Which New Deer and Antelope Rifle?

I want to give my son, 15, a rifle for mule deer and pronghorn in open country. I'm not asking about or discussing the cartridge. There's plenty written on all that. So I'm asking about the rifle models.

He took a buck at 180 yards last year. I want him to be able to confidently take game at up to 300 yards. I know a lot of that is on him, but I want to give him an accurate rifle. I don't think that's too hard to do out-of-the-box nowadays.

I'll put a lightweight scope on it, Swarovski Z5 that I already have. If I get another optic for it, it will be similar.

The budget for the rifle is similarly mid-range: $1000 to $2000. However, I don't own a lot of guns. I hold onto classics like a pre-64 Model 70, and guns that are otherwise worthy. If they're mediocre, I'll sell them and move on. Because of this, I'd rather not acquire anything mediocre in the first place and would be willing to spend more to get something better. I don't, however, want to spend on impractical things like "Purdey" or engraving.

I can't easily acquire an old Model 70 or a Ruger No. 1 or a vintage Weatherby Mark V with certainty that they'll be as accurate as I demand for this case. With my out-of-the-box accuracy demand, I'm forced into present-day designs with synthetic stocks and modern bedding and recoil lugs. For my son, that suits him just fine.

He doesn't share his old man's fudly ways or appreciation for bluing and walnut. On the other hand, he doesn't have any feelings about a different aesthetic being more desirable. If he was hot for camo polymer stocks and cerakote or even an AR-10, I'd indulge him, but he is simply and eminently practical. The most impressive things for him will be if it hits where he aims and isn't too heavy to carry, and doesn't break.

I was approaching this with the Tikka T3X in mind, but wanted to get some alternative ideas.

The T3X Superlite is very affordable, lightweight, and accurate and importantly, it's available. I can't think of any drawbacks to it, but there are other rifle models that might offer more.

The Alpine and Wideland T3X models are also available. They're heavier, but have a larger bolt knob, spiral-fluted bolt, and threaded muzzle. I despise muzzle brakes but would appreciate the option to use a suppressor in the future. The stocks are camo and the metal is cerakoted. Are these things worth the additional $450 to me for my purposes? I have some doubts, but regardless, I'm still amenable to the price. The Superlite just might be a better value for me.

This thread turned me onto the S20. Thanks for the couple mentions of that. I think I had dismissed it for the thumbhole and tactical stock options which turn me off. I have to remember the rifle is not for me. The tactical stock is probably excess weight for hunting, but the thumbhole version appears to net an overall weight that's manageable. It's quite a bit more than a Tikka Superlite, but the Superlite is down there with the Kimbers where the recoil could form bad habits in a young shooter that doesn't have that many years experience. For $300 more than the camo/cerakote Tikka, the S20 seems to offer better fit and finish, and importantly, adjustability and ergonomics. It's also available.

I had looked at the Weatherby Vanguards, online and handled them in person. They're not expensive at all, but didn't seem to offer anything over the Tikka. I consider the Mark V a great rifle, but too much money for someone who hasn't decided for themselves that is what they appreciate. I could say the same things for the Sako 85.

I didn't ignore the mentions of Bergara, Christensen, Browning, and current production Winchesters. I also looked into the Mauser and Sauer, but found they're not generally available to me right now. Whatever I get, I'm trying to get it in two weeks timeframe for a hunt in October. We'll be hunting the weekends and the last week in October/early-Nov. It's not absolutely necessary for the hunt to happen, but would be nice to have. Right now, I'm leaning toward that S20 which I can get at Sportsmans or Scheels by the end of the month. The T3X's are already there in the stores.

I've never seen a deer stand in my life. This portrays the terrain in all my experience:

I'm checking out the Benelli Lupo now. Seems to be in a similar category to the Sako S20. Both look to have good availability. I think either might do very well for my purpose.

Hokkmike said:

Makes a lot of sense to me to have him travel with you to various gun stores and pick out the model he likes the best. Looks, feel, and caliber with your seasoned advice should be largely up to him. If he goes extreme in any direction sit down and talk it through - but if it is HIS gun you should not be asking US about what YOU should buy HIM.

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I agree, but have limited feedback from him. If I had to try to explain it, I'd say he's not a "gun guy." Like I wrote, his criteria is basically, if it's accurate, not too heavy, and it doesn't break... he's pretty indifferent to anything else. I'm asking the forum here because I know my own opinions and preferences bias me unnecessarily. We've been to Sportsmans and Scheels and handled the Tikkas and Weatherbys. Some of the other rifles mentioned, there's no chance of them being in stock. The last time I was at the store, they had plenty of Savages and Henry's. Remember, we're not back to normal yet. I just located stock of the Benelli at Cabelas about 1.5 hours from here. Pretty sure we're going to go see that. I haven't found a S20 in stock anywhere in the state, but Sportsmans, Scheels, Cabelas can all get them in a week if I buy it.

Varminterror said:

With a $2000 budget, I’d find a way to build a custom rifle. If not, I’d buy a Seekins Havak. Which, I did. Both, in fact.

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Scheels has the PH2's in stock. I will go look at them. What's good about it? I didn't know anything about them. I just learned they're made in Idaho and come with Timney triggers. It looks like they're light enough. 90 degree bolt throw. I hope that doesn't hit my scope.