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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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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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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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Mine was a .30-06. Sons was a 7-08, daughter was an ‘06. Girls are tough.



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Get him a fast twist .223, no recoil and plenty of gun for deer.


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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.


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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.

😬🦫


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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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Mine was a Win 94 in .356win

Would recommend 243 or 7-08


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Weatherby vanguard....308, or 7m08.

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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.


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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.

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Originally Posted by Morewood
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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Mine was a model 94 winchester. Wish I still had
it


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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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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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Originally Posted by krp
Savage 99 308, but I was 17 and bought it myself used . . .

Same here except I was 15. Had a Weaver 4X on it.


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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.


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Originally Posted by SCgman1
Weatherby vanguard....308, or 7m08.

Good choice. I’ve never shot an inaccurate Vanguard in any chambering.

🦫


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Text editors [bleep] suck, river ranch 6.5 gaymore

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