Help with what Youth Rifle to purchase

Ok I’ve decided that I’m going to go with a New Youth Rifle for my 12 year old daughter. I’ve narrowed the options down to either the Savage Axis or the Ruger American. We have not looked at either up close. I need to get her out to do that. Interested in thoughts from those who have or have handled either of these two options. I want to hear the good and the Bad. At this price point I know we are not talking top of the line firearms but I’m sure one or the other will work just fine for her 1st Gun. I think I’m going to go with the 7mm-08 caliber in which ever one I choose.

Have a friend that has the Ruger American and it seems to be very accurate. And as for caliber I would go with a 243 instead. Less recoil and so many bullet options! And it’s plenty of gun for any deer.

If I remember right the stock on the Ruger is super cheap. I would say the Axis is the way to go.
DT

I have shot both and own 2 Axis. Neither is a bad choice.

The Ruger has the Marksman trigger that is adjustable, whereas the Savage Axis is a non-adjustable trigger and comes in at above 7 pounds, which is safe but not optimal for accuracy. The Marksman trigger is a “blade” trigger and some need time to get used to it.

Both are plastic stocks and while they are functional, to be honest I find both too slippery for my liking. I have upgraded both my Axis rifles to wear Boyd’s stocks because of this.

As far as caliber choice, I would agree with the others. IMO, the .243 suffers from an image problem in today’s Magnumitus crazed world and is way under-rated as a deer caliber. If the .243 was named the 6 MM Winchester PowerMagnum, it would be much more attrative to many.

The fact is a .243 is plenty for anyone, not just as a youth caliber. My father used my .243 about 4 years ago an stoned a 6 pointer. He said it wouldn’t have been any deader in its tracks had he shot it with an RPG.

If you would like to have your daughter shoot a .243 (Tikka) or a Savage Axis (.223 or .22-250), we can arrange to meet somewhere to see how she likes it.

Grouse

Not even a doubt in my mind that the savage is built better. When working burris events, I’ve handled 100’s of each. The savage has been much more consistent with a decent action and the bolt slide being relatively good. The ruger has been hit or miss. Some are ok, and some are sloppy. Not much cost difference and you get more on the savage. I don’t have a horse in that race and don’t represent either.

Randy Wieland wrote:

Not even a doubt in my mind that the savage is built better.

I wouldn’t disagree with that. I have over 1500 rounds through an Axis .223 and 500 through a .22-250 and the only thing that’s ever broke was the spring retainer on a magazine.

Well, I wouldn’t disagree EXCEPT for the blasted trigger on the standard Axis. I’ll say it’s not the worst trigger I’ve ever felt, but I believe my stock triggers on both Axis were over 7 pounds and there’s a modest amount of creep.

Now a young shooter, with gloves on, is probably not going to be hampered by a 7 pound trigger in any meaningful way. As many of you know, I’m dead-set against this fad for hair triggers on hunting rifles. Even with an adjustable trigger, I would not go much below 6 pounds on a hunting rifle for a youth.

The good news is $89 and a screwdriver fixes the problem in 6 minutes. A drop-in RifleBasix trigger makes the Savage into a fantastic value and my .223 is sub-MOA all day long. That’s pretty good value when you consider that for the price of the Axis PLUS the trigger, I’m still not at the point where I could have bought anything else that’s as good with an adjustable trigger.

I think far and away the most important consideration for a youth rifle is caliber choice and rifle fit. Recoil is an issue with kids, especially today’s kids who don’t shoot as much and therefore don’t have the opportunity to get used to recoil as many of us did back in the day.

Remember, the LOP has to account for the youth wearing heavy clothes and the scope has to be mounted to give proper eye relief for the shooter, not for whomever mounts the scope.

Grouse

Thanks for all the info. I’ll have to reconsider my caliber choice. 243 was my 2nd choice and I keep going back and forth between them.

Still a little undecided on a model and caliber. We headed out this afternoon to take a look at both models. The one thing I’m decided on is that I’ll not buy it from Gander mountain in Lakeville. Spent over a 1/2 hr. At the gun counter waiting for some assistance. In addition to myself and daughter there were 8-10 others at the counter. In that 1/2 hr not one employee said one thing to us or the others. There was 2 employees at the far end of the counter helping the same shopper. There were also 3 or 4 employees in the gun range area. I also noticed no shortage of employees in the clothing Dept. We decided to go over to Fleet Farm to see if they have either model to check out. They Did have Axis in a youth model to check out. For the price point I was rather impressed. I just cannot understand why a business has that much money tied up in inventory ( they do have a ton of display guns ) and do not have enough help to sell it. We may have to take a trip to Cabela’s to take a closer look at both models.

A year ago I bought a Ruger youth model for my son. Looked at many and chose the Ruger. For the price I would say it was an excellent buy. It nay be cheper than the others but there are many good features. Fun and very accurate rifle to shoot.

fishthumper wrote:

We decided to go over to Fleet Farm to see if they have either model to check out. They Did have Axis in a youth model to check out.

As an interesting development, Savage now offers the Axis 2 as a youth model with a Weaver scope. The Axis 2 version has the Accutrigger, vs the single stage non-adjustable trigger on the original Axis.

I would argee on the Big Box gun counters. I gave up. One big box is under-staffed and under-knowledgeable, the other is MASSIVELY overpriced.

To get any service, go small like that 4 Seasons Sport in Red Wing, Fleet, etc.

Grouse

Grouse

Thanks Grouse for the plug. We have got every caliber of Savage Axis 2’s in stock along with youth models. The only problem I ever had with an Axis was the trigger and now they have cured that. This is a great gun and fits nicely into anyone’s budget.

Chris

You need to open a store location in the Metro area. I may have to take a slight run to visit you when the purchase time comes. I’d much rather give my business to a location who value’s it, and provides great customer service. From what I hear that would be you.

No experience with the models in question but do have feedback on caliber.

Less may truly be more when it comes to kids. I’ve posted this before but I’m fighting a flinch all these years that started when I was 12’ish. .270 and a scope in the eyebrow can leave a long impression in my case.

My little brother still has his original .243 in a Browning Lever Action(BLR). I watched him drop some very big bodied mule deer with no problems at all. This was years before all the wonder bullets too.

It’s plenty do to the job on deer and wish I would have never sold him that rifle. Doubled very nicely on coyotes too.

I haven’t chimed in on anything for a while so……. here it goes.

I can’t tell you squat about the Ruger because I have no personal experience but like Grouse, I have a pair of Axis rifles, upgraded stocks and triggers. With both fixes, these rifles are loaded with confidence and have amassed both great target groups and field kills.

.243 all the way……. no reservations whatsoever!

I am also a fan of the .243 caliber. But I would suggest looking at a browning a-bolt with a dura touch stock. The stocks are short and are a great fit for young girls and smaller people. Not to mention that a-bolt action is much smother than the savage and the ruger.

If 4 Seasons has the Axis 2 in youth I would be all over that. Get it now! I get messages every October asking if I know where to find a youth rifle. You can get a 30-06 anytime. Youth rifles get rare as hens teeth come October.

Grouse