Considering purchasing a long gun for my 15 year old daughter. She will use it primarly for deer/black bear/plains game type hunting. I think a lighter weight 270 or 308 would be okay recoil wise.

I would also like to keep the purchase (w/o scope) to about $1000 or so.

Any feedback on the Kimber rifles? I like the Winchester/Mauser actions). Other ideas/suggestions?

Thanks,

John

The Kimber Classic 84M in 308 is a fine rifle,they shoot well. Mine with a Leupy 2.5-8x weighs 6lbs 13 ozs, loaded is a tad over 7lbs.
I think, for a young woman, the 7mm-08 with it's lighter recoil might be a better choice.
There is on this site a great photograph of Craig Bodddington and his daughter showing them with a zebra taken with a Kimber in 7mm-08. It's a wonderful picture and speaks volumes for hunting as a family activity and the Kimber rifle.
What ever you choose Good Luck to you and your daughter.

I really like the short actions for women and tend toward wanting to offer my daughters a .243 Winchester or a 7-08 Remington. If there were still any Model 70 Featherweight Classic rifles for sale that is what I would consider if there were budgetary considerations.

quote:

Originally posted by JohnHunt:
Considering purchasing a long gun for my 15 year old daughter. She will use it primarly for deer/black bear/plains game type hunting. I think a lighter weight 270 or 308 would be okay recoil wise.

I would also like to keep the purchase (w/o scope) to about $1000 or so.

Any feedback on the Kimber rifles? I like the Winchester/Mauser actions). Other ideas/suggestions?

Thanks,

John

John,

Remington makes their "managed recoil" ammo for both the 270 Winchester and the 308. IMO, Either would be a good start for deer!

Link to Rem Managed Recoil Ammo

+1 on the managed recoil loads for your daughter. And, don't overlook the 7-08. A woman hunter I know uses one and loves it. She is not a big girl at all either.

Don

I have a kimber 84 in .308, yes it's a nice rifle but I chose to get my kids (3) tikka t-3's, the action was much easier for then to use and the clip is a nice feature both in operation and safety. 7mm-08 is what they all started out with, a great kids caliber and well as for grown-ups.

John,

You couldn't go wrong with a new Ruger Hawkeye in 257 Roberts w/2.5-8 Leupold on top. Fits your budget and just about perfect for deer/sheep/antelope.

My oldest son killed his first deer,antelope, javelina, and elk with just such a combo.

With factory loads ranging from 87 grs to 120 (NP's) with standard loads and +Plus+ loads you don't even need to reload.

Best of luck.

Rem M-7 in 7-08 or .260 will work fine!

Another vote here for the .308. It's easy to reduce load / buy downloaded ammo, and it's a stone cold killer of game at any reasonable range. In an emergency you can buy ammo at any Wally World.

john - it sounds as though you're on the right track. you might take a look at the cz m550 american, although if you can afford the kimber, it would probably be a bit better.

as far as chamberings, any mentioned would kill game. the .260 and 7/08 are two to consider, as are their european versions, the 6.5x55 and 7x57. to be honest, though, if she can handle a .308, that choice would be as good as any and better than most.

quote:

I chose to get my kids (3) tikka t-3's, the action was much easier for then to use and the clip is a nice feature both in operation and safety. 7mm-08 is what they all started out with, a great kids caliber and well as for grown-ups.

I agree here 100%. A Tikka T3 in 7mm-08 or 260 Rem would be just perfect for your daughter.

Get her a T3 Lite or Lite stainless and she will never look back. The T3 Lite would be easy for her to handle, light weight with a smooth action that feeds like a dream. The T3's come with one of the best factory triggers avaliable(Sako)and they shoot exceptionally well straight from the box.

www.tikka.fi
http://www.berettausa.com/customer/downloads/tikka.pdf

Kimber 84M in .260 Rem, 7-08 Rem, or .308 Win. I have one (84M Classic) in .260 Rem topped with a Nikon 2-7 Monarch and that produces tight groups with 129gr Hornady SP handloads. A quality light rifle with very little recoil and very effective on deer.

My 15 year old son is having a fine time with his new 84M Classic in 308, but we're using reduced handloads for now. He's done fine work the past two deer seasons with 100 gr NPTs in a 243 and a 30'06 shooting Federal Low Recoil ammo. Lighter bullets in a 260 might be better for a new shooter, but I'm guessing the 308 will be more useful for game larger than deer when the time comes. FWIW The several Tikka rifles I've seen shot were all very accurate.

Congrats on your daughter's receptiveness to the support. The .308 is probably the most versatile having a greater selection of bullet weights. 308's are good for everything from coyote to Elk. Recoil will be the same between the two with comparable rifles. As for rifles, I would look to the Rem 700 as it seems to fit the female form without significant modifications to the stock. Kimber seems to make a good rifle, but they appear to be fairly light weight which may make them bunt significantly.

I highly recommend the 7mm08 since that is my favorite hunting round and benchrest round. A light weight 308 or 270 is going to slap your daughter around a little which may turn her off shooting. The 7mm08 is a better choice. My wife weighs 98 and shoots mine just fine. Rem 700 is my favorite.

Couple of years ago, we had the same challenge for a friends daughter in Montana...

a Micro Medallion Browning, chambered in 7/08 with a Leupold 2 x 7 scope was the end result.. multiple deer, antelope and a couple of cow elk tags filled, the choice has proven quite well...

she is only 5/2 in stature and is now 20, and enrolled in Nursing school... but she is almost married to that rifle when the subject of hunting comes up...

I 2nd the 257 Roberts idea. Never a popular one, the Roberts refuses to die, and with good reason. One of the best and most flexible sub 30s going, it remains every bit as good, if not better than such modern numbers as the 243s, 6m/ms.
My second choice would be either 6.5X55, or 7X57. Both provide a step up in power without blast and recoil, and both are more effective today then they were a century ago. I believe that time has proven them to be more effective than their modern counterparts in 260 and 7-08.
My last choice, and maybe 1st choice if your daughter isn't petite, would be the venerable 30-06. It is, and forever will remain, the do it all cartridge providing more than enough power for 99% of North American hunting. It offers everything the others do and more without punishing recoil.
I am also of the opinion that such numbers like 270 and 308 Winchester should be avoided as neither offer the flexibility or power of the above mentioned cartridges. Also, these two offer no savings in weight, recoil, or muzzle blast when compared to the others.

Buy a Ruger 77Mk2 for her and You have a fantastic rifle. I own one for about 7 years now and it´s my best rifle!

.270 Win or .30-06 sound perfect. By the way: I don´t like the .308...

Klaus
www.titanium-gunworks.de

Model 7 in 7-08 with a 2x7 or 3x9x40 scope will get the job done.

My daughter started hunting at age 17. She is 5' 9" and 150 lbs. She shoots a Model 70 Super Grade in .300 Win mag (safari rifle for a trip to Zim). I started her on a .22 mag then shoot the .300 standing or sitting (never prone or from the bench). She handles it fine.

If this is for US hunting - I would suggest a .270 or .280 . With practice and a rifle that fits her frame, she should be fine.

quote:

Originally posted by JohnHunt:
Considering purchasing a long gun for my 15 year old daughter. She will use it primarly for deer/black bear/plains game type hunting. I think a lighter weight 270 or 308 would be okay recoil wise.

I would also like to keep the purchase (w/o scope) to about $1000 or so.

Any feedback on the Kimber rifles? I like the Winchester/Mauser actions). Other ideas/suggestions?

Thanks,

John

what has she used up to this point on similar game animals?

+1 on the 7mm-08

AD

the 30-06 has reduced loads too...

mouses to mooses!

25-05 Remington or 260 Remington would be perfect. Good optics will make or break her.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

She has hunted with a 270 and handled it just fine. She has two sheep to show for it.

I kind of like the 308 as I always lean towards the bigger bullet.

i would go w/ something similar to what she is most famiar with. caliber isnt that important, really. anything on a 308 parent or 30-06 parent should suffice. just make sure the LOP is good and that you can place a scope low. o shorter overall length usually suits women better.
alot can be said for a CZ 500 mannlicher in 308.

quote:

Originally posted by JohnHunt:
Thanks for all the suggestions.

She has hunted with a 270 and handled it just fine. She has two sheep to show for it.

I kind of like the 308 as I always lean towards the bigger bullet.

I know, I know, I'm repeating myself, the Kimber in 308 is a good choice, combined with the Leupy 2.5-8x the Kimber makes a very good all around combination for a young woman and the ageing nimrod too.

I gave my brother a Springfield 06. He bought some reduced recoil loads and his daugher - a petite 5' 5", shot two whitetails with it. You can load that round to suit anybody. Having said, my son, a skinny 110 pounds, prefers a Ruger 77 Featherweight in 7x57, also a do everything caliber in a light rifle. I might trade him out of it. Any good 2x7 or 3x9 scope is fine, or go classic and just get a straight 4. Foolproof.

Gidday John,

I have been trying out a friends Tikka T3's in 223, 243, 308, and 25-06 and I must say I am very impressed.

They all weight about the same as my model 7 and it doesn't matter about the calibre. They are incredibly accurate and consistent.

For your daughter I would grab one of these in 260, 6.5x55, 7mm08, or 7x57 and have done with it. You will be amazed and delighted.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

If your daughter is not already used to a bolt action, a BLR might be an option that is easier to use. 7mm08 or 308 would work well, as would 270win. They used to be available in 257 Roberts too.

Andy

Tikka won't sell the 260 caliber here in the us,talked to rep and he didn't give a reason.But said if I buy 100 of the same rifles I could probably get one.
I think if they offered the 260 I think they would sell more than a 100 here in the us,I know I would get one in the varmit rifle.
I have had a 260 since they first came out and after reading the posts here and other boards the interest is more now than when they first came out.
According to one of tikkas web site the sako has a 1;9 twist,the tikka 1;8.? (cannot remember exact)Has any one actually got a 260 in a tikka.And how does it shoot.
I have shot a bunch of different calibers in the tikka the last 2 years and all have been great shooters,except one in 25/06 that I bought and it wouldn't shoot,I sent it back and now it shoots great.
Remington made the BDL for awhile and why they won't offer one I don't know.If they did one in a special run (like they do in some other calibers) I don't think they would have a hard time selling them now. Just my 2 cents.

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:
I 2nd the 257 Roberts idea. Never a popular one, the Roberts refuses to die, and with good reason. One of the best and most flexible sub 30s going, it remains every bit as good, if not better than such modern numbers as the 243s, 6m/ms.
My second choice would be either 6.5X55, or 7X57. Both provide a step up in power without blast and recoil, and both are more effective today then they were a century ago. I believe that time has proven them to be more effective than their modern counterparts in 260 and 7-08.
.

My sentiments exactly!!!! roger

When I bought a rifle for my daughtr to hunt with I started her with a Ruger M77 243. She ended up likeing my old Marlin 30-30 better & used that for the first two years. Whe she turned 14 she started using my Ruger 1B in 25-06. She has done well with it. The weight keeps recoil very manageable.

The new Ruger in 7mm-08 would be about perfect. Another good choice would be a good bolt action in 250-3000. My wife loves hers and has whacked a bunch of mulies with it. Hers is a 700 Classic.

Since I am a reloader, I would choose a CZ in 6.5x55 or nice (maybe Ruger #1)257 Roberts .

If I didn't reload, it would probably be a 7mm08.

I would consider a T/C encore in any of these calibers for a daughter's first big game rifle

Lance