Rifle Recommendation for Teen

[Archangel14]

Hey everyone. Soliciting hunting rifle recommendations for my teenage son. Rifle will be intended for deer and hogs. My son is 15, about 5'5, 120 lbs. I expect he'll get quite a bit bigger. He's a tad recoil-sensitive, but nothing he can't overcome. I'm thinking of something in either a .270 or 6.5 Creedmore. I was at my LGS store and found a Savage 110 Apex Hunter XP combo (Vortex 3-9x40mm Vortex Crossfire II scope) for $649. The trigger on it was very crisp, I was surprised! He probably won't do tons of hunting in the future. Just the once-twice-a-year thing.

Anyhow, any opinions regarding the Savage, as well as any opinion on a good caliber, make/model?

Thank you!

 

[ericuda]

Good combo. Got my son a 6.5x55 swede when he started. I narrowed down to what would shoot a 140 or so bullet well with low recoil.

308 would ge good too.

 

[Barbaroja]

Savage makes nice rifles that are very affordable. Don’t discount the .243 winchester. It’s a great hunting round and it doesn’t kick hard at all

 

[JmacD]

I have little experience with that savage. In that price range, I have been very impressed with the Ruger American. I’ve shot several, and they out shoot their price tag consistently! I personally think the 308,7-08(ammo can be tricky) or the 6.5 creed would be great options. The good ol 243 win still does well. I’m soon in the same boat with my daughter. I’m toying with building a 6/6.5 creedmoor, a 243, or possibly the 25 creedmoor wildcat…(maybe it won’t be wildcat by the time I’m ready to start)

 

[rabid wombat]

When looking at similar criteria for a rifle for my wife, I used the data from Chuck Hawks to narrow down caliber. It will give some easy comparisons. Throw in availability of rifle in caliber and ammo availability, caliber narrows down pretty quickly.

Savage is a very sound rifle.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
https://www.chuckhawks.com/rifles_index_animals.htm

 

[Turkeytider]

I have a Savage 110 Storm in 223 with the same scope as the one the OP mentions. I like it VERY much, it`s a better shooter than the guy pulling the trigger, I think. My 110 has been flawless in function and is certainly sub-MOA capable. There have been some extraction / ejection issues with the 6.5 Creed, so if it were me I`d look at a 110 in 308, preferably.

 

[tazbigdog]

Bolt action. 30-30

 

[Varminterror]

Bolt action. 30-30

 

[WisBorn]

I would strongly recommend a 308win or 7mm-08 rem. With reduced recoil loads offered by Hornady and others. Your son will have a lifetime rifle that is capable for hunting most big game in NA.
My close friend followed this recommendation with his sons. They have been successful hunters. The oldest has been hunting 3 years now, he is 11 and likes his 308

 

[Varminterror]

@Archangel14 - what are you really wanting from the rifle? Would you want the kid to find more use from it than just pulling it out twice a year to go hunting? Or are you really just looking for an inexpensive yet functional tire iron which is available on hand whenever a flat tire need be changed? Are you wanting a rifle which the kid will use now, when made to use it, or a rifle they’ll be able to and want to use for many years to come? To be passed down to their kid as “dad’s first rifle,” and their grandkid as “the first rifle of men in their family”? Is it a stepping stone you expect he’ll later resell if he either chooses to quit shooting and hunting, OR chooses to commit more to shooting and hunting as he finds enjoyment in it?

Personally, I do like the 6.5 creed as the cartridge choice - and can point to better staying power with this and future generations. The Savage rifle will be functional and accurate, but clearly not refined, and may not 1) inspire interest or 2) retain attention if interest grows.

 

[Archangel14]

@Archangel14 - what are you really wanting from the rifle? Would you want the kid to find more use from it than just pulling it out twice a year to go hunting? Or are you really just looking for an inexpensive yet functional tire iron which is available on hand whenever a flat tire need be changed? Are you wanting a rifle which the kid will use now, when made to use it, or a rifle they’ll be able to and want to use for many years to come? To be passed down to their kid as “dad’s first rifle,” and their grandkid as “the first rifle of men in their family”? Is it a stepping stone you expect he’ll later resell if he either chooses to quit shooting and hunting, OR chooses to commit more to shooting and hunting as he finds enjoyment in it?

Personally, I do like the 6.5 creed as the cartridge choice - and can point to better staying power with this and future generations. The Savage rifle will be functional and accurate, but clearly not refined, and may not 1) inspire interest or 2) retain attention if interest grows.

I'm not too concerned about a "first" refined rifle. My son has doubts about hunting four-legged animals. He's somewhat hesitant when we go bird hunting (dove, quail.) But my wife's family owns a large hunting area in central Wisconsin and he'd like to take a stab at it next November. I may also want to try a hog hunt with him. But he's "so-so" with it all. I just would like to expose him to it. So I really don't want to convolute the issue too much, otherwise I won't be able to get clear advice from people who really know about this sort of stuff. So, allow me to refine my questions:

1) Opinion on the Savage Apex 110 combo in either 270 or 6.5 Creed? Are there other similar rifles that you like better?
2) .270 or 6.5, and why?

Thank you!!!

 

[Turkeytider]

@Archangel14[/Urifle SER] - what are you really wanting from the rifle? Would you want the kid to find more use from it than just pulling it out twice a year to go hunting? Or are you really just looking for an inexpensive yet functional tire iron which is available on hand whenever a flat tire need be changed? Are you wanting a rifle which the kid will use now, when made to use it, or a rifle they’ll be able to and want to use for many years to come? To be passed down to their kid as “dad’s first rifle,” and their grandkid as “the first rifle of men in their family”? Is it a stepping stone you expect he’ll later resell if he either chooses to quit shooting and hunting, OR chooses to commit more to shooting and hunting as he finds enjoyment in it?

Personally, I do like the 6.5 creed as the cartridge choice - and can point to better staying power with this and future generations. The Savage rifle will be functional and accurate, but clearly not refined, and may not 1) inspire interest or 2) retain attention if interest grows.

Because of my personal experience with them, I am most certainly a Savage fan. Having said that, Varminterror is right. They are not as "refined " as others, particularly a Tikka. Based on cycling the actions of both Savage and Tikka rifles, Savage actions are " heavier " and not as smooth as the Tikka. Is a Tikka necessarily a better rifle when it comes to putting bullets on target, however? I don`t think so.

 

[d2wing]

I bought a Remington 700 243 and put a youth stock on it for my grandson. He loves it and is very successful with it. I would prefer a short action like 243,7-08, 308 or 6.5 over 270 but .270 is ok. I also recommend Tikka rifles but again, Savage is ok.
6.5 is way better for a kid than .270 because of the unnecessary blast and recoil. The more pleasant to shoot the better. Also get a rifle that fits and isn't overly long and heavy.
My favorite rifle is a Tikka in 7-08.

 

[Varminterror]

Would you have interest in expanding his hobby of shooting, as context for use of the rifle outside of just hunting?

1) Opinion on the Savage Apex 110 combo in either 270 or 6.5 Creed?

The Vortex Crossfire scope in the combo isn’t good. It’s serviceable if you just need a tire iron to change a flat, but it’s not good. The rings are equally “not good.” I’m much more excited about the 110 barreled action in that combo than about the combo, and I MIGHT personally find use to buy that rifle, but I’d not buy the combo, because I would buy a better scope. Only if the pricing on the combo were actually cheaper than buying just the rifle. The stock I can also take or leave - it’s nice that it has an adjustable length of pull, and for my own son, I would probably entice him to say, “when you grow into a full length stock in a couple of years, we’ll get a nice walnut stock for it.

Are there other similar rifles that you like better?

I like the 110 better than the Axis, and he’ll have more options with that action in the future.

In the lower price class, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with any option. Tikka’s will cost more, but will be more refined. Ruger Americans are fine also. None of the polymer stocks will feel alive in your hands, and you might fight a bit to get them to shoot really small, especially within the bounds of factory ammo, but any bolt action rifle on the market should be pretty easily coaxed to shoot 1moa or smaller, and likely will out of the box.

I’d recommend highly against buying a Remington 700. Remington went bankrupt so any old stock is no longer supported under warranty, and the new company is ran by a scheister who is trading on the legacy name - there are prettier girls to dance with, and they can cook better too. I’d be pretty tempted by a Bergara or a Tikka at the lower price points.

2) .270 or 6.5, and why?

Of the two, absolutely the 6.5 creed. Less powder, less blast, better efficiency, less recoil, better barrel life, better bullet selection. The 6.5 creed is the case size which always should have been behind the 270win.

 

[stillquietvoice]

Savage makes nice rifles that are very affordable. Don’t discount the .243 winchester. It’s a great hunting round and it doesn’t kick hard at all

I've owned 9 savage rifles based on the 10, 11 and 110 action lengths most of which have been sub moa rifles, only one has proved to be moa or just over at 1.250. Not a bad track record for performance.

@Barbaroja is correct about the 243 win, it is a mild mannered round but packs a punch on game animals. That is the cartridge that got me back into hunting after shoulder surgery. I might suggest, if you don't have one, a 223 rem for cheap practice in overcoming flinch.

If it were me between the two cartridges mentioned I'd go 6.5 creed especially if you reload due to more options for bullets over the 270. Also the 6.5 uses less powder so barrel life is longer, the bc of bullets guve better energy retention down range and generally made in short action rifles so its handier in close cover.

 

[InTheSwamp]

As other have said, make it a 6.5CM. Powerful enough to hunt anything in Wisconsin, mild recoil and a very accurate round, even with factory loads.

 

[redneck2]

Little personal experience. I’m big into helping my 14 Y.O. granddaughter for her softball team. I’ve bought her four different bats. Anywhere from $275 to $675 each. Guess which one she picks to hit with every time? I suppose pride of ownership. Confidence factor maybe.

So, would it be the same if you got a higher end rifle rather than a “just good enough to get by” rifle? Dunno.

I’ve seen enough low and mid priced Vortex scopes that I’m underwhelmed by the performance. I worked in the LGS and saw a discouraging number of guys pay big money for a rifle and go cheap on a scope. Many years ago I missed the opportunity at what would have been the state record deer because my “good enough “ scope fogged solid.

Anyway, if I were buying a newer hunter a rifle that may be a lifetime investment, and also have an impact on whether he would hunt a lifetime or get discouraged and give it up, I’d personally error to something higher quality. I’d get a Browning assuming they have something that fits his physical requirements because (a) pride of ownership, (b) reputation for accuracy and reliability. A very close second would be a Tikka for the same reasons. It would not be a Walmart special package deal, but maybe that’s just me. I don’t remember seeing a package deal scope that I’d trust on a special hunt.

Personally, I’d think the 6.5 Creed would be ideal. Accurate, great ammo availability, plenty of power, low recoil.

There are mid priced scopes that are perfectly serviceable for very reasonable prices. You can peruse the Optic forum for excellent suggestions

HTH

 

[12Bravo20]

1) Opinion on the Savage Apex 110 combo in either 270 or 6.5 Creed? Are there other similar rifles that you like better?
2) .270 or 6.5, and why?

I would go with 6.5 Creedmoor since you stated that your son is a little recoil sensitive. The 270 is based off of the 30-06 and will have more felt recoil than the 6.5 CM. I have shot plenty of 30-06, 270 and 308. The 270 has more felt recoil than 308 and 6.5 has less felt recoil than 308 does in the same rifles.

An there is nothing wrong with Savage rifles. I will caution about the XP package rifles. Double check the scope mounts and how the scope is mounted. The factory monkeys don't always get the rings or mounts torqued properly. I have also seen where the scopes are crooked from the factory. When I say crooked, the cross hairs are crooked when the rifle is held level.

 

[Dr T]

Not to sound like a choirboy, but I also strongly suggest the 6.5 Creedmoor. My brothers two granddaughters use them, as do their grandfather and I. In a good rifle, the accuracy will be good enough over a wide range of distances and be suitable if he prefers not to hunt, but punch paper instead. And I seem to recall that Savage offers several stock that will allow you to adjust the LOP to fit him as he grows.

To me, his reservations about dropping the hammer on another living thing is a good sign. It implies that he will likely be a careful and ethical hunter. If he is a new hunter, I think that it would be better that the first kill be one where the game is firmly anchored to the ground with one shot. The Hornady Superformance 129gr SST load is one of the best deer anchoring loads I have ever used (I put it up there with my hot 180 gr Interlock 30-06 handloads). The 6.5 CM is easy enough on the shoulder that he will likely enjoy shooting it enough to get good with it.

 

[LoonWulf]

IMO the 6.5CM manages to be nearly the perfect "beginner's" rifle cartridge IMO. The smaller 6mms etc dont have quite the bullet weight Id want, the 25s are hard to find or actually deliver pretty decent recoil/blast, and the larger rounds MAY be more recoil/blast than a novice shooter or hunter wants. The 7-08 would be my next suggestion, but ammo and rifles are a little harder to source.
Id listen to VT about the package. If any amount of shooting is to be done, the crossfire 2 is really only useful as a placeholder till something nicer can be purchased.
THAT said, it could also be pretty much what your looking for. They USUALLY work, and function well enough. I've got one of those scopes on my wifes rifle, she has fired 3 shots from that gun since I bought it for her, and won't fire it again till she wants to shoot something (which she will hit on the first round with zero practice.......bloody frustrating). It allows her to direct the bullet to its target, thats all she wants, and she absolutely wont spend any more time than that behind the scope. In her particular circumstance theres no reason to buy a better scope. Ive put a hundred rounds or so thru her gun and it has been dead on every time its gone to the range

The rifle is a Mossberg Patriot, is actually quite the nice wood stocked rifle for the 400 bucks i spent. They DO have some design peculiarities that make them (IMO) more susceptible to accuracy issues.
The one we have has been a very solid sub-MOA rifle, but ive beded the....magazine/action block?....thingy to the stock. Which is a little different than what id usually do with bedding lol.
Stocks attractive, it's got a lightly fluted bolt and barrel, a decent trigger, and a reasonably good magazine. Again ive changed springs in the trigger, and done some polishing on the bolt, but it wasnt bad out of the box.

 

[red rick]

I would go with a 6.5 creedmoor , or a .243 Winchester . Ammo will probably be easier to find for the 6.5 .

 

[Roverguy]

Every gun manufacturer active today chambers a rifle in 6.5 CM. You’re spoiled for choice. Something Euro-y with shims to gradually increase length of pull would be sensible.

Or, you could get him a classic blued steel and wood rifle in 270 Win and earn his eternal gratitude.

 

[Bazoo]

You might consider a Rossi 92 in 357magnum. That's the direction I'd be looking. Loaded with 38's for all day plinking, it'd be downright stingy on powder and lead.

 

[Dr T]

On the 6.5 CM vs 270 Question: While the recoil on my 270 with 130 gr bullets is mild (Ruger 77 with tang safety), I think that the recoil on both my 6.5 CMs with the 129 gr Superformance seems quite a bit milder (a Ruger M77 and a TC Venture). Lots of factors: Smaller case capacity and more efficiency for the 6.5 CM, stock design, and so forth. BUT it was a lot easier to get the 6.5 CMs to shot well than the 270. Both CMs were accurate enough (sub MOA) with factory loads while it took several hundred rounds with the 270 to get a handload dialed in (130 gr Nosler Ballistic tip at about 2700 fps, but it is a 5/8" at 100 yards load).

 

[Ks5shooter]

7mm-08