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Been reading for a bit, but first post.
Looking to get my wife a rifle. One that will mostly be used on New England Whitetails, but will also be used to go west for anything from antelope to elk.
Range of shots will be under 200 yards as it's almost impossible to find a range local to us in NH that goes past 125. A "long shot" where we hunt is 100 yards.
I am a bit concerned with recoil. Some research and reading I've done has pointed me towards a 7mm-08. She took a turkey with my single shot 16 gauge, said it kicked, but not to bad. I'd rather get her something that she can practice with without developing bad habits. She's hell on chipmunks on the birdfeeder with a pellet gun!
I am not all that literate on different caliber limits. Know lots more about bow hunting! I rifle hunt with a .30-06 Remington 700.
Will the 7mm-08, using off the shelf ammo (we don't reload) handle everything from antelope to an occasional elk (occasional as in maybe 1 trip every 3ish years. We've been archery elk hunting and loved it)
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Will the 7mm-08, using off the shelf ammo (we don't reload) handle everything from antelope to an occasional elk
yes.
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Montana MOFO
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Tikka T3 lite stainless in 7-08 with limb saver. once piece DNZ or talley rings with quality scope and you're set for life.
The end.
All of them do something better than the 30-06, but none of them do everything as well.
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I am not all that literate on different caliber limits. Know lots more about bow hunting! I rifle hunt with a .30-06 Remington 700.
Not being literate or experienced, you have chosen well for yourself.
Will the 7mm-08, using off the shelf ammo (we don't reload) handle everything from antelope to an occasional elk
Absolutely! That would probably be the highest recommended by most on this forum, with few exceptions.
_________________________________________________________________________
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
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I am not all that literate on different caliber limits. Know lots more about bow hunting! I rifle hunt with a .30-06 Remington 700.
Not being literate or experienced, you have chosen well for yourself.
Will the 7mm-08, using off the shelf ammo (we don't reload) handle everything from antelope to an occasional elk
Absolutely! That would probably be the highest recommended by most on this forum, with few exceptions. The .30-06 was an easy choice! Thanks for the verification. Now to find the actual rifle that she will like, time to visit some shops!
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The 7-08 would be perfect, and I think you could also step down to the .260 Rem IF you use a good controlled expansion bullet on the elk trips. (Perhaps you can find a buddy to handload some for you.) 100 grain bullets in the .260 would be fine for deer and would drop the recoil below the 7-08 level with 120 gr bullets, which are typically as light as people go.
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Bob-H-in NH -
WELCOME to the 'Fire'.
IMO you are definitely on the right track!!
The 7-08 isn't too small nor too big and IMO will have less recoil than a-single shot- 16.
Jerry
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap
Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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243 or 308 would also fit the bill. 243 for recoil sensitive. Ammo for these two is likely a little easier to find anywhere, if that matters to you. I have 7/08 and 308 and would use either on any of the game you mention.
Regards,
Tom
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Consider a youth model if she's a typically sized gal. A stock that's too long will cause trouble, especially when she gets all bundled up. Better to go light on the barrel than too short. 20-22" is about right. I'm not usually a Savage guy, but the Lightweight hunter deserves a look. Whittakers has Howa Lightnings in 7-08 for $329. The Winchester Featherweight Compact has a shorter LOP and a 20" barrel and looks pretty nice. 6 1/2 lbs and has a Decelerator pad.
I might need one of those myself!
What fresh Hell is this?
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You should have her try a Remington model 700 SPS compact in 7mm-08 got one for my wife and she loves it using Federal 140 grain Nosler Partitions or check out a Remington model seven in 7mm-08 or even a 308 Win.
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Hi Bob,
The 7-08 is a good choice in caliber. Now that that is out of the way, to Pappy's point, have her handle as many rifles that she can for ergonomics. There is a balance when it comes to weight. The lighter the rifle the more felt recoil but on the field ounces = pounds and pounds = pain.
Finally, your comment about picking up bad habits because of heavy recoil, if you have one or can swing the added price, get a 22LR to practice with. The ammunition is less expensive and without all the recoil she can concentrate on form.
Oh and welcome to the fire, there are a lot of great people here.
HaYen
Remember, not everyone has a happy ending, so be happy when you can
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I have a bunch of great hunting rifles, but when I head out, I usually have one of my 7-08's in my hand. Great choice!
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WTH, I thought we already had a Bob H. in NH????
Either way, welcome aboard
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Consider a youth model if she's a typically sized gal. A stock that's too long will cause trouble, especially when she gets all bundled up. Better to go light on the barrel than too short. 20-22" is about right. I'm not usually a Savage guy, but the Lightweight hunter deserves a look. Whittakers has Howa Lightnings in 7-08 for $329. The Winchester Featherweight Compact has a shorter LOP and a 20" barrel and looks pretty nice. 6 1/2 lbs and has a Decelerator pad.
I might need one of those myself! My wife and daughter both shoot Remington Model Seven youth models in 7-08. They just flat out kill stuff from pronghorn to elk.
molɔ̀ːn labé skýla
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Welcome, the 7mm-08 is a great choice for women.. I am probably going to give mine to one of my friends for their sons or daughters to start with..
Molon Labe
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Been reading for a bit, but first post.
Looking to get my wife a rifle. One that will mostly be used on New England Whitetails, but will also be used to go west for anything from antelope to elk.
Range of shots will be under 200 yards as it's almost impossible to find a range local to us in NH that goes past 125. A "long shot" where we hunt is 100 yards.
I am a bit concerned with recoil. Some research and reading I've done has pointed me towards a 7mm-08. She took a turkey with my single shot 16 gauge, said it kicked, but not to bad. I'd rather get her something that she can practice with without developing bad habits. She's hell on chipmunks on the birdfeeder with a pellet gun!
I am not all that literate on different caliber limits. Know lots more about bow hunting! I rifle hunt with a .30-06 Remington 700.
Will the 7mm-08, using off the shelf ammo (we don't reload) handle everything from antelope to an occasional elk (occasional as in maybe 1 trip every 3ish years. We've been archery elk hunting and loved it)
If you are concerned about recoil get her a 7mm/08 and have her practice by dry firing it. She needs to work the action each time, and do everything just like normal. 500 times and she will hit any deer. Use a deer target so she practices where to aim. after 100 X then put the occasional round in the gun that she shoots.
NRA LIFE MEMBER
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ESPECIALLY THE SNIPERS!
"Suppose you were an idiot And suppose you were a member of Congress... But I repeat myself."
-Mark Twain
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Here are your steps to success:
1. Take her to a store.
2. Put LOTS of different 7mm-08's and .308's into the hand of your beautiful bride.
3. Let her pick one of them. Buy her some ammo loaded with 160gr Nosler Accubonds.
4. smile as she kills everything from mice to moose with it.
5. Post plenty of pictures on the campfire.
Last edited by antelope_sniper; 12/04/15.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
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The 7mm-08 is perfect. She can shoot a reduced recoil 120grn load and it will kick less than full house 100grn 243 loads.When she gets used to shooting it, she won't even notice a hot load.
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