What rifle for moose for a small framed shooter

Fox

Fox

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I am curious as to what thoughts people have for a moose rifle with a small shooter.

My fiancee is getting into hunting now and we are looking for a rifle for her.

The problem is that she is only 5'1" and cannot handle a full weight rifle. That being said she cannot handle heavy recoil in a 6lb gun.

Anyone have thoughts on options for a moose caliber that does not have a pile of recoil in a lighter gun?

I have a 6.5x55mm mauser, which I would use for calves in Ontario, we are considering another one of these but not sure.

We would be hunting in Ontario and we can consider the range not to be long.

Thanks
 
My wife is small and uses a 7-08. Moose are not real hard to kill and if you use a good bullet the 7-08 or 6.5 swede would be fine ( they've been killing moose with them in Swede for a long time.)
 
Model 7 Remington , Savage youth models , etc...................

.260 , 7-08 , 6.5 x 55 .257 Roberts, and such.

I would lean towards a 7-08 loaded with 140gr bonded or partition loaded to 2500-2600 ft/sec.
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
Model 7 Remington , Savage youth models , etc...................

.260 , 7-08 , 6.5 x 55 .257 Roberts, and such.

I would lean towards a 7-08 loaded with 140gr bonded or partition loaded to 2500-2600 ft/sec.
Click to expand...

Your load for the 7-08 sounds like a 6.5x55mm load, ha ha.

I will be reloading for mine, so I thought 160gr 6.5x55mm should work out well but wanted to ask.
 
What about the old tried and true 30/30 or 35 remington? Both proven moose calibers(especialy at short range) and are fairly easy on the shoulder.
 
There are some youth model .308's out there with brakes on them...might want to look at one of them.
 
I got my wife a 7-08 in a Marlin youth stock set up. It fits her great with ths shorter LOP and I used it in later winter when I wear bulkier winter gear. 6.5x55 would also work great.
 
Surprisingly, a 30-30 winchester 94 with open sights, 170 grain bullets and a steel butt plate has more kick than you'd expect. For me a bit more of a punch in the face. I shot my first deer with one, and admittedly, didn't notice the recoil. But it only weighs 6 lbs, so you're going to feel something. On paper the 30-30 kicks like a 243, but not to me.
Since you already have a 6.5x55, I'd stick with that. Makes everything simple ammo-wise and it's proven for moose.
 
30-30 has enough kick, especially for a small shooter. Another thing I'll point out, as I've helped a handfull of ladies get into shooting: they tend to prefer a simpler firearm. Every one I've seen would much rather shoot a tack driving bolt action with ridiculously low recoil than any lever, semi, etc. I would recommend a tikka t3 light, 7-08, shortened barrel, muzzlebrake, and good electronic muffs. Just my $.02.
 
I would highly recommend a Ruger Compact in. 260 (my favorite), or 7mm-08. I have one that my son uses and it would be perfect for your fiancee.
 
One of the most famous "gunnutz" of all time, Jack O'Connor, chose the classic 7 x 57 for his wife Eleanor to shoot.Her exploits with this caliber in North America and other countries are legend.If you research the Husqvarna model 4000 you will see that at 6.5 pounds, 20 3/4 inch barrel, slim forestock and pistol grip it might be "the one".
If this interests you, shoot me a PM.
 
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One of them jimmy dandy high quality savage axis .

I would get something w short length of pull . I haven't seen a woman yet that looks kinda goofy and uncomfotable with a standard length rifle .

Ps I WAD KIDDING ABOUT THAT AXIS . AVOID !
 
Fox said:
Your load for the 7-08 sounds like a 6.5x55mm load, ha ha.

I will be reloading for mine, so I thought 160gr 6.5x55mm should work out well but wanted to ask.
Click to expand...

Actually it sounds like an anemic American loading for 6.5x55.
Older Norma and Lapua 140gr loadings were a little over 2850fps and around 2650fps for 160gr bullets. These loads however have been curbed by the lawyers due to the existence of old Craig-Jorgenson rifles which are not nearly as strong a as mauser or modern action. The same is also true when looking at reloading data, just compare with the 260Rem which is really a 6.5-08.

The 7mm-08 loaded with 140gr bullets should push them to about 2875fps and about 2658 for 160gr bullets.

Yes they can be loaded to near same specs with the edge going to the 7-08 as its slightly larger bore offers a more gentle pressure spike and its widely published reloading data which does not require one to step into the unknown. The 6.5x55 has a larger case capacity that can be used for those brave enough with newer actions and slower powders. The 6.5 offers better BC's from the bullets than the 7-08 has but the 7-08 offers more widely available commercial ammunition, new rifles, and it also has a little heavier bullet selection for hand loading. The heavier bullets are really better suited to the magnum 7mm cartridges however.
For me, I would use a 140gr Barnes TTSX or Trophy bonded Bear claw from a top loaded 6.5x55.....because I already own a Win M70 in 6.5x55. But the same bullet in a 7mm-08 at appropriate distances would also work if I had one.

For myself I would want a 30-06spg if I were looking for a new gun but I understand the wife of the OP has a different situation than my own.
 
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tylerjwitty said:
One of them jimmy dandy high quality savage axis .

I would get something w short length of pull . I haven't seen a woman yet that looks kinda goofy and uncomfotable with a standard length rifle .

Ps I WAD KIDDING ABOUT THAT AXIS . AVOID !
Click to expand...

What's wrong with a savage axis? While they are not a fancy looking rifle and they have little asthetic imperfections, the accuracy from them out of box is better than average in comparison to other entry level rifles and still average compared to better more expensive rifles.
 
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