A parent taking their child into the deer woods for the first time feels akin to watching their first ride on a bike without training wheels. It's a moment of immeasurable significance. After all, we can only observe our children reach each milestone once.
Taking kids on their first hunt is a rite of passage, it's an opportunity to pass down traditions, teach valuable skills, and spend quality time together in nature. There's a sense of pride in sharing their passion for hunting and fostering a connection to the outdoors in their children. But it also comes with a lot of responsibility, like teaching your kids important hunting lessons and, of course, firearm safety.
A huge component of firearm safety for young hunters is using a bow or rifle that is the right size, weight, and match for them. You want your child with a well-fitting deer rifle they can confidently take into the woods. We've made your life easier by compiling the most practical youth rifles chambered in .243 Winchester for first-time deer hunters. These rifles are built to reduce recoil, fit a child's frame comfortably, offer consistent performance, and come with a reasonable price tag.
The Best .243 Youth Rifles for Deer Hunting
- The Best Youth Hunting Rifle Chambered in .243: Savage Arms Axis XP Compact
- The Safest .243 Youth Hunting Rifle: Henry Rifles Single Shot Youth Rifle
- The Best Lightweight .243 Youth Hunting Rifle: Ruger American Ranch Compact
- The Best Youth .243 Rifle With An Adjustable Length of Pull: Mossberg Patriot Youth Super Bantam
- The Best Weather and Damage Resistant Youth .243 Deer Rifle: Winchester XPR Compact
The Best Youth Hunting Rifle Chambered in .243
Top Pick: Savage Arms Axis XP Compact
Weight: 7.32 lbs | Overall Length: 39.5 inches | Length of Pull: 12.75 inches
The Savage Arms Axis XP Compact was the first gun I bought my son once he became a qualified apprentice hunter. He loved using it for his first few years of deer hunting.
This affordable rifle and scope package offers first-timers a great deal, especially considering kiddos will outgrow this length of pull and will need a larger gun once they hit a growth spurt. The 3-9x40mm Weaver scope is already mounted, bore-sighted, and saves parents from needing to make an extra purchase. All you need is a couple of trips out to the range and some fine-tuning, and you'll be sighted in time for opening day.
The Savage Axis XP Compact measures 39.5 inches long and features a 20-inch carbon-steel barrel. Its rugged synthetic stock has a recoil pad and is dipped in a TrueTimber Strata camouflage pattern, which looks quite cool; any youth hunter would get excited about it. The barrel is matte black, so it won't reflect sunlight and give away your position to an approaching deer.
This rifle has a detachable box magazine with a four-round capacity, allowing shooters to have a 4+1 cartridge capacity in case follow-up shots are required. It already has sling swivel mounts, so attaching a sling is easy. The front end has room for a bipod, too.
Overall, this durable, compact Savage rifle is truly designed with young, small-framed shooters in mind.
- Comes with a factory-mounted, bore-sighted 3-9x40mm Weaver scope
- Rifle and scope combo is offered at a very friendly price point
- Slings and bipods are easily attached to it
- Camo synthetic stock
- Ambidextrous tang safety
- Compact size is perfect for youth shooters
- Price point is wallet-friendly
- Weighing 7.3 pounds, it's a little on the heavy side
The Safest Youth .243 Hunting Rifle
Top Pick: Henry Rifles Single Shot Youth Rifle
Weight: 6.95 lbs | b>Overall Length: 36.5 inches | Length of Pull: 13 inches
The beautiful Henry Rifles Single Shot Youth Rifle is a high-quality firearm for young hunters transitioning into deer hunting. This youth-friendly design has a buttstock that's 1" shorter than full-size Henry rifles, resulting in a comfortable 13" length of pull for most apprentice hunters. The American walnut stock adds a touch of classic elegance and features a black, solid rubber recoil pad, providing additional comfort while shooting.
This youth rifle has extra safety benefits, too. The ambidextrous locking lever safety prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. Additionally, the barrel can't open if the hammer is cocked, and the barrel can't close if the hammer is cocked while it's open. These features add extra layers of safety for novice hunters. Plus, the single-shot configuration promotes a deliberate and measured approach to shooting, emphasizing accuracy and shot placement—a crucial aspect of ethical and responsible hunting.
The rifle's drilled and tapped receiver provides the option to mount a scope. Scopes enhance a young hunter's ability to acquire targets with greater confidence and precision. The matte black barrel keeps it from glinting in the sunlight.
With a focus on safety, comfort, and quality craftsmanship, the Henry Single Shot Youth Rifle is a visually appealing and reliable hunting companion. It is of such high quality that your child may pass it down to their own kids someday.
- An heirloom-quality single-shot youth rifle that your child will cherish forever
- The rebounding external hammer adds an extra layer of protection by blocking the firing pin at all times unless the trigger is pulled
- Single-shot configuration encourages accurate shot placement and ethical hunting practices
- Can mount a scope on it
- Weight is the perfect fit for a young hunter
- Henry Rifles are manufactured in the USA, and they guarantee exceptional quality
- Because it's a single-shot rifle, your child should practice reloading this firearm by hand quickly and efficiently before at the range before they head into the field
- Wood stock may be more vulnerable to moisture and wear and tear
The Best Lightweight Youth Hunting Rifle
Top Pick: Ruger American Ranch Rifle Compact
Weight: 6 lbs | Overall Length: 36.75 inches | Length of Pull: 12.5 inches
This scaled-down Ruger American in .223 Remington makes for a smart youth rifle, even though it isn't marketed specifically as one. Ruger shaved off over five inches on the overall length of this rifle compared to the non-compact American Ranch rifle. The shortened length makes the compact version more manageable for youth shooters, whether hunting in the timber or in a blind.
The 10+1 detachable box magazine offers a nice reprieve at the range because you can spend less time reloading and more time practicing fundamental shooting techniques. Its short 18-inch barrel is threaded and suppressor-ready. Suppressors help protect your child's hearing, especially if they're gearing up to be a lifelong hunter. It uses a Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger, which offers a crisp release with a pull weight adjustable between 3 and 5 pounds. Thanks to its ergonomic synthetic stock, this lightweight design only burdens hunters with 6 pounds.
Don't forget that children grow up; this rifle is pricier as it costs $600, and the short length of pull means it might fit your kiddo for only a few years. Although, as parents, we want our children to have fun, safe, and memorable hunting and target shooting experiences, you might not want to spend this much money on a firearm they will most likely outgrow. That said, when you add up these features, you're left with an accurate rifle that's wildly fun to shoot and proficient in the field.
- Short length of pull fits youth hunters' bodies well
- Lightweight and short overall length is easy to carry around in the woods or hold steady in a hunting blind
- 10+1 magazine capacity means you can spend less time reloading at the range and more time practicing fundamental shooting techniques
- Has an adjustable trigger weight ranging between 3-5 lbs
- Synthetic stock stands up to the elements
- Offers less recoil management because it only weighs 6 pounds. However, .243s are notorious for not having much recoil, so this isn't a significant concern
- It's somewhat pricey for a firearm your child might outgrow
Best Youth Rifle With An Adjustable Length of Pull
Top Pick: Mossberg Patriot Youth Super Bantam
Weight: 7.5 lbs | Overall Length: 38.5 inches | Length of Pull: 12-13 inches
Mossberg has a top-tier reputation for building high-quality shotguns at an affordable price. Their Patriot series has garnered more and more attention from hunters for all the same reasons. Mossberg's bolt-action rifles offer serious bang-for-your-buck appeal.
The selling point of the Mossberg Patriot Youth Super Bantam is that it comes with a set of spacers. This enables parents to adjust the length of pull of this rifle, allowing a young hunter to grow with their gun or for younger siblings to shoot it once the oldest outgrows the maximum length of pull. Long story short, this gun can stay in your family for quite a while.
It also has a 20-inch matte-blue barrel. This type of barrel can be susceptible to rust, so practice good gun care and teach your child to clean their rifle after they use it in rainy or foggy conditions. It also has a black synthetic stock that is inherently scratch-resistant and won't rust. The trigger is adjustable and ranges between 2 and 7 lbs, a handy feature considering this gun may be handed off to several children within the same family. Plus, the 5+1 capacity box magazine means your child will have up to 5 follow-up shots at the ready.
Lastly, this gun is available in black, green camo, and pink camo. Any new hunter will be excited for the opportunity to choose their own rifle color. No other rifles on this list are available in multiple colors. Between the adjustable length of pull and the chance to get it in an awesome color, your new hunter will certainly be excited to put it to use during your kid's first deer season.
- Adjustable length of pull easily changes between 12 and 13 inches by inserting a spacer.
- This rifle can grow with your child or even be handed down to other kids as your family grows
- Adjustable trigger ranges between 2-7 lbs
- Synthetic stock is durable and scratch-resistant
- Finish is available in black, green camo, or pink camo.
- Weight helps with recoil management
- It's on the heavier side at 7.5 pounds
Best Weather and Damage Resistant Youth Deer Rifle
Top Pick: Winchester XPR Compact
Weight: 6.5 lbs |Overall Length: 39.25 inches | Length of Pull: 13 inches
Young, novice hunters typically aren't known for taking the utmost care of their belongings. Hunting rifles are no exception. Your child may be rough with their first deer gun even when trying their best to take good care of it, so investing in weather and damage-resistant youth rifles is a great idea.
Winchester's XPR Compact is a smaller version of their full-size XPR. This gun touts a Perma-Cote finish on its free-floating barrel and receiver, which is more weather, rust, abrasion, and corrosion-resistant than typical bluing treatments. The muzzle's recessed target crown protects the exposed rifling edges, ensuring accuracy even if the muzzle experiences wear and tear. The bolt is treated with nickel Teflon, so it's tougher than the average bolt. The synthetic stock is also weather and scratch-resistant while cutting down on overall weight.
This gun's weight is perfect for a youth hunter. It's heavy enough to absorb recoil and light enough to carry comfortably in the field. The recoil pad on the buttstock eliminates any additional recoil associated with this .243. The 13-inch length of pull will fit most young hunters well, and the shorter barrel length increases a kid's ability to maneuver this rifle in the blind or forest.
The XPR Compact also has a 3+1 detachable magazine capacity, so your child will have follow-up shots ready for quick, ethical hunts. It's drilled and tapped for a scope, but parents must buy it separately. Sling swivel studs are already installed, so attaching a sling is simple.
Overall, the Winchester XPR Compact will fit youth hunters well, stand up to the elements, and quickly and ethically harvest your kid's first deer. Even though it's $100 more than other rifles on this list, paying for the Perma-Cote finish is worth it, especially if your family typically hunts in wet conditions or your child is notoriously rough on gear.
- Perma-Cote finish on the barrel and receiver makes this rifle more rust, corrosion, weather, and abrasion-resistant than the others on this list
- Free-floating barrel increases accuracy and precision
- Recessed exposed rifling protects your rifle's barrel in real-world hunting conditions
- Extra-large trigger guard helps your child pull the trigger while wearing gloves
- A little on the pricier side, but you're paying for increased durability
What to Look For When Buying Youth Deer Rifles
If you're shopping for your child's first deer rifle, pay attention to the length of pull, durability, chambering, and price of each gun. These specific features are especially important when purchasing compact youth rifles.
Unless your kiddo had an early growth spurt, youth firearms should not be full-size firearms. Most parents opt for short-barreled, compact rifles with short lengths of pull.
Paying attention to the length of pull is essential when shopping for youth rifles. The length of pull plays into how well a rifle fits its user's body, and a better fit means increased accuracy, precision, and comfort. Full-size rifles generally have a 13.75-inch length of pull. Youth rifles tend to hover in the 12 to 13-inch range. Some youth rifles even have adjustable lengths of pull that let parents swap between 12 and 13 inches. Adjustable rifles can grow with your child and be shrunk back down to fit your oldest's younger siblings as they enter the hunting world.
Depending on the size of your child and your family, you may opt for a fixed-length rifle or an adjustable one. Either way, purchasing a well-fitting rifle helps your child be a more proficient shooter and enjoy hunting more.
If you have kids, you know they can be rough and tough with their belongings. Although every parent must discuss caring for and respecting a firearm with their child, don't expect a child to be perfect. They're going to put their deer rifle through the wringer. Set them up for success by giving them a durable rifle.
Durable rifles can withstand weather, corrosion, scratches, rust, and more. Fiberglass, polymer, or composite synthetic stocks are tougher than wood stocks. Barrels and receivers treated with Perma-Cote or Cerakote finishes are more rust and corrosion-resistant than blued ones. Recessed muzzles protect the edges of the rifling inside of a barrel, therefore protecting that rifle's accuracy even if a kid whacks the muzzle against a tree.
You know your kid best. If you expect them to hunt in the rain, forget to clean their rifle, or accidentally drop their gun, get them a durable rifle.
A 10-year-old isn't going to enjoy feeling a 300 WIN Mag's recoil. Conversely, .22 long rifles aren't large or powerful enough to harvest a deer successfully. As a parent, selecting the appropriate chambering for your child's first deer rifle is up to you.
.243s are the most popular caliber for youth rifles. They're accurate and precise, especially when the target is 200 yards away or closer. The bullets are large enough to take down a deer ethically. Affordable .243 ammo is readily available nationwide. Plus, this caliber has almost no recoil. While you shouldn't feel limited to selecting a .243 for your child, it is a great fit for most youth hunters. Other chamberings worth considering include .270 WIN, 7mm-08 Remington, .308 WIN, or even 30-30 WIN.
While prices are always important when gun shopping, it's especially important when specifically looking for a youth rifle. Our kids will eventually outgrow their small, compact youth rifle and need a gun with a longer length of pull. Parents on a budget may be uninclined to purchase a pricey compact rifle, knowing they'll need to buy a full-size rifle someday. Guns with adjustable lengths of pull will fit your child as they grow, and as a result, kids may get another year or two out of their youth rifle. However, even adjustable guns max out at 13 inches, and the average adult's pull length is 13.75 inches.
I recommend finding an affordable youth rifle that is consistently accurate and precise with added features that increase durability. Many rifles on the market fit these criteria and cost under $600. Five great options are featured on this list.
Editor's Note: Products featured on Wide Open Spaces are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
READ MORE: How to Teach Your Kids to Bowhunt, According to Experts
