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The time has come for kids (15) to get their first real rifle….

blue0369 said:
I think one of them will be a lefty so there is that also.
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I'd see if the lefty has a right or left eye dominance. If he has left eye dominant teach him to shoot left hand. If right make him shoot right.
I believe that Tom Gresham had the same problem growing up. I'd look for his advice on the subject.
Either way it should not be a huge obstacle in his life.
Good luck and God bless.
 
blue0369 said:
I want them to be able to hunt almost anything they want. Factory ammo options for sure for them, mostly be a deer rifle and maybe out west. They can buy an Elk gun if they want. I was thinking maybe a 300WM but that's a little heavy for deer frankly in my opinion. Like I said I was looking at maybe a 270Win or something in that range.
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Absolutely nothing wrong with a 270 win. The recoil isn't bad in a decent weight rifle and ammo can be found anywhere. I have a 6.5 Creed in AR 10 I use with thermal and it works well in that roll. I have Zero interest in one in a bolt gun as I feel it's lacking compared to the 6.5 PRC, 6.5-06 or 6.5-284 class of rifles.
 
Sorry, looked at MSRP of Mod 70 Supergrades at $1679 so assumed it was rifle only under $2000.

300 magnums are a cartridge to work up to IMO. I took 8 animals with mine this year and love it but I was shooting a heavier rifle suppressed. Especially if it's not braked or suppressed, it's too much recoil for a newer shooter and unnecessary.

6.5 CM and PRC should still be top of list IMO. I'd probably even lean to the CM for confidence building and shot placement (re: accuracy). My 6.5 PRC is right around 7 lbs including scope. It's an absolute delight to carry, but unbraked it tends to move a bit under recoil. I really have to be on top of my fundamentals to shoot it well and get back on target after a shot.

As far as rifles, I like the Tikka Veil as well. Christiansen arms Ridgeline has a similar msrp to the Win 70 Supergrade and depending on the price you find it for might be an option.
 
6.5 cm all the way, cause it seems like you are thinking big. Unless you are getting them suppressors too, no sense in unnecessary recoil of a long action or magnum. They are kids and the chance for developing a flinch from anything bigger is pretty high. They won't practice as much for recoil, cost, and barrel life.

The 6.5 creed is solid inside 600 yards and kills stuff dead. The bullet weight and the terminal velocity at range is similar to a .270 for practical purposes, with less recoil.

I personally would get a 6 creed or 6 arc, but so many believe it is too small (but it's not).
 
I may have missed it, but I didn't see where you mentioned that your twins have grown up shooting...? Assuming they have, you're past the .22LR stage, correct? I say that because we want kids to start off with a low recoiling round to avoid developing a flinch as they work up to bigger rounds.

Assuming they do know how to shoot, and they can take recoil, then I recommend the Ruger American Gen 2 in something like a 7mm-08, or one of the 6.5's; however, with that said, I have one in 6mmARC and it is a perfect round for deer. My daughter uses the 6ARC as her deer gun and she's been successful!

The Ruger's are great rifles right out of the box, AND not only that, you have enough money left over for GOOD OPTICS! Don't skimp on good glass.
 
blue0369 said:
My twins are now 15 and the time has come. I told them I would buy them there first rifle and all the others are on them. So the million dollar question for you guys and I want to hear the opinions and why.

What would be the choice for a first rifle and why, what Modle caliber etc….

I just looked at the Winchester Modle 70 Super Grade in a 6.5 PRC and I'm not going to lie it was really hard to put down (Maple Stock) That rifle with a nice hunting scope would be amazing for everything up to black bear I think. I have also thought about a 270 for them or even a 30-06 because I want them to be able to find ammo etc. I have looked at the Modle 70's, Tika's, and also the XBolts. Other rifles I thought about are the Bagara's and maybe even a Weatherby even. Not sure if I love them that much 🤪🤣. I want them to be able to have this all their life if they so choose to do so. Budget 2k and under.

So let's hear it.

Thanks guys…..
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WOW !!
What have you been training them with? You are posting that you want to get some $$$ in a rifle. Before you get them anything what have they been shooting with accuracy??? I would already think that you have them shooting light to medium cartridges.
 
kgarrett said:
6.5 PRC is a fine cartridge for a big game rifle and more versatile than a 6.5 CM which is itself a fine cartridge. 280AI, 7 PRC, and 6.8 Western are the next step up in terminal performance and recoil and are worth considering.

That Win 70 is very nice option and IF it appeals to your boys go for it.

If they prefer synthetic stocks consider the Weatherby 307 Alpine CT or the Springfield Waypoint 2020. They could hunt, shoot PRS or NRL hunter with those though they are right at the top of your price range.

I used a 7 RM for years but have gone to a 6.5 PRC for elk sized game and smaller and a 300 PRC for elk sized game and larger. Very similar trajectory, but significantly more recoil and terminal performance in the bigger caliber.

However, for 95% + of my hunting the 6.5 PRC fits the bill perfectly. It's also a very popular cartridge so options and availability should be good going forward.
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I was also thinking about the 7PRC but I'm not sure how it will hold up long term. I think pretty **** well but we will see. I agree with you on the 6.5 PRC also. It's a great middle of the road round and can still kill clean even on an elk at 300 yards etc. I'm personally a fan of the 7PRC but I already have a 7mm so I'm good on that. My STW is a killer for sure.
 
Chranah said:
I may have missed it, but I didn't see where you mentioned that your twins have grown up shooting...? Assuming they have, you're past the .22LR stage, correct? I say that because we want kids to start off with a low recoiling round to avoid developing a flinch as they work up to bigger rounds.
Assuming they do know how to shoot, and they can take recoil, then I recommend the Ruger American Gen 2 in something like a 7mm-08, or one of the 6.5's. They are great rifles right out of the box, AND not only that, you have enough money left over for GOOD OPTICS! Don't skimp on good glass.
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Great point also!
 
K.E.C. Darkside said:
Go with your first gut feeling.
A pair of Model 70 , Maple stock, in a modern cartridge 6.5Prc, plenty of factory ammo, comfortable recoil, can use for hunting just about any N.A. animal and great for target shooting. 👍
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AAAA+Walnut with some Philipino Knot root!
 
Coyote Shadow Tracker said:
WOW !!
What have you been training them with? You are posting that you want to get some $$$ in a rifle. Before you get them anything what have they been shooting with accuracy??? I would already think that you have them shooting light to medium cartridges.
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There pretty handy with a rifle. Some day they shoot better than I do I hate to admit it lol. They started off in 22's and moved up to a 243 but they have never had their own rifle. They have shot my 308 and do well with that too. I have not put them on any large magnums yet but they want to try the 300 WinMag soon. I told them once they master all the other stuff they can shoot it later. They learned a lesson when they thought they wanted to shoot my 12ga like day at clays. There just not ready for big shot guns yet. They still have smaller frames for kids their age honestly, but they can swing a 20ga just fine and handle that. There older now and told me this last hunt it's time I kept my end of the deal up. I told them I would buy them one gun and the rest are in them.
 
Assuming that they have been shooting enough to have the basics down. You stated that you were impressed with a Weatherby, so save some ching and get them a Howa. Same action as the Weatherby, available in wood or synthetic, if you aren't a reloader and worried about ammo availability, go 6.5 Creedmoor or .308. Both are quite capable and always on the shelf. Just tossing it out there.
 
blue0369 said:
There pretty handy with a rifle. Some day they shoot better than I do I hate to admit it lol. They started off in 22's and moved up to a 243 but they have never had their own rifle. They have shot my 308 and do well with that too. I have not put them on any large magnums yet but they want to try the 300 WinMag soon. I told them once they master all the other stuff they can shoot it later. They learned a lesson when they thought they wanted to shoot my 12ga like day at clays. There just not ready for big shot guns yet. They still have smaller frames for kids their age honestly, but they can swing a 20ga just fine and handle that. There older now and told me this last hunt it's time I kept my end of the deal up. I told them I would buy them one gun and the rest are in them.
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Off topic here, but your response reminded me of this. I'm not sure the rules of each state, but here in Idaho, my 17 year old son was able to buy a 3 year Youth License just before his 18th birthday, allowing him to buy youth tags, at youth prices, until he's 20! Just something to remember in 2 years if MO allows it. ;)

Back on topic, the .308 is a good round as well! It sounds like they're able to handle it. Plus it's everywhere and easy to get if you don't handload.
 
Coyote Shadow Tracker said:
WOW !!
What have you been training them with? You are posting that you want to get some $$$ in a rifle. Before you get them anything what have they been shooting with accuracy??? I would already think that you have them shooting light to medium cartridges.
Click to expand...
As far as accuracy, they will hammer out some size groups all day with my AR rifles. So yeah they're pretty decent for 15 year olds.
Critter Picker said:
Assuming that they have been shooting enough to have the basics down. You stated that you were impressed with a Weatherby, so save some ching and get them a Howa. Same action as the Weatherby, available in wood or synthetic, if you aren't a reloader and worried about ammo availability, go 6.5 Creedmoor or .308. Both are quite capable and always on the shelf. Just tossing it out there.
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I honestly just don't know enough about the Howa's and that's why I wanted to reach out to some of you guys and get ideas and stuff to look at or into. I have seen them on a few shelf's but I have never touched one and pulled a trigger on one. Are they pretty good guns?
 
Chranah said:
Off topic here, but your response reminded me of this. I'm not sure the rules of each state, but here in Idaho, my 17 year old son was able to buy a 3 year Youth License just before his 18th birthday, allowing him to buy youth tags, at youth prices, until he's 20! Just something to remember in 2 years if MO allows it. ;)

Back on topic, the .308 is a good round as well! It sounds like they're able to handle it. Plus it's everywhere and easy to get if you don't handload.
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So in MO youth ends at 16. From 17 on its adult tags. On that note, I was thinking about doing a lifetime hunting and fishing license also because they are pretty reasonable when kids are young and there set for life. All they need to do is buy tags for deer or turkeys but the license is covered. I have one from the state as a broken Veteran and love it. The game warden even forgot about them until I pulled my card out when he checked me last time while fishing on the lake. MO is very conservation friendly and honestly the state dose a fantastic job on it. Right now they are re-introducing elk into the Ozark Mts finally. It's been a great success so far.
 

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