lifetime rifle for my son

Lots of good suggestions above! Still in the prolonged stages of university, but I studied away from my hometown too. Love the gift idea (wish my parents had that same perspective) and theres good suggestions above. Couple of things, for one starting out in a new province hunting is a rather time consuming process and costly too as he'll be exploring lots of different areas unless he has people that can show him the ropes. In someways he might be better off coming back for an annual father son trip instead of being frustrated searching around with midterms etc looming. It's a good lesson to learn and I value the experience but if his studies are rigorous its a challenge. There are some good clubs with the universities to look into, I've seen the U of C group at the Calgary shooting center, so that maybe a good way for him to link up to other hunters in the area. I found target shooting to be a nice escape from my studies, less time intensive too, so maybe throw that into consideration if he's into it. Lots of good suggestions on a hunting rifle above. Hope that helps
 
Do your so a favour and stay away from magnums at least for his first rifle! I like the Ruger no1 idea personally, I have two of them and they can shoot, they look great, they hold there value and they carry easily!!
 
As stated earlier, the hunting here varies a lot and we have a good mix of species here as well.
I use a .280ai for everything now but I agree on your choice of .30-06. Factory ammo choices vary from super light kid loads to the heavies. It’s more than capable of taking everything this province has to offer.

As far as stainless, synthetic. I’m a huge fan of kimbers and always recommend a Hunter model to anyone looking for a new rifle. They’re a nice weight for carrying. Accuracy has always been great and the stocks are tough.

For a scope, I’d add a VX3hd 4.5-14x44mm (windplex) in some talleys.
 
The 270, 30-06, or 7mm Rem Mag would be perfect. At that budget, I’d have a rifle built on some kind of Remington clone with a good hand laid synthetic stock. It will last five lifetimes.
 
also dont over look a 7mm rem mag. That and the 30-06 you speak of do most jobs quite well. Look at a wood stalked sako or a sauer 202. Both very nice high quality firearms
 
$4,000 to spend:

Sako, any model he likes in 308, leupold 2.5-8x scope/ mounts
Ruger 22lr bolt action rifle,couple bricks of 22lr ammo
Workmate bench, 3/4plywood base, RCBS Jr press, C clamps, 308 dies, Lee shell prep tools (trimmer, primer pocket cleaner, +/- taper crimper)
scale, primers/powder Some loaded lapua soft pointed loaded ammo ( hunt with and for good brass.

He can do plenty of shooting on a student's budget. More shooting than a $4,000 fancy rifle would allow. Also less likely to get stolen than super big$$ rifle.
 
Without knowing your sons style it would be hard to say.

When I was that age and a university student, I was on VI and I would have wanted a lever action, probably a BLR. I really yearned for a Remington 870 two barrel combo set though.

Ten plus years on and having hunted northern BC and Southern Alberta? A classic bolt rifle or a ruger no 1 for sure. Timeless and simple


If I was buying someone an all around anything in Canada rifle and they weren’t a total gun but, it would be an 06 or a 270. 2-7 or 2.5-8x leupold or Zeiss.

His tastes may change but a nice Mauser, model 70, SAKO or ruger no 1 will be a fine sporting piece for his kids.

Even a m77 or rem 700 will last a lifetime. I just know that if I had 4K set aside I’d want to spend it all lol.

One thing you might do, and I suggest this as someone who didn’t receive any heirloom guns, tell him if he ever feels the need to sell it to take care of his family, education whatever you are the one who will be purchasing it.
 
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If you want to buy new, MD Charlton is clearing out their Sauer inventory. You might be able to snag a good deal through a vendor on a 100 or 101. You have to get quotes on remaining inventory through a retailer which is a bit of a pain. I'd go with Prophet River since they are great to deal with.
For a new scope I'd recommend getting a Minox all-rounder from Go Big Tactical. Tom is also great to deal with. The "all rounder" replaced the ZE5.2 and it's a great hunting scope with glass on par with the ZP5 at twice the price. Available with the german 4 reticle in 2-10x50 or 3-15x56.
 
I never knew how much a 7mm-08 was needed as a life long rifle till I bought my boy a browning X-bolt Micro Midas a few years back. I topped it with a Bushnell 3500 DOA and it's a keeper. I will add a 7mm Rem mag is at the top of my list. A 7mm mag is all anyone needs for any game in North America. IMO
 
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