It's a better gun and cartridge than I started game hunting with.



Get him a .22 LR too as that's what one can learn fine shooting with along with small game hunting. That adds way more shooting time.

I bought my 12 yr old daughter a 7mm-08. It's a Savage with stock shortened, Pachmeyer Decelerator pad, lighter trigger spring, and a brake. She shoots 140 gr bullets at about 2600 fps. At 15 she now has 3 elk and 2 deer to her credit with that rifle. I think starting a kid out with something that has a light recoil makes all the difference in the world. I started out at 14 and 130 lbs shooting a 30-06 with a too long stock, no pad, and a kick like a mule. It took me years to get over the flinch I developed shooting that thing. IMO you have done that boy, and his dad, a great service in getting him started with "the right" center fire rifle.

I was thinking maybe I got the special lead lined stock or something, lol.

Now that you mention it, mine is extremely steady in the offhand postion too. I think partly because I can't grip the forend like I normally would due to the magazine rubbing my wrist. So, instead, I rest the magazine on my thumb and my fingers on the bottom of the stock. This allows my elbow to be firmly planted against my body. Makes for a very steady setup.

I'd ordered another magazine with intent to shorten it to a three round capacity to keep it's length more in line with the other smaller calibers in this line. Now, I may have to rethink that. An unintended benefit of a too long magazine.

My biggest problem now is finding a scope that looks right on the rifle. Most these days are so darn big. I'm looking for a compact variable. A 2-7 would be ideal.

z1r...... I use nmothing but compact scopes on all my scoped rifles I find them superior for my needs over standard size scopes. An excillent 2-7 compact is made by Burris I have two of those.

A great choice...how about we get him into reloading? Also, check out the Barnul ammo in the round at Midway...clocks 2550 fps in both HP and SP configurations in my CZ 527. Runs $1.88 a box of 25.

Picked out a left handed Savage 7mm-08 for my son's first gun at 11.

After Christmas on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Chaparral Ranch kid's trophy hunt Mike used my old 270 Remmington 700 wqith an old cut down stock custom bedded stock to take first deer at 135 yards and hog in the head a 180 yards off the window of the truck. I was proud at 2 for 2.

I spent 2+ months changing him from shooting right handed and teaching him to shoot left handed since he was left eye dominant. Before the change he could not hit the wall right handed.

Good to have a 11 year old hunting buddy since a am 56. Now if I can just find a nice little lease for him to hunt with me on next year. He as asking about going to the range this weekend to shoot the new gun and a lot of 22 rounds.