Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 3-rifle starter set

22lr : Tikka T1x
223 : Tikka T3x Stainless SuperVarmint or SuperLite - depends on if he walks or stationary shooting.
308 : Tikka T3x Stainless SuperLite

Tikka Ringmounts or Sportsmatch rings

I prefer Kahles or S&B scopes.. but they can be a bit expensive.



Upgrade to McMillan stocks later if you want them to be a "for-life" rifles.

Jazz up the 10/22 he already has, then RAR 223 and RAR 6.5 CM. if you must have a new 22LR, then RAR it as well.


The kid will be better off than most of us here.

If you have all of those, please sell them to the kid's dad for $1,800, the limit stated in the OP. And yes, that includes scopes and mounts.

Nothing wrong with your recommendations but I'd consider recommending he skip a bolt .22 and spend that part of the $ on reliable glass....or if he's set on that sell the 10/22 and put that $ with the $1750.

I can like that list. My boys will be setup somewhat similarly by the time they are 13. I'd also consider making the .22LR an American if he goes that route for the larger rifles. I would also not be scared to put Weaver K6s or Leupold 6X36s on all 3. I like fixed power scopes for kids. Less to fiddle fart with and they work well. Both my 8yo and my 11yo shoot well with a K6 on a Ruger American 243.

RAR .22 - SWFA 10x MQ
RAR Pred .223 - SWFA 10x
RAR Pred 6.5 Creed - SWFA 6x

Burris XTR Sig Med rings for all. If really insisting that all optics be indentical, then SWFA 6x for all.

Sell the 10/22 to make budget if necessary.


OR


Keep the 10/22 and buy the kid a Barrett FC in 6mm Creedmoor. Then he’d have a finisher rifle rather than a few starter rifles.

Can you use caliber larger than .224 for varmints? If yes a 243 would do the work of both varmint and deer hunting. If the father doesn't reload stick with cartridges you can buy almost anywhere.

I've used .22LR, .223, .22-250. .257 Roberts, 7mm RM, .375 Win, .44 Mag and probably others for prairie dogs, coyotes and other varmints. The benefit of a .223 is cheap ammo, especially for those that don't handload.

I'd skip the 700 and go tikka t3x or RAR for the cf rifles. Hang onto the 10-22, or trade it for a RAR rimfire if he absolutely has to have a bolt action. Keep things simple and dependable.

My friend should look at the feedback before he decides what to do.

Some of the suggestions would appear to require a significant increase over the budget ceiling of $1,800.

Northman, I fully agree with your selection of a 3 gun battery. RJ

Can this selection of rifles, scopes, and mounts be purchased for $1,800?

RAR for the .22LR

OR THIS




Jerry

As far as a bolt .22 goes, there are lots of good options. Keeping the budget in mind a Marlin, Savage or Ruger American would work fine. Install a nikon pro staff 3-9x40 and you will have a very nice setup.
For the varmint rifle I would go with a Savage 12FV in .223 and look on Natchez for a nice Weaver scope for it or keep an eye here in the classifieds for something workable. A SS 10x would not be a bad option here either.
Big game rifle tikka in 6.5 CM or 7mm-08 or a Remington 700 in the same with a Leupold VX2 3-9 would last forever and not ever need upgraded.
I believe that could all be done for close to the budget and end up with some very nice equipment.

You might be close with the optics but I think the rifles would be much nicer. The blued Tikkas are about 500 a piece and the rimfire could be a decent CZ, leaving a decent amount of money for optics. I’d rather have a rifle like the Tikka than a RAR and save a bit for better optics.

Lots of ways to skin this cat. It is unfortunate he isn’t interested in used guns as the market is such that he could make his dollers go further ... much further.

Were I in his shoes, I would probably make two calls - one to Darrick at Whittikers, and one to Doug or Joel at Cameraland. Explain the situation and see what they had on hand knowing you would be getting great deals and value with the significant benefits that come with outstanding customer service.

Another option would be doing some discount internet shopping - look for sales, etc. Obvious downside would be lack of customer service. Here is one combo that could work and gets him in just under $1800...

Ruger American 22 - $222
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/778208431

Tikka t3 compact 223 - $549
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/772034331

Tikka t3 compact 6.5 c - $629
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/773084432

Burris FFII x 3 $133 ($399)
https://m.ebay.com/itm/Burris-200162-3-9X40-Fullfield-II-Ballistic-Plex-Rifle-Scope-BRAND-NEW/323106925511?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D53041%26meid%3Da4f205aa19dd4f7bb5ac47fa2a8c2d03%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D7%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D173063648659%26itm%3D323106925511&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Aff53b414-8aa6-11e8-a3c6-74dbd180c605%7Cparentrq%3Aae34bb321640ac3c6c3ca456fff9f98f%7Ciid%3A1

Leaves $1 for mounts :-)

I’m sure the above could be had for less through Whittakers. I would suggest the tikka t1 except it won’t be available in the next 60 days.

I think Jordan’s recommendation is also a fine one and one I had thought of suggesting as well. One significant hesitation I have with that though is stock length - a fieldcraft will be too long.

Couple of other suggestions just make me scratch my head ... 30/06? Schmidt and Bender??

Regardless, good luck and thanks for taking the time to help your friend and a young shooter out!

Tikkas are inexpensive, as are the RAR's. You also don't have to spend a ton to GET good glass either. The Burris ffII (3-9×40) comes to mind there. I also agree with akwolverine about buying used. Pharmseller had a like new tikka t3x 30-06 for sale for around $500.00... That's the route I'd take. And, again, why buy a 22 if he already has a good 10-22. Just sayin..

If I'd already bought him a .22 and a shotgun I'd tell the little fugger to get off his spoiled lazy azz and go mow some lawns if he wanted a deer rife. Geezus no wonder they turn out to be such rotten little snowfalke azzholes.

To get back on track, the criteria are as follows:

1. 3 rifles that have the same type of action in .22LR, 223, and 6.5 Creedmoor.
2. 3 rifles that are approximately the same size, weight and length, and as close to the same physical specs as possible and still fall within the budget.
3. 3 scopes that are the same make/model/magnification.
4. The primary components, the rifles and the scopes, must be new and readily available over the counter.
5. The budget ceiling is a hard $1,800.

The point of buying a .22 rifle with the same weight and action style as the coyote and deer hunting rifles is so that the boy can fire a thousand or more rounds of inexpensive bulk pack .22 LR at paper targets before he shoots either of the centerfire rifles and will be used to the weight, length, safety location, etc.

Check, check, check, check, and ... check :-)

No idea why the ebay link to the FFII didn’t hyperlink.