Deer Rifle Selection for Daughter

[Pepe-lepew]

If she is an accomplished marksman, the 30-06 will likely work just fine. Mitigating some recoil is much easier if you already know how to maintain the sights, pull the trigger and follow through. There is also plenty of options of medium loaded factory hunting ammunition.

 

[Old Dog]

Of your choices, I'd say none -- buy her a new one (especially for a smaller-statured female).

My 5'4" daughter loves the Winchester Featherweight Classic in .243...

 

[roseburger]

New gun, because we always need new guns.

 

[kmk1012]

The two of us should be able to go out tomorrow. I'm not opposed to a new rifle but would like to see how dedicated she will be to hunting. The safe is already crowded but there's always room for one more.

 

[roseburger]

The two of us should be able to go out tomorrow. I'm not opposed to a new rifle but would like to see how dedicated she will be to hunting. The safe is already crowded but there's always room for one more.

I'm game, but I'm partial to steak.

 

[Quirt Evans]

Several responses have already said what is perhaps a top consideration, the .243.
Easy availability of ammo, a large choice of actions/types/makes/models.
It's a caliber that'll never go out of style, doesn't beat the shooter up, and rifles chambered in it can be light enough to carry all day.
Although, in the thick timber where ranges are short, a lightweight carbine in .44Mag is hard to beat.

 

[kmk1012]

Several responses have already said what is perhaps a top consideration, the .243.
Easy availability of ammo, a large choice of actions/types/makes/models.
It's a caliber that'll never go out of style, doesn't beat the shooter up, and rifles chambered in it can be light enough to carry all day.
Although, in the thick timber where ranges are short, a lightweight carbine in .44Mag is hard to beat.

I have a 44Mag lever gun but thought about its limitations if a longer shot were to present itself. I grabbed a box of 150gr 30-06 shells today and I'm sure she will shoot it just fine. She really enjoys the recoil of both the 50 Beowulf's in the safes so the ol' 06 shouldn't be an issue at all.

 

[Local Loader]

I'd have to say to go with a 308, 30-06 or 300WM in a Browning X-bolt with an omni-break as they have very little recoil even when using heavier bullets. Wife is 5 foot and she can use the 300WM X-bolt that we have and hits the target each time. It's not real heavy either so weight of the gun isn't bad. If you decide to go the new gun route.

 

[kmk1012]

I had a spare Burris scope I'm mounting on the M77 (30-06) for tomorrow, hoping that will do the trick. It has some scuffs already and the length of pull suits her quite well. If none of them are suitable for her I'll head into town tomorrow or Wednesday and see what Colt has in 243win. I could use something on that caliber for longer range predator and varmint hunting down the road. I just was hoping to avoid another caliber, then I'd be obligated to get dies, brass, and bullets to stock up.

 

[Tlock]

I had a spare Burris scope I'm mounting on the M77 (30-06) for tomorrow, hoping that will do the trick. It has some scuffs already and the length of pull suits her quite well. If none of them are suitable for her I'll head into town tomorrow or Wednesday and see what Colt has in 243win. I could use something on that caliber for longer range predator and varmint hunting down the road. I just was hoping to avoid another caliber, then I'd be obligated to get dies, brass, and bullets to stock up.

How do you live in pnw and not own a 243???

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I don't own a .243....
'Course...I wouldn't be adverse to owning one....even if it is one of those new fangled breech loading guns..
That won't never catch on....
Andy

 

[ma96782]

Is the shot anticipated to be a long-range or short-range one? Open or forested area?

I figure......some calibers and rifles that you mentioned will fit the bill. But it depends.

Aloha, Mark

 

[kmk1012]

Is the shot anticipated to be a long-range or short-range one? Open or forested area?

I figure......some calibers and rifles that you mentioned will fit the bill. But it depends.

Aloha, Mark

The answer to your questions is…..Yes. The property has all of those scenarios, heavy woods adjacent to open farm fields. If it was only brush I'd be leaning towards one of my lever guns in 30-30, 357, or 44 mag. But, a lot of times they are a couple hundred yards out in the fields so the Ruger 06 with this Burris 3x9 should perform well. That rifle weighs quite a bit less than the Anschutz rifle she competed with so that shouldn't be a worry.

 

[kmk1012]

How do you live in pnw and not own a 243???

To be honest, I've never been a hunter until recent years. I've always leaned towards sub caliber target type guns but now realize I have some gaps to fill in the collection.

 

[Mark W.]

Just a side comment here i had let out a chuckle when it was brought up about how a 243 is or can be a lighter rifle to pack around.

Boy does that depend on the .243. Mine is a Savage model 12 VLP DBM 26" fluted barrel with a Mueller 4-16x scope that weighs in at just under 14lbs. But Coyotes at 500yards is nothing if I'm on a good rest
For deer hunting maybe off someone's back porch across tge pond kind of thing but humping the woods or sage brush NOT THIS OLD MAN LOL

 

[orygun]

Buy her a 260, or 6.5 creedmore, or a 7-08 and she will have a rifle for life

My wife shoots a 7mm-08, but her first gun is/was a 243. It's a good deer cartridge, but the 7mm-08 is a much better deer/elk cartridge. Yeah, I know the 243 will work and in Oregon is the bare minimum for elk, but if you're going to buy a gun, buy one that offers more than "minimum".
I'm not a 6.5 Creed fan, but these days you can find Creed guns and ammo everywhere.
If the recoil isn't an issue, use the '06. She won't have an issue with power or range.

 

[orygun]

How do you live in pnw and not own a 243???

The only reason for the 243 in the safe is that it came with the wife. It's a very good cartridge, but not one I ever found a need or a want for. (I think the same about the 308) If you have and shoot a 30-06 well, there's a lot of cartridges you can easily overlook.

 

[Tlock]

The only reason for the 243 in the safe is that it came with the wife. It's a very good cartridge, but not one I ever found a need or a want for. (I think the same about the 308) If you have and shoot a 30-06 well, there's a lot of cartridges you can easily overlook.

I should rephrase my initial statement.....how does someone have kids and a wife and not own a 243. My wife came with one too, my older boys took there first deer with the 243.

My wife shoots a 7mm-08, but her first gun is/was a 243. It's a good deer cartridge, but the 7mm-08 is a much better deer/elk cartridge. Yeah, I know the 243 will work and in Oregon is the bare minimum for elk, but if you're going to buy a gun, buy one that offers more than "minimum".
I'm not a 6.5 Creed fan, but these days you can find Creed guns and ammo everywhere.
If the recoil isn't an issue, use the '06. She won't have an issue with power or recoil

No bleedmores in my house and I will not hunt elk with a 243. 270 is the smallest ill use.

 

[orygun]

I should rephrase my initial statement.....how does someone have kids and a wife and not own a 243. My wife came with one too, my older boys took there first deer with the 243.

257 Roberts, that's how!

 

[Tlock]

257 Roberts, that's how!

Another caliber i missed out on.....im ashamed of myself