Hi all, I want to spend up to 4k for a rifle and scope for my son who is heading off on his own. He has taken the hunter course and has hunted with me in the past. He is moving to Alberta for university and I want to get him a rifle and scope that will be last him forever. I was thinking 30-06 because that's what I know and use but if anyone has any strong opinions on caliber I would love to hear it. Basically I want him to have "one gun" for 90 percent of hunting situations that will be quality and last with the least chance of issues. Thanks!
lifetime rifle for my son
- Thread starter Mikeyman
- Start date
First thing first, a really lucky kid!! Second 30-06 is a great choice! As for brand and model that is tougher lol! Do you want a classic rifle deep blue, open sights and nice wood stock? Are you after stainless steel and plastic/composite stock? For me it would be wood blue open sights compact and I would put as much money on the optic as I would the rifle($2000 gun $2000 optic) but it would be easy to spend $4k on the rifle only....
One thing that would be important is to know what your boy is after cause in the end of the rifle doesn’t tick him he might not use it as much as if he gets something he really wants! But one thing for sure is what he thinks is cool now will most likely not be so 20 years down the rd!
One thing that would be important is to know what your boy is after cause in the end of the rifle doesn’t tick him he might not use it as much as if he gets something he really wants! But one thing for sure is what he thinks is cool now will most likely not be so 20 years down the rd!
My bias opinion is the Ruger No1 in 30-06. With a little tweaking it can be as accurate as any other rifle you will find. It is a good looking rifle that you can be proud of in the field or on the range. Being a single shot it enhances great hunting ethics and techniques. It can be loaded with rounds to drop anything in North America from moose and grizz to coyotes. I have only had to take a second shot once but it was a situation where the deer was dead but didn't fall down right away.
I would focus on an action that can be easily re-barreled with a new barrel for a lifetime of shooting. At that price you can get a decent custom or semi-custom job and have a real accurate shooter. If it were me I'd go bighorn action and custom barrel chambered in what you/he wants.
North
North
Caliber: .308, 30-06, and 6.5 are all solid options with lots of ammo availability.
Personally I'd go 30-06, because if you can't kill it with 30-06, run...
make/model:
If it is strictly going to be hunting and you don't plan on doing any modifications to it. Tikka T3x is everything you will want and need out of the box, and this is coming from a R700 fanboy.
As far as optics go, it's hard to say because it depends on the range's at which he plans on hunting. A lot of people in Ontario are more than fine with lower magnification because our shots on average are closer. ie. 2-9, 2-10s etc. That said, 4-16 will probably be a good overall
Personally I'd go 30-06, because if you can't kill it with 30-06, run...
make/model:
If it is strictly going to be hunting and you don't plan on doing any modifications to it. Tikka T3x is everything you will want and need out of the box, and this is coming from a R700 fanboy.
As far as optics go, it's hard to say because it depends on the range's at which he plans on hunting. A lot of people in Ontario are more than fine with lower magnification because our shots on average are closer. ie. 2-9, 2-10s etc. That said, 4-16 will probably be a good overall
What is your budget?
For my personal use it is really hard to beat a Christensen Arms Mesa. They have many features of a custom rifle, but at a reasonable cost. They are stainless and Ceracoated, so they have a very durable finish, and the stock is very good as well. Weight is light to mid weight I would say.
For my personal use it is really hard to beat a Christensen Arms Mesa. They have many features of a custom rifle, but at a reasonable cost. They are stainless and Ceracoated, so they have a very durable finish, and the stock is very good as well. Weight is light to mid weight I would say.
Suggestion would be to ask him.
He has his own preferences (wood? synthetic? chassis? color? stainless? brand? etc) and may have interests beyond hunting (longrange, light-weight mountain rifle, etc). Give him a card with a hand-drawn rifle in it with a dotted line around it and print "COUPON: Good for One Rifle of your Choice to take with you to Alberta"
I think the conversation and the ensuing shopping, building, tweaking would be an outstanding father-son experience.
EDIT: and make sure you budget for a robust lockable hard plastic gun case with a legit lock. There won't be any safes where he's going, and university student buddies don't need to be tempted with a rifle in plain view with a simple trigger lock. I'd suggest a simple rectangle that's as inconspicuous as possible.
He has his own preferences (wood? synthetic? chassis? color? stainless? brand? etc) and may have interests beyond hunting (longrange, light-weight mountain rifle, etc). Give him a card with a hand-drawn rifle in it with a dotted line around it and print "COUPON: Good for One Rifle of your Choice to take with you to Alberta"
I think the conversation and the ensuing shopping, building, tweaking would be an outstanding father-son experience.
EDIT: and make sure you budget for a robust lockable hard plastic gun case with a legit lock. There won't be any safes where he's going, and university student buddies don't need to be tempted with a rifle in plain view with a simple trigger lock. I'd suggest a simple rectangle that's as inconspicuous as possible.
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Iam starting to lean toward 6.5 cals for everything. 6.5x55 starting to like more. That way can use for varmit to moose. Believe it was mentioned that better for grad present than now as things could happen. Big thing will be his time to be able to go
Arloashean
CGN Regular
- Location
- People's Republic of Toronto
Lucky lad.
My son's in AB too... his experience is that the hunting opportunities vary so much from place to place (from huge spaces to tight brush) and on game choices (antelope? white tail? mule deer? elk? moose? bear?). Way more variables than back home in Ontario.
Would help to know more what he's likely to do.
30-06 is certainly proven for almost everything large-ish. And ammo availability is pretty much tops.
That said, you could go with something that can flex. Perhaps a more modern (if not too obscure) calibre with hitting power/distance to allow for bigger game over long range.
The 6.5 Creedmore might be a contender, but probably better for distance than impact on something big. Others can speak up, but 7mm Rem Mag? 7mm-08 Rem? 300 Win Mag?
Lots of mid-price Ruger, Remington, Mauser, CZ or Tikka rifles would do the trick.
Good luck.
My son's in AB too... his experience is that the hunting opportunities vary so much from place to place (from huge spaces to tight brush) and on game choices (antelope? white tail? mule deer? elk? moose? bear?). Way more variables than back home in Ontario.
Would help to know more what he's likely to do.
30-06 is certainly proven for almost everything large-ish. And ammo availability is pretty much tops.
That said, you could go with something that can flex. Perhaps a more modern (if not too obscure) calibre with hitting power/distance to allow for bigger game over long range.
The 6.5 Creedmore might be a contender, but probably better for distance than impact on something big. Others can speak up, but 7mm Rem Mag? 7mm-08 Rem? 300 Win Mag?
Lots of mid-price Ruger, Remington, Mauser, CZ or Tikka rifles would do the trick.
Good luck.
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I had one, now have a Tikka. Guy I sold it to is selling it to buy a Tikka as well. They for sure look good on paper but there's too many guys out there that ended up not being happy with them.
