Another help pick a rifle for my kid thread

freddyfour

freddyfour

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Brant County, Ontario
Ok, I'm stir crazy right now and thinking about what I'm going to get my son for his first center fire rifle. Here's the deal, he is 13 turning 14, 5'5" and growing like a bean sprout. He got his hunting license last year and came deer hunting with me for the first time with a firearm. He already has a Ruger 10-22 and can handle the recoil from 20ga full power slugs and he also has an 870 12ga that he shoots taget slugs and bird shot, doesnt seem to be scared of recoil ar all. I want to buy him something that will last till he's an old man.

Criteria:

Must be left handed friendly (couldn't beat ot out of him)
Would like to stick to calibers that I already load for: 243, 260 Rem, 308, 30-30, 270wsm, 35 Rem
Game on the table will be deer, black bear and moose if we ever pull a bloody tag
Budget, $1500 or less
No cheap junk!!!

What you guys think?

Edit: most likely will buy used
 
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As a lefty shooter myself the two makes/models that I see most often (if you exclude Savage) are Tikka T3 and Browning Xbolt. Both are good rifles, both have good availability in the calibers you already use.

I would probably go Browning if you want a gun that just works, or Tikka if you're interested in the option for aftermarket changes to the rifle - Browning aftermarket is pretty lean compared to Tikka.
 
5’5”?

Maybe 16.5” Rem 783 in 6.5CM with a muzzle brake? It may be cheap, but no junk - easy sub MOA with hand loads. Handles well. Low recoil. If you already load 308, you only need a set of dies.

Don’t make him walk around with an oar.
 
Suther said:
As a lefty shooter myself the two makes/models that I see most often (if you exclude Savage) are Tikka T3 and Browning Xbolt. Both are good rifles, both have good availability in the calibers you already use.

I would probably go Browning if you want a gun that just works, or Tikka if you're interested in the option for aftermarket changes to the rifle - Browning aftermarket is pretty lean compared to Tikka.
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I've owned a couple Tikka's and one x-bolt over the years. I enjoyed both platforms but not enough to keep, but they are on the short list for sure.
 
5.45 said:
5’5”?

Maybe 16.5” Rem 783 in 6.5CM with a muzzle brake? It may be cheap, but no junk - easy sub MOA with hand loads. Handles well. Low recoil. If you already load 308, you only need a set of dies.

Don’t make him walk around with an oar.
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He was good using my Savage 220 this past Nov so I will be looking for something full size. By this coming Nov he could be as tall as me!
 
freddyfour said:
I've been keeping an eye on all the 70's vintage 336's that come up. I mean, everyone should have a 30-30 eh?
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Absolutely! It's a classic cartridge that just works! My only concern would be the trajectory of that cartridge and the round or flat nose bullets needed for the tube mag could be an unnecessary handicap for a young shooter if the potential for 250-300+yd shots exist in the areas you hunt.
 
I go something in 20” brl. Winchester m70 featherweight, rem model 7, ruger ultralight in either 308 or 260. Maybe 260 first as can be used for all game listed and let him buy his bigger rifle if he wants when gets older. Still believe in taking two rifles when going on a longer/travelling hunt
 
Adequate LOP may be difficult to achieve in that price range. Something with adjustable LOP would be good, but I'm not sure what options exist in your price range.

You could always get a used Tikka, and pair it with a KRG Bravo Chassis. Would probably go a bit beyond your budget, but the Bravo with the LOP spacers removed could work just handily.
 
keith mokry said:
I go something in 20” brl. Winchester m70 featherweight, rem model 7, ruger ultralight in either 308 or 260. Maybe 260 first as can be used for all game listed and let him buy his bigger rifle if he wants when gets older. Still believe in taking two rifles when going on a longer/travelling hunt
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The BLR has crossed my mind a few times. Light, relatively compact and a bit better range than the 30-30.
 
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