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

blue0369 said:
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.


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?
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I have one and love it . Pretty smooth action,MOA guarantee, adjustable trigger,and if you shop around you can get the rifle and a mid priced scope for your price range.
 
Have em hold up a LA and a SA offhand

I toted a 30-06 for a while and I'm 5' 6", I got tired of shouldering and having front hand land on the mag box instead of in the forearm checkering
It was a real problem for me
(Also the longer rifle for shorter people gets the muzzle too close to the ground which aint good in snow, or rough terrain)

It could elimate the possibility of rifle not fitting them, would not be cool if they found after a day in the field the rifle was too big for them.

I think a standard length action is for guys/gals > 5'8"
SA for the smaller people, or people who put big miles on

No matter what you end up with. Congrats on being able to do this for your kids and I hope it works out for you and you guys make some memories.
 
blue0369 said:
I think one of them will be a lefty so there is that also.
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I have shot left handed all my life with rifles & shotguns. I use a right hand action. I bought a lefty. I do not care to shoot it. It's just not familiar to me, Personally the thumb hole stock is the only one I find to be hard to shoot left handed, with a right hand action. And it's still doable. Now you can buy a left hand stock for right hand actions. Best of both worlds IMO. Easier resale with right hand rifles, etc.
Edit really like my Howa 1500s. But Sauer would be another company to look at. If you can find them to handle.
 
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98s1lightning said:
Have em hold up a LA and a SA offhand

I toted a 30-06 for a while and I'm 5' 6", I got tired of shouldering and having front hand land on the mag box instead of in the forearm checkering
It was a real problem for me
(Also the longer rifle for shorter people gets the muzzle too close to the ground which aint good in snow, or rough terrain)

It could elimate the possibility of rifle not fitting them, would not be cool if they found after a day in the field the rifle was too big for them.

I think a standard length action is for guys/gals > 5'8"
SA for the smaller people, or people who put big miles on

No matter what you end up with. Congrats on being able to do this for your kids and I hope it works out for you and you guys make some memories.
Click to expand...
That's a great point,I am more comfortable with a short action and I'm 5'10"
 
I bought my first rifle at 15. Dad bought our first shotguns, my brother is 15 months younger. We were sharing dad spare rifle. Dad had a Remington 700 in 270 and I thought that was the only rifle made. I loved it and my dad had one and I wanted to be just like him. I worked and saved and worked for all I could to the tune of $300. I was $60 short at my birthday and dad gave me the rest to get the rifle. I was floating on clouds. Still my favorite rifle. I know every inch and nick in that stock.

Thanks

Buck
 
Depending on size of your kids and hunt style. Whitetail a 243 tikka, western big game id go with a 308, 7-08, 6 or 6.5 creedmoor or 6.5 prc. my first rifle shot at a deer was using 18" barrel 308.
 
First off, are they big, average or small kids? How much recoil can they comfortably take without getting beat up?
If they can handle a 30-06, that would do anything you'd ask of it. Then in later years, if they want a bigger cartridge, then they can buy it.
 
I think your first idea of the 6.5PRC was on the right track for a hunting rifle. If your budget is $2k and you have some leftover, I would also get them a bolt action 223 for practice. Each twin will have a rifle to be on at the range and can flip/flop to get more practice with a less expensive and recoiling cartridge. The 223 can be their predator hunting rifle as well.

If you really wanna toss the budget to the wind, get a Suppressor for the 6.5 and they'll really love you haha
 
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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Based on 75 years of rifle shooting experience, I suggest that you start them with the 6.5 CM in any high quality bolt action rifle that appeals. Go for a 22" barrel, and add a high quality scope. Sure, many other calibers will "work", but that's for them to choose later.
 
I would consider philosophy on sporting equipment and tools that your family has. Are you a: 1) this tool will meet 85% of the requirements for 85% of the scenarios or 2) that 15% difference in requirements means the purchase of a new tool.

In street terms: "gear/performance whore" versus "it's the pilot not the plane". If the philosophy is former the options are endless if the latter probably a Tikka T3x in 270 win, 7mm-08, 308, or 30-06.
 
Tikkas are on sale right now at Bass Pro, just ordered one. They have various caliber's and feel really nice. Just picked one up after the club discount, military discount, factory rebate taxes etc. it ended up at 688.00. I was going to buy another Bergara but these tikkas felt really nice T3X super light.
 
I agree with others suggestions.
I made the mistake and bought the cheapest 2 moa rifle I could find.
Big waste of money... I felt bad and sent it down the road and had to do it again to make it right for the poor fellow.
Turns out, he was an excellent shot and was shooting head and neck shots with the Remington SS 700 260 on a cull hunts.
Buy once, Cry once!
 

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