Cheap bolt action rifles for son

[paulsharvey]

My 12 yr old son is wanting a new gun. He has a single shot .410 already, and doesn't really want a .22 LR. It would be 90% target shooting at 25-100 yards for now, and 10% deer/possibly one day hog hunting. My thoughts on calibers are .223, 5.56, .243 Win, 7.62x39, or 6.5 Grendel. Recoil isn't a huge factor, he can shoot a 12 ga with target loads, but maybe not a box of 25 at a time. The boy is only getting bigger and older, so I want something that will serve him through his 18th BD. I don't currently reload any of these rounds.

Rifles we are thinking about (all less than $350)
Thompson Center Compass
Thompson Center Venture
Remington 783
Savage Axis
Savage Axis II
Mossberg Patriot

Clamberings we are thinking about
.223 or 5.56
Pros: cheap ammo, cheap components
Cons: with right ammo, it's OK at best for deer

.243 Win
Pros: hunt anything in SE US, good long range
Cons: no cheap ammo,

7.62x39
Pros: cheap ammo, plenty for hunting within 200 yards
Cons: expensive components, hard to find cheap bolt gun in caliber

6.5 Grendel
Pros: already have an AR in it, good or cheap ammo can be ordered
Cons: guns available, expensive components, ammo not on shelf

.30-30
Pros: ammo easy to find, good for hunting, available components,
Cons: ammo cost, few if any bolt guns, and Lever guns are all a big step up on price

.357 Mag
Pros: really everything but the gun prices, should be ok on whitetail under 100 yrds?
Cons: price of the guns, maybe limited on deer?, limited range if he grows into 2-300 yard shooting.

 

[Fuddy1952]

A few years ago I bought a Ruger .243 with a Bushnell scope. For me, I sighted it in, I've only shot it about 10 times but it's highly accurate. To me, I just can't see shooting over and over once I have it dialed in.
My thought would be why not two guns, something like that and a .22LR. Once the 243 is sighted in, then to shoot a lot for fun use a 22. Bullets are cheap.

 

[oosik]

Well - if I were looking for a good all around gun that your son would be able to pass down to his son. Winchester Model 70 in 30-06. But then again - my son could be hunting bear, caribou, moose, sheep or goat in Alaska or cougar here in Ea WA. He was born and raised in Alaska. The calibers you listed would be too light for the hunting he would be doing.

BTW - he shot his first moose in Alaska at age 10 with my 378 Weatherby Magnum.


Of the guns you have listed - I would go with the 30-30. Get a Winchester lever action. Will last him a lifetime.

 

[paulsharvey]

I should add, I want him to fund the purchase, at least mostly. Kind of a lesson in wanting something and working towards it. Ideally he could be shooting for under $350. The lever guns, used or new are all limited around here, and most are $600+

 

[Sigarms]

I'd go 30-06.

Out of the calibers you listed, 6.5 would get my vote.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

270 would be my choice. Very similar to the 30/06 but just a personal preference. I like the idea of a 22 to practice and plink with. My grandsons love shooting my Ruger 10-22. Good gun to teach gun safety.

 

[millsan1]

I have multiple AXIS and AXIS II rifles and they are fine for what they are. I like my 308 for deer. 223 for target.

 

[LMychajluk]

IMO, .223 if it's primarily a target rifle, especially at <100yds. Love my Savage bolt gun.

 

[RNeumann]

The 6.5CM is quickly becoming one of the most popular cartridges out there. Even The US military is beginning to adopt it. The Thompson seems to have a cult following on YouTube. I’d be looking at that combo if that was my budget and I didn’t want to go used......

 

[1010]

Build and AR15 in 6.8 SPC. Very little recoil, up to a 120grn pill dang near 3000fps. And is a hog buster!!! It takes a regular upper and lower, but requires a dedicated bolt, barrel, and mags. Around a $1.00 a round for Hornady SST.

The only thing the cost would be a little higher in the 6.8 you could build one for less than $550 for sure. The bolt would be the most expensive at around $200 and then the barrel at $130. The rest of the gun is standard AR15 parts. Parts now are easily found and cheap now.

It's nothing to these ARs, very easy to work on, tons of how to videos.

Ya'll building it together will be priceless and that AR can be handed down for a long long time.

WARNING tho!! It's hard to have just one AR. I got fo now. Absolutely a blast to plink with.