Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Rifle for the Mrs....

Hey gang - I have been looking at different calibers for the wife to take along on our next (not soon enough!) trip back to Africa. She is not an avid hunter and recoil tends to get to her on occasion. Our last trip To RSA, she took her first animal ever with a 243 (PH gun). She claimed that the 30-06 hurt and of course will never shoot my 300 WM again! So, what would be the smallest caliber you would let your wife take to Africa to shoot PG up to a Kudu, regarless of recoil?

Thanks

If it fits, it don't hurt. Try a youth .308 of some sort and let her practice. My 5'3" wife's .270 Wby Deluxe Mark V works fine.

You may want to look at a 7mm-08, stay away from the lightweight rifles, and add a good recoil pad.

My wife uses a Model 70 in 7x57 Mauser. Wish I would have kept it for myself!

Mike

Well for my 2 cents worth....I would pick the 7x57 or the 7mm-08 if you don't reload...if you do "roll your own" maybe look at the 257 Bob.
When I was in RSA, I took note of what the PHs were using.
One had a 25-06, one had a 243 and the third carried a 7mm Rem Mag.,,,,,the three hunters in camp all used 30-06.
I hope this helps, have a good trip.

Depending on the country you're hunting you may run into minimum caliber issues if you go smaller than 7mm.
I'd find her a nice 7/08 and call it good.

Pete

7mm08 or 7x57 or 6.5x55 Swede or .308. I'd pick 7x57 just because of tradition.

^^^ This, and a good 140-150 grain bullet at 2700 or so is plenty.

Mrs. Hatari enjoys 6.5 X 55 Swede built on a DMW 1909 Mauser action. She appreciates a classic!

Sounds perfect to me!

My own custom 6.5x55 is built on a lowly commercial FN action. My wife, however, used her custom .308 Winchester on her last safari, a beautiful little rifle built by Serengeti (now Kilimanjaro) Rifles on a Kimber 84 action. The story is she saved her PH from a charging zebra stallion with a quick 150-grain Nosler E-Tip in the shoulder, which of course she couldn't have made without the perfectly-fitted custom stock and a controlled-feed action....

308 or a 308 or a 308. You can actually buy ammo for it there.

Seems Osa Johnson of early safari fame took plenty game with the 7x57.......

Another option, if you already have the gun, is to load the 30-06 down into the 10-14 ft lb of recoil range, just like a 6.5x55 and 7x57 load.

Perhaps more important than the cartridge is a stock that really fits her.

Just my 2 cents. 7-08 or 308, with 308 having the preference. Have the stock fit well. A third option is the 270. I'm surprised at how popular that cartridge is the Eastern Cape.

7-08 or, preferably, a 7x57.

donsm70

Appreciate all the feedback guys. This really helps out.... The next battle will be to find one that will fit her frame - may end up getting a custom stock. And, from all the posts, it will be between the 308 and 7x57. I have a friend that has both, so we will see if we can borrow them and have her shoot for a preference....

Have a great weekend.

Andrew

Nice to have a custom stock but most likely not necessary, you need the length cut to the correct size. Also a straight stock will deliver less recoil as will many of the composite stocks. You may consider going to a heavier rifle which will also reduce the recoil. I don't believe shooting the two rifles your friend has will allow you to differentiate the two cartridges but hopefully your wife will love one of the models and your job will become a lot easier.

Find a local gunsmith that will fit the rifle for her. Having the correct length and the sights at the right position are good things.

Fit! Fit! Fit!
She can shoot a 375 IF it fits her well. Pick a moderate recoiling round like a 308, 7x57, or 7-08 and take her and the rifle to a gunsmith who does stock fitting.
Once the rifle is done start her off with some lighter bullets or load some down if you are a reloader and let her wail away at some reactive targets like cans or gongs.
Mrs Blacktailer shoots a Kimber in 308 that is very light and she is now up to full power loads. She has taken game up to zebra. Just be prepared for your trophy fee budget to double!

I agree with everything above 100%

Funny how these questions are answered with regard to women.

Change the question to (insert man in place of woman) and the answers would surely change

Funny

Yep�just like JB has pointed out many times�its odd how women can kill big game with 7x57s and 308s but the men need Uber-magnums...