A good entry level rifle ?

[bigbaddad]

Depending on his size, any of the compact rifles in 7mm-08 Rem will do nicely. I bought a Remington Model 7 youth for mine when he was 10. We both still love it. He shot a 300 lb black bear and several deer with this rifle, and all have been one shot kills. This is a very capable cartridge with next to no recoil. Just don't buy him the Savage Axis youth. The terrible trigger on those will ruin him as a shooter. My 2 cents.

[Sharpie]

Does he have much experience with firearms? My dad bought me a 12 gauge for my 12 birthday and a used .30-06 for my 14th birthday.

.270win would be my suggestion and it might be the only rifle he ever uses for anything. Savage usually has some cheaper packages that shoot ok same as Remington model 710. Is hes going to hunt forever? than why cheap out.

[Rick014]

Sorry, I should have mentioned my son is not a youth but a full grown young man. He's just never hunted before and doesn't want to spend a lot as he's not sure how much he will like it or have time to hunt.

[Sharpie]

Borrow a rifle? Buy used? I still say .270

[Rick014]

That may be his best option to try borrow one or find a good used one at a decent price. So what's the advantage of the 270 cartridge?

[Sharpie]

Flat shooting, moderate recoil, ammo everywhere, enough whop. Just one of my favorites. If your going to borrow one than don't be picky, just make sure it legal and he can shoot it well before he starts wailing away at living creatures.

[last minute]

Can't go wrong with 270 cal

[Brbpuppy]

.308 win cal, bolt action.


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[LJalberta]

Many great all around options. I love my .308, but a .270, 7mm-08 or 30-06 do it all as well. I'm not sure what your budget is, but if you are buying new, a Ruger American topped with a Bushnell Legend Hd would be a great bang for your buck. I had a 3-9x40 Bushnell Legend Hd a few years ago, and was super impressed with the glass for the price.

[albertabighorn]

Originally Posted by Rick014

Sorry, I should have mentioned my son is not a youth but a full grown young man. He's just never hunted before and doesn't want to spend a lot as he's not sure how much he will like it or have time to hunt.

Savage axis II package with the 3-9 scope and accutrigger. Cheap and shoots good out of the box. Any 30cal should be a good all around option. When i was 11 i used a 7mm and at 15 a 300 win, both savages, both great guns.

[gs100bert]

there is a gun show in clarsholm this weekend go there handle a lot of guns ,talk to a lot of people and buy a used 30-06 with a scope .

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

7mm-08 , 270, 30-06 and great suggestions. 308 is another.

To keep costs down, nothing wrong with a Savage or maybe Weatherby Vanguard-they both have pkg setups as well.

Another option is to look for a mint used rifle. Tikka or Sako is what I like.

Maybe new Sako A7ss with scope deal, or find a used one. I had picked up a new 270WSM setup for my nephew 2 years ago on sale all in for $1129.00

[300magman]

Originally Posted by Brbpuppy

.308 win cal, bolt action.


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x2

[Peebles]

This question comes up so often on the forums that you will find tons of answers if you search. Turning those many answers into the right one for you will not be too hard if you keep in mind your needs and priorities.

The most important thing to know that the best rifle is the one in the best hands, so whatever he chooses he should practice shooting plenty before going hunting. Should be one of those needless to say things, but you never know.

Everyone will have their model and cartridge suggestions, but almost any of the popular choices on the market will suit your son. The most common cartridges are .30-06, .308, .270, and .243, with 7mm-08 and 7mm Rem. mag. as runners up. If you stick to these factory ammo will be a lot easier to come by.

I've read many times that .30-06 is at the upper end of tolerable recoil, and while this is an individual thing and 30 cal magnums are extremely popular, I suggest a milder rifle to start. Why start your learning with a flinch holding you back? Without getting into the inevitable arguments that ensue .243 is not the best choice if he starts hunting game larger than deer so pick one of the cartridges in between these two bounds.

When it comes to picking the brand if he is average or slightly above average height with a short neck then most rifles will handle comfortably. The best way to find out is to go to a well stocked gun store and handle as many rifles as possible. Finding one that shoulders naturally and has his desired stock profile is a hands-on affair.

Depending on budget any brand will do. They all have their detractors and fanatics, and the lowest priced rifles are manufactured with compromise in mind, but they're all going to end a deer in the hands of a skilled user. At lower price points I think the suggestions in this thread of Weatherby Vanguard or a Tikka sound good. Both are a step above the bare minimum and should provide a lifetime of dependable and accurate service.

[Bergerboy]

If you are looking for a complete scoped rifle to buy, you would be best to search for something used. From what I have seen the scopes that come on package rifles often get replaced very soon after purchase.

This would be good for a new rifle.
https://www.tradeexcanada.com/conten...m98-m70-7x57-2
Spend 200 to 300 on a scope and should be more than enough of a hunting rig for the average person.

[tacomama]

.270, Weatherby Vanguard S2, will serve you well

[husky7mm]

I would not buy a savage combo pkg. The guns shoot good but the scopes are junk. I have two for my kids and both loose zero regularly. What good ia a gun you cant trust to be on target when come down to that one great shot. Best to buy just the rifle and add a scope. My vote is for a 270 as most can handle the kick and you can find bullets for a reasonable price almost anywhere.

[albertabighorn]

Originally Posted by husky7mm

I would not buy a savage combo pkg. The guns shoot good but the scopes are junk. I have two for my kids and both loose zero regularly. What good ia a gun you cant trust to be on target when come down to that one great shot. Best to buy just the rifle and add a scope. My vote is for a 270 as most can handle the kick and you can find bullets for a reasonable price almost anywhere.

Did they make a change with the scope? Mine had a bushnell 3-9 on it and works as a bushnell should.

[DerrickLee]

I think its pretty hard to beat the Ruger American for value and features, I know Cabelas has them in a decent package with I believe its a Redfield 3-9 scope.

[BobNewton]

Originally Posted by husky7mm

I would not buy a savage combo pkg. The guns shoot good but the scopes are junk. I have two for my kids and both loose zero regularly. What good ia a gun you cant trust to be on target when come down to that one great shot. Best to buy just the rifle and add a scope. My vote is for a 270 as most can handle the kick and you can find bullets for a reasonable price almost anywhere.

Absolutely.

Rifle really is pretty nice. The scope is junk. Mine didn't fail. And kept for a .22. But I wouldn't hesitate to buy another axis. Put a Boyd's on it and a vortex. Great rifle now.

[morinj]

For sure a .270, my son really enjoys shooting mine. He's now 14 but has been shooting for a couple years now. .270 is excellent, flat shooting round, that is a lot of people's go to rifle. Good luck!

[amosfella]

One brand that I haven't seen mentioned here in Howa. They make a really nice rifle... A little more cost than a Salvage, but a major step up.

As for glass, a lot of guys will tell you that an average scope is good for hunting... This may be true till you're out at dawn, and have a good animal in sight, but can't see a thing through the scope... I generally treat store sale packages with scopes like a plague...

[hunter0968]

I would not hesitate to buy another 257 when my daughter gets old enough to hunt. It's a hell of a round. All the naysayers complain of cost of ammunition deters them from this caliber. I find it to be a very light recoiling choice.

[Clusterbuck]

I am personally a big fan of the 30-06 sprg it my only big game rifle and its great for all kind of game ive used it for moose, deer and bear and have never had any issues great caliber rifle. Hope this helps.

[alacringa]

Calibre is flexible. .30-06 is standard, 7mm-08 is a good round with light recoil, .308 is also one to consider. Gently used firearms are a good way to go, but there are inexpensive options on a decent new gun, like the Mossberg Patriot, which can be purchased equipped with a Vortex scope (or, as mentioned, the Weatherby Vanguard). I have a Patriot in .243 which I quite like, although it hasn't seen heavy use yet.

[TBark]

My son has had a Savage Stevens 200 in 30-06 for 8 years now, used it since we was 12.
He started with light 120gr (or 125) factory loads, then I loaded him 180's for past few years.
Its been good to him, taking 6 deer and an elk in that time.
Entry level for sure, but he doesn't seem to want another rifle.

TBark

[Twang]

30-06 is a good point to start.

[elkhunter11]

Wholesale Sports has another great sale on one model of the Weatherby Vanguard.

[58thecat]

Marlin lever action 30/30 complete with scope package.
You learn to shoot, hunt with this rifle and if you want and should after a year or two buy another rifle cartridge combination therefore you will always have the old 30/30 kicking around as a truck,camp or back up rifle for your outdoor adventures!

[Nyksta]

Browning X-bolt Stainless Stalker 270 Winchester with Vortex Viper 3-9x40 BDC reticle. Best bolt action setup out there.