xxclaro;
Good evening to you sir, I hope the weather on your side of the big hills isn't too bad and that all is well with you and yours or at least as well as can be.
Honestly while you've indicated a reluctance to shop used, it's by far the most economical way to get into hunting, especially now that hunting season is over, Christmas bills will be coming in and as new models come out the "rifle churners" will be looking to do a little "out with the old, in with the new".
I've personally bought and sold firearms coast to coast on canadiangunnutz and that'd be one place to look.
If possible first, they should handle a few rifles to see what fits them best as most of us didn't come out of the mold the same shape and what fits someone 6'6" with a neck like a stork will likely not be best for more Neanderthal shapes such as I've been sporting my whole life.
As to brands, we've had very good results with Ruger Americans shooting very well, having decent triggers and barrels which don't foul quickly. I want to say between myself and some shooting friends there's a half dozen or so and all have been good that way.
The Savage is not a bad way to go, but some of them seem to have rougher barrels nowadays and might foul up a bit faster than a hammer forged barrel might.
I've heard good things about the Mossbergs, but have no direct experience with them so can't say.
As my friend GRF mentioned, sometimes Tradex has some wonderful deals on Husqvarna's coming in from Sweden - get one already drilled and tapped for sure - but they can be real gems. Again that's used and I'm aware of that.
Since they're guys, they'll likely want to get some sort of artillery piece rather than a .308, .30-06 or .270. If at all possible, be a good friend and talk them into one of the aforementioned as a first arm and then they can get into the multi magnums later if they desire - you know or not.
The last time we were evacuated for a forest fire, I said to my wife that if the place burned down I'd not build another belted magnum. Since the place didn't burn, I kept the ones we've got, but I don't really believe they're that much more "terminal" on game - even big northern moose - than say an '06 with good bullets.
Anyways, hopefully that made some sense and was useful. If I can be of any help or use to you by all means give me a shout and I'll do my best to help out.
All the best to you and yours this year sir and good luck getting your buddies into hunting.
Dwayne
