Opinions on rifle for son

[Jayrad]

Situation: My son is graduating from a three year college in South Dakota. He is twenty and plans on staying in South Dakota. Want to buy him a deer rifle that has a lot of versatility. My thought has been to buy a Rem. 700, Stainless steel, Synthetic stock, SPS, 30-06, in a left handed model. Problem, Remington doesn't make a stainless in a left handed model. Any suggestions of other makers that may have this configuration that are good. Can go with a blued, I would just like it to be as tough as possible. What suggestions do you guys have? I am on a very limited budget.

Thanks in advance!

[Bug Splat]

How about a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless?

http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?litess

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Savage also makes left handed rifles. Dunno what flavors they have, but your choice seems like a good, all-around gun.

Edit:
I went and looked it up on their website. Model: 116 FLHSS for $778 MSRP. Real world pricing should be much less.

[IrishPirate]

Does it absolutely have to be stainless? They make the rifle you want left handed but with a blued barrel, not stainless.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/left-hand/model-700-sps-synthetic-lh.aspx

also have a "compact" version, a varmint left hander, and the CDL model.

[Jayrad]

Thanks for all the input so far. Haven't read much about Tikka before. Looked at the rifle and it has everything I was looking for as does the Savage. Will do a little research on the Tikka so I can compare it to the Savage. Looked like it might be made by Sako and owned by Beretta, will do more research though to see how people like them.

I have a Savage .17HMR and it is a great shooter. So I know they are capable of putting out a good rifle.

The Remington is what I really wanted because of its reputation and availability of aftermarket upgrades..might look into the blued version and compare to the above mentioned rifles. Anyone have any experience with the new finish Remington is putting on their blued rifles?

Thanks again.

[Jayrad]

By the way...I really like the screen names of everyone replying
Bug Splat
gun toting monkeyboy
IrishPirate

Nice!

[sholling]

Tikka T3 Lite or a Savage 116 FLSS Weather Warrior.

My Tikka T3 Lites: top & middle 30-06 (7lbs w/scope); bottom 300WM.

[eljBRD]

If he has experience shooting the .30-06 then I would say any good bolt gun in that caliber...it is a great round with lots of recoil but still manageable with practice

[SDgarrick]

Tikkas are very reputable. If I were to buy a bolt gun today, it would be a Tikka. This is my conclusion after approximately 12 hours of research on the subject. good luck with your purchase.

[GoingPro]

if u want to be a #1 dad, you would get him an AR-10

[Jpach]

if u want to be a #1 dad, you would get him an AR-10

+2000

[happy_gunner]

If you're talking about AR10, Remington R25. I never tried a remington rifle before, but my buddy's Tikka T3 lite is very accurate almost....just almost better than my Browning.
The way I see it, if my dad bought me a rifle, anything is good

[Jayrad]

Will research the Tikka T3 and check prices, seems to be a lot of positive comments about them. He would LOVE an AR-10. Really would like a 30-06 though.
I agree if my father bought me ANY rifle, I would be happy. Just want to make it as convienent for him as possible. Durable, accurate(so no modifications needed), easy to find ammo and not to expensive to shoot as he will be on a limited budget for awhile.
Want to get the rifle, a scope and then work up some accurate loads for him as I have 30-06 dies already. Like to give it all to him as one gift. I know I would have appreciated it as a 20 year old.
Any thoughts on the durability of the new finish on Remingtons blued rifles?

Appreciate all the input again!

[sholling]

Will research the Tikka T3 and check prices, seems to be a lot of positive comments about them. He would LOVE an AR-10. Really would like a 30-06 though.

My Tikka T3 Lite in 30-06 weighs 6.2lbs, 7lbs with a Nikon Team Primos 3-9x40 scope sitting in Talley Lightweight mounts. That AR10 some are hot for is going to be closer to 9lbs scoped.

If you do go with the Tikka I suggest investing $30 in a Limbsaver just because they are so light that you will feel the recoil. For a scope I'd try and stay inside 15oz for optimum balance. A 13oz Nikon Team Primos (rebadged Monarch UCC) would be a good choice. So would a Leupold VX-II Ultralight 3-9x33 at 9oz, or a Bushnell Elite 4200 in 3-9x40. The Bushnell would be my first choice if I had it to do over again, but the other two are excellent scopes as well.

BTW the only disadvantage to the Tikka is the box magazine. It works fine but don't lose it because they can be hard to find. On the plus side is the smoothest action I've ever used and an outstanding user adjustable trigger. All Tikkas are guarantied to shoot 1MOA or less with the right ammo.

Nikon Team Primos 3-9x40 in Talley Lightweights sitting on a Tikka T3 Lite.


Burris Signature Select 3-10x40 in a DedNutz mount.

[Jayrad]

Think I've decided to go with a Rem. 700, SPS, LH, Syn. Stock, 30-06, Blued barrel(as they don't make a stainless Steel version for Left hand). Appreciate all the suggestions and ideas from members. Decision came down to the availability of parts/after market upgrades over the desire for a stainless steel model. I own a Ruger M77 and a Savage and have high regard for their products and the research I did on the Tikka looked good along with the positve feed on this thread.
Thanks again to everyone and I will try to remember to give an update on how it shoots. Will be mounting a decent scope and working up some accurate handloads to give him also...hopefully I won't be dissapointed with its accuracy...don't expect it though.