Author Topic: youth gun (Read 533 times)

dscott · « **on:** December 27, 2004, 05:01:48 AM »

I have a 9 yr old son I want to buy a deer rifle for. Would the 7-08 in the compact M77 be a good choice ? What about scope set-ups ? Compact scopes, etc.

ScoutMan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2005, 03:50:55 AM »

Should be OK. The 7mm 08 is probably the most efficient of all the calibers in the 308 family.

Just don't pre-program him to fear recoil. Recoil is 80% mental, so just see where he falls into this group. People are more troubled by noise, so good hearing and eye protection are mandatory for all range work.

Get a compact scope of no more than 4X. Make it the lightest available. You need to watch the weight of the gun. Out of the box the compact weighs 7 lbs with sling. If the combination of scope and rifle exceed 7 lbs by to great a factor it will become unhandy to use and your son will not enjoy it.

For what its worth. I have the compact in 308. I had it retrofitted with the Ashley ghost ring rear and Ashely post front sight. With sling but unloaded, it goes 7 lbs. 1 oz. and is a joy to use.

Omaha-BeenGlockin · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2005, 06:03:27 AM »

For the scope---make sure there is plenty of eye relief-----otherwise you'll really scare him off when the gun comes back on him.

Harp98 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2005, 05:41:52 PM »

I went through the same thing last year. My son in now 10 and he killed his first deer with a Ruger Compact. His was in 243. I also have a Remington Model 7 in 7mm08. Both have mild recoil to me, but he preferred the 243 over the 7mm08. He said the 708 kicked harder.

Harp