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rifle PROJECT with my teenager, suggestions?

I am wanting to build (or put together) a rifle with my young deer hunting daughter, something that she could look back at in 40 yrs and say "I built that with my daddy".

I was thinking of the following,

Savage rifle
barrel swap(just for the experience)
light recoiling caliber
aftermarket trigger
Boyds stock
lapping of scope rings

any suggestions or tips would be appreciated, oh yes, low cost is good
Great project! You’re spot-on with this platform. Honestly I wouldn’t get buried in the weeds about the chambering as she can always swap barrels at a later date.
 
Great idea. I have built rifles with my Granddaughter and my Daughter in Law. Both are grown women, so we chose a 7-08 for them both. They both have learned to reload and are always dreaming up loads that shoot well in both rifles. Both understand how the trigger mechanism works and is adjusted. Rebuilt the AccruTrigger and Granddaughters non arthritic fingers could handle the little springs. She is going on a hunt in New Zealand, and hoping she can bring her own rifle, so we will be working up loads for Red Deer!

Bill
 
^ No problem bringing her rifle to NZ. Just needs to fill out the paperwork in advance. She's gonna have a blast. Where's she going? (I'm from Hawkes Bay)

To the op, depending on your budget I'd look out for a used Tikka T3x here. Great rifles for the price (especially used US prices) and the action will provide a good platform for later upgrades.
 
I would go with either a 6.5 or 6 Creedmoor. Ammo for the 6.5 is everywhere and the recoil is less than many other options and easy to mitigate with a brake or suppressor.
 
would the cheap Axis work?

I know nothing about them but the one I was referring to was a weather warrior or what ever they called them it was SS. barreled action with Tupperware stock it was junk. So I got a Boyds laminated stock and bedded it, still didn't shoot good I happened to look at the crown and some of the lands didn't go to the muzzle so it needed an 1/8" off and it came to life...... jim
 
would the cheap Axis work?
Absolutely!
They are made only in the "long" action.
Different length magazines, and different spacers to make the short 308 based cartridges work.

If looking at a new factory rifle then look at the Savage Lady Hunter( if it's still available), and the Weatherby Lady Camilla (Howa 1500 action). The stocks on those would fit your daughter better.

I was at the Savage booth at the Harrisburg Outdoor Show today. They have their own version of adjustable wood stock available this year. Push button adjustable LOP & comb height. Feels really solid too!
 
would the cheap Axis work?

Yes. The barrel shank on the Axis rifles is the same small shank as with most other Savage rifles. So a prefit small shank Savage barrel will screw right in.

But before you pull the trigger on an Axis, check aftermarket components availability for the Axis like a stock etc just to make sure you can get what you want.
 
One idea might be to help her paint/finish the outside of the stock in whatever pattern she wants. In terms of making it memorable for her, choosing and creating the "look" she wants will go a long way toward that goal.
 
Stocks are readily available for the Axis.
If i recall correctly, the Axis has the recoil lug in the stock, that interlocks into the barrel. Ala Tikka.
When changing over the barrel, you can put a standard Savage recoil lug on the barrel.
 
SGK Our small local high school has an excellent Wildlife Program, In fact the teacher, Scott Jordan, has won several National Educator of the Year Awards. He puts together a New Zealand hunt and a Alaska trip almost every year. Ellen went to Africa with him while she was in high school.

I will keep your contacts in case she need some help.

Bill
 
I'll offer a differing opinion, use a Howa or Rem 700 action, contact Preferred barrels (or Criterion for the 700, or RaggedHole, etc...) and order a barrel in desired caliber w/ bbl nut and build a rifle that will be something nicer than a Savage. Yes, the Savage will shoot just as well, but danged they sure are ugly. You could even start with a Howa barreled action and just do the stock work. Pick up a take-off CDS style stock for the 700 or a nice Vanguard or Howa wood stock and build a rifle that will look like something she will keep AND show off as something she'd be proud of. I'd spend a few extra bucks to get rid of the ugly. You could even strip and refinish the stock and drag out the time spent together:)
 
I am wanting to build (or put together) a rifle with my young deer hunting daughter, something that she could look back at in 40 yrs and say "I built that with my daddy".

I was thinking of the following,

Savage rifle
barrel swap(just for the experience)
light recoiling caliber
aftermarket trigger
Boyds stock
lapping of scope rings

any suggestions or tips would be appreciated, oh yes, low cost is good

How about a Four Bore? She won't forget that!
 
Hard to beat a .308. As you said in your post, deer hunting, look back in 40 years...308 is universal, tons of bullet choices, and likely more forgiving with shot placement on deer than .243. .243 is a great dual purpose cartridge, but for deer, and an accurate build for you and she, I would go with .308. The only down side would be the recoil. But it’s not likely she will be shooting hundreds of rounds like we do with the .224 caliber rifles. I guess another logical consideration is how you plan to deer hunt and that relationship to the rifle weight and walking. Great project, great idea!
 
We have a young lady friend that I have been assisting with her hunting equipment for the last 4 years, since she was 10, mostly through a dealer that I work part time for. We started her out with a Savage .243 and she loves it; she's also taken 4 deer with it in the last 4 years, all one shot kills. She might weigh a pound or two more than 100 pounds now, but she was well under that when she started and has never had any recoil problems with the "plastic' stocked Savage in .243.
 
I fully agree and support a 243 Win. It is always a great caliber for a youth deer hunter or someone that is a bit recoil shy. A Savage does open up the opportunity to show her a barrel swap using their barrel nut system. A ton of options in terms of barrels and aftermarket stocks. Does kinda depend on budget and how in depth of project you are wanting to do.
 
I am wanting to build (or put together) a rifle with my young deer hunting daughter, something that she could look back at in 40 yrs and say "I built that with my daddy".

I was thinking of the following,

Savage rifle
barrel swap(just for the experience)
light recoiling caliber
aftermarket trigger
Boyds stock
lapping of scope rings

any suggestions or tips would be appreciated, oh yes, low cost is good

Thanks so much for an enjoyable post. I predict you have made a better day for many a reader.

I don't care what caliber or brand gun you go with but please post your progress. It's so nice to see and be a part of such a beautiful experience even if only through a keyboard and monitor.
 

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