Help choosing "budget" adjustable LOP rifle to share with my 12 year old

[CoMtnMike]

The savage 110 apex would be a good one. The LOP can be adjusted by 1/4” spacers. I removed 1/4” because the LOP felt too long when wearing a backpack. And then you get the 110 action which is much better than the axis. The stock is good too. Fairly stiff and light weight. Lighter than the standard 110 because it doesn’t have the aluminum bedding block or the metal magazine. Another option is the CVA Cascade. You can pull 1” out of the LOP. I removed it cause I prefer a shorter LOP. The cascade is a great rifle and I prefer it over my savage 110.

great to here you like the cascade over the 110 but like both. I have been trying to shoot my friends cascade but our calendars dont align lately... next Friday hopefully, it feels nice but in the store the stock grip area seems thicker than Savage or Ruger which might be an issue for a small 12 year old tbd. And the apex hunter is in consideration if I can find it without a scope in the 6.5CM... Cascade is on sale currently which is nice, but no bladed trigger like the 110 or the American gen 2...

 

[Kylenautique]

great to here you like the cascade over the 110 but like both. I have been trying to shoot my friends cascade but our calendars dont align lately... next Friday hopefully, it feels nice but in the store the stock grip area seems thicker than Savage or Ruger which might be an issue for a small 12 year old tbd. And the apex hunter is in consideration if I can find it without a scope in the 6.5CM... Cascade is on sale currently which is nice, but no bladed trigger like the 110 or the American gen 2...

Yeah you can’t go wrong with either. I prefer the 70deg bolt throw on the CVA over the 90 on the savage. It’s an easier gun to shoot. The savage has a better safety imo, so that’s something to consider. Both my CVA and 110 shoot sub MOA no problem. I like the stock more on the CVA. The tacky grip is nice on those cold rainy days up here in the PNW.

 

[Wolfshead]

I would HIGHLY recommend the Tikka T3x compact in the caliber of your choice.
You mention a budget rifle and from what I’ve seen this is in the same price category as the two you’ve mentioned.
I have one that I use as a close woods carry rifle to still hunt with and it carries for me like my Winchester model 94.
I’ve hunted with that rifle hard for three years and I’ve had no problems with durability or reliability.
I’ve handled the Ruger, and I think Ruger makes a quality product, but in my opinion the Tikka is better for the same cost.

 

[LightFoot]

The savage is a good option and in my experience, they shoot great.

The new Xbolt 2 might be an option, but a little more money.

I would likely go for the Savage Lighweight Hunter Storm in 308 or 7mm-08 and have it threaded for a brake/can, or Xbolt2 Speed SPR for a turn-key solution.

Good luck. Looking forward to the update.


>>>——JAKE——>

 

[rootacres]

Bergara B14 Stoke. I am looking at one in 350 legend for eastern whitetail. They have adjustable length of pull in the stock. Being a rem 700 footprint once he outgrows it you can drop the barrels action in any stock you want pretty much.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

Ran mdt-lss xl gen2 chassis with strike ind buffer tube and Magpul ctr buttstock on Ruger ranch grendel for my kids, they did very well. Have had them shoot a deer and then I grabbed gun and shot one also. So can quickly fit the whole family with a button push.

We had accidental mag release in blind once but easy to shorten the mag release button bolt to recess it for hunting setup. Learn as you go. Can grab gun anywhere with hand and not worry about partially tripping mag release now.

Can get snap on comb riser pieces to match your scope height for the ctr buttstock too. Pretty slick option. Adds some weight but helped us watch everything in scope with ease.

Magpul moe-k grip is great on that set up also.

 

[CoMtnMike]

Thanks everyone for the help. I went with a Ruger American Gen 2 in 6mm Creedmoor. Threaded from factory with adjustable LOP, comb and weight was the winner. And 6 creed has noticeably lower recoil then my friend's 6.5 creed, and the higher velocity means means longer distance with reliable full expansion on coppers...



the extra 1.6lbs in the stock has a decent impact on felt recoil for sure, also quiets down the but end. I'll carry that for the kiddo but leave it behind when using myself and hiking further - or maybe use it with just one weight to help with balance. I did add a picture hanger to help removal, it doesnt want to come out on it's own and Ruger doesnt include a way to remove it without stress...

It shoots the Barnes OK, but really likes the Hornady Superperformance coppers... 4 shots @100 yards. With only 50-60 rounds it is still breaking in and fouling up a bit...




Other improvements hopefully to come:
- Still saving up to get a suppressor to replace the included brake. Need to start selling less used stuff...
- I am going to try scanning the LOP spacer and 3D printing one without the silly drop in it, maybe adjust the LOP a bit longer with 3D plates in the system and/or ability to adjust the buttpad up to inline with the high comb spacer...
- I might glue a plastic tab on the front of the AI mags as the retention clip seems to force the front up too much, pulling down slightly on the front of the mag and the bolt cycles with no drag on the feed lips and still chambers a round perfect... As is there is a fair bit of drag on the mag

Happy so far. Need to get out to longer ranges this spring and of course actually hunt with it this fall... However my kiddo isnt quite ready to take an animal yet, so havent moved him to this from 22lr yet - ideally get the suppressor first to tame the muzzle blast...

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Nice and thanks for following up. I was going to say I liked the Gen2 for what it is and changing stocks would be a pain and potentially change your zero as well.

I have that same exact rifle I bought for my wife, gonna shoot it with a cheap Otter Creek Polonium K and see how it does. I'll try to remember to report back but it's going to be a couple months. If that Can works it's pretty reasonable on price.