Choosing a rifle for my son.

[maroonandwhite]

When the wife kind of gives you freedom to buy what you want it’s difficult to decide.

[QuackerSmacker]

Hi Bersa,

In your statement above you say, " Well, needless to say the recoil was about like a 12 guage 3 inch Mag round which I was not really expecting and it hit my shoulder fairly hard. "

A 12 gauge 3 inch mag has about 5 times the recoil (in ft-lbs) vs a 30-30.    On average about 53 vs 10, so I don't know where you got that from, but your story was, as always, very fun and interesting!

Q

 

[deerslayer]

.243 or .25-06.  .257 is a nice round, but ammo availability will be limited.  The 6.5s and .260 with certain loads can be annoying in all but heavy sniper/varmint rifles if you are really recoil sensitive.  Can't go wrong with a 70 or 700.  Also, watch Bass Pro--they occasionally have a Browning A-Bolt II for $600 or so.  The A-Bolt III and X-Bolt are more I believe.  I have an AB2 .243 and it's a lightweight, light kicking shooter.  I also have a Model 70 .30-06 and it feels about the same as a friend's Savage .300 Winchester Mag.  The little Browning is a joy to shoot.  

[Garufa]

@Hozzie is right.  It doesn’t make much sense to buy something with the intent of it being an heirloom.  Too many emotions and variables long term.

 Get what you want and a good .22 rifle to teach and have fun with.  If it takes then whatever you used may or may not become something to be treasured.

And get something in a normal caliber.  One that ammo is widely available for and will be a long time.

Edited November 18, 2018 by Garufa