Youth elk rifle?

[Irrelevant]

My daughter has a Tikka 243. My son will also be hunting this fall. I'll need another youth rifle. I'm thinking my daughter will be ready to bump up (slightly). And my son can take over the 243. I'm looking really hard at a 7mm-08. There's obviously a lot of other options. My budget is under $1k with optics. Thoughts or suggestions?

 

[rmyoung1]

Vanguard® Synthetic Compact – Weatherby, Inc.

weatherby.com

We settled on the 7mm-08 and topped it with a Leupold VX2 from @schmalts. A huge hit in my house!

 

[cgasner1]

Ruger American in a 6.5 prc

 

[mtmuley]

Ruger American in a 6.5 prc

Yep. Except 7mm-08. mtmuley

 

[Irrelevant]

Ruger American in a 6.5 prc

Can I ask why?

Chat had this to say:

Attribute	6.5 PRC	7 mm-08 Remington
Recoil	Moderate–High	Low–Moderate ✔
Best Range	Long (300 – 500+ yds) ✔	Moderate (0–350 yds)
Trajectory	Flatter	Slightly more arc
Knockdown Energy	High out past 400 yds	Very capable at moderate range
Ease of Shooting (Youth)	Tougher for recoil-sensitive shooters	More forgiving ✔
Ammo Cost & Availability	Higher / less common	Lower / common ✔
Big-Game Versatility	Excellent with correct bullets	Excellent and balanced ✔

That American Gen II does look really cool, but I don't know anyone who has one. Does they shoot pretty good?

 

[cgasner1]

Can I ask why?

Chat had this to say:

Attribute	6.5 PRC	7 mm-08 Remington
Recoil	Moderate–High	Low–Moderate ✔
Best Range	Long (300 – 500+ yds) ✔	Moderate (0–350 yds)
Trajectory	Flatter	Slightly more arc
Knockdown Energy	High out past 400 yds	Very capable at moderate range
Ease of Shooting (Youth)	Tougher for recoil-sensitive shooters	More forgiving ✔
Ammo Cost & Availability	Higher / less common	Lower / common ✔
Big-Game Versatility	Excellent with correct bullets	Excellent and balanced ✔

That American Gen II does look really cool, but I don't know anyone who has one. Does they shoot pretty good?

With my suppressor it has zero recoil an it’s killed everything I’ve pointed it at from audad to Sitka buck to a moose. Personal preference on a cartridge is all. My first moose I shot at 550 and had all 4 in the air before I got my second round chambered.

 

[cgasner1]

I’d spend a little less on the gun and more on the glass if it was me. The new factory rifles shoot factory ammo extremely well for your intended use

 

[mtmuley]

With my suppressor it has zero recoil an it’s killed everything I’ve pointed it at

This always cracks me up. The Savage Axis is worth a look. I'm dinking around with a couple my kid bought cheap. In 7mm-08. mtmuley

 

[cgasner1]

This always cracks me up. The Savage Axis is worth a look. I'm dinking around with a couple my kid bought cheap. In 7mm-08. mtmuley

Probably also a great pick I just like the looks of the rugers for the price. I’ll probably end up buying myself a really nice rifle when my boys start packing and just hand them down my savage 6.5 it’s set up ready to roll and already beat to hell

 

[mtmuley]

Probably also a great pick I just like the looks of the rugers for the price. I’ll probably end up buying myself a really nice rifle when my boys start packing and just hand them down my savage 6.5 it’s set up ready to roll and already beat to hell

My SIL has been deadly with an Axis in .30-06. Good glass on it. He upgraded to a Tikka Roughtech in 7mm RM recently with better glass. Interesting how bargain rifles can shoot the way they do these days. mtmuley

 

[BuzzH]

I kept it simple and in your price range all in for rifle, scope, and 5 boxes of ammo for my youngest nephew.

Tikka 7-08, 3-9x40 leupy...seems to work pretty fair on elk.