Dealer Light-weight deer rifle for my wife

[Richard1942]

I am interested in purchasing a light-weight rifle for my wife. I've had friends recommend a 243. She is my deer hunting partner and would like something smaller and lighter weight than a 30-06. We are both novices and feel from reading many recent posts, that this is a good place for advice. We hope you can help.

[BuzzardA91]

My 12 year old shoots a 243. It is the smallest round you can use in CT for deer. Great round and low recoil. TC make that single round interchangeable platform. Light weight, super accurate, durable, and simple to operate. My kid has a savage youth. That may also work and a good value.

[BIG DOOLEY]

lots of options out there.
30-30 lever action comes to mind.
It is a nice light weight gun & good brush gun.
Had "lots" of friends and cousins use it for their first gun. some still today.
I used a 16 ga. shot gun for my first.
Now have my fathers old 30-06
I'm not one for investing alot of money into guns.

[59 Sons]

Im very pleased with the Tikka T-3, mine is the wood stock "Hunter" vs the composit ""Lite". Plenty of ammo options very efective for deer. Especialy like the removable magazine for quick clean load/unloads. Run about $650. My wife and other light lady neighbors have shot it without any trepidation or flinching. Cheap $16 federal 100grain soft point for target practice at Walmart. Great gun and great caliber. Plus you can scale down for Coyote.

[whistlepig]

I think the lightest carry rifle made now is the Kimber Mountain Ascent @ 4 pounds 13 ounces but it only comes in .308 caliber. I'm a huge fan of lightweight rifles but when it comes to center fires anything under 6.5 pounds doesn't swing well and recoil is a factor. This would be nice:


Model 70 Featherweight, Bolt Action Deer Elk Big Game Rifle -- Winchester Repeating Arms -- Product Model

[firemanmike69]

lots of options out there.
30-30 lever action comes to mind.
It is a nice light weight gun & good brush gun.
Had "lots" of friends and cousins use it for their first gun. some still today.
I used a 16 ga. shot gun for my first.
Now have my fathers old 30-06
I'm not one for investing alot of money into guns.

My 30-30 lever has been putting Deer in the freezer since 1965 it was my grandfathers, then my fathers and now mine. I would defiantly recommend it

[tomd999]

Hiya,

I use 7x57 and 6.5x55 sporterized Mausers. Both outstanding for taking deer and carrying all day in all kinds of brush. Check out your local gunstore or gunsmith, you can normally find sporterized bolt action military mausers there on the cheap that will be just the ticket for deer.
The US Springfields and 1917 Enfields are getting pricey but the British Enfields can still be had for resonable cash but these are 30 caliber full power rounds and a lot more punishing to shoot. If you don't mind the recoil, the Yugo K98 Mauser in 8x57 is outstanding, a bit much for deer up close but if your out west and making those 150-200 yd shots, the 8mm will reach out there.

My 2 cents,

Tom

[Lou66]

My wife uses a 243,, her rifle of choice,, she has had many over the years and still have several different cal. in the gun save.. but when she goes hunting for anything other than birds.. she takes the 243..Lou

[whistlepig]

I have a Kimber Model 84 Classic .223 caliber. I had to save quite a while to get one. I have owned a lot of guns.This is the sweetest rifle that I have ever had in my hands. And it is a true Mauser bolt action.

Kimber America | Classic

[RAYJAY]

my wife also uses a 243 ruger m77 compact i use a 270 m77 not a very heavy gun also had the 30-06 never did like that gun

Ruger® M77® Hawkeye® Laminate Compact Bolt-Action Rifle Models