Anyone have any experience with this setup for youth hunting? Looking at the 6.5 Grendel

https://www.howausa.com/rifles/mini-excl-lite/

I don't have any personal experience with that rifle but my main concern would be with it being too light and how that impacts recoil. Howa makes good rifles but I am not a fan of their two stage triggers (if they even still come factory with them) and would upgrade that immediately. I do like the adjustable stock to let it grow with the kid...

I have two rifles that I have recently configured for my 10 year old daughter. Both are Ruger American Ranch and I have replaced the stocks with the magpul hunter that has an adjustable LOP and Comb. it is also much heavier to help reduce recoil but will also make it a little harder for her to carry around. That really shouldn't be a problem since she'll be shooting either out of a BOG pod and/or out of a deer blind (with a shelf).

I am a fan of the 6.5 Grendel and shot my first hog with it over the weekend. Not sure if that helps just went through a similar situation here recently.

I don't think it's too lightweight, just lightweight for a chassis gun. Looks like it comes in at 7.5lbs (not sure if that is scope package or not though...) and 6.1lbs for the Ruger American Ranch. So should be in a good spot either way.

I will also 3rd the Ruger American Ranch, Excellent shooter. I don't think you'll really go wrong either way, but you definitely have options in the space.

You can get Youth stocks by calling up Ruger. Just a note on that, when I set my kids' up 18months ago, Called them up and explained the situation (setting up a gun for my daughters), they shipped me a youth stock free of charge, pretty good bull!

My 11 Yr old daughter shoots a 22-250 Remington.

I like it. The adjustable stock is huge for kids. But Id just do AR15 with adjustable gas block and take advantage of the reduced recoil.

Ragoo said:

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My first rifle was a .243
Papa gave daddy and daddy gave to me

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My first deer rifles was as well.

A few years ago, I gave my oldest son the .22 Hornet I had as a kid.

This year, my oldest got the .243 that was my Dad's gun when he was little, mine when I was, and now his. And my youngest boy gets the .22 Hornet next year.

I'd go Tikka

Awesome! I think you and a couple of others on here got me to go with the same setup and round in 300BLK.. I since added a Grendel to the collection for a little more power. No reported kills but she did shoot at one pig on a spot and stalk but unfortunately missed.

Not to derail - But how is the accuracy with subs in the 300? How about with supers? I bought one just like it a few weeks ago. Scope is in the mail and suppressor is still in jail.

.243 or 6.5 creedmore. I would figure out how to "add" weight to the rifle, as well as add a muzzle brake or can to reduce recoil. My son shoots an AR10 - seems to be perfect.

ive got a grendel AR i'm looking to move if anyone on this thread is interested!

What do you have?

I shoot subs 50yds and within, supers out to 100. I'm sure they could reach out further, but our setups are fairly close. Especially when I'm hunting with the boys.

That said, accuracy has never been a problem with subs or supers. I've really enjoyed the .300 for its versatility and ease of shooting.

How big of a kid? 6.5 CM recoil is going to feel like a 7mm Rem mag if they're half your size. Getting a good fit (proper length of pull, correct comb height for good cheek weld) will help a lot. A suppressor will cut down on noise, pressure, and recoil no matter what you get

He's 10, about 4ft 8 and 80lbs or so. Strong kid. He's been shooting a youth 243 but really likes shooting my Ar. The 243 is his cousins and I've been wanting to get him his own gun. He has killed quite a bit with that youth 243.

7mm-08 or 308 with reduced recoil ammo. If you can swing a suppressor even better! Once he gets older you can go with full strength loads.

I been on a couple safaris where there was a 9 yr old tiny lil girl shooting full load 300 Win Mag. Teach em up and they can handle it.

Having said that....I think the 6.5 Grendel is the lightest recoil/most capable cartridge there is of the light recoil calibers. 123gr SST will take down anything in North America (except the giant bears) and any African plains game at any ethical hunting distance.

Another great choice is 7mm-08 with reduced recoil loads. Then you can go full loads if graduating up or wanting to stretch out or bigger game.

Personally I don't see the point in going 6.5 Grendel in a bolt gun. Reduced recoil loads are very similar ballistics with the option to go full loads for bolt action calibers. 6.5 Grendel is excellent in an AR.... adjustable stock for smaller shooters. Bolt actions are available in better choice calibers in my opinion.

DatTallArchitect said:

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malenurse said:

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This thread tells me it's a good time to be a kid.

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Pretty sure the 80s is still the best era to have been a kid.

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I was married in the 80's....

I used a Winchester 30-30 until I was seventeen. My dad then gave me a .308 that he bought from somebody who needed cash. They made him promise They strongly advised him to never take it to a gunsmith to get it worked on.

That gun is ugly as sin.

Mossberg Bantom Patriot with a wood stock. That's what my kids hunt with. Mine is a .243.

They have them in stock right now at Academy.

Teach your son to have a little class.

who makes a decent 6.5 grendel upper? how short can you reasonably go on the barrel (thinking 14-16, not 8-10 type numbers)? have a friend with some extra ar's laying around and might want to add this caliber to the mix for a youth hunter.

Paging Eyeguy.......

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Maybe he'll teach his son "if you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all"

Not everyone is a wood gun purist like yourself

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Hey I understand everyone cannot be as cool as me. But to be clear he asked for our opinion and I can't be the only one that thinks that gun is butt ugly. Cause it is. Someone had to say it.

In all seriousness I recommend the Mossberg Bantom Patriot because the one I bought for my kids has been a fantastic rifle, so much so that it is the only rifle we used this season. And if I was going tomorrow by myself to shoot a deer I would probably take it over everything else. Love how compact and light it is and the trigger and accuracy are fantastic. The composite stock configuration also allows them to grow into it similar to a Ruger, but to be honest I like the compact youth size.

I got ours in .243 mostly because my son and his friends are all Whisky Myers fans. That and I like the cartridge, but they also make it in 6.5 Creed and 7-08.

Ruger American Predator in 6.5CM is a great option as well. Surefire PROCOMP muzzle break makes recoil akin to 223/556, just remember to have them get the ports on the muzzle break far enough out the window of the stand or everyone inside will suffer the consequences.

My son is 15 a shoots a Grendel and has 5 or 6 years now. It's been a really good gun. His is a ruger American.

Jbob04 said:

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I wasn't going to get the flag colored one. It comes in camo, green, and black as well.

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Yea that's not it. I think it is the pistol grip. That would be a no go for me