Since you addressed the redundancy (sp?) issue my next question is whether or not you'll reload/handload. If yes, then my answer is a resounding .308!!! Cheaper to shoot, less recoil (and noise) which could potentially be a big issue for your sons. (Here let me say that I don't think your sons are whimps...but just because you can pull a 80# bow does not give you reason to buy one!) And the .308, even in factory loads, can take all those games. In handloads you get easily get HOT 30-06 performance. If you'll never handload...well maybe go to a 30-06 or one of the 7mm magnums. I just think the 300s make wonderful rounds...that are overkill for what they are most commonly used for.