Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Need a little advise on rifle for wife

[CBari]

My wife currently deer hunts with a browning A bolt 243. While this is enough to get the job done on whitetail deer here at home she has expressed intrest in going out west in the prusuit of bigger game. What would some of you recommend with simalr weight and recoil to the 243 but with the knock down power needed for big game out to the 200-300 yrd range. She realliy likes her A bolt. She has shot my 7mag bar from a rest and felt like it had too much recoil and definatly is too heavy for her. Open to all sugestions and modifications.

 

[Rattler]

I may get chastised for this response, but I don't think you can go for more power without at least some more recoil. You might try a . 270 or 30-06 though. If you don't go too heavy on the bullet weight, the recoil won't be severe. There is also the plus of being a caliber that is easy to find ammo for.

 

[Flying_gage]

I may get chastised for this response, but I don't think you can go for more power without at least some more recoil. You might try a . 270 or 30-06 though. If you don't go too heavy on the bullet weight, the recoil won't be severe. There is also the plus of being a caliber that is easy to find ammo for.

Rattler you ain't going to get chastised here.

CBari I think what you are looking for is relatively impossible, (maybe if you reload, you can tweak your loads since it is a pretty short distance?). When you increase the caliber, you will have trade offs for the power you get. The only route really available to you is to purchase the caliber that would be appropriate for the animal you are hunting, and then fit it with a brake or similar device to modify the rise/recoil. If I were in your shoes, I would probably go to gander mountain or the equivalent and purchase a 700 on sale. Up here by Chicago I have seen base model 700's for $499. Fit it with the brake and see if it works for her? If not then you have another tool in the toolbox. Can never have too many of those

Also don't dismiss the Ruger as they have had some interesting offerings of late that are really well priced!

 

[GHarman]

What bullet is she using in the . 243 for Whitetails?
A Handload with the 100 Grain Nosler Partition is quite potent when delivered to a critical area of an animal such as a Mule Deer.
With practice, I would not hesitate to take an Elk out to 200 yards with a well placed shot!
That being said. Recoil goes up when the bullet weight increases and velocity stays the same. Its basic Physics.
A heavier rifle will slow down the recoil impulse but the total recoil energy will still be the same.
Hope this helps?
I would add as a suggestion, the . 260 Remington as a possible candidate. While I am a FAN of the . 30/06 and find it more than adequate, recoil can be an issue for a Woman.
A Herean Shield (fitted pad) over her shirt and under her shooting coat may help where there is no muscle structure such as found on a male shoulder.
Heres one idea;
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/71020

GregH

 

[KBurgoyne]

well savage has a new rifle called the "lady hunter" comes in 270 win and 30-06 on the top end, and has had raving reviews so far. if you want to go magnum, the best option would be having the barrel ported or get a compensator. a compensator would be removable and interchangeable so you can find the best mix of recoil reduction and acceptable muzzle blast. easiest to just double up on ears. plugs under headphones.

 

[ata]

My wife shoots a Browning BLR (lever action) in 7mm-08 with 150 grain. It has killed elk out to 150 yards with one shot. She says it has less recoil than her old Win. 30-30. I don't know if you can still get it in the BAR. The BAR would have less felt recoil then the lever or bolt. It shoots right in-between the 308 and 30-06. It is a pretty gun thats one reason she wanted it.

 

[BIGNASTY]

While on the light side for Elk at any long distance, but my Mom shot a few Elk and a BUNCH of Mule deer with a 257 Roberts BUT MOM COULD SHOOT.



NOW DONT ANYONE GET ALL at this but WE have always said that the minimum round for ELK up HERE would be 30/06 I say that because of the bullet choice not bad recoil and most can shoot them. BUT MOST OF ALL SO I DONT HAVE TO GO CHASE THEM DOWN :-laf



What this all boils down to is if you can SHOOT IT. I dont like it but a 25/06 has nailed a BUNCH of Elk at mid distance but those boys could shoot. Many a deer and Elk and fallen to a 270



Wife is all of a 125lbs wet and she has no problem with a 300 win mag with the muzzle break she has at times shot my 338/378 but said some things that are NEVER TO BE REPEATED. She wont even look at the 45/70



take her out and see what she can SHOOT thats the key IMO



BIG

 

[Freebore]

I grew up in the West and often had to take long shots - even Pronghorn or Mule deer on the western prairies will push the limits of a 6mm/243 caliber gun. My dad gave me a 300 Weatherby for Christmas when I was still in high school and although it had the power to reach out - I didn't have the shoulder to handle the recoil. As Rattler mentions the 270/30-06 - either would be a good choice with the right bullet and keep in mind the rifle weight plays a big part in recoil. Along with those are the 25 calibers - I've had good luck with the 25-06 and am considering rebarreling an old sporter Springfield into a 257 Weatherby. 270, 30-06, & 25-06 are usually quite easy to find ammo for at reasonable prices if you don't reload.

 

[CBari]

Do the muzzle breaks make that much of a difference. If so there particular brands that are better than others and which ones to stay away from. Also whats your take on the 270 short mag.

 

[GHarman]

CBari,

A Muzzle brake works most efficiently with cartridges that have a high powder to bore ratio.

The VAIS has been a good choice for a Brake. There are many others out there and all have a following for various reasons.

All brakes must be be installed precisely concentric with the rifle bore with the correct bullet clearance!

A Brake will significantly increase noise.

270 WSM is a good cartridge, but you wont find ammo as easy to locate at a local gun counter near remote areas as you would . 270 or . 30/06 or even 7MM Remington Magnum.

Now, the cartridge choice is a bone of contention because everyone has their favorites.

The best one for your situation depends on your personal circumstances. All can be fitted with a muzzle brake. The degree of recoil reduction will be different between cartridge cases that have a large capacity and those that are smaller.

Around here, most Elk hunters use the 7MM Remington Magnum. It is fast and flat shooting. It can belt out some recoil, but not much more than a . 270 or . 30/06 with heavy loads. The stock design and bullet weight/velocity will determine that result. Your pocket book is also a factor! Lots of choices out there! Even custom builds, if you so desire!

Heres a link to a VAIS Brake supplier;

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?sortb...ionids=4294845964&newcategorydimensionid=1073

Home page;

http://www.muzzlebrakes.com/

GregH

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I recently started my daughter shooting with a . 270, 150 gr at 2850, Winchester 70 featherweight. First gun she ever shot, and she shoots as well as I do after decades of practice!

 

[The patriot]

"I would add as a suggestion, the . 260 Remington as a possible candidate. "
While I dont think this is a significant jump in power, the 6. 5mm cal shoots very flat and many a large animal was taken with 6. 5's.

 

[BGlidewell]

I own a 30. 06 A-bolt and really like it. I've had it for many years. Familiarity would be good too in your case.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Dont want to start a GANG WAR but at what distance are you guys that are purposing a 6mm thru 270 shooting at. The part of the west we live in there are some LOOOOOOOOOOONG SHOOTING DISTANCES. Sure you dont have to shoot but sometimes not shooting is to not get game. With the wind I like HEAVY BULLETS and most of the time WE HAVE WIND.



For the recoil part HOW MANY SHOTS ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE? im not going to BS you shooting the 338/378 is no picnic but im NOT going to shoot all day. Hopefully 2 shots per season 1 for ELK and 1 for mule deer. Suck it up and take the hit YOU WONT FEEL IT WHEN YOU TOUCH IT OFF.



Some of the distances for example. This is my favorite place in the Bob to hunt Elk. I wish I could have put the pictures in order but here goes. The top pic is MY SPOT the second is the two that are going to the top of the ridge around the backside so they dont spook game down the other side but up over to MY SPOT the 3rd pic is MY SPOT looking to my left from the top pic. The 4th pic is the 2 riders that went around the backside of the ridge they got off the horses because its a razor edge ridge that ELK WONT STAY ON if they get pushed up to the top they WILL RUN DOWN THE OTHER SIDE into the trees. They will hole up on the bench with an island of trees most of the time they must feel good there they can see open terrain for 100 yards in ALL directions and the trees provide protection from wind and hunters. The Bench in the first pic is in the lower left of the pic and the right of the 5th pic. It also gives them an escape route on the lower part of the bench there is an open spot and LOTS OF TREES.



For the distances the distance from MY SPOT to the bench is 600 yards give or take depending on what part of the bench, the bench is about the size of 3 football fields. The ridge with the 2 yo yo's at the top is 800 yards if you look at pics 1 and 4 you get an idea of what the layout is with the brown trees at both sides of the frame of the pics.



This is why I LIKE BIG BORE RIFLES WITH LOTS-O-KICK A**. I have seen guys take shots at ELK on the bench and connect with 270's and they ran off the edge of pic 3 on the left hand side and thats WHERE I DONT WANT TO GO!!! its RUFF, NASTY, UGLY, DANGOROUS, CANYON if you think you have heard foul things being said TRUST ME I KNOW SOME THAT YOU HAVENT HEARD BEFORE ,IF YOU SHOOT ONE AND IT RUNS DOWN THERE!!!!!! there is NO GARATUITY THAT PAYS ENOUGH FOR WHAT GOES INTO RETRIVEING GAME FROM THE CANYON.



The game was hit in good spots with 270 30/06 both with 150 slugs AND THEY ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH TO PUT THE GAME DOWN!!!! IMO To get close to the bench is possible but from MY SPOT down to the bench is mostly open and you will be seen and the ELK run like the wind. The other option is when you come up the canyon ledge from the left to the right on pic 3 you stay down in the tree and not go up to MY SPOT. But not seeing the entire area is lost and a stalk for game is pretty much just because you STUMBLE ON THEM. Jason and I like to glass from MY SPOT and then plan a stalk but MOST IF NOT ALL PAYING hunters are NOT IN GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE to take a stalk like that. Many time Jason and I would glass the place find ELK and some mule deer and had nobody to hit the ridge but we could go and make the stalk and took game thats the kind of hunting we both like. But like said at the first part of post sometimes you take the long shot or take no game. During the first two weeks of ELK hunting this place is CRAWLING WITH ELK. We get here BEFORE DAY LIGHT and unless everyone connects we stay unitl dark. Just to give you an idea on the last Pic you see some yellow trees thats where camp is your butt gets a workout EACH AND EVERY DAY :-laf

BIG

 

[VolsFan]

Ive let my wife use my . 280 700 mtn rifle with 120 grain remington ammo. Its light as a feather and with the lower grain bullet doesnt have terribly bad recoil. You can carry that gun with you all day and forget its even on you. As far as velocity, it killed a whitetail on the last day of MD's rifle last yr at 380 yds. its dead on at 200 and lower. Have not heard about the Savage "lady hunter". Recently won a savage axis 25. 06 jar gun, shot nice with 100 grain ammo,thought about keeping it for my wife since it had light recoil, but couldnt stand how cheap it looked. But for a good workhorse gun at $400 w/ bushnell 3x9 not bad. Ultimately,a 25. 06 would be my choice for a female shooter if its not going to be used on anything much larger than whitetails. I agree with Freebore, 25. 06 ammo is readily available

 

[KBurgoyne]

savage has 2 that you might like. the 111 long range hunter, and the bear hunter. both have factory porting on the barrel. the long range hunter comes in 7mm mag, 300 win and wsm and weighs in at almost 8. 5. the bear hunter comes in 300 and 338 win mag, 300 and 325 wsm, and 375 ruger and weighs in at 7. 5. check their site. if i knew how to cut and paste on a mac i would have posted the links.

 

[The patriot]

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/111LongRange338

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16BH

 

[Dl5treez]

7x57
280 Remington

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I've harvested every animal with 30-06, including a Canadian moose. Ive also hunted California, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming and Arizona. One time I used a . 270 but that was because my rifle misfired, so I grabbed by buddies gun who was sitting right next to me and wasn't paying attention; Otherwise, it would have been his blacktail.

 

[KBurgoyne]

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/111LongRange338

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/16BH

thanks for that