Author Topic: Youth lever action for deer size game. (Read 851 times)

PeterB · « **on:** November 22, 2005, 07:46:55 AM »

My nephew (12 and rather small) asked his dad for a lever action for Christmas (my kind of kid). He can handle more recoil than his frame would suggest, but he needs a youth size gun. He and his 11 year old brother killed cow elk this year with a ruger compact bolt action. The size is just right. Anyway I said I would see what is available in between say 44 mag and 30-30 in a small lever rifle. Looked at Marlin and Winchester web sites, and Winchester show nothing and Marlin just has a ??lever 410 shotgun?? What the hell is that all about? Couldn't find anything on Puma or others. Any suggestions would be great.
Peter

targshooter · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2005, 10:53:10 AM »

PeterB,
My 11 year old son (about 5 feet and 90 lbs.) uses a Winchester 94 Trapper in .44 Mag with 240 grain full power loads with no problem. The rifle is compact (16 1/2 inch barrel), light and not ferocious in noise or recoil. The .30-30 version is a little kid unfriendly. He is not using a scope, but uses the factory sights.

myronman3 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2005, 01:45:05 PM »

hey guys.

my friend asked me the same question here about two weeks ago. i have an 1894 in 44 mag. it kicks pretty good with full power loads, but i do have alot of mid range loads made for my pistols. i took it out and tryed a few through it and it was a real pussycat. nice.

so my suggetion is either an 1894 marlin or winchester trapper in either 44 or 357. if you can find one with a shorter barrel, even better. mine has the 20" barrel, but my friends kid handled it just fine.

i highly recommend the cross bolt safety, too. i wouldnt own one without it.

Tycer · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2005, 07:10:27 AM »

Win 94 Trapper in .357
He can practice with .38s or .357s, and it'll take some zippy heavy handloads with Lil'gun

ScoutMan · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2005, 08:42:45 AM »

Peter,

What's wrong with the Ruger Frontier. It has a LOP of 12.5". He'll never have to change it. You can get the trigger down to 3 lbs. In .308 he has a volume of versatility.

Don't worry about recoil. Like sex it is 85 % mental. Make sure he has good ear and eye protection when he shoots it. When he shoots, keep the shot strings short (not more than 5 rounds at one session), and he should not develop a flinch.

Teach him the "the open sprise break" on his trigger release, and teach him how to "call his shot" both in real and dry fire practice. Snap caps are a good thing.

SM

leverfan · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2005, 08:11:53 PM »

Brownells carries the "cadet" size stocks for several popular rifles. They are fairly inexpensive, and may be available for even less elsewhere. Length of pull is reduced by about 1".

Another choice would be finding an old, used buttstock for the chosen rifle. Chop it about 1.5" shorter and add a .5" recoil pad.

Either choice can be easily reversed at a later date, just in case the lad suddenly has a growth spurt that makes him the NBA's next hot prospect.

jbadams66 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 26, 2005, 02:45:35 AM »

I believe marlin does make a youth model. it is the 336Y, it is in .30-30 has a 16.5" barrel and has a length of pull of 12.5. It has a good size recoil pad for a .30-30.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/leverAction_centerfire/336Y.htm

Mattkc · « **Reply #7 on:** November 26, 2005, 07:39:21 PM »

I'm going to start my son on my Marlin 357. It blows nice big holes through deer with almost no recoil. Since it cost so little to shoot he will get a ton of practice before next deer season.

PeterB · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2005, 10:12:18 PM »

Thanks all for the responses. I did find (after looking harder)(thanks jbadams66) that the 336y is available in 30-30 with a 12.5" LOP. Like I said this kid thinks he is 6' tall, but is around 4'-7" or so and 75lbs soaking wet. He could shoot my 300WBY and not complain to much. The size of the stock is the big kicker in this case. It is up to my brother in law. I gave him some of the other recommendations from you guys. Thanks again.
Peter

coopershooter · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2005, 09:14:00 AM »

i going to let my 12yo. (90) lb son use my rossi ss puma in .357 mag. for deer and hog this year. he was just holding it! i let him practice with a lighter load and he will hunt with a little stiffer one, he wont notice the diffrence in recoil, when hes shooting at game. he shoots it well from sitting position, as it,s still a little heavy for him, to shoot offhand. the stock is not overly large for him.