Needing a hunting rifle for my son

[cvrx4]

I'm considering a Savage Axis XP Youth 243 from cheaperthandirt.com
I can't see anything in the description about the trigger. Do these have the Accu-trigger?

My son killed his first buck this year with an axis (not youth) in 25-06. It got the job done and it was pretty accurate. My stepfather bought it for him and it was dead on out of the box. I was very impressed with its accuracy. The trigger is not accutrigger and its not the best but it got the job done. One shot one kill....so far.

http://www.okshooters.com/showthread.php?131021-My-Son-s-First-Deer

 

[dieseltech09]

Have you checked out the new American Rifle from Ruger.

 

[David2012]

I'd recomend a rifle / caliber he could grow into and be able to hunt almost any game in North America with... as a adult. Having a hunting rifle as a adult that his father gave him as a boy.. will mean even more to him when he takes 'his' son or grandson hunting with it years from now.

I suggest a Bolt action Savage 110 or 111 30-06...or else a Ruger..... shooting 'low recoil' ammunition. The new Federal low recoil ammo is reported to have 50% of the recoil of a full powered load... but because of the type of bullet being used it has the same ballistics / impact point as the full size loads @ 100-200 yds. So, select a rifle he can hunt with as a man... just use low recoil ammo while he is small.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/federal_low_recoil.htm

"The .30-06 loads are roughly similar in performance to the traditional 170 grain .30-30 load (170 grain flat-SP bullet at a MV of 2200 fps)."

http://www.ruger.com/search/

I recomend staying away from the Axis and the Edge.. spend just a few bucks more and go with the better 111... I think you can get one for $350-$400 from Cheaper than Dirt. Just gotta catch one in stock... because they are very popular and sell out quickly.

I have one that I bought during the holidays last year for a big holiday discount. It doesn't have the accue trigger... but it is a good well made shooter and very accurite. I put on a better scope and put the one it came with on my .22 Savage bolt action.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/..._id/78118/Savage+111+HUNTER+XP+3006+BUSHNELL]

 

[okietom]

Will you adopt me ... please. I wish I had a dad that thought "first hunting rifle" = "$1000"

I started my oldest son with a pre ban Colt SP1 carbine in .223. I plugged a clip so that it only held 5 rounds. It was light enough and short enough to use as a "youth model". It had a 4 power scope on a carry handle mount. I think that it was perfect for a small hunter. The SP1 carbine is lighter than most of today's AR type guns. It didn't cost me anything close to $1000.

This even fits the post just above. A lightweight AR carbine would be good for him when he grows up too.

 

[Siglawmen]

I'm prolly going to catch flac for this, but I say an ar-15 in 223, it has an adjustable stock for growing, it's fun for coyotes and plinking and simple enough for anyone to use.

 

[shotty]

Hands down the 243, very mild rifle that will do many applications not just deer hunting. Just sold my ol' model 70 winchester to a buddy for his son's first rifle. The boy was 10. I got to hand it to him and watch him shoot it. Very big smile.

 

[RatTerrier]

6.8 SPC II chambered AR. I'm kinda partial to the 68 myself since I have one.

 

[furlong222]

another vote for the 243 or 30-30....the trifecta is a likely choice....single shot with 243 - 20ga- and 22lr barells...covers all the bases

 

[GUN DOG]

I agree with dave 2012

I'd recomend a rifle / caliber he could grow into and be able to hunt almost any game in North America with... as a adult. Having a hunting rifle as a adult that his father gave him as a boy.. will mean even more to him when he takes 'his' son or grandson hunting with it years from now.

I bought my son a 7-08 remington model 7 youth. I reload so I used hodgdons youth reload data for h4895 see link
http://hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895 Reduced Rifle Loads.pdf

if you reload you can go with alot of different calibers. The savage accutriger is great my son wants another 7-08 in a savage. He is 15 now & has taken a good # of deer of public land with his remington model 7. Nothing wrong with a 243 but if he wants to hunt Elk later in life he can still use the rifle dad bought him. Or buy another rifle in a larger cal if you want later down the road, Ah now thats an idea another rifle to the collection. so many decisions good luck

 

[dlbleak]

this has been hashed over a few times but i just recently shot a mossberg 243 youth that my brother picked up for my nephew. this is the third mossberg ATR i have shot. 270,30-06 and the243 are straight up the most accurate,out of the box,budget guns i have fired.