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

One thing I know from instructing and fitting young kids for sporting clays. They grow and they grow fast. Some you have to chase the fit from age 9 to 18. I've also seen many 12 gauges that were light recoilers and many light 20 gauges that kick very sharply. Rifles can be much the same way.
I have a couple of 308s and in a lighter rifle they can kick quite a bit. If you already have rifles that they can use to work on their form and accuracy already you can feel a bit better about going a little larger. I personally don't like brakes due to the noise and concussion but that is a personal choice. You know your boys better than anyone and you've certainly received enough information to make a logical choice. I tell my students and their parents to try to shoot the type of gun you think you want before you go out and spend your hard earned money. I keep a lot of shotguns around for this very reason. The same advice would apply to rifles. Let them shoot a few different rifles in the range you are considering if at all possible. Also, If you reload you have a serious advantage when it comes to keeping recoil under control. Plus that's something you and your boys can pitch in and do together.

Longrangers said:

Just one other thought. I personally target a factory rifle that is based on a Remington blue print due many components out there to modify them if you want.

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They certainly do! Tikka aftermarket support is good these days as well.

blue0369 said:

There still kinda small framed. I think they could shoot an 06 but it might beat them up a little bit honestly. One of the twins would not care his brother on the other hand not so much. I agree about the 06 but think I might go the 6.5 route for them for now. I wish they could handle a 300WM and I would call it good but I know that's not the case lol.

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Two additional points - though you've heard more than enough from me! - I'd recommend the Tikka T3x Compact Lite as a rifle and the 280 AI in addition to the 6.5 CM and PRC.

I had a Tikka Compact for my boys in 243 but they both turned out to be L eye dominant and it was R handed. It's a beautifully balanced little rifle with a 20.4" barrel and a removable stock spacer to take it from 12.5 to 13.5" LOP. One of those would last them a lifetime. I sold it to my uncle who uses it when his 7 RM is unnecessary. I believe the new XBolt 2 has an adjustable stock as will.

I love the 7 mm's! My one hunting rifle for years was a 7 mm Rem Mag. Bought it in about 2012 so the 280AI was just gaining popularity. I've now gone to a 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC and a soon to arrive 375 H&H but I've spent years working on my shooting to be able to shoot the bigger cartridges well! Plus, I've really split things up and often hunt open spaces here in Alberta. If I was doing it again and buying one gun to hunt everything in NA with, I'd look hard at the 280 AI. Significantly less recoil than the RM and especially the PRC, one more round of magazine capacity typically and feeds beautifully as 30-06 based cartridges tend to, with still excellent performance.

As far as brakes, I dislike them as well. If I could hunt and shoot with silencers I would, but they are illegal here in Canada and I believe can't be used by youth in the USA without an adult present. I have and use brakes for practice and sometimes for hunting but tend to take them off for hunting season (which necessitates rezeroing them which is a bit of a PITA) out of consideration for my hunting partners. I also hunt with electronic hearing protection.

Lost the thread again! Lots of great advice here and plenty of good recommendations. Make sure to get them something they're excited about and share what they choose (with pictures ideally .

J.P. SAUER & SOHN Great rifles everyone I own shoots lights out great action & triggers

More cartridge selections with the X bolt 2, but both are adjustable to varying degrees.

Just ordered one for a buddy of mine this morning in a .270 Win

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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There are many good options out there but one cannot go wrong with a Winchester Model 70 or a Tikka T3x. I much prefer wood, but the plastic stocks on the T3x are also good. The one thing I have done with the T3x is replace the recoil pads. The factory ones are hard rubber and offer little recoil attenuation. As for caliber, either a 270 or 30-06. Either will get them from pigs and deer on up to Elk, ammo is readily available as well as reasonably priced. I own both Winchester and Tikka rifles, they shoot sub moa with the right ammo and a decent scope. Vortex has reasonably priced scopes and their lifetime unconditional warranty is for real not just a sales gimmick.

Teri Anne said:

There are many good options out there but one cannot go wrong with a Winchester Model 70 or a Tikka T3x. I much prefer wood, but the plastic stocks on the T3x are also good. The one thing I have done with the T3x is replace the recoil pads. The factory ones are hard rubber and offer little recoil attenuation. As for caliber, either a 270 or 30-06. Either will get them from pigs and deer on up to Elk, ammo is readily available as well as reasonably priced. I own both Winchester and Tikka rifles, they shoot sub moa with the right ammo and a decent scope. Vortex has reasonably priced scopes and their lifetime unconditional warranty is for real not just a sales gimmick.

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I agree, I foam filled the stock on my Tikka's for rigidity and put on limbsaver butt pads.