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crc1514 Offline OP
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Asking for opinions on 24 hcf can be dangerous, but here it goes. My daughter will be turning 10 this fall and is pretty average size for her age. She does some things right handed and others left handed, but seems to be left eye dominant. Over the last 2 years she has shot 2 does shooting left handed with my model Seven 223 with a youth stock. I have tried to have her shoot right handed, but she tells me she prefers left handed. I want to make it as easy as possible on her so trying to convert her is out of the question. Even though she tells me she is just fine with the rifle she has been using, I can’t help but want to buy her something left handed. She has never worked the bolt on my 223, basically used it as a single shot, but as she gets more experienced with shooting I’m expecting that working a left handed rifle would seem more natural. Also, we hunt out of blinds and getting the deer within 100 yards usually isn’t a problem. I know that a 223 is sufficient in that range, but I can’t help but want to move her to something bigger if I buy a different rifle. She shoots off of a Bog Pod death grip that I think will help absorb any additional recoil within reason. Of course, finding left hand youth rifles can be a little tough, but cost really isn’t a factor in my decision. Here are the options I’ve come up with.

1. Leave we’ll enough alone and do nothing. This would work but then I don’t get to buy anything new.

2. Buy left handed bolt gun in 223

3. Buy left handed bolt gun in 243

4. Buy left handed AR-15 in 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC. I’m a little nervous about brass bouncing off the wall of the blind. One hot brass down the collar and she’d be done.

Right now I’m leaning toward a left hand Savage storm with accustock in 243. What say you lefties or parents of lefties??

Last edited by crc1514; 06/06/21.
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Lefty bolt 243 for sure.

Still can use it for small stuff but works much better on larger game.

Ruger American if you can find one or the Savage

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My brother shot rifles and pool left-handed, threw a mean curve ball with his right. He used an ambidextrous rifle - a Winchester 94.

Of your choices, I vote for the lefty bolt .243.

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Another vote for the Left Hand .243 bolt rifle. Every deer I have killed I could have killed with a .243 launching a 95gr Nosler Partition.



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The 223 is plenty but everyone needs a 243. 😉


Will Munny: It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have.

The Schofield Kid: Yeah, well, I guess they had it coming.

Will Munny: We all got it coming, kid.
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My son shoots lefty, but does every thing else right handed, I had Bullberry build a encore lefty for him,1x8 twist, .243 he has killed, Elk, Mule deer White Tail,Speed Goats, Pigs, Predators, he likes the way it carry's in he mountains, and so far he's killed every thing with 1 shot. Rio7

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

This is the only picture of the rifle i can find.

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Of the options you listed, I'd look for a 243 Bolt gun. My boys have had good luck with a RAR in 243. That said, if the laws here allowed a 223 for deer, that's what they would have had. The Savage you mentioned would be great!

I am in the process of putting a LH AR together for them, but not any of the options you listed. I'm going with a 25-45 Sharps. Should do more than what I ask of it and they'll both get a kick of having an AR to hunt with.

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I vote for a Tikka T3x compact in .243

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I'd buy whichever rifle, preferably lefthanded, and I'd immediately buy a ThunderBeast suppressor in a 7" configuration. Get it in 6-12 months and she'll love shooting that much more.

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Lefty 243 for sure. My lefty m77 hawkeye is currently on lone to a buddies lefty 9yr old son. He really likes it. Hope I get it back!


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Power is no substitute for bullet performance. 458WIN
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Ruger No 1 in 243. It’s completely ambidextrous if she decides to shoot righty later on.

Last edited by Tex09; 06/07/21.
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For a little more punch but not bad recoil you might try a 7-08. My Great Granddaughter shoots a Tikka Compact with reduced factory loads.

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Originally Posted by gsganzer
I vote for a Tikka T3x compact in .243

What gsganzer said

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AR but stick to 223 for a 9yo. You really can't beat the adjustable stock for growing kids. The only down side is the bolt noise when chambering. 6.5G is better for heart/lung shots, even better than .243, but it has a recoil penalty. 6.5G with a suppressor as suggested would be sweet. Is brass from a cold gun fired only once even hot? Never noticed.

I would not do a bolt gun for a kid, ever, if you expect them to run it. She will likely be able to run an AR sooner and more easily than a bolt action. A lever action is a surer bet because of the mechanical advantage of the lever. 130gr 30/30 is good, but that's a handload. 25/35 lever looks good on paper except the price. This is if she has to run it. No real reason for that for several years yet as why on Earth would you give up any chance to go hunting with your kid. You'll be there to do it.

I base this on what I saw with my kids. I bought them both bolt action 22lr. Always has been a hassle running them. They like the 22lrs I have in AR and lever format much better.

For deer, the 9yo boy uses 6.5G AR or lever in 30/30 depending on his mood. Slightly older sister has used 223 AR since she was 9yo and has no interest in anything else. If your girl can do high shoulder shots 100% there really is no reason to stray from .223.


Last edited by urbaneruralite; 06/07/21.

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Tikka makes a T3 Lite in .223 1:8” twist.

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T/C Contender carbine chambered in 7-30 Waters..........my go-to introductory centerfire youth rifle.

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LH rifle for safety if she shoots it LH . Ruger American in LH with the youth stock and get an adult stock later. Shooting a RH rifle LH the shooters face is exposed
to all the gas relief.


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Another vote for Lefty bolt 243

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I found my son a Savage 110L in 257 Roberts. This was perfect for him at that age. Unfortunately, he wont let it go due to sentimental value.

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Originally Posted by 30338
I'd buy whichever rifle, preferably lefthanded, and I'd immediately buy a ThunderBeast suppressor in a 7" configuration. Get it in 6-12 months and she'll love shooting that much more.



This in spades!

If I didn't want to invest in a suppressor I'd hold off on the 243 for a while and use a 223 of some sort.
The muzzle blast of a shorter barreled 243 can be offensive. I've seen quite a few kids turned off by shooting a 18 or 20" 243.

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