Looking to buy a 7-08. Ruger compact or xbolt micro? Or any other suggestions? I picked these two because of my kids. They seem to be the best fit for the smaller frames.

Ruger

Ruger

+2, Ruger.

+1 on the Ruger. Had one in 7-08 and now have a stainless 308. Great little rifle. Don't know the ages but they also run in 243.

Winchester Model 70 Compact Featherweight.

Don't go and handle the Browning Micro - you might not be able to put it down!

Got that same caliber in an A-Bolt Micro Medallion.

I wouldn't take 20 Rugers for it.

...........The Ruger compacts have better and easier user friendly dimensions for the youths to handle, shoulder and to carry.

As a Ruger Frontier compact owner (not just for kids btw), they are wonderful on hunts, especially in the thicker stuff brush woods and timbers. As opposed to the Browning imo, the Ruger is more of a rough it rifle with the laminated stock version, and will be just as durable if not more so than is the Browning. Unless deliberately abused or a BIG powder mistake is made, you cannot break a Ruger.

Also, the Ruger compacts like the larger Rugers, have the built-in integral scope bases for mounting and Ruger factory rings are included too. No need to buy rings or bases with the Ruger. I`d like to see anyone by accident, break a Ruger scope mounting system. There is no scope mounting system more durable than Ruger`s.

As a preference, I`m not a big detachable magazine fan, which if I`m not mistaken, these Browning compacts do have.

Find the hand loadings that these little Rugers prefer, and you`ll be seeing moas and less, as I did right from the box and still do.

As an exact opposite to a previous poster, I`d gladly take one good Ruger rifle over 20 Browning rifles.

And if one should run into Bert Parks` ghost in the field, the Browning woody would win the beauty contest over the Ruger.

A high gloss woody? No thanks.

Ruger ! My only concern for the kids would be the muzzle blast. I also feel that the Frontier is a bit on the heavy side for a compact. Purchased one of the Grice Special Browning Micro Hunter Ultra-Lite in 358 Win 20" barrel. Love the rifle and before I just couldn't warm-up to a Browning. Had a Frontier 358 and the blast was brutal. Sold It ! The 7-08 or a 243 might not be as bad.
Just my opinion and opinions vary.

Ken

X-Micro's don't have high gloss finishes Squeeze...

The rotary detach mag. center feeds and makes loading and unloading much easier. It's a secure system, I've used it.

Unloading the X-bolt is very safe now, with the addition of the bolt unlock button, you don't have to disengage the safety.

Mine will do MOA or better with several factory loads.

I think the biggest difference is, an adult can more comfortably shoot the X-bolt Micro vs. a Ruger Compact. I've shot both.

The Compact is in the same class as the Micro Midas, which is pretty much just a child's gun.

My Dad uses mine and 4 nephews ranging in age from 8-13 have taken their first deer with it.

You'll have a rifle you can hunt with the rest of your life and MSRP is the same for both rifles.

Ruger Lam. Compact

LOP is 12.5
BBl. is 16.5"
Rifle length is 35.5"
weight is 6.2

X-Bolt

LOP is 13 5/16
BBl. is 20"
Rifle length is 39.5
weight is 6.2

Model 7 Remington is another choice. My buddies boy is 11 and he always uses my 257Roberts.

Ruger...

x2....[bleep] both and buy a model 7

................When it comes to certain things, some are traditionalists. When it comes to detachable magazines (Browning`s or otherwise), I am not a big fan. And you are right, the Medallions have the glossy stocks, not the Micros.

At 6'3" tall with approx the same reach and at 240 lbs, I don`t find my Frontier to be too small. In fact, when I wear thicker clothing, its 12.5" LOP shoulders is actually easier and faster to shoulder. If I want a longer LOP at 13.5", then my Limbsaver slip on recoil pad is secured onto the butt in less than 3 seconds. A very simple, inexpensive and creative way to adjust the LOP depending on what clothing is worn, which will allow me to use the Frontier (same size as the Ruger compact) for the rest of my hunting/shooting life.

The new Ruger compacts and the discontinued Frontier`s 35.5" OAL dimension, are more suitable for the kiddies, but then when the slip on recoil pad is added on, it becomes quite the adult rifle; especially when the Frontier is chambered in a 300 WSM? By no means, is a 300 WSM which is chambered in a compact rifle suitable for young people. That would include most adults too.

For my next elk hunt, I just may take that "kiddie" rifle again.

I'd never buy a rifle with a 16.5 inch barrel for a youth. The muzzle blast will be tremendous from any caliber and they will surely develop a flinch. Had a 20 inch .243 and thought the muzzle blast was way out of line for a youth rifle, I can't imagine shooting one with a 16.5

Ruger-- Pear Harbor Ruger-- Pear Harbor Ruger-- Pear Harbor

You decide!

.........In any caliber including the 223? You might have a low tolerance level for such things.

With good ear protection, you`d be very surprised at how well some can shoot (those shouldn`t own and dastardly) 16.5" barreled compacts.

My buddy and his wife shoot his 16.5" barreled 300 RCM Ruger compact (near max and max loadings) all the time at the range and on hog hunts with me. That rifle doesn`t affect his wife nor their 15 year old son. Another friend has the 338 Federal Ruger Frontier, and he, his wife and 12 year old daughter have no issues from that one either.

My dealer has a 10 year old son who uses among others a 7/08 Frontier. No flinching problems there as well.

Their louder than a magnum pistol, whether that will bother a kid who is just learning to shoot is anyone's guess.

I think it's safe to say it won't improve his training.

mt thoughts too especially for adult if a kid ?? youth mod. 7 i am not much on barrels shorter than 20" really dont even care for the old 18.5" bbl/ mod7's but i am 6'4" with 35" sleave lenght

i bought my 14 y/o boys each the ruger frontier SS. one is a 7-08 and the other is a 338 fed. both set up with leupold scout scopes. they love them and shoot them very well. off the bench with ear muffs the blast is not bad. hunting situation they don't even notice it. one boy got two deer with his and the other got 1. plus it is one of the safest guns out there with the 3 position safety. they also hunt with a 77/22 so that helps too.

I would buy anything besides a Ruger just to shut Bigsqueeze up.

Dude is a broken record..

............Here in certain shooting circles that I`m very familiar with, everyone seems to shoot them pretty darn good.

And believe it or not, and given the same cartridge and charge levels, the noise levels between the 20" tubes vs the 16.5" ers, are not all that much different. And certainly with good hearing protection on (which should be worn anyway regardless of barel length???), the noise levels to the ears are at best minimal between these two barrel lengths.

So by most accounts, anyone contemplating owning a shorter barreled compact rifle, should not get one with a barrel length less than 20". The fact is, that the noise levels from a barrel 3.5" shorter such as a 16.5", has a minimal increase where noise and blast is concerned.

On several occasions when I fired a friend`s 23" 375 Ruger African right along side my own 20" 375 Ruger Alaskan using the same identical factory ammo, there was no discernable difference in blast or noise levels between them. Same holds true between a 16.5" tubed 300 RCM ruger compact vs the 20" version in the Ruger Hawkeye.

Imo, most complaints about noise and blast levels from the shorter barrels, usually come from those who didn`t wear any hearing protection? Yes, the shorter tubes are louder. But they are not all that overwhelming as long as good hearing protection is worn. Without protection, hearing can still be adversely affected with 24" and 26" tubes too.

But as always, tolerance levels do vary from person to person. Within my circle of friends anyway, I guess that we are just a little more noise and muzzle blast resistent.

My late dad started me bench shooting a 30-06 at 9 years old. Mastered it within a few weeks before I was 10 and took me on my first hunt before I was 11. That`s probably one of the reasons why extra blast and noise levels have no affect and are of no consequence to me.

For some kids, a shorty 243, 260, 7/08 would work, while for others, they would not.

Ruger.

Would love to have a Belgian FN Browning, don't care for the newer stuff.

...............KMA Locoweed! I do it just for you buddy!

i'm about the same size as you squeeze and find the frontier a nice fit in cold weather hunting coat for me. i originally bought the 7-08 for me but my son liked it so much and shot it so well that i gave it to him. bought the 338 fed version for his brother. both guns accurate as heck too.

..............How interesting. A shorty 338 Fed Frontier and a 7/08 Frontier. It is interesting that while your boys find them fun and very tolerable, many adults find them (eeeek) overwhelming and unbearable.

Ruger Compact or a Browning X-Bolt.....

NEITHER

I see absolutely no reason to handicap a child. I wouldn't give my kids anything less than what I would be willing to use myself....

.......Yep! The Ruger compacts including the earlier Frontiers, are highly under-rated in the compact rifle lineup. They are better sized for the smaller shooters, not too small the big boys, and they have some very serious power. Moas and less all day long with my best reloads.

You`re right. With the heavier and thicker clothing on, you can`t beat `em in the field for handling.

.............Depends on the child`s age, size and tolerance now wouldn`t it!

And just because you yourself might not be willing, doesn`t mean that others won`t find them more tolerable than you.

all this frontier talk has got me wanting a 358 frontier for me now. but my gun budget has been blown to smithereens in the last few months with gun and glass purchases.

16 1/2" barrel is THE problem with the compact.

I've put together numerous rifles for my boys, as well as for several others (literally over a hundred as I'm active with various organizations involved with sponsoring youth hunts in Texas). I've seen first hand what works, and what doesn't.

Muzzle blast is more of an issue for kids than actual recoil.

20" seems to be the minimum, and depending on cartridge even then it's too much for younger kids.

..........There was a NIB target grey 358 Win Frontier on Gunbroker not too long ago.......Charge it on the,,,,get it now and pay later plan.

An ideal bolt rifle for the woods.

.........Well for some, excluding you, excluding your boys, and excluding several others that you know, a 16.5" barrel on a compact rifle,,,,,is "NOT" a problem.

For some it would be, while for a few others, it wouldn`t.

Too bad Ruger discontinued the UltraLight - it had a 20" barrel. That's the one I'd recommend.

...........You can usually find discontinued rifles on Gunbroker. The Frontiers were discontinued about 3 ago, yet they can still be found NIB. The now discontinued Ruger ULs (too bad) more than likely will be available too.

Browning. Or Howa youth combo. Really look at the howa's they are well made and offer the option of really nice aftermarket stocks. If you do get a ruger remember this one thing at least its american made.

For most kids, it certainly would be.

Anyone that is intellectually honest (instead of being deeply enamored with their choice of firearm) and possessing time and experience teaching and coaching 8-13 year old children shooting and hunting wouldn't be as naive.

I fully expect you to continue pimping the compact as "an ideal rifle for youths" as you've thoroughly exposed your gross inexperience and incompetence regarding the subject matter ad nauseam....

..........You`d better read again the things I stated there sir.

I never stated that the compacts were for all, including the kids!! Nope! I did not. Furthermore, this has nothing to do with any intellectual dis-honesty, with a behind the scenes motive in trying to pimp my personal choice. Your accusation is without merit and is strictly your warped opinion.

I`m very well aware of varying tolerance levels with adults and kids, and don`t need you telling me how naive or inexperienced you think I happen to be. Naive, imcompetent and grossly inexperienced? In fact, far from it. You have no damn clue!

Regardless of your personal experience, there have been numerous posters here and on other forums, who have posted quite a liking for the Ruger compacts by their young kids which are chambered in the 223s, 243s, 260s and 7mm/08s. Just because your personal experiences say otherwise, doesn`t mean that a few others including a few kids, cannot handle the compacts.

Perhaps you can state to their parents, the same things that you just stated to me? Maybe as you accuse me of, they are pimping an agenda as well?

Nice try!

Tell you what, over the next five years you obtain first hand experience with a minimum of 60 youths between ages 8-13 each year coaching and training them and get back to me on whether or not muzzle blast from a 16.5" barrel is not an issue nor problem for most kids.

Certainly, there will be a small minority that it doesn't bother. That number will be very small I assure you...

And that sir is the basis and reason for my initial comment to the OP. The Ruger Compact (because of it's 16.5" barrel) isn't a good choice for the majority of youths.

Neither rifle is a POS, let's get that straight. I've shot both so I know.

I know the Ruger is the louder of the two. That is something to take into consideration.

The Rem. Model 7 would be a good choice.

A Win. Featherweight Compact would be an excellent choice as well, although it's a little heavier, but can be had for around the same money.

It's pretty simple when buying a rifle for a new shooter. What is going to scare them?

Excessive noise and excessive recoil.

Remember those two rules and you won't end turning a kid who likes to shoot into one that doesn't.

JM

I owned a Ruger Compact Laminate Stainless, it shot itty bitty groups, didnt notice the noise. The rifle handled like a dream. When I threw it to my shoulder it felt like half the work of getting on target was done for me. Was a pleasure to pack around in the high country and just out rambling around. The rifle was bomb proof. Only a severe case of gunitis caused me to trade for something else.

Ruger makes great guns here in the U.S.A.

.............Well! At least your last post makes more sense, is free of accusations, and your points are well taken.

Ok then! As opposed to some kids like I mentioned being able to handle and tolerate the compacts, then maybe "only a few" will be handle the Ruger compacts! Happy now?

But don`t try and tell me that there is an enormous noise level or muzzle blast difference between a 16.5" vs a 20" barrel, when in actuality there isn`t much. That is something that I do know first hand.

I'd take the browning over the ruger any day. I think the browning is more likely to be more accurate and the barrel lenght is the biggest advantage in my opinion. Also the trigger will be better, out of the box than the ruger I would bet. No doubt the ruger is a fine rifle, but I wouldn't want that short of a barrel on any rifle.

Browning all the way. I have owned a compact Ruger 308 and it was nice rifle, but the fit, finish, trigger and accuracy was not up to par with my Brownings. I have a full size X-Bolt in 30-06 and it will shoot almost any factory ammo under MOA. I am looking to add a Micro in 308 to my fleet.