Budget is $2500 for rifle, rings and scope. This will be for elk and mule deer. I will eventually use a suppressor, so shorter threaded barrel preferred. I will be reloading ammo.
My 11 yo has shot a .223 for years and started shooting a .243 last year. He did not like the .270 weatherby recoil at all. Tried a tikka 6.5CM a few months ago with 140gr anmmo and he did fine. He felt it was similar recoil to the .243