Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Wife wants to hunt

The 260 and the 7-08 would be super for what you want. The 243 bullets goes up to 105 grains and the 260 goes up to 140. The 7-08 goes on up. I have always felt a little more comfortable with at least 120 grain bullets for white tailed deer and larger game. For this reason I prefer at least a 260 caliber. I admit there are tons of game killed every year with 243 rifles. I just prefer a little larger bullet. The 260 and 7-08 offer light recoil, good BC bullets and effective killing ability well beyond the range you have stated.

Wife has a 7mm-08. 139 Hornadys and H4350 or R19 has worked well. She doesn't shoot much off the bench and has never mentioned recoil when there's a deer down. A .260 would be a very good option. With 129 Hornadys the recoil is minimal. Make sure the stock fits.

My wife is fairly petite so recoil and rifle weight were both factors. I bought her a Browning A-Bolt Micro in 308 Win and used 150gr bullets loaded to 2600 fps.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably get her a 243 Win or, depending on rifle, possibly go up to 260 Rem for maximum caliber. She's a lefty so that rules out many lightweights - a NULA would be great but that ain't happening!!

My .02 to the discussion....

The choices in my book are .243 or 6mm Rem, .257 Roberts, .260 Rem, 7-08, and 7x57. Beyond that, ergonomics are far more important than cartridge.

I think having her shoot 15 rounds with a .22lr for every round of CF would be a good ratio.

So there was some confusion my budget for rifle is 600 and under, scope is not included because I was taught a long time ago that good glass is a good option.

Lets clear this up she is not scared of recoil and actually shoots my mountain rifle in 300 wsm but I am not giving that up and I think she would get uncomfortable shooting it for extended times.

So I am getting alot of bets for the 7-08 will have to look it up.

Also let me post this, I had a few threads because I was in the process of building a few rifles for myself while times were slow but the wife came to me earlier today and told me that she was sick of me and my rifles and bows and wants a rifle of her own now to shoot.

She shoots my 10-22 all the time as she is no newb to the shooting game just to anything bigger than a 22lr

have her go pick out something that fits and feels good to her. cartridge/caliber don't really matter all that much. i'd just keep the magnums and 338 and up off the list... Just my .02

yes that is what I am thinking the mags up and away

Ruger Laminate Compact .260. Diet of 100 grain Nosler. 4x32 or 6x36 w dots. Lots of practice off the bench killin crows, groundhogs and coyotes in your parts.

That said, I've fixed up a LW AR with a Leupy 3-9X loaded with Federal Fusion 62s for my wife to try to bust one with when our second rifle season kicks in.

gET HER A GOOD mARLIN IN 35 REMINGTON FITTED WITH A 3X9 REDFIELD!!! GREAT LITTLE GUNS THAT HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH POWER FOR DEER, HOGS AND BLACK BEAR!!! MY SISTER HUNTS WITH ONE THAT BELONGS TO MY BROTHER IN LAW AND THEY DUE THE TRICK, NOT MUCH RECOIL, GREAT IN THE BRUSH AND HAVE MORE RANGE THAN MOST PEOPLE REALIZE!!

My wife shoots a Win Compact 7mm-08. If you can find one, they are perfect for a woman or child....or me.


ddj

I'd be inclined to start her on big game with a 243 to 257 Roberts. Before firing those though, a few days of working on technique with the 22 LR would be wise.

I've had heart shot deer do 200 yds before dropping. Any cartridge with sloppy shooting can yield less than stellar performance.

Later if she steps up to elk, perhaps a 270 or 308.

Last, secure a rifle that fits her frame and handedness.

I think there's a "not" missing in there somewhere in that first sentence, and where it should be sure makes a lot of difference.

The 308 might be OK, if it is packaged in a rifle with a good stock that fits your wife, but it would be approaching the upper end that I think a new shooter should run.

Lots of good options with less recoil. I'm partial to 223' & 243's with good bullets, and 7-08's and 25-06's with same.

As deadly as 223's and 243's are with light TSX/TTSX's, I don't see much reason to make a new shooter endure the recoil of a heavy bullet through a 308 or much else.

One thing I have seen with my new shooters - muzzle blast bothers them as much as recoil - sometimes more. So I try not to go too short on barrels and keep their ears well protected - even when hunting if I can.

Sure makes them shoot better.

Glad you and your bride are getting to hunt together. That's a pretty special deal that most don't get to enjoy.

DJ

For a bolt gun I'd suggest a 7mm-08, in youth configuration if she needs it to get the lop right. The Marlin XS7 is a good buy, also the Vanguard is a lot of rifle for the money. Scope- simple fixed 6x luepy would be nice or a 3x9 of the same make.

I'll throw this out there, a 30-30 would be a good option as well. Not expensive, sized right for a woman, cheap to shoot and depending on bullet choice is fine for deer out to 250yds.

I'll second the poster that said muzzle blast effects women more. My wife's first range experience wearing just ear plugs was horrible. The next time she wore plugs and muffs and had a blast. The extra hearing protection really made a big difference for her.

I meant to say price is not a factor since I will reload.

I thought about it I can get her a lever 30-30 for a good price I am just not sure how she would handle the lever gun. But practice and more practice should do her good.

Then you might a well get a 300 ultra mag!

I you wife short or small of stature? If so I would get her a Ruger compact in 243, 260, 7-08

She is short 5'4 so I will look at a compact I found one in 260 last year laminate SS and she didn't want it, was to interested in bows.

I know I've post this before, but I so proud of her. She didn't hunt until she was 55.

Either a .260 Rem. or a 6.5X55 Swede.
Tikka T3 would fit the bill.