Roger, shooting a 243 in the '60's is how I started a 40 year love affair with a 270...I got tired of trailing and occasionally losing critters I knew were well hit with the ammo of the day. Learned to shoot and reload using a sweet little SAKO that was a dependable 1/2-3/4" shooter when I did my part...but it would not consistently bang flop DRT stuff like the O'Connor special.
Haven't kilt nuthin yet with a 26 caliber but I am as excited as a sophomore at the senior prom about lernin a new shooter's capabilities and like the idea of a sub 7lb all up carry gun that will drill'em DRT without beating my recently reconstituted post 60 year old shoulder to bird poop doing load development. Just finished 6 months of PT rehab so I could reach the far side of my face to shave has not been fun. Hope it works as planned.
Ron

Gidday Roger,

The reason the 243 is not mentioned so much today is that back then the 6.5mm was not too popular (almost considered unAmerican) back then. Also we didn't have the internet then so everyone just killed stuff with it. It was only with the advent of the web did we find out that it couldn't kill a paraletic mouse.

It wasn't until the mice got internet access that they and everything that I had previously killed cleanly with a 243 stopped dying and I found the need to get a 30-06 for big game mouse hunting.

Just an old trappers perspective.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

My wife 5'5" shoots a Ruger RSI in .308 without a flinch.

Back in 74 when the 700 Classic came out in 250-3000 I bought one for my wife. She fell in love with it after one shot. She has whacked a lot of Mulies with it. I shoot both the 100 grain Ballistic tip and the 100 Grain Barnes X bullets in it. The Ruger all weather 6.5x55 or 257 R would be perfect IMO

quote:

Originally posted by Hamish:
Gidday Roger,

The reason the 243 is not mentioned so much today is that back then the 6.5mm was not too popular (almost considered unAmerican) back then. Also we didn't have the internet then so everyone just killed stuff with it. It was only with the advent of the web did we find out that it couldn't kill a paraletic mouse.

It wasn't until the mice got internet access that they and everything that I had previously killed cleanly with a 243 stopped dying and I found the need to get a 30-06 for big game mouse hunting.

Just an old trappers perspective.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

I think that sums it up nicely.

And Bear Hunter62 the 250-3000 in my opinion would be the perfect choice if only you could get a factory rifle. I just finished putting one together. roger

I have let several teen agers boys and girls that were planning on going deer hunting with their dad or uncles shoot my 243,260 and 7/08.
I shoot a 85 gr bullet in the 243 at max load.Shoot 120 gr bullets in the 260 and 7/08 both loaded little over max.And ever single one picked the 260 cal rifle.I watched in awe as one young lady put 3 bullets in one hole with the 243 but she still picked the 260.
I let a 42 yr old healthy man try it but he picked the 243.He had been shooting a 7 mag,so I picked up a good ruger in 7 mag below a decent price.
I have been shooting a 260 since they came out,had 3 but only have one now and it is one heck of a deer killer.My longest shot with it has been 442 yds,deer took about 12 steps and dropped.I like useing different calibers to hunt with so I don't hunt with the 260 all the time.There nothing wrong with the other calibers either.Since rem came out with the reduced recoil loads even the mid calibers would work.The only one I have shot was the one for a 270,very little recoil in an Nef rifle and they were loaded with the new rem 115 gr super core locs.Haven't shot one at any distance but that NEF put 5 of them in one hole at about 25 yds off my back porch.

At the ranges you specify all are overpowered if all she ever hunts is deer. I voted 270 primarily because of the choices listed you can buy Remington managed recoil and Federal low recoil ammo for it. When she's ready to hunt larger game the 270 will have an edge on the other two. I just bought my son a Kimber 84M in 308 and expect he'll be running the light Remington load (or similar handloads) in it for some time, but it will swat heavier game when he's ready.

I voted for the 7-08 over the .270 simply because it can be put in a short action rifle (read easier to carry and handle).

However I would probably pick a .260 Rem. because of the lighter recoil.

A buddy of mine bought a Remington M7 in .260 for his wife. He liked the way it shot, so he started using it himself. He has taken many species with little fuss, including caribou, black bear, deer, sheep, mountain goat, and more. All with 140 grain factory ammo.

I think a .260 Kimber M84 with a Leupold 2.5x8 would be a perfect combo.

I'm liking the sounds of the .260, but I'm not finding it offered in many rifles that aren't higher up in price. I will difinately see what rifles the store has in that caliber when we go and get her gun.
If they have something in the $500 or less range that fits her well in that caliber, I would choose it over the 7mm-08

You might want to look at the Stevens Mod 200 in .243 if price is a consideration. With a little work on the trigger and magazine to correct potential feeding problems, that may come up, she can have a nice light weight adequate field rifle with realy nice accuracy for around $300.00.

One caveat, use of high pressure reloads or near max reloads could drive the ejector into the bolt and stick. I have no idea if this has happened with factory ammo or not. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
You might want to look at the Stevens Mod 200 in .243 if price is a consideration. With a little work on the trigger and magazine to correct potential feeding problems, that may come up, she can have a nice light weight adequate field rifle with realy nice accuracy for around $300.00.

One caveat, use of high pressure reloads or near max reloads could drive the ejector into the bolt and stick. I have no idea if this has happened with factory ammo or not. roger

I wanted her to have something with a larger diameter and heavier bullet than the .243 for deer, especially because she can handle a little recoil.

I know Remington has chambered the M7 in .260. Ruger has also chambered the M77 MKII in .260 in both blue/walnut and stainless/synthetic. I am not sur if they are still current in their catalogs, but I have no doubt you can find one on-line at Gun Broker or other similar sources.

My daughter has a Ruger RSI in .270. I've always loaded 100 gr. Barnes X's for her to about 3000 fps. Two big Blacktails have fallen without a "quiver" or "quauk" to this load.
Sorry to see the 100 gr. .277 X's no longer availiable, but now doing 130 gr. Nosler bal-tips at about 2700 to expect the same good performance.
I like the .270 Win, because one can do alot with it. AND, the .270 is EFFECTIVE!!! Light or heavy.

I would go with the 7-08 and either load 120 grain bullet or use the Rem 120 HP factory load if the recoil of 140s is a bit much. The .270 will kick a bit more, and for most ladies, I think a short action is better proportioned. After borrowing guns for a few years, I gave my good hunting buddies wife a 7-08 in Rem M7 and she loves it.

-Lou

Many excellent points have been made already. Given the choices I voted 7-08, as that seemed to 'fit' the stated requirements the best. As far as other suggestions not on the list, I would say that .250 Savage would be just about perfect.

quote:

I'm liking the sounds of the .260, but I'm not finding it offered in many rifles that aren't higher up in price

If you really love her you'd buy her a Kimber 84 Classic in .260 Rem.



Bearing in mind that the relationship may eventually disolve and having a quality rifle in your possession may help the healing process.

I like your way of thinking, but I'm not sure I would get the rifle if we split. I found a pretty good woman. She loves hunting, 4wheelin, ownes a very nice truck. she's like a best friend with the other parts.

quote:

Originally posted by Skinner.:

quote:

I'm liking the sounds of the .260, but I'm not finding it offered in many rifles that aren't higher up in price

If you really love her you'd buy her a Kimber 84 Classic in .260 Rem.



Bearing in mind that the relationship may eventually disolve and having a quality rifle in your possession may help the healing process.

quote:

She loves hunting, 4wheelin, ownes a very nice truck. she's like a best friend with the other parts.

Until you slip a wedding ring on her finger, at which point there will be a spontaneous metamorphosis into whatever you most fear.

Seen it happen a number of times.

There are many here who could give witness to this phenomenon with their post marital testimonials.

Of the three choices I went with the 7-08; however, if you go with a Kimber 84 (walnut or Montana)you have a choice of 260 or 7-08. I like both equally. Lou

Gidday Gohip2000,

While Skinner maybe right to a degree they don't all change and you have to be better off than the guy whose old sheila doesn't do any of that for a start.

You have more chance of success hoping she won't change than hoping she will.

I like his recommendation of rifle in fact you may have to get a brace of them so you can have one yourself. You are certainly going to want one after trying hers.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

A .243 Winchester and use Barnes TSX bullets.

You couldn't carry all the stuff I have seen killed deader than hell with .243 Winchester in in a 2 ton truck!!!

Everytime she shoots it she'll probably give you......

I voted 7-08, but a .243 would be preferable, no recoil, flattens deer.

Ok! You don't seem to go for the .243 answer. Do the Mod. 200 Stevens in .270. Again, inexpensive rifle, around $300.00 and accurate. Same caveats as before.If you reload down loading will give you what you prefere. roger

I voted 7-08 as well, but my first choice was 6.5x55. I bought one about a year ago, and my wife used it to kill two deer with it this past fall. Congratulations on finding a great girl.
To the rest of you guys, I feel sorry for you if your wives don't hunt with you. Before I got married, my wife was almost totally against hunting and firearms, due to some bad previous experiences. With a lot of patience and several hunting trips on my own, she decided to try it, and now is dead set on nailing an elk this fall. Hope things improve for ya'll.
Straight shooting,
Graham

I voted 7-08, but my wife uses the venerable 8X57 IS in a light and short rifle (22" barrel) rifle, it has a mild recoil and It smacks any deer or boar sized animals very effectively.

Friend, it sounds like you have met a great gal.

My wife uses a Tikka T3 LS 270WSM with 140gr Accubonds. Works for her. She spent alot of time at the range with me in 2004, got comfortable with the rifle, and she sure can shoot.

At the rifle shop she tried the Remington model seven, but felt the rifle stock not fit her as she thought it would. 7mm-08 or 260 would be another good choice.

Ok I am going to go way out on a limb here. I would go with a Marlin 336 in 30-30 shooting 150 grain bullets. You get a light, quick pointing rifle that you can mount a low power fixed or variable power scope on. 150 grain factory loads will get the job done out to 200 with practice and a 125-150 yard zero. If she ever needed a bit more power you could try the Hornady Leverevolution ( or how ever they spell it) 160 grain with the soft rubber type tip.

quote:

Originally posted by nordrseta:
At the ranges you specify all are overpowered if all she ever hunts is deer. I voted 270 primarily because of the choices listed you can buy Remington managed recoil and Federal low recoil ammo for it. When she's ready to hunt larger game the 270 will have an edge on the other two. I just bought my son a Kimber 84M in 308 and expect he'll be running the light Remington load (or similar handloads) in it for some time, but it will swat heavier game when he's ready.

Same reason I voted for the 270. If you're a handloader, find a 6.5X55.

I also joined the stampeding herd to the 7mm-08.

Not because I think it's "better" in any material way to the 7x57 or 270Win, but because it's simply more "available" both in availability of factory ammunition, versatility when handloaded and availability in firearms.

the rifles chambered for 7x57 are limited compared to the 7-08 and 7-08 brass is simply more is available.

that all being said, if you stick to factory ammo the SAAMI specs for the 7x57 limit it compared to the 7mm-08.

Comparing the 7-08 to the 25-06?
The 25-06 has some virtues, but to get the best from it requires handloading, though if you don't try to turn a 25-06 into a 270win by loading 120gr bullets into it (stick to the 100's) when properly sighted and loaded the 25-06 is nearly a point and shoot tool for anything inside 350yards and and only modest holdovers past that.
the only "problem" with the 25-06 is that they have a very impressive "bark"
which can make novice shooters think it's kicking much harder than it really is.


Other than that I think the 25-06 is superb cartridge, On whitetails or speedgoats you couldn't ask for a better tool. In the action of your choice with a handloaded 100gr TSX or 100gr Nosler Partition it just works.


But the 7mm-08 is available in more loadings than the 25-06 and the 7x57 are combined
Ditto for chamberings in off-the-shelf rifles.

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