If you had $3,000 to spend on a rifle and scope, what would you buy? Caliber preference would be .308, 7mm-08 or possibly a .25-06. I have a soon to be 6 year old that before you know it will need a rifle of his own. I am thinking about going ahead and buying one soon and shooting it myself along with him until he starts hunting on his own then I can either give it to him, buy another or give him my .270. With that being said I would like to get both a good quality/accurate rifle along with a good quality scope.

Tika t3 with good glass

20 pages.

I really enjoy my Christensen Arms rifles. As for glass, Vortex Razor.

IMO Tikka is the very best value in a rifle. Sub MOA guarantee (all of mine have been 1/2 MOA or better). For a youngster, good glass might not be as critical as it is for an older hunter like me. Others to consider are Kimber and Sako. For a young hunter, I would choose the 7mm-08 or a 6.5 CM.

Definitely a Tikka in .243.

Tikka T3X Superlite $920+tax, swap out the factory interchangeable grip panel with the more upright($25), install a Limbsaver($40), Talley 1pc rings($45)

This’ll make many irrationally upset, if you’re not reloading I would probably skip the 7MM08 & 25-06.
Both are excellent cartridges but from an ease of ownership standpoint maybe not the best choices.
The 6.5Creedmoor in 2023 is much easier/more options to get ammo for.

You’ll have a soft shooting and accurate rifle.

I agree that the 6.5 CM is a much better choice than the 7-08. Light recoil, superb accuracy, and tons of ammo choices readily available.

😂

M70 Featherlite in .308 or 7-08. Get him something with wood that will last and he can pass down to his son.

Tikka stainless in 25-06.

I would prolly go with a 7mm-08 or 260. In whatever model you could find and get a sho nuff scope

I would buy 2 rifles:
1) Ruger Ranch youth model in 350 legend w/ 50mm obj 3x9 even lower power scope if you can find it. My kids were able to find the target faster with the 50mm scope than a 40 mm. He may be able to handle this recoil now. Less than 243.

2) Later ~13 or 16ish yr old a 30-06, 308 or 270

Kimber mountain rifle 308, get some reduced recoil shells for the young un

Bergara, christensen, I’d get a 308 or 30/06

Bergara shoot extremely well

Swarovski z5 or leupold vx5hd

Kimber Hunter Pro in 280AI (roughly 1K) and then spend the rest on great glass (VX5, Swaro, S&B etc.)

A model 7 .308 with 16” barrel, talley lightweights and a VXR or vx3hd firedot scope. Rifle is 5.5 lbs just a tad over 6.5 lbs with scope and rings. Short barrel is awesome for woods and shooting houses, Just gotta make sure the muzzle is out the window. The Short barrel also makes the muzzle less heavy for the youths to hold up and aim. Had 2 youths kill with this set up last year and both loved the gun and scope shooting it.

As a bonus you could set up 2 solid quality rigs for your budget

If for a youth also might look into a Bog death grip. Changed the game and made them very proficient with the youth shooting accuracy.

Anything but a tikka

Model 7 stainless in 7-08 would be my first pic at that age.

What Bustin said on death grip - i mentioned it here several times - kid go from missing to hitting 😀

Lot of good rifles mentioned

Zeiss - meopta - shmidt or swaro

I'd insist on the 7/08 or .260. Elk are going to appear in his lifetime from up North and I'd prefer NOT to have a .243 or creepmore.