Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Deer rifle for 10 year old girl

My baby needs a big girl gun. She started with a red Ryder then a 10-22 and now its time for something capable of taking whitetail and occasionally, hogs.
she isn't tall or anything, a short rifle is what I have in mind.
I'm considering...
Ruger American compact, 77/44, contender seven, marlin 30-30.

I've always been of the opinion that you should buy a kid a gun that she would want to own later, and not just for sentimental reasons.

77/44 would be cool for anyone at any age I would think.

If you could scratch up an old Ruger 44 carbine, that would be a great gun too if you don't mind her holding a semi auto for the task.

There was a nice custom 25-06 in a shortened McM stock in the classifieds a couple days ago. Not sure if it's still available.

Make a fine rifles for a child with some light loads.

Does your state have a minimum caliber for deer? Why not a .223?

Edited to add: This is not mine, but I saw this in the classifieds: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...gonew/1/Remington_700_SPS_BDL_223#UNREAD

If you reload you could do reduced loads of most any caliber in a rifle with a cut down stock. Personally, I favor 25cal and up for deer so anything in the Bob or 250-3000 would be ideal. If you don't reload you could go down to 243 or 223 but those require a bit more careful shot placement.
You have a lot of options.

I do reload so I've decided on 243 or 7-08 if I go bottleneck.
Dad started me with a 1979 Browning BLR, I still own and use.
So... I'm looking to get a long term rifle, not a starter.

I started High Brass with a .243. You can go to Hodgdon's site and get youth load data. I've loaded .243 & 270 youth loads and both worked well.

For a short 8 y/o female with little or no upper body strength, how about a 16" AR15 with a collapsible stock. More than capable of deer or pigs with the right bullet.

Found an older seven UN 260, but, after reading about possible poor accuracy I decided to pass on it.
I might just get her a 336.
I wish that IMI PUMP 357 wasn't 1000 bucks.... or more

ringworm: ruger merican compact in .223.

77/44 has too long a LOP, and the recoil is noticeable with full-house .44's.

^^^This^^^

My youngest niece likes to use the AR. Winchester 64 grain Factory Hog load works great

My daughter's only 3 but I've already been thinking about her first deer rifle. I'm considering the CZ 527 in 7.62 x 39. I've handled one and it is very light and handy and I like that round for a younger child as it's low recoil but still throws a decent diameter bullet. I agree with local favorite that the thought of a "nicer" first gun she will be proud to own for years to come appeals to me. Only negative, or positive, to the CZ is that if I recall correctly for a gun that size it has a relatively long LOP. The Zastava M85s are similar but much less expensive. However, I have never seen one in person and the reviews are very mixed. I think the Rugger American Compact in .243 would be one of the more practical choices.

I just bought a Ruger American compact in .223 for my friends daughter - like the lighter weight, lack of recoil, shorter LOP. That said I would think that the Ruger 77 compact in 7.62X39 or 6.8 SPC would also be ideal.

Some of the single shot youth models would also be good.

Just my 2 cents,
PennDog

Started my kids and several grand kids on a couple .243's with youth stocks. Currently setting up a 15 y.o. grand daughter with a .270Win and 110gr starting loads. Comparable to .243 velocity / recoil. If she chooses to hunt bigger stuff later on, we'll dial up the bullet weight / powder charge / recoil at that time. Hopefully will be able to post a "success" photo this weekend...

I have a tang ruger rsi in 250 savage I'm saving for my girls. I started with a 99 in 250 myself

When my daughter was 9 I bought her a pencil barrel AR for her first deer rifle. It fit her perfect with the stock all the way in and the weight was distributed closer to her , rather than in the barrel. She had trouble holding up a lot of other rifles. Kids also do well with pistol grips which they can get their smaller hands on a lot better.

Others I considered were the Ruger 77/357
CZ 527 carbine in 7.62X39
Kimber montana 223

A lever gun in .30-30 would be hard to beat. That is what my daughter and son are starting with. That is what I started with and wouldn't change a thing. I believe they make reduced recoil loads for the .30-30 as well.

try her out with a bigger gun and a shooting stick set up for her height.

Balance is the bigger problem and holding up the gun comfortably. Some like setting the rifle on the stick, some don't like it.

A 7-08 would be a great choice since you reload. Reduced to start with, then on to full power when she is ready.

If you happen to end up with model 700 LA, BDL, mtn rifle contour, I have a youth B&C stock that I would shoot you a good deal on.

Just cut down that Hog Hunter if you still have it. I cut down my Stevens 200 .223 and my daughter has been whackin whitetails with since she was nine. 55 grain TSX bullets hammer OK deer just fine.