Need some input on first hunting rifle for my son.

[brettd308]

I've been very impressed with the Ruger American rifles and Redfield scopes are made by Leupold right here in the USofA (although I just read the cheaper Redfields are made in the Philippines)

http://www.manventureoutpost.com/pr...08WIN-22-SCOPE-PKG-736676069538.html?google=1

 

[IceColdEric]

I actually ran over my model 70 last year with a truck because I forgot I leaned it against my back bumper while taking off clothes and loading deerstand back up. Just run over the buttstock. Luckily it did not hurt it at all after I cleaned all the mud off!

Maybe after deer season I will list it LNIB!!

 

[SlowMotion]

I did this a few years back and went with a .243. It has a scope but not a fancy one. you can get a new Savage for $300 or so if they stil have the rebate. I would look for something on here that is gently used. Iron sights or optics really depend on the model but just iron would be fine.

Savage has a $50 rebate on most of their rifles right now. A few have a $75 rebate. I just bought a Savage Trophy Hunter in 308 and really like it. Dick's has them for $450 right now before the rebate. You could probably get other retailers to match it. It comes with the accutrigger and a Nikon 3-9 BDC.

I also handled the Ruger American and it seemed pretty nice for a budget gun.

 

[GaMudd]

I think it depends on your sons comfort and familiarity with rifles. If he is comfortable and has done some shooting I would lean toward something in the 308 or .270 caliber. If not, maybe .243? Remington, Winchester, Savage all make good rifles just depends on your budget at this point. For my personal deer rifles I want a quality rifle that shoots true, however I do not want something fancy because it will get the hell beat out of it over the years tracking through the woods!

He and I shoot quite a bit. I think he may be a better shot than me with a little more time. I just have never been much of a hunter. (Sitting still in the freezing cold lost it's appeal about the second time I went.) I really hadn't put much thought into a budget. I don't want to spend a bunch on something that will probably take a beating, but don't want to skimp to the point he has a piece of junk that won't shoot straight and he gets frustrated.

 

[MuleShoe]

SAVAGE HAS A GREAL PACKAGE WITH NIKON SCOPE FOR AROUND $500 range plus rebate. if recoil doent bother him 308 is great caliber.

 

[jglenn]

it really does depend upon his familiarity with rifles, even if he is a big 16 year old... Does he shoot now? do you? if not he needs to shoot a few rifles in different calibers to see what is fine for him then go find a rifle in that caliber

the 308 is a fine round that he can use for anything in the Southeast for his entire life. the 243 Winchester is a good choice if he is recoil adverse but really a quality recoil pad on the 308 will make it quite manageable

rifle choice is all dependent upon how much you care to spend... The Remington 783 is a great budget rifle( forget the Remington 770). The 783 can be had for around $250 counting the rebate from Remington this year.. great trigger for a budget rifle and it has proven to be very accurate.. it sounds cheap but it's very well built... for the $$ nothing really comes close IMHO


spent the additional $$ on a good quality scope for around $200 and he'll be set

 

[IceColdEric]

He and I shoot quite a bit. I think he may be a better shot than me with a little more time. I just have never been much of a hunter. (Sitting still in the freezing cold lost it's appeal about the second time I went.) I really hadn't put much thought into a budget. I don't want to spend a bunch on something that will probably take a beating, but don't want to skimp to the point he has a piece of junk that won't shoot straight and he gets frustrated.

Sometimes skills diminish when BuckFever is diagnosed! Don't skimp on the optics they can really make a difference early morning or late evening!! Good luck with your search!

 

[batoncolle]

Sometimes skills diminish when BuckFever is diagnosed! Don't skimp on the optics they can really make a difference early morning or late evening!! Good luck with your search!

^ This and what MRH said. Don't worry about the caliber so much, but definitely get a good scope. I kill deer, hogs, or whatever, all day long with the "wimpy" 223 AR round and the "inaccurate" AK. You're going to see most of your deer in the 30 minutes before sunup or 30 minutes after sundown, and you want a good scope so you'll be able to see them.

 

[BIKER13]

Buy my Mossberg with scope for 300 its 308 caiber

 

[Jinx]

I would buy a 30-30 from walmart with iron sights and teach him to focus and respect what the gun can do. then later you can go with a scope and he will appreciate it more, but also be able to shoot if he bumps the scope or it gets out of kiltter. Savage rifles are the absolute best right out of the box. Its like the other man said their are a variety of calibers to consider so I would be cautious in thinking your shopping for a little boy he needs soft recoil. Its like a motorcycle. Once he gets to riding it he will want something bigger. If he is just starting off get the cheapest squirrel rifle you can find.