Rifle for 14 year old

Went through the same thing with my son tried evevry rifle combo you can think of. Hes not recoil shy he shoots a 3inch 12 gauge for ducks and geese and say and I quote"You dont feel the recoil when your shooting at animals". Settled on a remmington short action in 7mm08 with a youth stock. He is pretty small framed and wanted a 270 although he could handle the recoil I could not find a stock to fit him. So he will be limited to about 250 yards for his first rocky moutatin elk hunt.

308 will be fine for your boy. My brother is rebarreling his 12 yr old daughters .243 to 7mm-08 for her first moose hunt this fall. Interestingly enough the first gunsmoth he took it to (an old retired codger) said "Yes I can rebarrel it for you but I need you do do something for me first. Go to Cabelas and buy a Remington then bring it back to me and I will put a match grade barrel on it for you" My brother said "I just want this gun rebarrelled" and the old guy replied "No thanks" LOL end of discussion, he wouldnt stoop to rebarrel a Ruger. LOL I get a kick out of old guys.

Originally Posted by 35bore

Still own my first Savage rifle (23 years old next month)

..you or the rifle..?

Originally Posted by DOCMAN

..you or the rifle..?

Darn near double the age of the rifle, that's me

Originally Posted by 35bore

Still own my first Savage rifle (23 years old next month) still one of the most accurate rifles I own. The game could care less what it looks like.

I still own the first savage 116 that I ever bought the 300 Win Mag in my Pics, re-stocked with a Boyd thumb hole stock 29 years now and it still drives tacks.

Originally Posted by Bobpuckett

I still own the first savage 116 that I ever bought the 300 Win Mag in my Pics, re-stocked with a Boyd thumb hole stock 29 years now and it still drives tacks.

Thats a good looking gun there. How long is the barrel not including the brake?

Originally Posted by Diamondhitch

Thats a good looking gun there. How long is the barrel not including the brake?

Thanks Diamondhitch

The Barrel is 24" not including the Magna-port which was standard in 1983 from the factory. I bought this gun through the Rod & Gun Club on Fort Richardson Alaska at a cost of $585.00 no tax and at that time to an E-4 that was a lot of money about half my months salary but in 29 years its more then paid for its self and I expect it will last many more years.

Originally Posted by Bobpuckett

Thanks Diamondhitch

The Barrel is 24" not including the Magna-port which was standard in 1983 from the factory. I bought this gun through the Rod & Gun Club on Fort Richardson Alaska at a cost of $585.00 no tax and at that time to an E-4 that was a lot of money about half my months salary but in 29 years its more then paid for its self and I expect it will last many more years.

For some reason the barrel looked short (22") which would be useless on a 300 win mag. 24 is better. I know what you mean about a good gun being worth it. I and rebarreling and upgrading the stock on my .257 this summer to the tune of almost 1/2 months wage but it will be worth it. I have never owned a gun with a match grade barrel and its factory predecessor lasted thousands of rounds and hundreds of miles in a saddle scabbard before the barrel burnt out and the stock is actually wearing in from the sides and is now showing the odd air pocket! It owes me nothing at this point, paid for itself many times over.

Originally Posted by Bobpuckett

I still own the first savage 116 that I ever bought the 300 Win Mag in my Pics, re-stocked with a Boyd thumb hole stock 29 years now and it still drives tacks.

..very nice, albeit strategically placed, Kudu you have there Bob..

Originally Posted by DOCMAN

..very nice, albeit strategically placed, Kudu you have there Bob..

Thanks Doc I see you got that right off, good eye!

My +1 reccomendation would be .270 or 7-08, but .308 is #2 on my list. I'm 14 and almost 15 and I use a Ruger M77 MKII in .270 Winchester, it fits me absolutely perfect and because of that I'm effective with it off hand. As of even 2 years ago (even a little sooner), I told my dad that Ruger M77's had too long of a LOP for me, now it fits me like a glove! Don't be too worried about his size, if he does what I did it'll fit him fine in no time at all!

Final Decision : Tikka T3 Lite in .308 Winchester. Had to order, will be at the shop on Wednesday.

ARRRRRG 308 HAHAHAHA!!!

Originally Posted by PHOENIX PHIL

Final Decision : Tikka T3 Lite in .308 Winchester. Had to order, will be at the shop on Wednesday.

Good Choice! I just loaded some bullets for my 308 trying out some 150gr Nosler E Tip never shot them before going to see how they do out on my shooting range. The young man should like it quite well and its a caliber that can be used all over the world. so pack his butt up and take him to Africa.

Originally Posted by BARTFRNCS

ARRRRRG 308 HAHAHAHA!!!

What would you prefer in my just barely over 100lb 14 year old, a .338?

Originally Posted by Bobpuckett

Good Choice! I just loaded some bullets for my 308 trying out some 150gr Nosler E Tip never shot them before going to see how they do out on my shooting range. The young man should like it quite well and its a caliber that can be used all over the world. so pack his but up and take him to Africa.

Workin' on it Bob!

308 is fine you know about my 308 rants though.

Originally Posted by PHOENIX PHIL

What would you prefer in my just barely over 100lb 14 year old, a .338?

Sick'him,

Excellent choice, my son is 16 this year and I started him at the age of 12 with a 6mm Rem. and he doesn't want to give it up... The 308 will serve your son for many years to come.

Originally Posted by BARTFRNCS

308 is fine you know about my 308 rants though.

ok clue me in, What rants?

Well good luck with the new rifle and I hope your son shares your pasion for hunting and fine firearms.