Junior sized Rifle for my girlfriend

[MossRoad]

My rifle is a 30-6 and it's way too much for her. Funny thing is when I was younger, I thought it had a lot of kick to it, then I bought the .338 win mag and after shooting that all summer getting ready for a hunt, I never thought there was any kick to the 30-06 anymore.

In reality, this is probably just a stepping stone rifle. Something to build her confidence and skill with. Then I'm thinking she might want something bigger if and when we go on a hunt out of state or another country. I hadn't thought about the .308, but it's probably a better round then the 7mm-08 just because of the size of bullets available. I doubt there is any significant difference between what it will do to a hog or deer compared to each other.

The 243 should do the job with very low recoil. I just hate that it might be a bit light on really large hogs. I've shot plenty here that where over 300 pounds, and a 300 pound hog isn't something I want to go track down in the thick jungle.

I will look into restocking the rifle too. If she decides she wants a bigger caliber, it would be easy to stick with the same model rifle and just swap stocks.

Do any of you go to a good forum that talks about different brands of rifles or has an honest review of them?

Eddie

If you think the .30-06 is too much, the 700 is available chambered for a whole bunch of different rounds, even the one's you're leaning towards.

There's just too many choices. :confused2:

 

[RobertN]

The truck analogy is good. for most part the current crop of trucks is good across brands. Just depends on personal preferences. Rifles are about the same in the main brands.

I would be careful of the entry level combos. Personally I go go with the mid to high line models.

 

[rbstern]

Savage makes a variation of it's Model 11 called the "Hog Hunter." It comes in 223 Rem or 308 Win. Not sure of the length of pull. What I liked about it is the modest weight (7lbs), modest barrel length (20"), and that it comes with iron sights and the Accutrigger. Lot of rifle for the money (street price seems to be between $450 and $500).

 

[EddieWalker]

Keep in mind the glass you put on top of the rifle is easily as expensive as a rifle. Out of state or country trip, you want good glass. Remember that in the project budget.

I'm a big fan of quality optics. My binoculars are Swarvoski 10x50s. I have a Swarvoski scope on my .338 win mag and a Zeiss on my 30-06. I'll probably start Karen off with a Nikon scope, but that's secondary for right now. Mostly I'm just hoping to find her a decent rifle in a caliber that she can handle and not develop any bad habits like flinching.

Eddie

 

[creekbend]

I'm a big fan of quality optics. My binoculars are Swarvoski 10x50s. I have a Swarvoski scope on my .338 win mag and a Zeiss on my 30-06. I'll probably start Karen off with a Nikon scope, but that's secondary for right now. Mostly I'm just hoping to find her a decent rifle in a caliber that she can handle and not develop any bad habits like flinching.

Eddie

IMHO, Swarvoski and Zeiss are the Premier Optics. I know that they are very Expensive. If I were younger and rich, I would definitely use either for Big Horn Sheep. Nikon, Redfield, and B&L are more in my league. Best wishes in acquiring the correct gun for your Lady.

 

[gsganzer]

Eddie,
I know you and I have talked about this via PM.

I'm leaning this way. A standard rifle in .308 Take it to a gunsmith and shorten the stock to fit her. Then see how it feels. It it's not balanced or still too heavy, you can then have the gunsmith take 2 inches off the barrel. The problem with the compacts is they can have really short barrels, which completely changes the ballistics. You can buy some really light .308 loads and still use full power for other game or as she gets used to it.

Felt recoil can also be impacted by stock shape. Stocks with less drop seem to have more manageable recoil and less muzzle rise. I've come to like the Ruger hawkeyes.

 

[medic1050]

Take her to a range and let her try some. The truck analogy has been made. You really do need her input, what feels good is likely what she'll shoot well.

I like Savages, they have a proven track record of very good right out of the box accuracy. I would much rather spend more money on the optics than the rifle. I like the 308 as an entry large bore calibre. It has good down range energy and less recoil than a 270 Win. Heavier guns produce less felt recoil as it takes more energy to actually move the weapon system rearwards. A good recoil pad eats that up. Another option to the stock mounted pad is the worn pad where the shooter wears the pad. PAST make one for women that slips under the bra strap and is worn under a shirt where it is unnoticeable. They are available all over the place this is just one source. Alot of shooting jackets have a pocket in the shoulder to accommodate a similar pad, so it is not just for women.

Finally someone mentioned semis absorbing recoil, ,this is indeed true at the cost of extra weight for the components. Get Karen shooting with a .22 to develop the mechanics and fundamentals, without developing a flinch. Then increase the calibre and repeat. If it hurts stop shooting. Developing a flinch will undo many hours of effective practice. Dry fire practice helps to avoid flinches as does randomly loading either an empty case or a dummy round in a magazine while shooting a string. You really notice flaws in your technique that way. Either way you get the best results by spending time putting rounds downrange.

 

[Deerherd]

Browning makes a real nice youth/ladies gun, the X-bolt micro Midas. It has three features that new shooters really like and aid in safety. Top tang safety that you can easily visually check. A bolt that can be cycled with the safety on and a magazine that makes loading/unloading a snap. Comes in .243, 7mm-08 and .308. Would pick one of the first two calibers, the .308 barks pretty good in that gun.

It is a bit more expensive ($700 street price) than some but if it's a good girlfriend......

 

[charlz]

My son shoots a Remington Youth 700 in 7mm-08. Comes with shims to fine tune the Length of Pull or put it to a 'full size' LOP. The barrel is a little shorter but I was told for the 7mm-08 it is not a hindrance. I choose the caliber based on ballistics, looking for a flat-shooting high impact round. IIRC ballistic wise it is very close to the .308 (the caliber it is based on) but with a lighter bullet and less recoil. Obviously less impact at range as well but it is fast and does just as much damage as my .06 to mule deer.

 

[RobertN]

Something not mentioned; I saw a couple nice Browning BLR's at the gun show Saturday. I like the old Savage 99 lever guns, because it is a lever gun and uses pointy bullets(ie flatter shooting longer range). The BLR does so too. A nice lever action in 243, 308 etc would be a good combination.

The other one that has had my attention for a while, is a Remington pump(Winchester made similar?). That, in the 245, 7mm-08, 308 or similar would be an interesting combo.

Just to throw a kink in things My wife's favorite is her TC Hawken 50 cal muzzle loader... Although, she does not hunt.