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My vote would be for a 257 Roberts in the Hawkeye. There are a couple of good factory loads available. If he ever got into handloading there aren't many factory offerings easier to improve on than the 257 Roberts.

Who am I kidding, get him a 7mm-08, or a 308 and he'll be set.

I'll send the money tomorrow. You know we'll need to see pictures from Christmas morning. We have to have pictures.

just sent you more than i promised.

i personally vote for the n.e.f. handi-rifle in .30 us. it just works. every time. plinking ammo can be had inexpensively from the cmp, and you can re-use the brass.

get whatever the kid needs. but PICTURES FROM CHRISTMAS MORNING are a must. for real.

-tom

ttt

Updated total.

Base 400
257Deland - 20 20
1akhunter - 10 20
Glocked_N_Loaded - 10 20
358Norma_fan - 10 10
exbiologist - 10 10
Lou270 - 20 20
tommygs-20 20
Junior1942-20 20
Cheesy - 20 20
shinbone 20
johnw 20


total 600

no capiche. perhaps "tut, tut, tut..."

pretty funny for a guy that doesn't shoot a .30....

To the Top= ttt

the final answer is easy-Marlin XL7-your choice on caliber-my choice would be the 270-you would have money left for a good scope-my XL7C 270 shoots about everything well and its favorite handload into 1/2 inch or less repeatedly! this rifle is out of the box stock and shoots as good or better than any rifle i own!

A couple years ago several folks on this Forum generously donated hunting clothing, boots, gear, and ammo for my three teenage nephews.

It was greatly appreciated, and meant a great deal to them as it enable all three of them to go hunting, which they had never done before.

So, my vote is to take the $$ collected and purchase this young man the best rifle for the money. Something that will last him throughout his life...

** I'll donate a Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm Matte Post & Duplex scope I have laying around collecting dust. **

Let me know what caliber the young man ends up with, and I'm sure I can scrounge up a box or two of ammo as well.

Lou,

PM me the young man's name and mailing addy and I'll get the scope out in the mail this week.

Wowzers, nice contribution! That's a helluva nice scope for the young man to start with or keep for the long haul! So there's now $600 for the rifle itself? That's what I'm talking about, that ought to open alot of doors.

There is a NIB Ruger in .257 Bob on the classifieds for trade. Maybe he would sell for a good price for a cause like this.

Wow! Let me get a hold of Deborah and I'll get you the address. Calling now to give her the news.

Lou

Ok, so just got off the phone with crying mom:) She's just blown away at the generosity and I will get her on here eventually. She said expect lots of pictures!. She said Sean asks her every day about a gun and she told him she's been talking to me, but not sure she can afford one. I asked her if he knows anything about calibers or what he wants and she said he was asking her if I was looking for a .270 or .30-06(smart kid:)). I asked her to poke around a bit more (stainless or blue, caliber) and she will let me know tomorrow. You guys rock!

Lou

m.o. is in the mail baby. let's get another one started.

i challenge steelhead to donate a dollar.

-tom

I think that the Xmas present idea is good hearted but misses the point. I think that staying within moms budget is a good lesson for a teenager. The $300 will buy a very usable deer hunting rifle that with care can last a lifetime. The savage action has been around for a very long time. It is a strong reliable action made of the same steel as most of the other rifles made in this country. OK maybe it isn't as pretty but for a 16 YO we are not talking about snob appeal. The jury is still out on the Marlin but it looks good so far. We are talking about a lesson in life which is more valuable than any rifle he could buy. Not everyone has the where with all to buy the very best
all of the time. I guarantee you that 16 YO will be just as thrilled with a $300 rifle for Xmas as a 700, Hawkeye, Howa etc.
Let him learn to live with what he got.

I see where you're coming from but my wife was at one time a single mom and I can tell you that it isn't easy. This more than likely isn't a budget she set because she wanted, but is the budget she could afford. If we as a community can help this lady out and give her son the Christmas of his dreams, if she can see that pride is his eyes, and we can take a little pressure off of her if not for but a day, I'd say we'd be silly not to. His other friends probably have 2 parents with a bigger budget who have nicer rifles, maybe this kid deserves to experience the same pride. He might have a child one day and pass it down to his with a nice story to tell also. I'm in full bore.

i'm guessing that, like most sons of single moms, he's learned a lesson or 2 about budgets already...

my goal is for him to learn the lesson that there is adult male encouragement to be found for a young guy who wants to hunt.....

Sure take the load off and give him a $300 rifle - within moms budget. He will be just as happy. And there's no reason he can't pass this rifle to his son or daughter with pride. I bought a Savage 110 on a managers sale at K-Mart in 270 for $250 for my sons first rifle, took his first antelope and mule deer with this rifle. Its dull blue with the beech wood stock. Ain't pretty but it shoots 150 NPT into less than inch. But he was proud as a peacock. I am sure my grand children will use this rifle to take there first game. Shoots better that the $600 Rem SPS SS 257 Roy that I recently bought and haven't found a load that will shoot under 1.5" heck most are over 2". Teach him that pride comes with ownership not with a particular brand. How about a book on gun care and how and where to shoot game.

you can respond to this kids need in whatever degree and manner that you choose...
please allow others to do the same....

Well said... you chose to not donate, that's your choice, but try and not let the air out of the balloon for the rest of us. Don't be a party pooper.

A memory that a mother and son will share forever.

This idea has snow balled into something awesome. A lot a thoughtful souls around the Campfire, glad to be part of it.

Smart boy wanting a 270 or a 30-06. Flip a coin, can't go wrong with either.