The Accurate Reloading Forums
Best .223 bolt rifle for kids
31 December 2022, 18:54
dogcatBest .223 bolt rifle for kids
What bolt .223 would you suggest for 10 year olds and up to start with? Needs to be fairly accurate and not too heavy.
Thanks
31 December 2022, 19:06
cowboy77845Ihad a CZ 527 youth model I am sorry I sold. It was most accurate. I believe you would be satisfied with that. May be difficult to find, I saw one on gunbroker, NIB.
31 December 2022, 19:38
HipshootProbably can't go wrong with the Ruger American. The have a youth model with a shorter stock. Usually VERY accurate.
Hip
31 December 2022, 21:14
carpetman1If you can find a Remington 600, it would be hard to beat in my books. There were not as many .223's made as there were .222's, but the .222 is fine too. Second option would be the CZ and would be my first option were it not for the backwards safety.
01 January 2023, 03:21
eagle27My 11 yo grandson uses a Ruger American, barrel shortened to 16" with a suppressor mounted and bipod. Not sure what it weighs all up but he carries it around some knarly country okay.
I have loaded some 65gr Sierra SPBT ammo for him in the past but since running out he has just used the cheap/bulk (box of 50's I think) Hornady 55gr soft point.
Just last week on Wednesday he was hunting tahr in our Alpine region with his mum and dad and shot two yearling tahr for meat with one shot a piece. He was pretty stoked getting his first tahr.
Grandson's first yearling tahr in summer coat taken for meat with his Ruger American 223.
01 January 2023, 07:47
SabretoothEagle, that is a GREAT picture!
01 January 2023, 11:48
WstrnhuntrI started off with a single shot. I am a firm believer in single shots for kids. It teaches them to make it count.
AK-47
The only Communist Idea that Liberals don't like.
01 January 2023, 18:55
SaeedCZ527 is perfect for this.
01 January 2023, 20:22
Hipshootquote:
Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:
I started off with a single shot. I am a firm believer in single shots for kids. It teaches them to make it count.
ME TOO!
Some of my more well to-do friends had semi auto .22's. All they did was waste ammo! I made my one shot count, was the best shot of the bunch!
Hip
01 January 2023, 22:48
CCMDocFor my daughter’s 12th birthday more than a decade ago, I got her a Savage 110LH in .223 with 20” (I believe) barrel.
NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
01 January 2023, 23:55
PeglegRemington Model 7
The only easy day is yesterday!
07 January 2023, 03:56
ramrod340I have a Howa Mini 223 new in the box.
As usual just my $.02
Paul K
07 January 2023, 05:06
rcraigquote:
Originally posted by Hipshoot:
Probably can't go wrong with the Ruger American. The have a youth model with a shorter stock. Usually VERY accurate.
Hip
This.
08 January 2023, 02:42
TonyRumoreHowa Mini.
Tony
09 January 2023, 21:06
ZekeShikarI'll 3rd the vote on the Howa Mini.
Nice, svelte, sweet rifle and there are quite a few after-market goodies for them.
I use a couple, notably a 20 Practical for fun (If you like necking down and neck turning brass, which I do) and a 223. Grandson shot a mule deer buck last year with the 223 and 64 grain Hammer Hunter bullets. One and done!
All the ones suggested are fine rifles but having a few of them before, I like the Howa the best.
Zeke
10 January 2023, 05:02
TREE 'EMCheap route, Ruger American and buy a youth stock from the Ruger store. I did this with a 6.5 CM and it worked out well.
Slightly better option, Howa Mini
Huge step up and undoubtedly the best choice, CZ527
Best of the best, if you can find one, Sako L461
All We Know Is All We Are
11 January 2023, 22:11
ZekeShikarquote:
Originally posted by TREE 'EM:
Cheap route, Ruger American and buy a youth stock from the Ruger store. I did this with a 6.5 CM and it worked out well.
Slightly better option, Howa Mini
Huge step up and undoubtedly the best choice, CZ527
Best of the best, if you can find one, Sako L461
This is exactly what I think about them all!!!!! (although I've never owned a CZ).
I only have 3 L461's and I can tell you it's not enough! I have 3 Mini Howa's and that's about enough. Bought a couple Ruger rifles for grandsons and they're nice and shoot well (Creedmoor).
Zeke
13 January 2023, 05:05
SnowwolfeSavage Storm. Stock has spacers so the length of pull can be adjusted as well as the height of the comb.
My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost.
06 February 2023, 06:23
Michael RobinsonAn AR15 has a bolt, doesn't it?

Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
07 February 2023, 05:38
WalkerBest bolt action for kids isn't any 5.56/223. It's a 6.5 grendel. Head above a 5.56. Howa mini is one option.
14 April 2023, 00:12
Blacktail53
I put my RAR .223 in a compact stock and removed the recoil pad. It now wears a Leupold 2x7 in place of the SWFA. Fits the 7 year old grandson perfectly and there's room to grow.
Elk, it's what's for dinner..