Originally Posted by
TreeStandMan
I've heard good things about the Ruger American too. For a kid I didn't want to break the bank, yet I wanted a good, functional shooter, so some months ago I got my boy a youth sized Marlin X7 (the X7Y) in 243. Last weekend I mounted a Vortex 4-12 on it and it seems like a good setup, if it performs at the range like the other X7 in my cabinet. This said, even though my boy takes after me and is tall for his age, it's still too big for him. My idea, though, is I'll get him used to shooting off the bench and and the range, and then when he's ready for his first mulie in a few years when he's 12 or 13, his shooting will be on point.
The fact that he's excited makes me excited, and I'm ready for him to accompany me on his first outing as resident hunter. For now he'll use the youth sized .22 I had as a boy, and I know a spot with lots of rabbits.