re: Getting into deer hunting, need a new rifle. Sell me on your favorite

308 is hard to beat. Spend $$ on a good scope.

deleted- didn't see you weren't in LA

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Confirmed the zero on a .243 the same trip and it felt like a BB gun

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It hits deer the same way

I’m glad to hear that you and your son enjoyed deer hunting and will pick up the hobby. We need more hunters. Lots of good suggestions thus far. I agree w/ those who say you can get a good quality bolt action rifle/scope combo w/o having to spend very much money. To me, it sounds like you’d be well served w/ an entry level gun chambered in a round you can both shoot. A separate scope would be good if the budget allows, but it is not mandatory right now. I’ve had good luck w/ package gun+scope deals in the past. If you enjoy deer hunting, you can always upgrade the scope later.

I’d suggest a bolt gun in 260 Rem, 7-08, 308 Win, 270 Win or 30-06. The 6.5 Creedmore will work too, but be aware ahead of time re: local availability of ammo loaded w/ a bullet designed for deer hunting, not match shooting. The 30-30 is always a good choice for deer hunting as long as ranges will not be too long. I’d get a gun chambered in one of those rounds that can be found locally or on ‘net. My local WM doesn't carry the 260 Rem, CM nor the 7-08. When your son starts shooting a gun, I’d pass the gun down to him and load it w/ reduced recoil loads. In addition, I don't think the CM has reduced recoil loads yet. I'm not sure if the 260 has reduced recoil loads, either. I'd use reduced recoil loads until your son shows he can handle recoil well. A reduced recoil 308 Win load actually has less recoil than a full power 243. W/ equal bullet weights, a short action round like the 308 Win will always recoil less than a similar long action round, like the 30-06, because the short round uses less powder.

You may want to look at a youth rifle. You can put a removable butt pad on it so it fits you, then remove it when he starts hunting w/ it. Some gun makers, e.g Mossberg, make a youth rifle w/ an adjustable length of pull by using butt pads of different thicknesses. The Axis looks to be a good gun. The only Mossberg bolt action I shot was very accurate. I have a Marlin bolt action that's also very inexpensive and very accurate. Howa, Weatherby Vanguard, Thompson Center (may’ve been discontinued) and Ruger also make inexpensive bolt actions of good quality. When shooting at the range, insist on him using both the foam ear plugs and ear muffs. Consider using a "sissy pad" (small sand bag between shoulder and recoil pad) at the range until he's ok w/ the recoil. Be sure the gun has a nice recoil pad (Limbsaver or Kick Eez are two than come to mind). Since they all function pretty similarly, go to a store, put your hands on the guns you're considering and handle them. How does it point for you? What does the balance feel like? Do the bolt, safety and trigger feel better on one gun or the other?

As far as optics, I’d get a Weaver piece base and Burris Signature Z-rings.

Keep us updated.

I would go Savage Axis 308, you can pick one up at academy for $399 and normally around Christmas time the go on sale for $329. Its hard to beat at that price point.

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Light, accurate, affordable = tikka and IMO nothing else really comes close.

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I've got a Browning A-Bolt in .270, but I've been looking pretty hard at getting a .308 from Tikka...someone talk me out of spending the money

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Great suggestions, guys. The price point and quality reviews of the Savage Axis series have me leaning that direction.

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My Savage Axis 308 was a piece of shite. For about the same price you can get the equivalent Mossberg (forget the model name) and it’s better looking and feels more solid.

I bought a Browning A-Bolt 30-06 thirty two years ago when I turned 20. I have hauled that gun all over the country, up and down climbing deer stands, had it covered in mud from riding 4 wheelers, sat in rainstorms all day long, and it still goes bang every time I shoot it. There may be better rifles or better calibers but I can’t singularly personify how durable my rifle has been. I put a Leupold 3x9 scope on it, sighted it in, and I’ve yet to have ever sighted it in again in 32 years which is short of amazing because I’ve banged it around numerous times every deer season on accident. Every time I haul that gun to the range to make sure my scope is on it hits bullseye every time. I shot a 12 point buck in Llano, Tx 3 weeks ago that scored 166 and weighed 200 pounds dressed. The bullet I used were Federal Premium 165 grain boat tails that I bought over 20 years ago. I bought 3 boxes back then and still haven’t used them all. It’s a one shot deer fall over dead gun. It knocked that 200 pound deer over dead in its tracks 3 weeks ago. And after all these years and abuse it’s been through, the gun still looks to be in excellent condition.

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It hits deer the same way

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Indian, not the arrow.