Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Matched Pair for my nephews - need advice

I'm looking to buy my nephews their first rifles.

One is a lefty, the other right.

They don't and won't reload.

Early teens.

Been looking at a left and a right montana x2 in 6.5 creedmoor. I have a .260, but seems like more factory options in creedmoor?

I have to get them both the same rifle, otherwise chaos will insure over who got "the best one".

Would be great to get advice, ideas on this one!

Savage comes to mind as they do left and right and chamber the creedmoor and twist things right. The trophy hunter?

The MRCs would be an excellent choice if you're willing to spend that kind of cash. Tikkas in .270 would also be an option. I'd prefer the MRC. If they don't reload I'd consider a more common cartridge like a .270 or .308 instead of the Creedmoor.

They are still somewhat on the small side, one thing I was thinking about was .308 and then put an APA removable brake on it?

.308 Win is more versatile as a hunting cartridge. Load them up with some 125 grain ammunition and let them go kill deer. I did nearly the same thing with my daughter but in .300 Savage, she's shoots 125 grain BT and AB bullets and is a white tail slaying fool. For elk I loaded up some 130 grain TTSX, but she hasn't conected yet. She is pretty recoil sensitive, but she handles the 125's at 3000 FPS very well.

A pair of 700s in 7mm-08, if not 7mm-08 then 308 is the way I would be leaning.

Not much they wouldn't be able to do with the factory 140g partition load from federal.

If not a 700, tikka would be my next choice.

Good luck and good on you.

I agree here less the 7mm-08...get a pair of 700's or T3x lite rifles in .308 Win and go kill stuff....good luck......Hb

I won't win any popularity contests here, but my first big-game rifle was a stainless Browning A-bolt and I loved it (still do). I've owned a lot of Browning rifles since then and have yet to see one that isn't accurate. I love the palm swell, 60-degree bolt lift and safety where God intended them to be. 7-08 or .308 would be my choice, leaning more toward the 7-08 in this application. Your nephews are lucky boys!

I'd go with a 243 or a 6.5 Creedmoor, depending on what you think they'll hunt. Which rifle would depend on your budget.

Recommend Checking with Whitakers ( Short Action Smoker), and see what Darrik might have available from Howa in Lefties..or can get... and then a good caliber is going to be available in Right handed for $329, plus shipping...

JMO, but 243 will for sure be available, as will 7-08 or 308, 10yrs from now. The 6.5 c might be, but it's still predicting a new thing, no matter current popularity. Not saying it wouldn't be a gem chambering for new shooters....whatever rifle make you decide to pick.

BTW, I could use another uncle besides Sam, and apparently you have loads of potential. LOL

Haha! Thanks guys! Appreciate the ideas and options, exactly what I was looking for...

I wish I had an uncle that bought me an X2. I bought myself a Model 70 win in 7MM REM MAG at 16. If I had to do over again I don't know that's the caliber I'd pick knowing what I know but I'll never sell that gun.

That being said I think I'd lean more towards 7mm08 like one of the other comments said because of your statement of they don't and they won't reload.

6.5 Creedmoor has decent availability now but even so I've got to go to Cabela's (50 minutes away) to get rounds for mine. If I want to go to the local Walmart odds are they aren't going to have ammo.

Its hard to predict what's going to be readily available in the future but I'd go with the more proven (common) cartridge.

308 is going to give you even better availability options but with some more recoil.

^^^^^
What he said.

Law: If you can't go into any Walmart in the US (that sells ammo) and find ammo,it is the wrong choice for a first (and possibly only) rifle.

Lots of brands to choose from. You pick one you like and go with it. Like the others, for a do it all caliber for non reloaders, I would advise .308 or 7-08, due to ammo availability. My daughters and granddaughters shoot my padded .308 (mid weight rifle) without complaints. If deer/antelope are the largest game, .243 is hard to beat as a deer/coyote class rifle.

Best,

Jack

This ^^^^^ If the bank account can stand a pair of MRC X2 rifles, either .270 or .308. In lieu of muzzle brakes, I would add a case of reduced recoil ammo for each one to get them started. They will each have a quality rifle that they can use for the rest of their lives capable of cleanly taking 95% of the game that walks the planet. No knock on the Creed. But as stated above, .270 and .308 have proven long term availability.

I like this idea. Love the 7mm-08 round. My son shoots Hornady lite in 120 gr. and I use 140 gr. You can load it heavier and I know several that load 150's for elk and you will see proof on here that the 140's will take elk as well.

If not, a .308 is a great all around round as well.

Hard to dismiss the 6.5 though. Great ballistics. Low recoil. I just like the 7mm-08 better.

I started my daughter out on a model 7 in 7-08 and initially used the reduced loads. It was perfect starter gun for a kid, short barrel and plastic stock. I'm not sure if it came in left-hand...

I like the tikka idea above as it is a can't miss

Would you like another nephew? I volunteer!!

Get them 270's, they will thank you for eternity.