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Joined: Nov 2018
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2018
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What was your first deer rifle and what would you recommend for my 13 year old grandson?
He just shot his first deer last Saturday (grinning ear to ear) using grandpa's old .30-06 (which he'll inherit) but he'll need his own now.
Looking for something in the 600 dollar range or less.
Thanks, fellas.
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Joined: Nov 2015
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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30-06 is a bit much for his age unless you hand load I’d go 243 plenty options out there
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I had a 788 in 22-250. The 788 sucked, I guess that’s why it was on the used rack.
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Mine was a .30-06. Sons was a 7-08, daughter was an ‘06. Girls are tough.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Get him a fast twist .223, no recoil and plenty of gun for deer.
Will Munny: It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have.
The Schofield Kid: Yeah, well, I guess they had it coming.
Will Munny: We all got it coming, kid.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Mine was a Rem 700, 25-06. Bought it in 1974, and still have it. For your grandson, I’d get a Rem 700 in 7-08, or 6.5 creedmore.
NRA Patron
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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A Winchester model 94 30-30 was the rite of passage that both my brothers, then me inherited for our first deer season.
We all hated that rifle with it’s steel butt plate, buckhorn sights, and marred stock. Basically a beater truck rifle.
MW, you might as well wreck the youngster now and get it over with. 6.5 CM in a maker of your choice.
😬🦫
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Savage 110 in 270. If I were setting up my own kid, I don't know...probably Howa or vanguard, 243 or 6.5
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Joined: Dec 2011
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Mine was a Win 94 in .356win
Would recommend 243 or 7-08
DON’T BE TOO PROUD OF THIS TECHNOLOGICAL TERROR YOU’VE CONSTRUCTED. THE ABILITY TO DESTROY A PLANET IS INSIGNIFICANT NEXT TO THE POWER OF THE FORCE.
- Darth Vader
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Joined: Feb 2013
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Weatherby vanguard....308, or 7m08.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Handi-rifle 243.win was my first deer rifle. It's long gone, but I've been wanting to get an exact copy of it just for nostalgia and to let my son use it for his first in a few years.
You'll shoot your eye out
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Savage 99 308, but I was 17 and bought it myself used for 100 bucks.
Today a 708 is what would be the best for an overall round.
Kent
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,113
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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What was your first deer rifle and what would you recommend for my 13 year old grandson?
He just shot his first deer last Saturday (grinning ear to ear) using grandpa's old .30-06 (which he'll inherit) but he'll need his own now.
Looking for something in the 600 dollar range or less.
Thanks, fellas. I would look for a used Tikka T3 in 7mm-08. It would be a great caliber for a while and when he wants to, or is ready, it could be rechambered to 280ai for about $300 (new long action bolt stop and magazine and a smith to cut the chamber in the existing barrel.). Well built, accurate and light. My first rifle was a Savage 99 in .308. I bought it with my own paychecks from bagging groceries at a local store. Used a Marlin 30-30 for antelope and deer that my dad had prior to buying my own.
Last edited by Oakster; 09/25/22.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Mine was a model 94 winchester. Wish I still had it
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Doug
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I recommend something in a 6.5 CM that can grow with him. Nothing worse than a stock that is too long.
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Joined: Feb 2019
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I used a Marlin 336 in .30-30. My uncle was right proud, dropped a 6 point buck with one shot at 150 yards. He dumped an 8 point ten yards from mine less than ten minutes later. And you ain’t getting no JM Marlin 336 for 600 or less now, methinks.
Get him a .308 if you want him to never need anything else. A 6.5 Creedmoor if you want him to like boys😂. Not really, just poking fun at the Creed fans.
Personally, if the hunting stays in NC, hard pressed to beat a lightweight bolt or lever in something on the .308 Winchester case. .308 for utility and pragmatism, .284 for class, .243 if he is a disciplined hunter and accurate shooter, .358 or .338 if he plans to be a loony. And all of this pretty much applies to anywhere in the lower 48.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Savage 99 308, but I was 17 and bought it myself used . . . Same here except I was 15. Had a Weaver 4X on it.
Haul ass, haul ass! - Pappy
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I started out with a Lee Enfield, big surprise.
But I like the 25/06, 308, 243, now added a 7/08 but have not shot it yet, so not sure how it would be.
"The 375HH is the greatest level of power you can get for the investment in recoil." (JJHack) 79s and losttrail, biggest waste of air.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Weatherby vanguard....308, or 7m08. Good choice. I’ve never shot an inaccurate Vanguard in any chambering. 🦫
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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Text editors [bleep] suck, river ranch 6.5 gaymore
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