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Best compact rifle for 8yr old

Posted on 7/2/25 at 9:33 am
Posted by oleyeller
Vols, Bitch
Member since Oct 2012
32544 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 9:33 am
Not a caliber discussion. Im just talking rifle, something with short stock. Or one can take pieces out for stock to be shorter. Saw the mossbery super bantam. And know ruger make compact, as well as savage axis i think has compact model. Those with experience what is one with shorter stock thats easier to shoulder for young kids
Posted by TexasTiger1984
Houston
Member since Sep 2009
1378 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 9:37 am to
I don't know if it's the best rifle, but i bought my 8 yr old a ruger american .243 this year and it's worked out well for him so far.
Posted by Goldensammy
Cypress, TX
Member since Jun 2016
938 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 9:37 am to
Handi Rifle, single shot is a solid choice, IMO. Find a used one. You can get a replacement youth butt stock for about $40 (Chote branded, if I'm not mistaken. I got one from Midway USA). Great setup. If looking for a bolt action, the ones you mentioned (Ruger and Axis; can't speak to the other) are solid. LOP is the key. Every kid is different, of course. I'd rather the LOP be too short as opposed to being to long, as an extended LOP can make getting a full field of view (scope) difficult.
This post was edited on 7/2/25 at 9:49 am
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
15519 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 9:50 am to
One of my nephews has a Bergara Stoke in 7mm08 and it's been awesome. It came with spacers so he's able to grow into it.
Posted by SilverPoon985
NE Pass / W Delta
Member since Jun 2025
51 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 9:50 am to
If you can find any Remington Model 7's--they are the perfect youth gun and box stand gun.

They are short and compact and easy to slide out of a window while trying to get a kid steady to shoot.

That's what I was raised shooting--and still prefer to shoot it to this day.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
46068 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 9:57 am to
quote:

Remington Model 7
this.
beautiful rifles too (wood and steel). My uncle who just passed away (RIP Kelly) has one in 17 Remington fireball but I never could convince him to sell it to me.
Posted by chrome1007
Toledo Bend
Member since Dec 2023
584 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 9:58 am to
Get him a AR15 with an adjustable stock. You can choose a multitude of calibers.
Posted by MarshMan
Ponchatoula
Member since May 2015
661 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 10:03 am to
My son is small for his age, and it was hard to find a rifle with a short enough trigger pull. Ended up going with the AR platform, and it works out perfectly.
Posted by bootlegger
Ponchatoula
Member since Dec 2012
5495 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 10:06 am to
quote:

LOP is the key


Exactly why my 6yr-old is most comfortable with an AR platform with adjustable stock. He shoots both 300aac and 6.5 Grendel.

Once he grows a little more, I have a Ruger American 6.5 Grendel with a youth stock. But for now, the AR collapses down more and fits him.
Posted by SilverPoon985
NE Pass / W Delta
Member since Jun 2025
51 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 10:15 am to
Man, that's a dream gun.

The one I have is a .308. Dad bought it from a guy when I was 8. 20 years later still shoots great, simple bolt action, always reliable, and can fit in any situation.
Posted by tenfoe
Member since Jun 2011
6939 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 10:47 am to
quote:

savage axis i think has compact model.


I have one. My kids have shot it since they were that age and younger with no problem. It’s a tack driver. I use it a lot when they aren’t with me.
Posted by Old Man and a Porch
Member since Dec 2023
674 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 11:03 am to
I had an H and R crack barrel 243 for my son that wonderful.
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
60496 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 11:07 am to
quote:

have one. My kids have shot it since they were that age and younger with no problem. It’s a tack driver. I use it a lot when they aren’t with me.
same. I like it much better than the Ruger American I got the first one.
Posted by Royalfishing
Member since Jul 2023
224 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 11:08 am to
Weatherby Vanguard. Used to come with shirt stick and a longer stick for when he grows up. 7mm-08 was our chosen caliber.
Posted by WarCamEagle88
NC
Member since Feb 2018
293 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 1:33 pm to
Got my 10 year old the Savage Axis in .243 and he got his first deer with it last season. Dropped her in her tracks, she was dead before she hit the ground. I was surprised how well the .243 performed on a large doe.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
27939 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 1:41 pm to
As others have said, an AR is the perfect gun to grow up with a kid.

The adjustable stock makes it easy for it to fit as they grow.

6.5 grendel or an AR-10 in .308 or whatever derivative of the .308.
Posted by Contender01
Member since Dec 2017
269 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 1:43 pm to
Bought my son a Ruger American Compact, small frame gun but he is still using it now about to be 15.

He is 6' now, so I guess he should be getting a full size gun this year.

Love the gun
Posted by Austin350
Simsboro, LA
Member since Jul 2025
17 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 2:02 pm to
Don’t waste the money on a compact rifle that your kid won’t use in a couple years. Just get a full sized rifle. With that being said, a savage axis is a good rifle for a kid. I’ve been shooting one since I was a kid and I still use it.
Posted by UpToPar
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2008
22781 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 3:48 pm to
Weatherby makes a compact vanguard rifle with spacers for the stock, but I would just replace with a boyds stock once he is ready for a full size. I have two and they both shoot lights out. I find myself grabbing my son's now even with the shorter barrel.
Posted by TigerRoyale
Zwolle
Member since Oct 2023
1358 posts
Posted on 7/2/25 at 4:08 pm to
quote:

One of my nephews has a Bergara Stoke in 7mm08 and it's been awesome. It came with spacers so he's able to grow into it.



Excellent piece of equipment. Deer killing ballistics with low recoil. Nicely done.
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