My grandson is 7 and he is eager to shoot and hunt. Me and his Dad want to get him something to kill deer with. The problem I have found is finding something he can shoulder with a short LOP. I have searched several manufacturers but he seems to be at that weird stage where they just don't make a rifle to fit him yet.
Looking at maybe 243, 350 legend, 6.5 Grendel, 300 blk.

AR-15 platform with adjustable stock is the EZ solution. In a year or two he’ll be big enough for a youth/compact bolt action or single shot.

Savage axis 2 is suppose to be super adjustable.

Any suggestions on brand from gunbroker that I can just stick a red dot on for less than $500

Look at budsgunshop as well. Might find something in that range

PSA has a 5.56 for less than 500 or had

Ruger american compact

H and R Handi Rifle in a youth model, if you can find one. I have one in .243 that I am replacing, finishing a standard stock for right now. Love the gun and it is a shooter for sure.

I had the same problem last season, my son is 7 as well. I built him an AR in 350 legend. Even a 10/22 has to long LOP for him. Its pretty simple, I had never built one previously. I bought the upper from bear creek and lower from palmetto state (had it FFL to a local shop). I think if i remember correctly i have between 500-600 in it and that is topped with a vortex scope. Only thing i added to the build was a trigger with less pull. I know bear creek has a bad rep, but so far i have zero issues and the whole family can shoot it with the adjustable stock. Also seems like ammo availability is better now than it was last year.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/blem-psa-ar15-complete-moe-ept-stealth-lower-black.html

https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/35...-16-twist-carbine-12-mlok-sch-upper.html

Same here.... I have a 350 Legend for the Kids I have built. I've got a bunch of kids that come hunt. I used one for the first time with the kids maybe 2 seasons ago.... I was not super excited to start any Kid off on an AR platform but it's been the correct decision. We can practice with the .223 and we take the .350 hunting and the kids have never known the difference.

I'm still shocked at the performance it will smoke a deer or hog. I highly recommend it while hunting with an AR is typically not my thing... I prefer more traditional rifles.

Check out a cva scout compact

Savage Axis Youth in .308 due to ammo availability if you go traditional route. Reduced recoil ammo.

Another vote for the Ruger. My son, now 25, got his first rifle at 7. Ruger compact in 7-08. He killed several deer with it and a nice 7 point when he was 8. I had managed recoil loads for it and I didn't let him shoot it till it was at a deer. We practiced with .22's on shot placement, etc. He said he never felt the recoil when shooting a deer and never became recoil shy.

Sent you a pm about a youth rifle I have