Quote Originally Posted by Duck cutter View Post
All caliber jokes aside i think this is a HUGE factor for most folks, being comfortable with and having confidence in your equipment
I wanted a 25-06 so I went and bought a wood stock blued ruger at gander. Put a Leopold scope on it. I had trouble sighting it in. Then it hurt my feelings dragging that pretty new gun up a tree. I killed a pretty decent buck with it but he went further than I liked. Could be the ammo could be shot placement.

Went to uwharrie and my buddy was selling

a 257 with scope and 2 boxes of ammo for $425. I bought it took it home and it's killed everything I told it to. I'm just comfortable with it. I know it will do its job.
As far as the original post maybe you should encourage him to buy a used gun to figure out what he likes. Don't make the mistake I did and buy a purty gun you are afraid you'll scratch so you just leave it at home.