Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Deer & Antelope caliber for the wife?

Common caliber? Shux, I was gonna say .250 Savage.

Another vote for the 243. I killed my first elk with a 243, not that I think a 243 is the end all be all elk cartridge, but I have shot elk with a 300 win that ran farther than that first cow. My longest shot to date at a game animal was an antelope at 534 yards with my current 243AI.

I would have to say that the 250 Savage definately has the edge when it comes to the "cool factor."

Last year I was faced with the same question but for my daughter-in-law. There are a number of good choices in calibers; but it is more important how the rifle fits the shooter, more than the caliber.

Shooters vary in recoil tolerance. My DIL, though petite and a novice shooter; seems to tolerate recoil fairly well. But found her husband's 270 W. to be more of a challenge to shoot than his 6 mm Rem., or my Winchester XTR 257 Roberts. I had considered cutting down the stock on the 257 XTR, but decided not to.

Her rifle is a M70 Compact that with scope weighs just over 7 lbs. The shorter action, stock and barrel length fit her better than the longer action and barrel of the 257.

Because she lives in Colorado and hopes to hunt elk at some time; I chose a 7mm-08 as being more flexible than a 243.

My son and I both handload so we have her shoot 120 Nosler BT for practice and for antelope and deer, then 140 g. partitions for elk. With the 120 g. bullets the recoil is only slightly more than a 243 and she has the option of using heavier bullets for larger animals -- yet still have a rifle she can handle, carry and shoot.

That is how my son and I addressed the question. There are a number of good caliber choices (e.g. 243, 6 mm, 257, 260, 6.5X55, 7x57), but we felt choosing a 7mm-08 gave more choice in rifle makes, availability of factory ammo in a pinch and more confidence if she hunts elk.

.257 Roberts
.25-06
.260
7mm-08

Depends on the wife, though, and her previous experience with long guns. A .270 or .280 are great for the application and would be fine for many women.

Since you do not reload, the 243/7-08 wins hands down. If you plan to start reloading, I think the 7-08 would be better as you can load some 120gr bullets at reduced loads.

260
7-08
308

Should cover it

AND

ALL of the others of course

I had my wife a 250AI twisted up. She loves it. Steelhead and dog zapper had a good bit to do with this choice too

Mainly a deer and antelope gun, she shows little to no interest in elk hunting. She had been bitten by the scope of my buddies 30-06 a few years back though she did shoot my old 308 a few times with no real issues. I was leaning towards the lighter recoiling 243 win, though the 7mm08 is still an option. And we will be shopping around to find a rifle that fits well, just wanted some opinions on caliber thoughts.

257Bob or 7mm Mauser or both.

I was in a deer camp this weekend. A friend's wife has a M-70 FW in .257 R, a really nice rifle. She loves that gun and can hit with it. I was asking about it and found out if was given to her by a former husband. Her present husband is a good bud, so I had to comment that her ex at least had class selecting this rifle for her. We all had a few laughs.

It would be hard to find a more ideal rifle for a lady.

DF

I know this is an old topic but just had to share. Went and picked up a Browning x bolt in .243 Win for the wife today.

Well since its for a girl you could with the 243 If it were me id go with the 25-06.

If you reloaded, I'd say the 257 roberts. Since you don't, the 260 would be hard to beat. The 25-06 would be a good one as well, but the short actions rifles may fit better.

Any of the calibers you are asking about would be great. I don't know if any one will be that much better than any other. I have my preferences like everyone here but I think you are on the right track. I know the .243 has killed many many animals but personally prefere at least .25 caliber for large deer just in case a less than ideal shot is presented or made. That said, it is still a good choice.

Like MagnumMan said, always use good hearing protection to minimize a flinch and probably more important than caliber is if the rifle fits her and she comfortable with it, not just, "I can make it work" but comfortable.

One more suggestion, a good recoil pad-ie Pachmeyer or Limbsaver. I have been shooting for quite a few years now and only in the last few realized the difference one of those two pads can make, they are awesome. I am not particularly recoil sensitive but am working on putting one of those pads on everything I have from .280 Rem to .375 H&H. I have nothing big enough to require those type of pads but they make shooting much much more comfortable.

Remember though, if you add the pad you might need to cut down or have the stock cut down or you will lose the fit the gun originally had.

My opinions sir, good luck to you and your wife.

mnimrod45

The browning x bolt we picked up seems to have a pretty cushy pad on it already. We spent an hour or so at the counter comparing gun fitment. She narrowed it down to 4-5 but for her the x bolt came up better and the stock fit her smallish hands better. Went out shooting today , far to windy to get a good sight in done so we just got on paper and shot 12 rounds through it. She came away saying she was very comfortable with the gun and not at all intimidated by the recoil produced. So a good first outing.Hopefully the wind dies down so we can sight in prproperly tomorrow

Thanks

Just make sure it fits now and when she has a think hunting coat on.
My short wife and short daughter both love the cut-down stocks on their rifles.
Both are great shots. Wife carries a .270 with Pachmayr pad and 130's. Daughter has a .243.

stumpy

We went out shooting yesterday with our hunting jackets on and it fits well even worth the thick stuff on.

Thanks

Great, looks like you are well on your way to some fun adventure. Good luck.

As long as we can draw some tags we are good to go