Choice for a lady hunter in BC?

If you are a reloader and can custom roll some reduced 308 rounds...then perhaps a lightweight 308. If you dont reload then go with a lightweight 7-08.

Given that i am a reloader, personally i would chose a 308, simply because the bore has a greater range of projectile size. Get her shooting low recoil loads and mix in the occasional full power load. Realize of course, that no one really feels recoil, shooting at game, only shooting at paper.
 
Have any if you guys actually shot any of the compact rifles? The little things kick pretty hard. Just shot a youth axis in 243 and even it kicks pretty hard.
Bought a 7-08 remington youth and it was also a hard kicker and really snappy. First time I shot that one the forend jumped out of my hand. Turned that one into a 250 savage in a McMillan compact stock with a #2 bbl. With midrange 100g loads it is a pussy cat.

I'd get one of the smaller calibers and down load it if necessary.
 
When my son was 10 he started competing with a little 308 I made him. It was loaded with 125 gr bullets and recoil was minimal, so you could start her there and work up to heavier loads.

But my choice would be a 260Rem. It has less recoil than a 308, shoots flatter to a longer range, and has lots of good bullet choices.
 
Republic of Alberta said:
Have any if you guys actually shot any of the compact rifles? The little things kick pretty hard. Just shot a youth axis in 243 and even it kicks pretty hard.
Bought a 7-08 remington youth and it was also a hard kicker and really snappy. First time I shot that one the forend jumped out of my hand. Turned that one into a 250 savage in a McMillan compact stock with a #2 bbl. With midrange 100g loads it is a pussy cat.

I'd get one of the smaller calibers and down load it if necessary.
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I have a Win model 70 featherlight in 243, I shot it as a kid and it was not nice at all, I still have it and it still kicks, worse than my styer scout (308) which is also a light rifle. I can only guess but corners must be getting cut on price point rifles for them to recoil more in a smaller caliber when weights between the two are very close.
 
My two cents worth...

The quality of ammo available today, IMHO, eliminates the need for heavy for caliber bullets...unless, of course, one is going after dangerous game, or the possibility of unintentionally running into such critters is a factor.

If one sticks with bonded or monolithic, one can use somewhat lighter bullets. And this is relevant because lighter grain bullets produce less recoil. The difference in perceived kick between a 180 gr and 150 gr in .308 caliber can be surprising.

For the lady, I'd suggest the 7mm-08 is just about ideal. For any kind of deer out there, something like Fusion 120s is perfect! And if elk is on the menu, a step up to the 140s will work fine on them. Main thing is bonded or mono on game bigger than deer.

If you Google up any recoil calculator and play with it a tad, you'll quickly learn just how significantly the weight of the bullet affects recoil.
 
I tried a Buddy's Ruger American Compact in 7mm-08 and found it a very pleasant rifle to shoot. I liked the rifle it so much I ended up buying a Ruger American All Weather Compact in 223 which I received today, however I would not have bought the same rifle in 308, because the recoil would have been substantial in such a light rifle and if I was to buy one in a larger caliber I would either buy it in 7mm-08 or wait to buy the Ruger American Predator in 308, since the Predator has a medium weight barrel and is heavier then the the compact i.e 6.25 compare to 5.75 lbs. I normally shoot my Sako Black Bear in 308 which weighs just under 7lbs without a scope.
 
If it was just deer and sheep I'd say a .243 or a 6.5 Swede for small framed shooters. I suppose they'll do for moose if shot placement and range is good...

You could also go with a heavier caliber but with a muzzle brake to reduce recoil (but it'll blow yer nose/ears though) :)
 
7x57mm the orginal 7mm is loved by many. From the great elephant hunter Bell to first ladies of the white house. With 140gr accubond at 2750 I can shoot any thing but dangerous game. With 120gr sierras at 3000 vamint are the thing and 175gr round nose will take black bear. Crag bottington list it as a must have.
 
I have a Savage Lightweight Hunter in 6.5/284 Norma. Love it. For the lady, to make it more pleasant, go for the lighter rounds. .243, 260 Rem and my favorite, because I have it in a Target Rifle that shoots amazing, is the 6.5 Creedmoor. I actually was looking for a Creedmoor and couldn't find one but stumbled on a 6.5/284 as the model is being discontinued and Cabelas had them for 200 bucks off....

I would suggest a lighter weight gun as you'll fire it once or twice but you hump it all day. If you hump a standard 7.5 pd rifle plus scope and ammo, imagine a small person humping that gun. The legth itself would drive you crazy if you were carrying a 30 inch barrel hunting. The Lightweight hunter shoots well, the triggers awesome, it's light and the smaller calibres make it easy shooting.
 
My son bought his significant other a Win featherweight carbine in 308, she has virtually the same frame as the lady you describe. She loves it and he loads 150 gn bullets to about 2700 fps for minimal recoil and she shoots it just fine including prone. So far she has taken 2 black bears and a grizzly with it and is out hunting caribou next weekend. He was looking for a 7-08 when he got the 308 as no 7-08s were available at the time. Either work just fine as far as I'm concerned..........and can be loaded to whatever recoil level is comfortable for the shooter.
The Win Ftrwt is a fine rifle and choice, hers shoots 3 into well under an inch using 150gn Nosler Solid Base bullets, and lately Nosler Hunting BT and RL 15. Really is a sweet little package.............
 
Superbrad said:
OP wants the rifle to be good for elk and moose.... I personally wouldn't suggest a light bullet for that application.....
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Again, what is light ? 100gr?

A 140gr bullet from a 7/08 will go right through a moose, especially if you choose a premium bullet. So many moose and elk have been dropped with 130-150 gr bullets it doesn't make sense that you need a really heavy bullet, especially not in this age of mono or bonded bullets.
 
Wow, great responses thanks, The plan is to try and weed down our lists of options. Carrying weight and dimensions are going to be an issue for her. Also her left hand is somewhat weak, even holding a 2 pound bb gun she shakes like a leaf in the wind. Yes she will shoot with stix or a pod in the field but lighter front end will help her tremendously. Yes over time she will gain better form and be able to hold on target better but given its a rifle for now and not 5 years from now we need to find something she can hold and will fit her dimensions. I will likely start her off on some factory reduced recoil Remington rounds and then start loading for her after a few boxes and trips to the range/field.
I like the idea of loading her reduced recoil in a 308 and as a budding reloader it also gives me something to do as well as her feel like she has some control over whats happening.
I think if we look at optimal shot conditions we would like to be able to deliver 1400 pounds of energy at 400 yards that will giver her more than she will be able to safely and ethically shoot for years to come. When we start loading hunting rounds they will be geared to deliver 1400 pounds of energy at the max distance we feel she can shoot in order to keep the recoil down to as low as possible while giving her the range she can shoot and the energy to put down what we are after. We are planning on hunting for a single type of animal until she has taken it so we can be more specific on energy if need by but 1400 pounds should be plenty with a good shot within her range.

As for 7mm08 or 308 my only reason for 308 is well I guess I don't have one, but I do like the availability of 308 shells more than 7mm08. I did a quick look at a lot of 7m08 stuff is on backorder. 308 is just more common.
 
Gatehouse said:
Again, what is light ? 100gr?

A 140gr bullet from a 7/08 will go right through a moose, especially if you choose a premium bullet. So many moose and elk have been dropped with 130-150 gr bullets it doesn't make sense that you need a really heavy bullet, especially not in this age of mono or bonded bullets.
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Yes.... 100GR is light for sure..... I would consider 150GR a decent size bullet for moose and elk..... My point is, if you are getting up to 150 gr the recoil difference between .308 and 7mm-08 is negligible.... Also, since OP is concerned about ammo availability, .308 is likely a better choice for his needs.....

That being said, I was the first to suggest the 7mm-08 and still think it is a good choice... I am just saying that if bullets in the 140-150 gr scale are going to be used, do not expect a big drop in recoil in 7mm vs 308......
 
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