Originally Posted by
hookeye
Savage 110 or Stevens 200 (not an Axis) with a Redfield (new style made by Leupold) 3-9X in Burris Signature Zee rings on Weaver bases. Probably in .308 if he likes short action.
Down the road, should he get really bitten by the bug, and want something different or even oddball, he has an easy to rebarrel action.
Bingo... That's exactly what I have. I have an old (1998) Savage 110 chambered in .308 and it is an excellent, wickedly accurate, rifle! I have a Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40 scope with Weaver rings and base.
My rifle was bought used, so you can tell your friend that he can go used if he wants. Ain't nothing wrong with that... He just needs to pick out a rifle that "speaks" to him and fits him like a glove.
Just remember though... If you're in an area that is incredibly thick with pricker bushes, briars, and real heavy woods, where you won't even have a shot of 50 yards, then a simple lever action .30-30 with open sights would do the trick. If you have anything over 100 yards, then you can get a real nice bolt action rifle with scope in any caliber from .243 on up.
Like someone said earlier, you're going to get tons of opinions here!