Heirloom Rifle

[BDS05]

Say :
You're looking to gift your child their first rifle large game capable.
You want it to be capable of most North American game. (No 223 or even 243)
Not too much recoil for a BEGINNER shooter. (No magnum, prob not even 06)
Factory ammo.
6mm - 7mm08 give or take for reference.

Bonus points for rifle.

Edit to add:
I was given a Marlin 3030 at 9 yo - too "heavy" and not enough range to pick up most of the time

I was given a Winchester Model 70 3006 at 14 yo - too much recoil for a new shooter, can change LOP

Is there an in between these two for new to seasoned?

 

[MickThompson]

To me, heirloom and beginner rifle are different things.

Edit- after reading the reply below, Browning may be the exception.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Probably a 6.5 cm or 308. Rifle really depends on what you want to spend and what you think will fit the kid. I bought my oldest daughter an a bolt micro hunter for Christmas when she was 12. Fit her well and still have it in the safe for her. Her daughters will be able to shoot it in years to come.

 

[TnKen]

https://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-70/model-70-super-grade.html
https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/30-06-springfield-125-gr-sst-custom-lite#!/
Heirloom- the links are to a nice Winchester super grade. Nice bluing and walnut.
I know you said no 30-06 but they make reduced/ light recoil loads. The 30-06 gives enough variety of loads they can "grow " into it, and will serve for most of the game around the world.

 

[nso123]

6.5 PRC is a great cartridge that has reasonable recoil. Ammo is easily accessible and it will kill anything in North America.

 

[BDS05]

Edit to add

6.5 PRC is a great cartridge that has reasonable recoil. Ammo is easily accessible and it will kill anything in North America.

ive looked at that for myself but not considered for a youth.

 

[BDS05]

https://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-70/model-70-super-grade.html
https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/30-06-springfield-125-gr-sst-custom-lite#!/
Heirloom- the links are to a nice Winchester super grade. Nice bluing and walnut.
I know you said no 30-06 but they make reduced/ light recoil loads. The 30-06 gives enough variety of loads they can "grow " into it, and will serve for most of the game around the world.

I'm a 30 cal guy all in and would love that but would cringe handing my oldest an 06 for first rifle outside of a 22 even with "reduced recoil".

 

[DomG]

AR/Sporting platform; probably a 6.5

 

[Rabbitkil]

Build a custom 7-08 no use spending money on a fancy rifle to look at if you intend on it being used it would mean more since you built it

 

[shooterjr]

Ruger 77 wood stock .270

 

[BDS05]

Build a custom 7-08 no use spending money on a fancy rifle to look at if you intend on it being used it would mean more since you built it

Say semi custom. Based off what action and are you going synthetic or wood?

 

[MickThompson]

Ruger 77 wood stock .270

Kicks worse than my lightweight 308 by a long shot

 

[BDS05]

AR/Sporting platform; probably a 6.5

I can't bring myself to enjoy the AR platform. I can see the benefit though…

 

[Jcalder]

22cm, 22arc, 6cm, 6arc. Take a pick of your rifle. Do you want fancy or functional? Winchester makes a beautiful rifle but I've yet to see one shoot great without a ton of work, and that just got them to shoot good. Sako makes a nice rifle.

 

[DomG]

I can't bring myself to enjoy the AR platform. I can see the benefit though…

I have an Odin Works 6.5Grendel upper on an Aero Precision lower, stock trigger, it's a "tac driver". It consistently smacks an 8" plate at 550 yards. Pared with a vortex viper. Very enjoyable but I respect all the other choices out there.

 

[Rabbitkil]

Say semi custom. Based off what action and are you going synthetic or wood?

I would get a Savage Action you can install and switch barrels yourself, which, with a nice synthetic stock with LOP spacers, put a nice scope on it. Maybe even get the receiver engraved with their name

 

[nso123]

Edit to add

ive looked at that for myself but not considered for a youth.

Yep. You are looking at recoil that's very similar to a .308.

 

[Remi]

It's not a heirloom but nothing else I'd buy a tikka compact in 243 with an 8 twist so it could handle the long heavies. Not much it won't handle.

Compact has a removable spacer for youth


You say no 243 but then list a 6mm?


I have a tikka in 7mm08 that weighs 7lbs and 6oz, not recoil friendly for a kid.

 

[GumbyGuy]

Any 243

 

[Tweeter]

7-08 or 308

 

[TNRifleman]

Buy the Bergara Timber in 6.5 Creed in the classifieds. I love Carbon fiber and fiberglass stocks but that just doesn't say heirloom to me. The Bergara Timber stock is probably the best feeling wood stock out there. Id not 6.5 Creed, buy the Timber in a 270.

 

[BDS05]

It's not a heirloom but nothing else I'd buy a tikka compact in 243 with an 8 twist so it could handle the long heavies. Not much it won't handle.

Compact has a removable spacer for youth


You say no 243 but then list a 6mm?


I have a tikka in 7mm08 that weighs 7lbs and 6oz, not recoil friendly for a kid.

View attachment 297110

Fair enough and you touch on the two I'm most interested in.. 6mm and 7mm08.
Looks like I've got some reading up to do on 243 and 7mm08 (didn't expect the recoil comment)

 

[BDS05]

Buy the Bergara Timber in 6.5 Creed in the classifieds. I love Carbon fiber and fiberglass stocks but that just doesn't say heirloom to me. The Bergara Timber stock is probably the best feeling wood stock out there. Id not 6.5 Creed, buy the Timber in a 270.

I've looked at it SEVERAL times and wished I had it…
Just can't bring myself to spend that right now. She's a beaut no doubt and I'm surprised it hasn't sold.

 

[BDS05]

Yep. You are looking at recoil that's very similar to a .308.

Very intriguing. Will more than likely be my next…

 

[Remi]

Fair enough and you touch on the two I'm most interested in.. 6mm and 7mm08.
Looks like I've got some reading up to do on 243 and 7mm08 (didn't expect the recoil comment)

To me a youth rifle is one that needs to be shot, a lot. I'm not sure anything trumps 223 for that. Kids can't learn to shoot or gain confidence shooting 5 shots a year


My tikka 708 is not one a new shooter will sit behind long. For a new shooter I'd go 6.5 Creedmoor over the 708, slightly less recoil and more factory ammo available if you don't reload.


A youth 243 would allow more practice.


243 with 105's

 

[BDS05]

I have an Odin Works 6.5Grendel upper on an Aero Precision lower, stock trigger, it's a "tac driver". It consistently smacks an 8" plate at 550 yards. Pared with a vortex viper. Very enjoyable but I respect all the other choices out there.

I respect that. I just can't get over the way they handle / feel shooting. (I grew up strictly with bolt guns and some levers).

Trust me, I've tried to love them…

 

[BDS05]

I would get a Savage Action you can install and switch barrels yourself, which, with a nice synthetic stock with LOP spacers, put a nice scope on it. Maybe even get the receiver engraved with their name

valid point… I know some ppl swear by them and something I've not even considered for this application.

 

[Remi]

I respect that. I just can't get over the way they handle / feel shooting. (I grew up strictly with bolt guns and some levers).

Trust me, I've tried to love them…

If you could find a youth stock a Howa mini in an arc or a Grendel would be pretty boss.

 

[KyRick]

7-08 for the win.

 

[BDS05]

If you could find a youth stock a Howa mini in an arc or a Grendel would be pretty boss.

Also an option I've looked at myself mini times myself for a "budget" build.