Some input guys???

[ChrisO]

Alright so my buddies little brother has been shooting with me and is hooked, His pops said he would get him a gun of his choosing for christmas 600 bucks cap "boy I wish my parents spend 600 bucks on me " but anyways he really likes my long range set up and wants to get a RIFLE for starting out but he wants a heavy barreled rifle. Problem is the price issue, So basically im looking to see If I can find this kid a nice heavy barrel rifle and a scope something that can take him out to a few hundred yards, so he can keep up with me. I already load for .308 and will be soon for .223 he said he wanted .223 or .308 but im sure hes open to caliber selection. Now I know most will say get a good .22 to train with and what not but he has shot my .22 over a couple thousand times on camping trips and what not and proves to be pretty accurate and responsible. So what say you fellow calgunners?

[fonionrings]

Tikka T3

[ChrisO]

He doesn't need the best mcmillan stock or HS or anything like that, It will be upgraded over time when he gets a job. So a remington 700 would be nice for after market but Im not sure on price range even for now whatever he gets we can skim bed the stock to help a bit.

[ChrisO]

You know whats funny I was JUST thinking of a tikka t3. Whats the price point on these the heavy barreled models?

[MasterYong]

T3 is a good suggestion.

There are many Savage models that are plenty accurate for under $600 as well- I highly recommend visiting their site. For starting out in target shooting Savage offers a great product- I have two Savage rifles and I'm pleased with them.

[derwiking]

I would recommend a Tikka over a Savage, personally. See if you can infect him with the BRD and point him towards a Saiga

[popeye4]

Tikka or Savage, but you probably aren't going to get a good scope with it for $600...... (and a bad scope is probably worse than nothing).

[Legasat]

Turners is running a sale until the end of this week. One rifle they have for sale is a Howa Tactical. .308, 20" heavy barrel, Hogue stock, with a decent scope for $599.

Excellent rifle to start with, and build on for the future. Bell & Carlson make stocks for it, Timney makes triggers for it. It already has a great barrel.

[MasterYong]

Tikka or Savage, but you probably aren't going to get a good scope with it for $600...... (and a bad scope is probably worse than nothing).

You can get a sheap simmons scope for about $100, maybe less, and the one I've got (was gifted to me but I looked up the price once and I'm pretty sure it was sub $100) is plenty accurate. Not the clearest glass of course, not nearly as nice as my Vortex Viper or a NF or USO, but it's doable.

[kapache]

Tikka hands down.

[Sheepdog1968]

I'd look for used rifles as most haven't been fired that much and can be a good value. I'd try and go with a Rem 700 so you can upgrade it over time. Might also be able to get a used rifle with a scope on it. I'm guessing the kid will be very happy no matter what he gets.

[Sheepdog1968]

I just saw this post for Win 70 in 300 WSM with a Leupold scope for $750

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=245680

The cartride isn't ideal for a kid but shows you that going used you likely can find something nice in your price range.

[ChrisO]

Well hes just turned 16 hes 6'1 and 160 pounds so hes not so small and has handled my .308 fairly well hes a lean kid not to small so I don't think recoil will be THAT much of a issue I just don't want it to be something he thinks about everytime he pulls the trigger. I know optics are important Im trying to see what we can throw together for him for a starter rifle his pops said 600 is his cap.

[ChrisO]

I'm thinking even a used remington 700 in a light caliber would be good possibly shopping the barrel down stiffening it up and skim bedding and he would have a decent target rifle until money permits upgrades...

[ChrisO]

I have the old stock of my SPS V that I could Camo up for him and skim bed it and drop a action into that if only we had the action haha.