re: Rifle for 13 & 11 year old - Update page 5

LSUDAN1,
Congratulations on being involved w/ your sons. I'm sure you'll have innumerable fond memories as I do from hunting w/ my son.

The question of gun recommendations for newbie hunter always brings a lot of opinions and suggestions. For AR guys, I'd suggest the 6.5 Grendel or 300 Blackout. In bolt guns I'd personally, I'd suggest a 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. My local ammo doesn't carry the CM nor the 7-08. In addition, I don't think the CM has reduced recoil loads yet. A few have already mentioned using reduced recoil/managed recoil loads and I agree. 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. Be sure the gun/stock fits your son(s). Some gun makers, e.g Mossberg, make a youth rifle that has an adjustable length of pull by means of different thicknesses of the butt pad. If you get a regular youth rifle that can't be adjusted you can always later buy an adult stock as your son grows. Or you could add the the length of pull using a slip on recoil pad. 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. When shooting at the range, insist on them 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. Be sure the gun has a nice recoil pad (Limbsaver or Kick Eez are two than come to mind).

When my son was 10 years old I was faced w/ the same decision as you. I bought him a Savage bolt action (w/ the scope included) in 308 Win. I almost went w/ the 7-08, but this was before factory reduced recoil loads. I planned on making my own reduced loads and already had everything to do so w/ the 308. OTOH, fast forward 15 years later and I now have a 7-08 handgun. Last fall I bought a Thompson/Center Compass in 7-08 for a "grand child's" deer rifle.

Keep us updated. Enjoy your experiences w/ your sons.