Last edited by Clusterfrack; 07-14-2019 at 03:47 PM.
“There is no growth in the comfort zone.”--Jocko Willink
"You can never have too many knives." --Joe Ambercrombie
I've been leaning hard toward the Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39 for a while now. If it came with a compact stock, I would have surely purchased one a long time ago. As it is, I'd have to chop a good inch off the stock. A heavier stock totally defeats the purpose of this rifle, to me at least. There is a video on YouTube where someone cuts an American stock up and refits a different buttpad. It looks like chopping off 1" would be pretty easy with this stock, but the butpad would probably hang off the bottom of the stock a tiny bit afterward. Not a big deal to me. I could always reinforce it by epoxying a piece of 3/4" plywood shaped on a disk sander and then riddled with lightening holes if I had to.
I don't think I'm ready to drop ACOG money for this rifle quite yet, but that would surely be a sweet setup! I've got a Primary Ams advanced micro dot and a Holosun microdot with ACSS reticle that have both impressed the hell out of me. They are surely made in the same facility. I'd probably start by getting a low QD mount for one of those (probably the Holosun ACSS), and also a QD mount or rings for the SWFA 1-4 with Milquad DM reticle that I already have. They could be swapped back and forth depending on application. I'd be looking to buy a dedicated, lightweight, magnified optic at a later time, after we have some experience using the rifle afield with the other two configurations.
I could totally see this rifle fitted with the front sight from the Ruger PC carbine https://2rdrtx4bt29lo91s31mjhkji-wpe...ense-9mm-4.jpg
and a rear like this one from XS sights. https://www.tacticalwholesalers.com/...4aAt5KEALw_wcB Although I don't know if that exact pair would line up correctly. Something like this ought to happen.
Sorry that I don't know how to upload the images correctly.
The Howa barreled actions just seem too long to me, especially in 7.62x39. Curious if anybody knows exactly what a lightweight, compact rifle built on the Howa action would weigh in at? If so, what stock would you be using?
Tikka makes damn nice rifles, but they seem a little long and heavy for this application, no? They have the worst website possible. I can't find a lightweight, compact .223 offered in their current lineup.
Marlin youth rifles look cool as hell, too! I got to hold a larger Marlin today in Walmart, and the sights were pretty awesome if you ask me!!
There is a light-profile, 20-inch version. Can always cut and crown it. May not be suppressor-friendly due to the OD, though. There are a bunch of guys over on 24HourCampfire.com who lightened the factory poly stocks and were very happy with the results. Boyd's would probably end up heavier.
You're right, the latest version of the site sux. You can also download the catalog: https://www.tikka.fi/sites/default/f...logue_2019.pdf
They are actually reasonably lightweight for what they are. Is this what you're looking for? https://www.tikka.fi/en-us/rifles/ti...x-lite-compact and https://choose.tikka.fi/usa/code/JRTXE312C
6.4 lb isn't ultralight, but it's pretty decent. You should find one and have the girl handle it before writing it off. The Bass Pro near here usually has a decent selection of Tikka, since they are distributed by Beretta.
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Not another dime.
This just popped up in my Twitter feed, although it looks to be a couple years old: 14 Awesome Rifles and Shotguns Great For Youth Shooters.
The only other thing I have to add to the conversation is that some folks have interesting ideas about what would constitute an innocuous rifle for a teenaged girl to carry...
Recovering Gun Store Commando. My Blog: The Clue Meter
“It doesn’t matter what the problem is, the solution is always for us to give the government more money and power, while we eat less meat.”
Glenn Reynolds
That Howa is a pretty light rifle with a 20" barrel. It'd be neat to chop 4" off the barrel and 1 1/2" off the stock.
I have seen so many different weights and twist rates listed for that Tikka rifle at various vendors! It's weird that it should be so confusing.
Thanks for looking that stuff up!
Last edited by frozentundra; 07-15-2019 at 10:11 PM.
Another vote for the CZ527 in 7.62 x 39. Superb craftsmanship and quite accurate, and a great value at the price.
Ruger Mini/Ranch Rifle is a decent contender, but they've gotten pretty pricey for what they are.
Best, Jon
Based on how much I've enjoyed a CZ455, I'd likely give the CZ527 Youth Carbine a go if I was looking for a centerfire bolt action for my daughter.
Not sure if I saw this originally here on PF, or while I was researching a bolt for my practical rifle project last year. Either way, it's a pretty good barometer for how this gun will perform in the hands of a young lady.