Introducing new or young hunters to shooting requires more tact than simply throwing them in the deep end. You might think you’re expediting their learning curve by giving them your old .30-06 because that’s how you cut your teeth (and eye), right?
Unfortunately, you’re probably fast-tracking them to bad shooting habits that cause them to flinch, close their eyes, and pray it's over as soon as they pull the trigger. Best case, they tough it out and learn how to shoot in spite of bad guidance. Worst case, they’re terrified to shoot and give it (and hunting) up.
Luckily, rifle manufacturers offer plenty of youth rifles in a host of cartridges that won’t give your kids PTSD. Not only should they be able to form a good cheek weld with the stock’s comb, but they also need to squeeze the trigger without flinching or crushing their shoulders. That way, they’ll be seasoned pros by the time they’re hunting on their own. If you really want to teach your kids to hunt, you’ll need to start by teaching them good shooting habits. The best youth deer hunting rifles can help you do just that.
What We Look For in a Good Youth Deer Hunting Rifle
These picks from the crew represent field-tested options that can help you introduce or train youth hunters. Luckily, most rifle manufacturers offer youth or compact options. So, if you’re a brand loyalist or don’t agree with these picks, you should at least consider these factors before pulling the trigger:
- Compact Size
- Adjustability
- Crisp Trigger
- Low Recoil
Regardless of the cartridge or setup, a youth rifle should fit young hunters so they can feel comfortable shooting. Minimum recoil, short length of pull, and a crisp trigger can help them shoot confidently, especially when it’s time to pull the trigger on a big buck. A rifle that can grow with the hunter might also sway your decision when it’s time to pay.
Jump to: What Makes A Good Youth Deer Rifle
The Youth Deer Hunting Rifles We Recommend
As parents and lifelong hunters, the MeatEater crew knows the important role that a solid youth rifle plays in a young hunter’s training. These are the rifles we trust to help our kids fill their tags.
Sig Sauer Cross 6.5 Creedmoor
Steve & Janis' Pick
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Weatherby Vanguard Compact .243 Win
Brody's Pick
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Remington 700 .243 Win
Tyler's Pick
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Traditions Outfitter G3 .300 AAC Blackout
Jordan's Pick
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Marlin 336 Classic
Adam's Pick
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Ruger American Gen II
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlight | Best Overall | Best Lightweight | Lowest Recoil | Best Budget | Best Classic Deer Rifle | Best Value |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 7.25 lbs | 6.25 lbs | 7.5 lbs | 6.5 lbs |
| Barrel Length | 16 or 18 in. | 22 in. (20-in. barrel, 2-in. muzzle brake) | 20 in. | 16.5 in. | 20.25 in. | 20 in. |
| Overall Length | 38.5 in. | 39-40 in. | 38.625 in. | 30.5 in. | 38.625 in. | 41.25 in. |
| Action | Bolt | Bolt | Bolt | Break | Lever | Bolt |
| Chamberings | 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .277 Fury | .22-250 Rem, .223 Rem, .243 Win, .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Rem | .22-250 Rem, .223 Rem, .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, + 4 Others | .357 Mag, .35 Whelen, .44 Mag, .45-70, .35 Rem, + 4 Others | .30-30 Win. | 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, 7mm-08 Rem, .243 Win, +3 Others |
| Capacity | 5+1 or 10+1 | 5+1 | 4+1 | 1 | 6+1 | 3+1 |
| Price | $1,599.99* | $740* | $630* | $390* | $1,129* | $729* |
| Field Notes | Field Notes | Field Notes | Field Notes | Field Notes | Field Notes |
What Makes a Good Youth Deer Hunting Rifle
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Compact Size
If you haven’t noticed, kids are basically small adults. Just like their clothes and shoes, they need scaled-down hunting rifles that fit them, too. It doesn’t matter what kind of setup they have; if they can’t hold it steady, comfortably reach the trigger, or maintain proper eye relief to the scope, they’ll struggle with accuracy.
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Adjustability
Some youth-specific or compact models allow you to add spacers or recoil pads to adjust the length of pull as your kid ages. You’re more likely to drop a significant amount of cash on a youth rifle when you know your kid will be able to use it for the rest of their life or several years at the very least.
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Crisp Trigger
I don’t know anyone who wants a creepy trigger, and they’re especially a problem for new or young hunters learning to shoot. I wouldn’t suggest giving your kid a hair trigger, but anything over 5 lbs. will give them more time to flinch. A lot of rifles now include adjustable triggers, so it’s something to consider when you’re making a purchase.
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Low Recoil
I don’t care how tough you are; magnum recoil sucks. This especially goes for young hunters. They need a rifle that won’t hammer their shoulder every time they pull the trigger. Shooting their hunting rifle should feel like fun, not like punishment. They’re more likely to flinch if they’re anticipating a beating from their rifle. Give them a cartridge they’ll want to shoot. There’s a reason you don’t find youth rifles chambered in magnum cartridges.
Our Recommendations
Best Overall
Love it or hate it, the 6.5 Creedmoor is a swift, accurate, and low-recoil cartridge, which makes it a no-brainer for youth hunters. Because weight and size factor into youth deer hunting rifles, you can still opt for a compact, lightweight hunting rifle without worrying about the added recoil. Sig Sauer’s Cross rifle balances these factors well, which is one reason MeatEater’s Steven Rinella and Janis Putelis both reach for this rifle when they’re playing guide for their kids.
“Both of my hunting-age kids shoot Sig Cross rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor,” Steve said. “They get excited about shooting and haven’t developed any fears or flinches from these low-recoil (and relatively quiet) rifles.”
Another feature Steve highlighted is the M-Lok system, which he uses “to add an Arca rail so the rifles can be placed on a heavy bipod or glassing tripod when we need to get above some grass or brush.”
While the Sig Sauer Cross might not seem like an obvious youth rifle, it’s adjustability makes it a worthwhile investment that kids will be able to shoot “until they’re certified old-timers.”
MeatEater’s Janis Putelis also spoke to the rifle’s adjustability, “the length-of-pull and cheek height are both adjustable, making it easy to fit me, my big 12-year-old, or my smaller 10-year-old.” He also noted that the two-stage trigger helps kids “wrap their heads around clean trigger breaks,” allowing them to perform a consistent shot process.
Best Lightweight
Weatherby’s Vanguard Compact Hunter offers plenty of adjustability, a threaded barrel, and solid out-of-the-box accuracy at a reasonable price. At $740, you get a ton of features that other competitors lack in this price tier. The Cerakote finish, adjustable two-stage trigger, and fluted, one-piece bolt body might be more than your youth hunter needs, but some of these features can certainly help them develop accurate shooting habits. MeatEater’s Brody Henderson has been impressed with this rifle’s performance, which has helped his own son punch more than a few tags.
“My 12-year-old son has been shooting the Weatherby Compact Vanguard in .243 Win for the last three years. It’s durable and accurate, which makes it a great rifle for kids.” he said. “I wouldn’t recommend that cartridge for elk, but he’s taken three mule deer bucks and an antelope buck with clean one-shot kills at ranges beyond two hundred yards. The rifle also has a short length of pull that’s perfect for youngsters, but you can always add the included spacer to the stock as they grow.”
Lowest Recoil
Even though ownership of the company has changed hands several times over the course of its history, there’s no denying the Remington 700 action. It’s been used in everything from economy line RTH packages to precision rifle builds and everything in between. While there are plenty of iterations of this rifle, the 700 ADL compact in .243 makes a great option if you’re in the market for youth deer hunting rifles.
While it’s one of the heaviest rifles on this list, that will help absorb some of the recoil, which is mild to begin with. There’s nothing fancy about Remington’s economy line rifle. It’s not winning any beauty contests, and it has an internal box magazine rather than a hinged floor plate or detachable one. But for less than $700, the Remington 700 ADL will make a great first rifle. In fact, The Element’s Tyler Jones still occasionally breaks out his 700 when he’s not flinging arrows.
“I have an old Remington .243 that I’ve shot mule deer, hogs, javelinas, exotic sheep, coyotes, and a bunch of whitetails with,” he said. “The cartridge itself is great for deer or smaller critters without much recoil. I despise recoil and have been shooting this gun since age 9 with zero issues. The wood stock is heavy enough to absorb recoil, but not so heavy as to make it cumbersome for a youth to tote and operate.”
Best Budget
Fundamentals are key with any new skill. Simplicity sticks, and it doesn’t get easier than a break-action rifle, especially if you’re hunting with youngsters. At 5.8 pounds and 30.5 inches of overall length, this rifle is easy to maneuver in tight spaces like blinds or box stands, and there’s no guesswork when it’s time to reload. The $390 price means there should still be some room in your hunting budget for a solid scope. MeatEater’s resident firearms expert, Jordan Sillars, prefers the Traditions Outfitter G3 for these very reasons.
“My kids aren’t quite old enough to deer hunt, but when they are, it’ll be with the Traditions Outfitter G3 break-action rifle in .300 Blackout,” he said. “The single-shot, break-action design is super safe from a reloading standpoint, and it also makes the rifle incredibly short (since it doesn’t have a receiver and a bolt taking up space). The .300 Blackout doesn’t need anything longer than a 16-inch barrel, which means I can install a suppressor and keep the rifle manageable for smaller-statured hunters. The Blackout is already light-recoiling, and the suppressor basically eliminates it. The trigger is nothing to write home about, but we’re not taking shots beyond 80 or 100 yards here in East Texas. The whole package is compact, light, and easy to shoot—I can’t think of a better combination for a youth deer hunter.”
Best Classic Deer Rifle
While the new Ruger-made Marlins aren’t available in a youth model (yet), I think the 336 still makes a great option for older/larger youth. This rifle’s weight (7.5 pounds) coupled with this cartridge’s mild recoil, makes it manageable for young hunters to shoot and carry. The walnut furniture and diamond checkering are immaculate, and these rifles shoot and cycle as smooth as they look. Die-hard JM fans will still bemoan the push-button safety, but Ruger has more than atoned for the Remlin days, and the gold trigger is just icing on the cake.
Because your kids might not shoot beyond 100 yards with this rifle, a classic setup would include some see-thru rings with a solid 3-9x40 scope on top, giving them plenty of glass when they need it or trusty iron sights for close-quarter shots. The Marlin 336 Classic comes with a hefty price tag (sorry, the days of snagging one for $300 at your local pawn shop are gone), but that’s okay; this rifle will outlive you and your kids. My earliest hunting memories involve a Marlin .30-30, and I still tote my late grandfather’s JM 336 from time to time.
Best Value
Ruger’s latest version of their American line of rifles expands upon their wildly successful and affordable bolt action rifles. I’ve owned or shot numerous models in this line, and I’ve always been impressed with the price-to-performance ratio. The Ruger American Gen II packs a ton of value in an already impressive package for just $729. It comes factory with a gun metal gray Cerakote finish, modular stock with a sweet-looking splatter design, and a threaded and spiral-fluted barrel.
Major upgrades to the Gen II include the three position-safety and the modular stock. Parents should appreciate the three-position safety, which allows you to unload the rifle without moving it into the fire position. It comes factory with a 13.75-inch length of pull, but you can drop it down to 12 inches for youth hunters. This also means they’ll be able to shoot this rifle for years to come, and at 6.5 pounds, you can still suppress this rifle without adding a ton of weight.
