What are the kids shooting these days?

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Moparnut

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I have a tradition that I started with my nephew's. When they turn 15, I buy them a hunting rifle and hold it until their 18th birthday.

So here is my problem, I used to buy Marlin 3030s, used, for around 3-400ish. The Marlins are now in the 6-700 range. At that price a new Savage in 243 or 7mm-08 is within budget.

So my question is what are your kids shooting and enjoying (gun and caliber)?
For at or around 4-500ish?

Thx
 
I bought my grandson a very nice used Remington 700 ADL in 30-06 for $400. I thought it might be too much for a 15 y.o. But he loves it.
Looking at another 700 in 7mm Remington Magnum for the next one, but I don’t load 284 bullets and not sure I want to start.
Thankfully neither one is into the flavor-of-the-month tacticool guns.
 
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jmr40 said:
I used to buy 30-30's for $150ish. Today all the cool kids are shooting AR's. Even with crazy inflated current pricing $400-$500 is doable, and the ammo is still cheaper. Hunting is just not a thing with most people anymore.
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Thought about the AR route, but that may cause some turmoil because one kid got a cooler rifle than the other. If I could that for all, I would. I prefer to go the more traditional route and let them figure out what they want in the future.
 
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Moparnut said:
cause some turmoil because one kid got a cooler rifle than the other.
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This is the opportunity to pass along some armoring skills and motivation to change things. Explain that the all received an equal value at the time. And then show them how to get what they want.
It will deepen their understanding of the rifle, get them quality time with you and may get them more interested in the shooting sports.

But that could blow up too, that’s how teenagers are.:D
Maybe stick with you first inclination. A similarly priced hunting rifle. Too different to compare to each other. And yes, in 6.5Creedmoor. Then when he talks with his friends about how cool you are they will understand.:thumbup:
Good luck with what ever you find.:)
 
Demi-human said:
This is the opportunity to pass along some armoring skills and motivation to change things. Explain that the all received an equal value at the time. And then show them how to get what they want.
It will deepen their understanding of the rifle, get them quality time with you and may get them more interested in the shooting sports.

But that could blow up too, that’s how teenagers are.:D
Maybe stick with you first inclination. A similarly priced hunting rifle. Too different to compare to each other. And yes, in 6.5Creedmoor. Then when he talks with his friends about how cool you are they will understand.:thumbup:
Good luck with what ever you find.:)
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They think I am the coolest uncle ever. Man if they only knew! Lol. I do it because they don't necessarily have the means too and truly enjoy how happy and giddy they get when they see it. Also, it helps me believe they will carry on and learn more firearms/hunting/sportsmen knowledge and traditions.
 
When they visit and we go to the range the kids and grandkids all like to shoot my lever action and/or the revolvers especially that big ones, maybe it is cuz they don't get too often so they are different. My kids are all older now and all own their own ARs etc, so, probably just the "different" factor for the levers and revolvers.

There is nothing wrong with a good 30-30 If the price is not the issue, then, stick with it.

Otherwise a .243 is still a good deer rifle also, but 6.5 is the cool kid on the block these days

d
 
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The last time my daughter and I got to the range, I thought we would just take a .22 or .22 Mag.

Nope: She grabbed "her" Marlin 30-30 and went through an entire box of shells.

I had picked up the rifle on an estate sale several years ago and she got her first deer with it when she was 16.
 
Recoil difference between a 6.5cm and 7-08 will mostly be dependent on the load and rifle.
The .243 is noticeably lighter recoiling, at least to me.

I would go with a modern bolt gun, synthetic stock. I'd skip the Savage Axis because I don't like them lol, and go with a Howa, Cascade, M-18 or any number of "nicer" budget guns.
The Ruger American used to be my favorite, and they are still a good deal, but price has crept up to where you can get some options I consider nicer for a similar cost.
 
My grandkids may be different when they’re 18-19+, but now, mid-teens, all their friends think it’s ‘cool’ they have old school wood&blue hunting rifles.
To me, the younger (16-17 to early 20’s) crowd fetishizes AR’s the same way they do the latest shoe-of-the-month. “Gotta have the new custom anodized/Cerekoted//billet/ruggedized/mil-spec/[insert ad copy here] tactical harmoniumizer”
My youngest gs just bought new shoes because the $300 ones he worked and saved for 6 months ago aren’t cool anymore. His Remington 700 will never go out of style.
 
.455_Hunter said:
A hunting AR or tactical AR?
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Hard to pin him down so I think he hasn’t made up his mind yet. He knows what he doesn’t want.

He doesn’t want an M4-like carbine.

He doesn’t want a target oriented AR like I put together for myself last year

He does want something with a quick acquisition sight that would be fun for plinking and ringing steel.
 
Ask them.

If they are into hunting a nice bolt action in 308 or 6.5C will be very useful, but if they don't want it then your wasting your money giving them something that will not be appreciated.

ericuda said:
Lol sorry no. Just see tons bring purchased by kids. I'd be curious what is top selling caliber now.
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Its been 6.5C for many years now. At my local store when they actually had full shelves of ammo it was in 2nd place for the largest variety of factory ammo available. 1st place was 30-06 and 3rd was 308. I thought that was interesting.
 
Nature Boy said:
Hard to pin him down so I think he hasn’t made up his mind yet. He knows what he doesn’t want.

He doesn’t want an M4-like carbine.

He doesn’t want a target oriented AR like I put together for myself last year

He does want something with a quick acquisition sight that would be fun for plinking and ringing steel.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I have a standard pre-GWOT M4-style Stag waiting in the safe for my son for the appropriate occasion.
 
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