300 savage is near perfection for a first rifle. It comes in short action rifles has more than adaquate power but considerably less recoil than the 308 winchester.

Power wise it splits the difference between the 308 and 30-30 to put that into perspective.

It is the cartridge I plan to buy for my nephew for next hunting season.

Nothing wrong with the rifle or cartridge for what you've stated. Only potential warning or thought is OTC ammo availability for the 300 sav chambering in your area. Unless your going to reload then...poof their goes that worry.

If you do plan on buying OTC ammo then a 308win would be a good place to start. Like mentioned sim. to the 300savage but way more popular, finding ammo is never an issue with the .308win.

Good Luck

If you load FL size .308 brass and trim.I liked and got sub MOA out of a Savage 99 using 40gr-Win 748/180gr bullet.....................42gr for the 150's and 41gr for the 165's..................better than a sharp stick..........Harold