Rifle Recommendation for Teen

[Picher]

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

The 7mm-08 is a fantastic cartridge and would be my first choice! It has the power of a .308, but the ballistics close to a .270 or .280. Recoil is mild for it's ballistic abilities.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

I dont get all the modern recommendations. Maybe I was a weird teen, but I think giving him something like a Lee-enfield or a Mosin Nagant would go a long way into making him appreciate the rifle.
Look at the type of video games he plays. If he plays alot of World War II themed then trust me on this.

 

[Jim Watson]

Bolt action. 30-30

Sure, he could have mine. But the Savage would cost less.

I worked in the LGS and saw a discouraging number of guys pay big money for a rifle and go cheap on a scope.

Right, I go back far enough to remember the Weatherby rifles with Tasco scopes. The cheap ones, not the quite good ones you could get if you knew what to look for.

A friend armed his wife with a .260 Rem, before the Creedmoor Craze ever started. He said later he should have gotten her a 7-08.

 

[Seamaster31]

It is easy to find a cartridge that will suit the requirements. The .270 is an all-around hunting excellent cartridge. Although it is not as popular with young buyers as some others, it is fairly easy to find ammunition and reloading components.

The new Rem Arms 700 is a good choice. I bought one just to compare it to the original 700's and it does well in the comparison. It shot well and when it was completely disassembled (including the barrel) it was evident that the CNC machines are doing their job well. Some internet opinions will certainly differ, but I doubt that most of them, if any, have actually tried the new product. I am not a big fan of the stocks on most of the models, nor the factory trigger, but those are easily replaced to suit anybody's tastes.

 

[12Bravo20]

Nothing wrong with 270 and I hunted with that caliber for years. But now days even the recoil of 308 is a bit much for me due to age and disabilities. Plus the OP stated that his son is recoil shy so the 6.5CM will suit the OP and his son's needs better.

 

[Space Ghost]

If he's recoil shy please don't throw the .270 at him for his first rifle. The 6.5 would be a much better choice, or as several people have suggested... the .243. That would be even better in my book, but it's not as popular these days.

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.

This is actually a very good idea if you guys don't hunt at longer ranges.
This kind of set-up is low recoil, and fun to boot. Nothing will get him into shooting more then having fun while doing it. Just something about cowboy guns all red-blooded American boys can relate to.
Or course it shoots a handgun round, so in many states, you'll have to buy the ammo til he's 21.

 

[Hugger-4641]

It's already been said many times, but I'll add my 2c also.
Lots more ammo choice in 6.5cm, more resale market, less recoil. I fought the hype for years, and there is plenty of hype, but facts are facts, its as good a beginner deer cartridge as there is. 10yrs ago my recommendation for a new 15yr old shooter would have been .243, today it is the 6.5cm.
As for the Savage, I'm very happy with my 110 tactical in 6.5cm.
I do not like the bolt handle clearance on the Axis, so I changed mine.
If you were going for the Axis, I would steer you to the Ruger American instead. The stock and bolt handle on the Axis are my biggest complaints.

 

[Thomasss]

f 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.

I was going to say the same thing about the .270 Win. I use to load down for my young children in .270 Win. The 6.5 and the .277 is in the same class. I don't see any superior quality in a 6.5 unless one was just using factory ammo. If you run out of ammo and have to buy some up'd north, which caliber will be easier to find? As for the gun to use, it's your nickel. Savage is exceptionally accurate, however the Tikka is very competitive and built much better. When my kids were young, I thought toward the future of trading up for them as they get older. I'm not much a believer in Vortex. Hopefully they have improved but all people I know that owned them, have had problems with them. Their warranty is good though. As a father I think you know your son better than any of us and I'm sure you will make the best decision for what you care to spend. Good hunting with your family.

 

[.455_Hunter]

What's wrong with a bolt action .30-30?

Nothing.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

i have that rifle. it's accurate, light, and the recoil pad is nice (mine's chambered in 308 win) so it doesn't beat up your shoulder.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I got my son an excellent condition .30-30 Savage 340C at age 13, doing some light customization via sling studs and a thick Kick-Eez pad. Now 17, he has been very happy with it and accurately shoots factory 150 gr Core-Lokts using the open sights out to 200 yards without issue. He is also finishing his Junior Smallbore Distinguished Expert rating, so that may have something to do with it as well. Eventually, he will want to upgrade to something else, which is fine, but that .30-30 will always be available to him.

 

[Varminterror]

What's wrong with a bolt action .30-30?

Nothing.

Must be a lot of folks who don't share your opinion, since only a couple models have ever been offered, all of which are long, long discontinued. Not to mention, the ballistic performance of the 30-30 was outdated the day it was released, let alone almost 130 years later.

I'm glad you love the one you bought for your son, but it's silly to pretend there is any objective reason to support it.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I'm glad you love the one you bought for your son, but it's silly to pretend there is any objective reason to support it.

Especially when you are someone addicted to the latest and greatest new "cartridge-of-the-month" club.

Anyway, based on the fact that Walmart typically stocks multiple .30-30 loads from three different manufacturers, plenty of real regular folks still like it, regardless of "experts" from blogs and YouTube videos.

 

[WisBorn]

The 30-30 win is a great deer cartridge. I killed my first deer with a model 94. That said, I would not recommend or limit a new hunter to a 30-30. Bolt action 30-30 rifles are far and few. Lever actions are expensive in comparison to modestly priced bolts.

 

[12Bravo20]

Well this thread is starting go sideways now due to a difference in opinions.

The OP asked specifically about a bolt action rifle in two specific calibers. Out of the two calibers he asked about, the 6.5CM will be better suited for his son that is sensitive to recoil. The OP also asked about Savage rifles. There is nothing wrong with Savage rifles and they will work just fine. And yes there are other viable options as far as brands go that are within the same price range. It boils down to budget and personal preferences on which brand to go with.

Yes the 30-30 has been used successfully to take deer for a long time but it is far from the perfect caliber. Where the 30-30 shines is deep forested areas and/or hills where shots are taken at short range. Bolt actions chambered in 30-30 are few and far between plus a low end lever action is sill twice the price of a suitable budget friendly bolt action. If you prefer to use 30-30 then stick with it. But there is also nothing wrong with more modern designed calibers either. So I don't see why feathers are getting ruffled on either side of this debate. Especially considering the OP asked about 270 and 6.5 CM.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

Thanks Bravo. Good intentions never mean as much as you think they do. We have a deplorable excess of opinions. OP asked a specific question and we give him everything but help. Then we try to justify our selfish ramblings. That's enough THR for me today.

 

[Varminterror]

Especially when you are someone addicted to the latest and greatest new "cartridge-of-the-month" club.

Sounds pretty personal, and exceptionally ignorant.

I do most of my hunting with 3 cartridges - one invented 60yrs ago, one 61yrs ago, and the third 117yrs ago. I just happen to compete with two cartridges, one developed ~25yrs ago, and the other invented 14yrs ago, as an adaptation and replacement of the cartridge I'd shot for ~20yrs which had been invented 68yrs ago. I did happen to shoot a meat doe last season with a Marlin 336 in 30-30, a 1973 model. But those ~60 shots I took last year in practice, load development, and hunting with that rifle is a much smaller round count than what I shoot for competition, and frankly, the 30-30 is a pretty well known entity, and there's little challenge in getting it to shoot small enough for deer hunting, so it's not a topic I commonly discuss on forums - frankly, it's just not interesting.

I'd put a bolt action 6.5x55 Swede in my son's hands as a first deer rifle long before I'd consider a bastardized bolt action 30-30, which you might recall shares the same birth year as the .30-30, with EXCEPTIONALLY better performance. I'd be disappointed for the OP's son if the OP took your advice, and I'd expect -as you stated about your own son - that his son would either lose interest in shooting and hunting, or at least would lose interest in shooting and hunting with that bolt action 30-30 - which is clearly akin to what the OP is seeking in either a 6.5 Creed or 270win.

 

[InTheSwamp]

So I don't see why feathers are getting ruffled on either side of this debate. Especially considering the OP asked about 270 and 6.5 CM.

And he has gotten good feedback on those two... What feathers?

 

[.455_Hunter]

Sounds pretty personal, and exceptionally ignorant.

I do most of my hunting with 3 cartridges - one invented 60yrs ago, one 61yrs ago, and the third 117yrs ago. I just happen to compete with two cartridges, one developed ~25yrs ago, and the other invented 14yrs ago, as an adaptation and replacement of the cartridge I'd shot for ~20yrs which had been invented 68yrs ago. I did happen to shoot a meat doe last season with a Marlin 336 in 30-30, a 1973 model. But those ~60 shots I took last year in practice, load development, and hunting with that rifle is a much smaller round count than what I shoot for competition, and frankly, the 30-30 is a pretty well known entity, and there's little challenge in getting it to shoot small enough for deer hunting, so it's not a topic I commonly discuss on forums - frankly, it's just not interesting.

I'd put a bolt action 6.5x55 Swede in my son's hands as a first deer rifle long before I'd consider a bastardized bolt action 30-30, which you might recall shares the same birth year as the .30-30, with EXCEPTIONALLY better performance. I'd be disappointed for the OP's son if the OP took your advice, and I'd expect -as you stated about your own son - that his son would either lose interest in shooting and hunting, or at least would lose interest in shooting and hunting with that bolt action 30-30 - which is clearly akin to what the OP is seeking in either a 6.5 Creed or 270win.

The original response (not mine) suggesting a .30-30 bolt action was met with your "", so yes, my counter was a bit snarky based on previous engagements where you state recent cartridges are simply "better". Anyway, I'm glad classics still have a place in your hunting arsenal. They are never a bad choice.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

Well this thread is starting go sideways now due to a difference in opinions.

The OP asked specifically about a bolt action rifle in two specific calibers. Out of the two calibers he asked about, the 6.5CM will be better suited for his son that is sensitive to recoil. The OP also asked about Savage rifles. There is nothing wrong with Savage rifles and they will work just fine. And yes there are other viable options as far as brands go that are within the same price range. It boils down to budget and personal preferences on which brand to go with.

Yea and you're right. Whenever a 'first rifle for a teen' is involved, it's a subject alot of us are very opinionated about. What with a lot of tradition and emotional sentiments attached with it.
To the authors original question, Yes a Savage will serve your son very well. I have one and I'd like to get more as a reloading benchmark for the various calibers I may work on. The newer Savages are known for having a better trigger than the older ones. As always they are plenty accurate, and they work.
I believe 6.5 to be the better option, or .243. But with the context of today, 6.5 will be more available and more versatile.

 

[Crosshair]

Ruger American in 7.62x39 would be my pick. Plenty of cartridge for 150-200 yard hunting, moderate recoil, and low-cost ammunition so they can get a decent amount of trigger time.

 

[Crosshair]

What's wrong with a bolt action .30-30?

Nothing.

Exactly. Those old 340s used to be dirt cheap 20 some years ago until people realized that they made almost ideal teen and women's centerline rifles. Now they fetch pretty good prices, especially in 30-30.

 

[Varminterror]

The newer Savages are known for having a better trigger than the older ones.

Definitely - it's been kinda nice to see Savage make 2 moves: 1) introducing their best trigger (personal preferences about accutrigger safety blades notwithstanding) into their most budget friendly models, and 2) introducing a 10/110 action at a budget friendly price point, competing with their own Axis models, and offering a smoother customization pathway in the future. I generally do point to the 10/110 models over the Axis - whichever is the current "budget combo model" of 10/110 at the time - whenever someone asks about budget models.

I do need to tear down an Axis with an accutrigger sometime - I'm told they're not compatible with 10/110 accutriggers, so I'm interested to learn how different they really are. I'm ASSUMING it's just a dimensional difference, not functional.

 

[LimaCharlie]

I started with a Winchester '94 lever-action 30-30 when I was nine. I also recommend a bolt-action 243 Winchester for smaller people who might be recoil sensitive. The 243 ammo can be loaded for varmints to deer size animals. It is also very available while some of the newer cartridges are hit of miss.

 

[red rick]

Midway in stock ammunition :
6.5 Creedmoor - 58 types
.243 Winchester - 15 types