tealboy

I only own one rifle for Florida deer hunting and it is a .308. I occassionally have guests out, some who don't own a rifle. I was thinking about picking up an extra gun that my daughter will eventually grow into (she is now 7). The 243 seems to be the caliber of choice for kids so my question is, how important is it that i get a youth gun that she can shoot when she is of age?

You should see where i am going. I want one gun that guests can use now and for the next few yrs, but one that my daughter can use in 5 or 6 yrs (by the way, how old before most girls can hunt w/ a 243?). Guests will not be comfortable with a youth model and i am afraid an adult model may be too much for my young hunting daughter when that time comes. I don't really want to buy 2 guns.

nchawkeye

About 3 years ago, a buddy stopped by my office with a Remington 700 ADL Youth .243, along with a Leupold scope, and wanted me to set it up for him...

I happen to shoot a .243, and he knew I would have plenty of ammo...I don't know where you got the idea the .243 was for youth as I'm 52 (maybe that's a compliment)...Or for smaller hunters, I'm 6ft 5 inches and weigh about 250...

Anyway...I mounted the scope and sighted it in with no problems, even though it was a "youth" model...If your guests have a problem with the length of pull simply add one of those slip on recoil pads to lengthen....

btw...He bought this gun for his 14 year old daughter, he is an '06 man....
After he saw my groups and shot the gun, he used it to kill a nice 10 point...
It sure was funny to see him come by my office with this deer and tell me how effective the .243 was....Now, he used to be an '06 man...

Paul L Mohr

It's easier for an adult to shoot a youth model than it is for a small person to shoot a full sized rifle. Keep that in mind.

If the gun is for your daughter get a youth model so she can shoot it well. If the other people that come don't like then I guess they can get their own gun.

Paul

RugerM77.270

Get the youth gun. Like it was said before it is easier for an adult to shoot a youth "stock" then a kids a full size stock. Also my fiance has a very small frame and can barely shoot a full size stock so your doughter may never grow out of a youth stock.

ipscshooter

I'd get the Model 700 youth model which should fit your daughter pretty well in a couple years. I got a Model 7 youth model for my son for his 12th birthday. He's 14 now, and it has worked him quite well. I plan to get him an adult Model 7 stock when he outgrows this one. You could do the same... If your guests feel "unmanly" using a rifle with a youth-sized stock, just swap it out for the full size... a couple shots to sight in and you're good to go.

Also, the .243 isn't just the "caliber of choice for kids"... After I bought my son's Model 7, we took it out to sight it in. I loved the mild recoil compared to my .30-06. The next week, Bass Pro Shops had Model 700 .243's on sale for only $249.... I interpretted that as a sign from God, and went out and bought myself one. Like nchawkeye's friend... I used to be an '06 man...

Lubricious

Look into the H&R or NEF Handi Rifles. The youth has an 11 3/4" length of pull and the full size is 14 1/4". The Remington 700 youth has a12 3/8" lop with the regular model an inch or so longer.

The .243 is an all aroundamazing round.

doubleA

Remington and Weatherby both make a youth/compact model that comes with both an adult and youth size stock included. It's a simple job to switch between them.

MichaelT.

I am 43 years old and 16 years ago I bought myself a Remington Model 7 youth in 7mm-08. I wanted a short light easy handling gun for using in climbing and ladder stands. For the last 16 years, that gun has been used more than any other gun I own. I use it in my tower stands also. In fact I liked it so much, last year I bought an even smaller gun..... one of the Ruger M77 Compact , Stainless / laminate , in .243... It is one heck of a gun, but I still love that Model 7. Perhaps it is becuase of the history I have with it, but neither it, nor the Ruger are " kids " guns...... Adults love them too.

Get one, I don't think you will be disappointed.... In fact you may wind up keeping it for yourself.

IndyHunter83

Get the youth model. As others have said, its easier for a bigger person to shoot a smaller gun than a smaller person shoot a larger gun

okgobbler

Buy a youth model and check ebay for an extra full length stock.