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oh great board of wisdom... ok my wife wants a bolt action hunting rifle. but we need to pick caliber. She has an M14 (.308) and can shoot it, but notices the kick and "it kicks my butt" We had a .308 bolt action at one point, and she felt that kicked a lot (although she has forgotten this) North American game probably deer sized or smaller not moose/grizzly/etc, and of course she could take the M14 with a short mag for that. thoughts on caliber? thanks, Brian H Longmont CO | ||
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There are several 7.62x39s in bolt-action. Although not a 300 yd cartridge, it would be fine out to 200 yds. And ammo is very cheap. The ranch-rifle/mini30 would also be a good throw into the truck deer gun. Steve "He wins the most, who honour saves. Success is not the test." Ryan "Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything." Stalin Tanzania 06 Argentina08 Argentina Australia06 Argentina 07 Namibia Arnhemland10 Belize2011 Moz04 Moz 09 | |||
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25/06 loaded with 100gr Nosler Partitions would be hard to beat..... troy Birmingham, Al | |||
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Sounds like a good candidate for a .243. Or maybe something .25 caliber. | |||
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Get her a 7-08 loaded with 100 grn. bullets or a .243 with 90's ________________________________________________ Maker of The Frankenstud Sling Keeper Proudly made in the USA Acepting all forms of payment | |||
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260 remington Mike Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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This is a perfect fit for the .260 Remington /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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.243 in an autoloader like the browning or a bolt in .257 Roberts or a .260 BigB | |||
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6.5x55 or 257 roberts. NRA Life Member Gun Control - A theory espoused by some monumentally stupid people; who claim to believe, against all logic and common sense, that a violent predator who ignores the laws prohibiting them from robbing, raping, kidnapping, torturing and killing their fellow human beings will obey a law telling them that they cannot own a gun. | |||
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I agree. | |||
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6.5 Swede or 260 Rem. | |||
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260 Rem, 130 accubond unless you want a little fancy, then 6.5x284 with same bullet. Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns | |||
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7x57 with factory loaded 140s. | |||
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This is what the .243 Winchester was built for. I saw a nice one the other day. Used, but like new condition. $400. Rem Model 700 with 3x9 scope with the see thru mounts. A friend's wife has used one just like that at his club to take several deer. When I get too old to shoot an '06 it's what I'll go to (if anything). Btw, unless you're a handloader I'd limit my pick to a caliber with readily available ammo, like in your typical small town stores. The .243 is pretty good for that. | |||
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My kids grew up shooting the 6.5x55 Swede. It's got mild recoil, with a pretty darned nice shooting bullet in the 120 - 140 grain range. All of the deer that the kids took were one shot kills. It's a great cartridge and I even picked one up it works so well. I also built a .25-06 off an old Mauser and it's a sweet shooting rifle with 120 grain bullets. That would work well for whitetails and slightly larger animals as well. And it's pure dynamite on coyotes! | |||
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My first thought was 7mm-08, then 6.5x55, but you cannot really go wrong with any of the above suggestions. | |||
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I got a cheap .243 this year to fill the wife, kid, loaner for deer or coyote niche and so far am happy with the choice (1 shot kill on deer), but 7mm-08, 260, Swede, 257 Bob and others would do just as well. You may want to shop around and get the best deal or preferred model for your wife in one of the suggested calibers. Most folks have a rifle preference stronger than that of caliber. | |||
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I think the .243 would be great. The more I shoot and hunt with mine, the more I like it. It is a dream to reload for--mine will shoot just about any 6mm projectile. If you don't reload, ammo is readily available and inexpensive. Almost all of the rifles mentioned above would be good except for the availability of ammo--something one should consider when purchasing a rifle they intend to shoot a lot. Red C. Everything I say is fully substantiated by my own opinion. | |||
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Ammo availability is a valid concern, especially if a person doesn't reload. My .25-06 really likes Remington 120 grain CoreLokt ammo and shoots it well. I've been to Paris and Murray, none of the places in either town have it now. Of the above listed cartridges, the 7mm-08 and the .243 would top the list for ammo availability, especially if you live in a smaller community. | |||
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7x57 hands down. if you don't reload you can order whatever loaded ammo you want from midway. You can tell her it's a .275 rigby. | |||
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Really, any of the above so far would be good choices. It is as important to get her a rifle she likes. Go with her and let her handle several in one of the above calibers and see what "clicks" with her. I would recommend a short action for weight and ease of handling. Personally, I am a 7mm-08 junkie. Good Hunting, Bob There is room for all of God's creatures....right next to the mashed potatoes. http://texaspredatorposse.ipbhost.com/   | |||
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This is what I'd do as well, but I wouldn't be afraid to use some 120 and 140 grain loads in the 7mm-08 either. | |||
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I used to have a Pre-64 winchester in 308 that my wife complained about the kick. Now she has a winchester mod 70 300WSM that she loves and it does kick less than my 30-06. Stock design and a good recoil pad goes a long way towards comfortable shooting. I have been thinking of a 7mm-08 for my son who will turn 12 next year and be able to hunt in MT. But I am betting that he will able to handle the 30-06 just fine after I put a good pad on it. -------------------- THANOS WAS RIGHT! | |||
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Lot’s of good suggestions. I agree with Bob in TX find a rifle that fit’s her first. I think it makes a huge difference on felt recoil. Has she ever shot anything other than a 308? She might think a 243 kicks just as much. Some people are very recoil sensitive. I have two daughters that hunt. I wanted to go with a 308 for them. I was already set up to reload for the cartridge and IMHO it works for Elk. I reload 150 grain for the range and for deer size animals. When hunting Elk I step up to 180 grain. Sure worked for them over the years. You never know your wife might want to hunt Elk sometime. | |||
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I'd like to add that I gave a 270 to my friend in CO for him and his entire family to use for their mule deer hunting. So far, his wife, his 2 older daughters (15 and 13), their cousin (15), and a few others have used it with the 130 bullet with no complaints. Mind you it has a decelerator pad on it too. FWIW, my brother shoots the 110 grain Barnes bullet every year and has never had a problem collecting his deer. This load has minimal kick. Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my guns | |||
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7X57, 6.5 X 55, 30-30 (find a Savage 340 B.A.) In that order. All are about equal at short (woods-type) ranges but the first two will shine anywhere and can be loaded for varmints to boot. Primary reason I mention the 30-30 is the widespread availability of ammo if you don't reload. The others are easily avalible to, especially on the internet but most any general store in the country will have a couple boxes of 30-30's on the shelf. An old man sleeps with his conscience, a young man sleeps with his dreams. | |||
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I was faced with the same question a few years ago. My wife is on the small side and was not excited about the recoil of a .308 or .270. We ended up going with a Browning A-Bolt micro hunter in .243. It fits her like a custom gun and it is a real shooter. Many of her girlfriends have learned to shoot with that rifle and it really seems to fit the dimensions of most women very well. See if you can find one for her to hold. I have been really impressed. Healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die "Men don't change. The only thing that should surprise a man in his life is the history he doesn't know." Harry Truman | |||
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The 243 win or the 7x57 will get it done. Me I prefer the 7x57. | |||
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she's got a .223 bolt that she shoots fine An AR that she shoots awesome (better than me :-( ) and an M14 that slowly beats her up. In addition to many 12 ga shotguns. Thanks for all the suggestions, I think we'll have to find a nice rifle first, then narrow it within the range of suggestions here. (.243, .260, 7mm, 6.5mm, etc) thanks Brian H Longmont CO | |||
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I'll tell you what, I'm with all the 260 Rem guys here. It's everything the 243 win was supposed to be and more. Perfect rifle cartridge for anyone who does not what their shoulder destroyed. It near duplicates a 270 win without the kick. Put a 125 partition, or 120 grain tsx load and you got it. Dont reload, then start, it will make you a better shot, and save money. Socialism works great until you run out of the other person's money...... | |||
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One thing you have to remember is, not everyone has the time, place or inclination to reload. | |||
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Just to be different I say 250 Savage. | |||
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While modern store bought ammo is pretty good, at $20 a box for the cheap stuff, I don't know that I could afford to shoot enough to get above the poke and hope stage of marksmanship. And your time is your own. How you choose to use it is up to you. Aim for the exit hole | |||
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Many great suggestions. My vote would be 7-08, it's a great whitetail round that's not too hard on the shoulder. There are also reduced recoil loads from the factory in this caliber. I have a 25-06 that I'm quite smitten with but factory ammo is tough to find on the shelf where I live and while not a hard kicker I think it does have a little more bit than some of the others suggested here. The Swede is a good choice if you can find a rifle you like chambered in it, ammo selection can be tough if you don't reload. | |||
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7mm-08 or a .260 hard to beat. Rifles in 7mm-08 are easier to find and less expensive. | |||
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Anything in the 6.5x55, 7mm-08, .270 Win range. Just remember, caliber is only one part of the equation. Don't forget to put a big recoil pad on it, and make sure it fits her well. | |||
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And, when she's practicing, or trying out a different gun, make sure that she's wearing the best ear protection you can afford. Many times, people are not reacting to the felt recoil, but they're reacting to the muzzle blast. When one of my daughters was just starting to shoot, she complained of recoil. I had just bought some new ear muffs and when we went to the range, I told her about the "reduced" loads I had prepared for her to shoot. At the range, I gave her the ear muffs and she proceeded to shoot very well, even commenting on how easy the "new" loads were on her shoulder. It was several years before I let on that the loads she had been shooting with ease were the exact same ones that she'd complained were beating her up! | |||
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I'd say a .257 Roberts first then a .243. Maybe a .260 or 7-08. As mentioned above, find one that fits her first. Don't think I'd want to get the rifle then have it worked on to get it to fit her. To do all this might be a bit difficult tho. Bear in Fairbanks Unless you're the lead dog, the scenery never changes. I never thought that I'd live to see a President worse than Jimmy Carter. Well, I have. Gun control means using two hands. | |||
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A .270 for sure. Recoil is slight & you can find ammo at a reasonable price for it anywhere. ****************************** There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor polite, nor popular -- but one must ask, "Is it right?" Martin Luther King, Jr. | |||
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I understand that she wants a bolt action, but for for a woman who is recoil sensitive, I believe the best gun on the market is the Browning BAR ShortTrac Stalker in 7mm-08. Use the Federal 150gr Speer Hot Core cartridge for factory loads if you do not hand load. These are outstanding factory loads and give the 7mm-08 the ability to take anything except for the largest bears out to 300 yards. This gas-operated gun will have the least amount of recoil. Avoid the .243 if you can; not enough gun to make it an all around go to rifle. Mike JP Sauer Drilling 12x12x9.3x72 David Murray Scottish Hammer 12 Bore Alex Henry 500/450 Double Rifle Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock 6.5x55 Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock .30-06 Walther PPQ H2 9mm Walther PPS M2 Cogswell & Harrison Hammer 12 Bore Damascus And Too Many More | |||
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