Junior sized Rifle for my girlfriend

[MossRoad]

One of the things that I'm really hesitant on with the youth model rifles is the smaller barrel length. I'm a big believer that longer is better, so for the rifle that she will have to hunt with the rest of her life, I want it to be up to the task for here, but also able to take a Mule deer in the mountains or a pronghorn out in the plains.
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I use to think that longer = better, too. But recently I've been reading that isn't necessarily the case. Do some research about long distance shooters and see what they say regarding the round you choose and barrel length. You may be surprised. I was.

 

[RobertN]

There have been improvements in powders too, that allow better velocity with ok chamber pressures in shorter barrels.

I use to think that longer = better, too. But recently I've been reading that isn't necessarily the case. Do some research about long distance shooters and see what they say regarding the round you choose and barrel length. You may be surprised. I was.

 

[BethelHntr]

The .264 or 6.5x55 swede is a excellent round to consider, Shoots fast and flat with minimal kick.

 

[bcp]

The .264 is a standard length belted magnum. Maybe .260 Remington.



Bruce

 

[MossRoad]

There have been improvements in powders too, that allow better velocity with ok chamber pressures in shorter barrels.

The school of thought I've been reading about lately says that the longer a bullet remains in a barrel, the more chance it has to get off target by movements caused by the recoil or the shooter moving. I used to shoot competitively as a teen (a long-long time ago) on a 50' .22 team. I haven't shot competitively for 35 years. Now I'm thinking about getting back in to long range .22 competition since 50' offers no more challenge (don't take that as arrogance as once you master something, you smile and move on ) , and have started reading to see what kind of equipment is favored theses days. That's where I've been reading about barrel length and longer isn't always better. Its an interesting topic, for sure.

 

[coobie]

IMHO how about 270 cal.rifle.Ammo is is fairly cheap.Great all around caliber IMHO.Rifle choice would be a older Winchester model 70.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've been reading rifle reviews on Cabela's site and the Savage isn't sounding so good. Seems the stock is pretty flimsy and the action isn't liked by too many people. Going through the different brands, the Remington 700 SPS Youth seems to have a lot of positive reviews. It's quiet a bit more money, but if it's a better rifle, then that's not a big deal.

Eddie

 

[charlz]

I've been reading rifle reviews on Cabela's site and the Savage isn't sounding so good. Seems the stock is pretty flimsy and the action isn't liked by too many people. Going through the different brands, the Remington 700 SPS Youth seems to have a lot of positive reviews. It's quiet a bit more money, but if it's a better rifle, then that's not a big deal.

Eddie

That is the one my son has in 7mm-08 . The bolt (matte finish) was a little stiff at first but now that it has had some rounds through it the action is nice and smooth just like my .06 model 700. For me the higher price wasn't too much of a concern because 1) it has the features I wanted like a magazine with a hinged floor plate so you can drop the unfired rounds out without having to cycle them through the action 2) I figure his kids will be hunting with it some day just as the .06 I hunt with was my dads gun.

 

[Jeff F.]

The Remington 700 is available with the X-Mark Pro trigger, which does not have the problems of the past. Also not all of the old triggers had issues. I have seen new shooters enjoy the 260 Rem. 7mm-08 or the 308 at max. Good luck and have fun!

 

[buickanddeere]

Short stock and a long barrel. Muzzle blast and recoil from a short barrel will ruin a new shooter.