Doc

My views on the subject are a bit old fashioned & a bit off the point...

I remember that a while back you were thinking of getting a double rifle for the lad.....

If it was me, I would fist make sure that the lad is fully into basic hunting. How well does he stalk? Dose he know how to hunt in windy or rainy conditions? Dose he understand deer behaviour and the kind of exit routs the animals will take? Is he happy to walk for a whole day & come home strong minded even if he did not shoot any game?

Yes, the rifle scope combo would be fine. Yes, a good scope is more important than an expensive rifle. However, my point is about passing on the ethos of hunting to the next generation. Can he teach his kids how to stalk, read wind, sign, animal behaviour etc. before teaching them long range shooting?

JMTBW.

Good luck and good hunting - to both of you.