I am currently in the market for a Ruger 243 rifle for my young girls to shoot. I am debating between the M77 MK II All-Weather standard and the M77 MK II All-Weather Ultra-Light.

I want something fairly lightweight because they are very slight in build. I want to keep the recoil down too. I am thinking that the ultra-light might be just right.

What would the recoil and muzzleblast from the 20" barrelled UL be like? How do the Ruger UL rifles shoot with the trim profile barrel?

Thanks,
Mark in GA

how old are the girls?

I've helped a couple here learn to shoot.....but wouldn't even consider a centerfire if they're under 15.

A 22 rimfire is a great tool for training.....later a 223 is a good step up and from there it's whatever you want.

The Ultra lights can be surprisingly accurate.
I bought a Ruger Ultra Light in .257 Roberts for my girlfriend years back and she loves it. With her shooting that gun it has turned in many .5 to .75" 100 yard 3 shot groups with full power 100 grain loads.
I started my son shooting centerfires a little with a .223 and 22/250 but then went right to a Win M70 Lightweight Carbine in .243. At 9 years old he was doing great with it although about 2 or 3 five shot groups is all he wanted until he got older. The lighter the gun the easier to handle but they recoil more, yes even a .243.
I think you are on the right track, pick up a Ruger Ultra Light in .243 and work up some lightweight varmint bullets for them to shoot and get used to it, before long they'll be shooting 100 grain full power loads. You might start them by shooting just a few shots with the .243 then switch them to a .22 then back and forth. I also found that shooting something fun like ballons or pictures of prairie dogs or milk jugs with water is more fun than bullseye's for some kids.
Good luck and have fun with it!

If you are a reloader you can have your cake and a few crumps to boot. If you go with the .243 Ultra and use reasonable Blue Dot loads with 80 to 100gr. bullets you will come darn close in getting just what you want.Light recoil, example; 80gr. bullet at 2550 fps energy about 1600 ft.lbs. Not great but enough to get the job done out to 100 yds.

This is more Sea Fire's style. Perhaps he will jump in here. roger

Mark,

two of my nieces shoot. I got the older one (13 1/2, 5'3" and 107lbs) a Ruger RSI in 243 this summer, and embarked on a training program with her and her 11 yr old, 5'0" and 89lbs sister started shooting ground squirrels with a Rugger 77/22Hornet. After a couple hundred rounds each, we moved big sis up to the 243. Three shots per session, three times a week. After a month she could sit at the bench and shoot three, three-shot groups under 1.5" at 100yds. The load shot 1.24" for me at 100 and 1.6X" at 200 for three shots. The little one did not care for the 243 at all. Jessica (older one) had sixty-some rounds under her belt when she unzipped the case opening day with her dad.
That evening I got the pictures, 28" four point mule deer buck, 3-year old. One shot thru the lungs...what she says is a bang-flop!! They are presently shooting coyotes out of the kitchen window with the Hornet before leaving at 6am to catch the school bus. The cattlemen's Assn of Jordan Valley Oregon is paying them $40 per pelt.

I would strongly suggest a 22 Hornet to start. They think it is a "real gun" not a 22.

Rich
NRA Life Member
DRSS

What vapodog and Idaho Sharpshooter said.

Mark in GA: I have taught 3 sons how to shoot and Hunt with Big Game Rifles. Prior to their centerfire training they had Varmint Hunting lessons and range lessons with 22 rimfires.
When time came for these above average sized boys to Hunt Big Game with their own Rifles they used 257 Roberts, 25/06 and 308 respectively.
Now lets switch gears to my dear friends here in Montana. They are a Hunting family and the 4 (four!) dauhgters took after school pellet Rifle (in the school house!) training and competed with same in the 4H program (one of their sponsors was Leupold Stevens & Co.!!! - remember that when you go to buy a european or Japanese scope!!!!).
Then they also were trained to shoot and Hunt Varmints with a 22 rimfire!
The girls are accomplished Hunters now and they have been using ONE rifle (taking turns shooting on many days!) and that Rifle is in caliber 223 Remington!
They are legal to use here in Montana for Big Game. I am guesstimating here now but I am sure the girls have killed 12 - 15 Whitetail Bucks with this Rifle! One of the girls killed a 31" Mule Deer Buck (I measured this whopper myself!) with the 223 and one of the girls became the youngest person ever to legally kill a Mt. Goat (12 years and 2 days old!) here in Montana!
IF the 223 is legal in your area and you have ANY doubts as to flinching or fast follow-up capabilities then be sure and try the 223 Remington - it kills Deer!
I am somewhat familiar with the two Rifles you are considering and I think they would not create exces apprehension (about recoil) when fired by your slim nieces!
I think Remington even offers reduced recoil loadings for some calibers - that might be worth looking into for the 243's as well!
Great of you to give a hand with the young ones!
Three cheers for you!
Hip-hip-hooray!
Hip-hip-hooray!
Hip-hip-hooray!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy