Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What is the best quality, cheap single shot deer rifle??

Ruger #1

Gunner

The NEF/H&R Handi Rifles used to be an economical way into shooting, but with the influx of low priced bolt guns the Handi Rifles they are not such a deal any more. With a Savage Axis selling new for $260 at Academy, it is as cheap as a Handi. If he really wants a single shot on the cheap, the Handi Rifles, CVA Scouts, and Baikals are in the price range. I really like the flutes on the BAikal. The CVA Apex is interesting in a higher price range.

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Go for the bolt gun. The exposed hammers, often touted as a safety feature, can be a handful for small, weak hands, especially when letting it down from full cock.

Compared the Ruger, savage axis and the Mossberg with the half fluted barrel. Surprisingly, The best trigger was on the Mossberg. Hardly any creep and felt like 3 lbs. $299 at the local gun shop. Ummmm????

I was able to pick up a ruger American for $330, for my son. It shoots. You're not gonna get a single shot worth anything, until you go to the encore/#1 arena. JMO

I bought one of these in .243 because of the size, thinking it would be just right for hunting out of treestands.

I did equip it with a McMillan stock and a Timney trigger, but neither were *necessary*.

It is a very accurate rifle, and sees a lot of use.

The Ruger Americans is how I would go if buying new. Dad gave me one and, being a Ruger M77/MKII/Hawkeye fan, I wasn't very impressed until I shot it.

Start cruising the pawn shops for a used savage 110. Probably can pick one up for about $200. Chop the stock, no harm no fowl. And as another said, when you need to unchop, no too expensive.

I will add though, as Coyote Hunter has said, if you have to buy new, the Ruger American would be the one.

How adjustable are those Ruger American triggers? The one I felt, had a fair amount of creep?

Right now, until April 30th, there is a $75 Cash in the Mail Rebate on New Thompson Center Ventures.

They are all over the net being blown out starting at at anywhere from low $300's to low $400's ...and Before the Rebate, Buds has some too. At Bud's 2 days ago I just missed a Weathershield and ALL Purpose Camo 30'06 that would have net net'd to me at $375 when I walked out the door of my FFL. Snooze Ya Looze & shame on me...'cause THAT gun MSRP'd at $578 + whatever for the factory Camo and would have made a GREAT truck gun or Hog shooter that I could take to the car wash to clean up from on the way home outta the muddy creek bottom holes we hunt in.

They have a Lifetime Warrnty for 1" accuracy, failure of the guns workmanship or parts. Adjustable trigger, pillar mounts & floated
barrel and some other stuff.

The only reason I mention this is that the OP wanted a Youth 243 in a quality shooter for Ruger American/Savage Axis prices..and the Compact or Youth Venture has a take apart stock with a removeable spacer that allows the LOP to go from 12 1/2"s to 13 1/2"s in a 20" barrel in 4 calibers - 22-250, 243, 7-08 & 308.

Of the 5-6 guys I've heard from they all say that the Venture meets the 1" Accuracy Warranty.

IMO make sure you get her something that FITS Right whatever you buy.
Ron

Rather B,
Id go with Clark's rec.... 110's can be found at a good price and regardless of the web-speak they shoot a heck of a lot better than " minute of deer". You want a single shot for the child just load one round. Hammer guns are not "safer" for youth hunters. The best safety is between their ears but..... That said I'd admit I'm a .243 fan for adults not so much for youth hunters, lack bullet weight and bullet selection unless you roll your own. I have supplied my kids and grand-kids with 7-08, 30-30 bolts and .308. There are those "low recoil" loads in 7-08 and .308 if you do not hand-load. If you do then you got it covered. My 10 year old grand-daughter who dealt with some exotics in Texas and she was just a little thing then. jm2c

I thought about a 308...I hand load and could easily load some low recoil loads with lighter bullets.

RatherB, Go to the local pawn shop and buy a 110 series Savage w/ the best barrel. Should be in the neighborhood of $200. You will get the best shooting, reliable rifle in a standard caliber (doesn't matter which) anywhere. Muddy

I know they're not for everyone, but I thought it was fairly priced. Just picked up this 30-30 on GB. Have a 7-30 Waters barrel too. Both are adequate for our smallish central Texas deer.




DMc

I went the cheap single-shot route when first starting my wife and kids----BIG MISTAKE on so many levels!

Buy a Ruger American Compact and be done with it.

I bought my 12 yr old an H&R 243 in superlight. It is the handiest gun you will ever hold. It has a 12 1/2" LOP a 18" barrel. The problem is it does not shoot well at all. 6" @ 100 yds is a good group. The lighter bullets seem to shoot better however, like 5" @ 100 yds. Some shoot and some don't I really wish I knew about the Ruger youth. It is almost as handy and priced just 50 bucks more or so. Another thing is, as soon as you clean the barrel the groups can go astray. itr's not a very reliable gun. My sone did shoot his first deer with it though. He hit about 6" too far forward but the deer only went 40' . After 2 yrs he went with a Tikka t3 light. It's nice and light but is awkward for him but he shot a buck and a bear with it. in 2012.

ihookem- try a rubber washer around the screw in the forearm to float the barrel.

I have a marlin,now in 308 with a savage 22" barrel, that I shot today. Sr4759 load with 150 gr bullet at 2200 fps. Really pleasant to shoot, with 7 shots into an inch.