If His choice is the 308 I'd go with that
He'd be happy.

True James but for Minnesota hunting and all but extreme large animals the boy will never need more than 180 grain.

Osky

Since your thinking about something different and looking at the 6.5, I recommend the 264win mag.

Great cartridge that will handle about any game and the recoil isn't any worse than your 308.
Winchester model 70 sporter.

30/06!! Timeless, classic, available, flexible. The KING

Please have irons with or without scope and wood furniture.

Get the boy a 7mm Rem Mag. enough of this 06 and 308 talk.

7mm-08 can't beat it for deer.
I shoot it myself and buy them for the kids as they get old enough.

25 06 Ruger. I'had mine for years. Tack driver and like a wide variety of bullet. Speer makes a hollow point that is about 80 grains that I like for coyotes. I don't remember the number but it shoot 1/2'' group all day long with that bullet and it would wallop the tar out of you.

If I had only one gun I guess a Ruger bolt action in 30-06 would be it.

I would normally give my 2 cents a couple good calibers. In this case stick with the .308. No chance of mixing up shells if you're using one too.

Nothing wrong with a 243.

I’ve got just about everything talked about. But my favorite is the.264 win mag!

I'm a 7mm Mag guy, but also love the .270 and .243 for deer. There isn't a wrong answer here as all guns listed will more than do the job. If you want a gun that also doubles as a predator gun during the winter, I'd downsize for towards the .243 range. If it's going to be a designated big game only gun, than go with .308, 30-06 or the like. Don't get lazy with the ammo though. Just because you have 2 near identical rifles of the same caliber doesn't mean that both will shoot one particular band/weight of ammo equally well. Some guns just don't like some ammo as much as it likes others. You won't know until you get the gun on the range and do some testing. Why shoot near MOA if you can switch rounds and shoot sub MOA? Just saying your gun and his might not like eating the same thing.

Give him your .308...after all he killed his first deer with it and now has confidence in it. He will also treasure it as being your personal gun given to him. Then you can go out and buy yourself the .30-06 or anything your heart desires. You could also trade him later if he likes your new gun better.

Me too.

Shot deer with them all too, always go back to the 264. It just does something that paper can't explain.

338 federal

Ha!

Ya know when your talking BIG calibers, Sharon and i will argue our 300 wthby will kick butt!

I have a buddy who shoots a 340 wthby and that thing is awsome. Your federal is about the same if i'm thinking right.

cant stick them in a short action

Short-fat case is good, more accurate.

Its just a 308 necked up to 338, smallest factory loads I believe are 185


Iffin ya want a big boy, just chamber a falling block 45/70 to take a full length RCBS basic case and let er rip, that's a BIG Boy !

Ohh, wasn't the round i was thinking of. Sounds like a good one tho. Lots of accurate chamberings come from the 308.

Boys, I’s goin thru the safe this morning organizing some loose ammo when a mouse run across the room. I just rared back an chucked a 180 grain 30/06 at him. Well he just dropped...Found a perfect mushroom under the skin on the off shoulder. Dog will hunt