My uncle used an old Winchester 70 in 243 for close to 40 years. He;s killed more deer than anyone I know. He always said a dead deer was a dead deer, why beat the shit out of shoulder if I don't have to.
Exactly, my ears don’t even ring when I kill an animal with the 7mm. Depending on bullet construction you need to mind what is behind your target because the 7 will kill what ever is behind it. I used to use ballistic tips but at such a high velocity they just came apart and made a mess. I have since switched to 150 grain Swift Sirocco’s and they perform incredible!Mini14tac you are right about feeling the recoil when bearing down on a live animal. Also the blast doesn't sound as loud when bearing down. I've taken deer with .30-30, .30-06, .308, 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Short Mag. After I'm done it almost feels like I only shot a rimfire. Has to be the concentration and adrenalin. I always say a bomb could go off behind me and I would not hear it because of my concentration.
Exactly, my ears don’t even ring when I kill an animal with the 7mm. Depending on bullet construction you need to mind what is behind your target because the 7 will kill what ever is behind it. I used to use ballistic tips but at such a high velocity they just came apart and made a mess. I have since switched to 150 grain Swift Sirocco’s and they perform incredible!
I always use my older Remington Model700 BDLSS in 7mm Mag. Never notice the recoil when bearing down on a live animal. It gets it done. I also own a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 but never hunted with it. My old fall back only on nice weather days is my Winchester Model 88 in 308. JMHO.
He's kind of a Fud you say, well, there's nothing like a Marlin 336 to scratch that inner Fud, in 30-30. You can add a scope if he wants one. With stocks available everywhere cheap, you can pick up one and shorten it, keeping the original for when he grows. Just so happens I took one in trade the other day ... :-)
I always use my older Remington Model700 BDLSS in 7mm Mag. Never notice the recoil when bearing down on a live animal. It gets it done. I also own a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 but never hunted with it. My old fall back only on nice weather days is my Winchester Model 88 in 308. JMHO.
If you are saying Current triggers are better , it would be worth another look eventually . When I would fondle an Axis before , the triggers were so bad as to be useless , and quick mental calculus showed adding the cost of aftemarket trigger put them into the a price class with plethora of good options .
If current ones have usable triggers , one in 6.5G does indeed appeal .
The first post specifies a list of calibers to choose amongst .
At 16yo I was 6'2" 175lb . But OP's son is described as 100lb and " boney " . So , '06 class ctgs , or Magnums may not be the best choice in imeadate future ( unless Dad commits to handloading reduced recoil loads . And 7lb will be difficult , unless you go NULA . But the Are a WV company , so fitting in a way .)
Yes the so- called " over/ under scope mounts " were/ are common ( and the concept intuitively seems like a good idea ) , but I recommend against them . Only one hight of sightline will fall naturally and quickly into alignment upon shouldering . For the other , you've got to either lift your head, or seriously scrunch down into the stock .
( If you have decent eyesight) iron sights work well , out to beyond typical deer opportunity distances . A scope properly mounted in low rings, of 2.5- 3X is very quick to bring on target .
Thompson Center contender in 7-30 Waters & 6X Weaver scope
Perfect!