Deer rifle for woman
Any suggestions on a "deer rifle" for a woman (5'2", 120 lbs). Majority of hunting done from deer stand with shots ranging up to about 250yrds. Recoil and weight are considerations. Thanks
V. Jeffrey Doremus
V. Jeffrey Doremus
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My wife uses a NEF Handi-Rifle in 243. Works great for her. It is fairly hefty, but that tames what little recoil there is in the 243. Aside from the NEF, I also have a Remington mdl 7 youth in
7mm-08 that works well, she just likes the handi better. Either one is fine, but with the handi you do have the option of re-barrelling with another caliber if your wife decides she wants to plink or hunt with something more powerful.0 -
Women seem to like the 6mm/.243. There's generally going to be a big trade-off between weight and recoil. She can pack the pounds out to the tree stand, or she can take the recoil. A good recoil pad will help tame it, but won't eliminate it.
If she could handle the recoil, a T/C Encore is nice and compact, and fairly light. I've had really good luck with a Savage 99 in .243, but it's not the lightest package out there.
You might also consider an A-bolt or a BAR with the BOSS system. The muzzle brake makes my 30-06 BAR a ice creamcat, but it's not very light, and the noise will ring your ears when you take down a deer.0 -
Here's another vote for the .243...my wife on the other hand, enjoys big calibers. She's fired a .50 BMG and my Desert Eagle .50 AE...not to mention many others.[:)]
Eric
All American Arms Company
www.galleryofguns.com
VIP Code: AAAC
Veteran Owned and Operated0 -
I'll raise my glass to a good bolt-action in .243. 
Proud card-carrying member of the Wolf Ammo Anti-Defamation League
"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long..."0 -
6.5x55swede or 7mm-08 in a compact bolt action package. Maybe a Rem Model 7. That way if you ever decide to head out to other places and game she will have a caliber that is more versatile then the 243 is with such a limited heavy bullet selection. Normally the swede will fire a 120g or 125g for most deer, but can step up to a 140g or 160g for elk or bear. The 7mm-08 uses 140g for standard deer but goes all the way to 175g if needed. 260rem and 7x57mauser are also considerations of course. 0 -
.308 is great for people of small size . my first rifle was a .270 . so that could be taken into consideration also . i like the .308 over the 7mm/08 . no flames intended . i just always liked to .270 better and if you want light recoil in a shortaction the .308 can do it just as good or better with cheap ammo availible .
again no flames intended0 -
I agree with iluvguns. My wife took her first deer this year with a Handi rifle in .243. She was scared of the recoil at the range but, never felt it when she took her 4 point. Not heavy and very simple. I was a little nervous about her "heat of the moment" response, that's why we went with the single shotbut, when the moment came, the first thing she did was remember to reload.
But, I digress, go with it........
Phil0 -
Ever thought about a rifle in .260 Remington? Just ask Sarah(Miss GHD) what a girl and then a young woman ought to shoot!!! Aside from that, the .260 offers a very happy medium in felt recoil plus long range capability!!! Accuracy seems to be inherent and ease of loading for it just adds to the enjoyment! .243's are a great little number!!! I don't have a problem with them either but for a little more "umph" without getting "killed on both ends" the .260 fits right in! I've shot the 7-08 and .308's in Model 7's and loaded a bit stiff or with the factory "hotties" could be a little on the stiff side for small frames!! (Now I'm in for a ration from the 7 and 30 caliber guys!!) GHD 0 -
I would also opt for the 7-08, probably a model 7. My wife is very small also and she has no problem. I started her shooting an A-Bolt in 243, a real ice creamcat, to get her used to the noise & feel and get started in a flinch free manner. After a couple of days I put her on the 7-08 and she hardly noticed the difference. I would also have no problem with the 260, a good cartridge. Both are so much more versatile than the 243 and give a new shooter a greater margin for error. I lean to more experienced shooters to use the 243 on deer. My 2cents 0 -
Here is another vote for the .308 win. I am a firm believer in the common things. Just think if you forgot your ammo at home on a hunting trip. It would be a lot easier to find 308 than 7-08 or 260. Depending on the area you may be ok with the 243. I know where I hunt .308, 30-06, and .270 is about all the store stocks. 0 -
Dont leave out the 25-06 in a trusty browning A bolt
JBoss......Fear No Fish/peace through superior firepower/The gun manufacturers are not making a dangerous product.
Bad parents are.0 -
My ten year old cousin has killed three deer this season with a remington 700 .270. You are knuckle-dragging ape with a gun.0 -
One vote for the 250 Savage. A good starter cartridge. Will kill without pounding one. Don't know if this is two cents, but is my contibution. GW 0
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