that doesn't cost $300). I'm just looking for a basic stock for the next few years.

Thanks!