best first centerfield rifle?

[SCREAMINREELS]

Getting my oldest nephew one this year.

I started on a 243.

Main thing im interested in is recoil but by caliber if that makes sense. I have an old sako that was my first rifle 243 that is a really light kicker...I owned a savage in 243 that kicked alot harder. I want him to happy and not scared of it caliber is open but thinking 243, 223, 22-350 and possibly 7mm-08 which ive never shot.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

[PondPopper]

7mm08 hands down.

[quackaholic1]

I prefer either the 7mm/08 or the 243 both are great guns.
I would probably pick the 7/08 and install a Sim recoil pad on it.
A Sims recoil pad will reduce felt recoil by 30-40 percent.

[pkee]

The low recoil ammo from Remention in .270 works great .

[dustoffer]

Whatever you get, have a really good recoil pad installed (I'm partial to the Pachmayr Decellerator), and maybe put some lead weight in the stock. After he grows a bit and can handle it, the weight can be removed.

[TacticalCowboy]

7-08 or managed recoil .308.

[Big pig]

Whatever you get, have a really good recoil pad installed (I'm partial to the Pachmayr Decellerator), and maybe put some lead weight in the stock. After he grows a bit and can handle it, the weight can be removed.

Great advice on the pad. I suggest trimming the stock instead of the weight.
I really like the .260.

BP

[SCREAMINREELS]

Whatever you get, have a really good recoil pad installed (I'm partial to the Pachmayr Decellerator), and maybe put some lead weight in the stock. After he grows a bit and can handle it, the weight can be removed.

Thanks. I know I had a slip over the stock type when I was a little kid. Are there any brands to look at besides pachmayr?

Any one have suggestions on specefic rifles/models to look at or more importantly to avoid.

[SCREAMINREELS]

I prefer either the 7mm/08 or the 243 both are great guns.
I would probably pick the 7/08 and install a Sim recoil pad on it.
A Sims recoil pad will reduce felt recoil by 30-40 percent.

Thank you ill look up Sims as well.

Original post should have said interested in recoil but not by caliber. ..anyone own guns that knock the snot out of you in a caliber and another that doesnt in same caliber? What makes/models are the lighter kickers. Ive had a few that were both

[TacticalCowboy]

I'd look at one of the Ruger or savage compacts.

[Bumpy]

Great advice on the pad. I suggest trimming the stock instead of the weight.
I really like the .260.

BP

no recoil and one of the best sectional densities made

[Black Ice]

.243 with a good recoil pad.

[bm22]

Any bolt action rifle should kick the same when weight is taken into consideration. Granted you can add a limbsaver pad and reduce the felt recoil but it should be the same.

As long as you are packing the rifle around I would get a varmint savage 110 or remington 700 in 7mm-08 or .308 and call it good. Ammo is plentiful and you should be able to buy reduced recoil loads at academy for either. Maybe add .260 to the list as ammo is getting easier to find and it's the best of the 3 IMO.

[TacticalCowboy]

Any bolt action rifle should kick the same when weight is taken into consideration. Granted you can add a limbsaver pad and reduce the felt recoil but it should be the same.

As long as you are packing the rifle around I would get a varmint savage 110 or remington 700 in 7mm-08 or .308 and call it good. Ammo is plentiful and you should be able to buy reduced recoil loads at academy for either. Maybe add .260 to the list as ammo is getting easier to find and it's the best of the 3 IMO.

Stock design has a lot to do with how bad a rifle recoils.