Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

Cascade Precision

Cascade Precision

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 23, 2008
875
25
48
Klamath Falls, OR
#1
Took my son out a few weeks ago and he got to shooting my Rem 700 VSSF, and he decided that HE had to have it. My wife said it was a great idea, and that I should give it to him.

I don't mind getting him a hunting rifle (which is what he wants this one for), but I don't want to give it up. Call me selfish or whatever, it is mine and it took a while for me to get a decent shooting 308 (since I lost my Savage 10 FCP HS to my dad - a whole nother story).

So, WTF is a dad to do for his youngest sons 16th birthday gift?

(Background: This all started the other day when I made the mistake of saying that my 300wm shot so good and that I was not totally certain why I even had a 308. My son took that as the time to say he wanted it, and my wife is backing him.)
 
#2
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

Offer to get him a new one and let him do the load work up for it that might work. If not it looks like you will be looking for a new 308 for yourself.
grin.gif
The joys and pains of being a parent.
 
#3
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

That's a high dollar rifle to be giving to your son already. Don't get me wrong, 16 ain't 6, but still. I never had a high end rifle until I got out on my own. Dad has some nice shooters, but I doubt i'll be getting those until he's dead and gone. A firearm is just like one of the kids; it's hard to just give one up.

I think it would be a better experience to buy him his own, just like dad's or a cheaper model (I would suggest cheaper), and build it up with the parts he wants. It would be nice if he has something invested in it too. He would appreciate it more. Maybe have him buy the scope or something... That's a tough one. I guess i'll never say "i wonder why i even have that 'ol gun" while my kid is around. If nothing else, thanks for the advice!
 
#4
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

I tell you, it is tough. As for giving him a higher end gun, he has been shooting competitively with me since he was 8, and has earned the rights to a higher end gun. He is much more mature than a 16yo (unless a pretty girl is around, and I think we are all victim of the fairer of our species!)

So, I can buy another one later. I just hate to thin my herd...

Maybe I will just let him use it for a while (which I would do anyways) and let him decide later.
 
#8
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

yeah, if he is into the "cool" factor at all, a 700 sps tactical would be a great choice. Good looks and a good shooter. $550 or so out of your pocket and you get to keep your baby....
 
#9
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kalman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Give it to him and use it as an excuse to get a new gun. Don't look at it as thinning the heard, but culling it instead! </div></div>

by far, the best idea yet.
 
#10
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: carbinero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Agreed with above. Shop Dix sporting goods for a 700 varmint contour package (ADL or SPS). I've seen them anywhere from $450 to $550. He can mod it as desired and make it his own. </div></div>

That's the way I'd go then he can have a good platform to build it exactly how he wants it, even though it might take him a while to get it done.
 
#11
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

they still make 700s dont they? get another for him or get yourself a savage. unless you are trying to not buy a new rifle and then sir, i think you need help, lol. there are some niice used rifles for sale here and there is a $75 rebate til the end on this month on a 700 sps varmint. bud's guns has them in stock for $545ish i think
 
#12
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

Off the topic but do you shoot at the warner mountain range or somewhere else? I live in lakeview also. Good luck on the decision it can be tuff one to make. Side note my dad gave me a 410 and a 22lr when I was a kid he didn't shoot much about 5 years ago for fathers day I bought him 30-06 700 cdl. Getting kids in to shooting is a good thing maybe some day he will repay you not saying it will happen but it could.
 
#14
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

I think I'd buy him a more basic 700 and let him build it up from there. He can work to earn money for new parts and gunsmithing, or you can use those things for future presents. In five years, it could be trued up with a custom barrel, target trigger and good optics.

I got a bike for my 16th.
 
#15
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

So many decisions, but the final outcome is this:

He can have it. Should he ever decide that he does not, or wants something else (at least by the time he is 18...), I will buy him another rifle, or we can trade it in on something he does want. In any case, I will be likely buying another rifle in a year or two once my finances settle down a bit.

At least he loves shooting enough to ask for something that is worth shooting!
 
#16
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Give it to your boy, then tell your wife you need to replace it with a <span style="font-weight: bold">FN SPR-A5</span>.

Win, win. </div></div>

Fixed for improvement.

Or go the SPS route so your son can build it as he goes.
 
#17
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

I don't see the problem here. Give that one to him and get you a new one, if you want one. Otherwise your just being a selfish dad and that goes a long way into your relationship with your son. Getting him interested in what you do will go a long way into having a good relationship with him.
 
#18
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

I don't know how much you want to spend, but I bought my twin sons rifles for Christmas to celebrate their first deer hunts (both successful) last fall at age 12. I bought each one a Savage Axis in .270, and both will shoot a three-round group of less than an inch (in some cases less than 1/2") at 100 yards with the original 7+ pound factory trigger. I then bought them Rifle Basix triggers for their birthdays. I got the rifles for $300 each, and the triggers for $85. Might be worth considering. Maybe you buy the rifle, scope, and trigger and let him install the everything and work up loads for it.
 
#19
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

When I won the 308 at ASC built by the guys at APA, I knew immediately what I would do with it, while it was probably better than the 308 I was running, I gave it to my then 13 year old son. It was then topped with the 4-16 S&B I won the year before. Watching him perform with this over the last couple years has gave me much more than me having a super accurate rifle ever could! At 16 he placed 8th in the spring open ASC match with HIS 308 and I think that weekend, he was top 308.
Guess that tells what my vote is.
 
#20
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HillbillyfromAL</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Otherwise your just being a selfish dad </div></div>

Screw you Hillbilly...(stamps foot and pouts)

I said those exact same words to my wife earlier as we were discussing this. I have more than just a few rifles to shoot, and I will get another rifle. Because, lets face it, we ALL need a reason to go and buy a new rifle, right??
grin.gif


So, he will get the rifle, he may even get the one piece base my dad just ordered a few days ago. However, he is going to the local gunshow this weekend and may see something he likes even more there. Won't know till then.

In any case, if he wants this rifle, he is getting it. At the very least he WILL be getting a new rifle for his birthday.

I have never wanted to with hold something from them, I was just not sure if I was willing to let him have this one. Anyhow, thanks for all the advice and suggestions.
 
#21
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

Ogre,
You've never had a desire for a nice custom? Give your son this one and start you a new build with a custom action and a 'smith listed on this site.

If my son said he wanted something of mine that would allow us to spend some quality time together, I'll find a means to get over giving him a possession I hold high.
 
#22
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

16 yrs old? Take him to a massage parlor with a happy ending and he will forget all about the rifle....you keep your gun,everybody is happy
 
#23
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

Massage parlor was shot down by the wife.

I took him out for a hike with the rifle and bhe decided it was too heavy. He wanted something a little lighter.

My dad took a trip to Sportsmans Warehouse and found a 700 ADL with "scope" for $400. Scope is "Remington" 3-9 with almost zero eye-relief. But, it fits the bill for what he wants. Caliber is 308.

Took it to the range last night for test fire and to test "eye-relief". Scoped myself for the first time yesterday...that will get replaced prontus-immediatum.

Overall, rifle performs very well. Zero'd rifle at 25, took it to 100, and shot a 1" group with some factory 147grain bulk amm. Shows some promise.

Son is happy, I am happy, and we all have our own hunting rifles. Problem solved. Now, if my rifle decides to not shoot well, I will take a visit to Grim Reaper Tactical and have a custom barrel and break installed.
 
#24
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

Get him a Savage. It'll shoot better than your Remington and cost you less. He's happy, you're happy. Well, until he out-shoots you with his cheaper, more accurate Savage, that is.
smile.gif
 
#25
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

My thought is and i think your son would like it is 16, 18 and 21 are your most important birthdays in life. At 16 you get to start driving and the doors to life start to open up, at 18 the big diploma arrives after all the hard work and from their you go ??? and 21 you can legally drink what ever you want and go where ever you want. So at each 1 of those years you need to let him get on here and check out the wonderful guns the builders post and tell him to pick out what he wants.
 
#27
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

Not going to lie. My wife said the other day that she would like to go shooting pistols and one for house protection. God bless her lol. Gave me a perfect chance to buy a pistol. The next day I went to pick up a Glock 17. It's a perfect reason for a new rifle and you will have one too.
 
#29
Re: Son's 16th birthday present: WTF do I do?

Good for you everyone is happy guess the other guys didn't read your post. If you decide to get you a new one I'd try the New Model 116 from Savage they call it the Bear Hunter. Has an adjustable muzzle break, 23 inch medium heavy barrel thats fluted, stainless steel, Accu-trigger, Accu-stock 2 it doesn't have the wedge but does have the full rail. It comes in a ,338 Win Mag and I was truly surprised with the break on it's like shooting any one of my .308's. Stock is camo ed all in all the rifle looks good. Went out and zeroed it took 3 rounds and was good to go. Will go out again this weekend and see if it likes the 225 gr bullets cause it does well with the 250's. One last thing with the rifle zeroed if you close the break you round will impact 2 inches higher but dead center.
 
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