MN Tonester, M14 rifles are not available from surplus that I know of.
If you do a search on Google you'll find much info about the M14.
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&n...s=&safe=images
Here is info on the semi-auto version made by Springfield Armory which is the M1A.
http://www.springfield-armory.com/pr...m1a-stan.shtml
Weight 9lbs.
Here is a link on the semi-auto Chinese copy of the M14:
http://www.fulton-armory.com/M14S_Eval.htm
The M1A would make a great deer and bear rifle as it is chambered in 308Win. It'd be great shooting groundhogs too.
Some folks will get a bit excited though when they hear about someone using a semi-auto for hunting though.
Your son may have been thinking about the basic ammo load as being heavier than the the M16 which it would be.
It does have some classic lines to it.