A rifle for me grandson...

[Glock 'em down]

Hey guys.

My grandson Tater just turned 10 years old and he wants to start deer hunting. Therefore, he needs a good rifle. He has a .22 that he's pretty proficient with, but obviously a .22 isn't a good choice for whitetail.

He's pretty scrawny, so I'm thinking a bolt action over lever action. I'm not a rifle guy, so I don't know know what a good round for deer would be with a light recoil and close range, like within 75-100 yards.

Help me out guys. He has $300 to spend. If he finds something he really likes for a few dollars more, ol' grandad will help him out, of course, but he wants to do this on his own.

 

[adamsredlines]

Just curious, what does his stature have to do with bolt vs lever?

 

[adamsredlines]

Should be able to get a Savage or Ruger American in that range though, lots of caliber options.

 

[Glock 'em down]

Just curious, what does his stature have to do with bolt vs lever?

He has a hard time operating the lever action on his Red Ryder. I'm telling ya, this kid has no muscle.

 

[ignerntbend]

a lever on a rifle operates a lot easier than the lever on a bb gun.

 

[adamsredlines]

I'd not exclude them based on that. Red Ryders are actually pretty dang stiff and a decent lever action is MUCH easier to cycle. On a Red Ryder, the cycling is cocking the spring inside. On an actual gun, its just cycling the bolt really. All of my lever guns are much easier to cycle than my Red Ryder.

 

[El Pablo]

Find a 243 some killer deals next week on savages if you can find one. Left or right handed based on eye dominance. From the righty that wished he grew up shooting left handed due to being left eye dominant.

 

[Glock 'em down]

I'd not exclude them based on that. Red Ryders are actually pretty dang stiff and a decent lever action is MUCH easier to cycle. On a Red Ryder, the cycling is cocking the spring inside. On an actual gun, its just cycling the bolt really. All of my lever guns are much easier to cycle than my Red Ryder.

There's also the chance of him short stroking a lever action and jamming it up. With a bolt action, you're either ejected or not. Much more reliable for a complete novice like him.

 

[16colt]

There are some deals on Savage going on at Bass Pro. Rifle and scope for around $250 I think. I bought my boy one in .243 about six years ago for his first deer rifle. Worked out great for a beginner (low recoil).
7mm-08 is what he has now, also a low recoil caliber.

 

[rc508pir]

Good luck on finding any bolt gun right now. Their as hard to find as hand guns.

For a Ruger American, a 6.5 Gren, 243 Win or 6mm CM is what Id go with. But like I said, good luck finding any