x5. Vanguard S2 or Howa. Another calibre option is a 7x57
I personally wouldn't encourage shooting a moose with a 7.62x39.
Help me chose my GF’s first hunting rifle
- Thread starter Steyn
- Start date
x5. Vanguard S2 or Howa. Another calibre option is a 7x57
I personally wouldn't encourage shooting a moose with a 7.62x39.
I find the staff at P&D in edmonton very friendly and helpful. I suggest a visit there and try out the winchester xpr muddy girl in 7-08, weighs around 6.75 or a hair more before scope, length of pull 13", cost is 750. Gets great reviews, and is particularly accurate. I don't have one, just going by internet info. If that's too heavy for you, look at browning xbolt micro, also in 7-08, this one costs a few hundred more, but weighs closer to 6 lbs before scope. Recoil is mild with a limbsaver recoil pad. I had a tikka t3 in 270 and even with a limbsaver I found its' recoil was at the end of my comfort level. This micro is gentler to shoot than that t3 was. They have both XPR and xbolt micro in stock in 7-08. Of course, if you don't mind used and can find one, I really like the abolt micro. They usually go for around 600 give or take. Put a leupold 3-9 VX2 and lightweight scope mounts or some thing of similar weight and you'll have a very nice setup for a small person, weighing in around 7 lbs. And yes, I'm a big fan of the 7-08.
The t3 i reload for in 270 kicks harder than my savage 300wm. Stock design must fit her or itll feel worse than it is.
Its best to let her choose. Try taking her to the range im sure most ppl there will let her try their rifles
Its best to let her choose. Try taking her to the range im sure most ppl there will let her try their rifles
I would suggest a 6.5x55 or 7mm-08 in a Browning X-Bolt or Tikka T3X.
Both are light, handy, accurate and will handle deer to moose no problem.
P&D has these in stock:
#58047 Tikka T3X Lite Stainless 6.5x55, 6 lbs 9 oz, $1,015
#52660 Browning X-Bolt Cerakote Tactical 7mm-08, 6 lbs 5 oz, $1,210
Both are light, handy, accurate and will handle deer to moose no problem.
P&D has these in stock:
#58047 Tikka T3X Lite Stainless 6.5x55, 6 lbs 9 oz, $1,015
#52660 Browning X-Bolt Cerakote Tactical 7mm-08, 6 lbs 5 oz, $1,210
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nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have a T3 in 30-06. When I first shot it with the hockey puck it comes with, the recoil was stout. A limbsaver recoil pad really tamed it.
If I was the OP, that's the rifle I would get. Used from the EE, with or buy a limbsaver($50-60), in a caliber 25-06 thru 30-06. I see them all the time on the EE for 6-800. Might find one with optics for 《$1000.
If I was the OP, that's the rifle I would get. Used from the EE, with or buy a limbsaver($50-60), in a caliber 25-06 thru 30-06. I see them all the time on the EE for 6-800. Might find one with optics for 《$1000.
This would be my vote as well, T3, X-bolt or possibly an A-bolt III. Either one in 7-08 or 6.5x55 will do the trick on deer and won't kill her shoulder.
I don't know what the new T3x recoil pads are like, but I've found the browning inflex pads work great, much better than any stock pad I've used before.
x6 Vanguard.
Get her a 7-08 for the right combination of lightweight but still heavy enough not to rock her when she fires it, a caliber that is capable but not overly hard on the shooter, and a good gun for a good price.
I cant say I see vanguard and light in the same sentence very often lol
They're fine rifles, but a bit on the heavy side - Weatherby lists them at 7.5lbs without an optic. Add a scope, mounts, rings a sling and a few rounds of ammo and you'll go over 9lbs, or be darn close to it.
OP, what kind of hunting do you do? The vanguard would make a fine gun if you're stand hunting, but if you're on your feet looking for game it might be too heavy for her to carry all day. My gun weighs just over 8lbs and it's not a huge burden, but you definitely know it's there.
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Many women don't need smaller stocks, due to long arms and necks. The only way to know what fits her will be to hit up the gun store.
Well said, and fair enough. I may have misjudged how easy it is to carry my gun for someone small (though I'm really short for a guy). A 9 pound gun will make the recoil seem fine with a 7-08 and I think THAT'S what she'll care about most. Recoil and muzzle blast can take it from a fun gun that is a bit heavy to an unpleasant object she doesn't like using.
I say get a nice used one in 6.5x55
Classic caliber, does not kick... the factory hornady 140 sst will drop an elk like no ones business.
I picked up a sako av on here for 1200...
Have seen some really nice guns for under 1000.
I just sold a beauty Remington 700 6.5x55 on here a few weeks ago for under 1k... would have been perfect for her. Mind you it was a Remington but older.
Tikka is a pretty safe bet but I don't like how it's not easy to throw a round in the chamber.
Classic caliber, does not kick... the factory hornady 140 sst will drop an elk like no ones business.
I picked up a sako av on here for 1200...
Have seen some really nice guns for under 1000.
I just sold a beauty Remington 700 6.5x55 on here a few weeks ago for under 1k... would have been perfect for her. Mind you it was a Remington but older.
Tikka is a pretty safe bet but I don't like how it's not easy to throw a round in the chamber.
But she can already shoot a Sako a7 in 270. Now if that's her max then going lower in recoil is not a bad idea but a 7mm08 vanguard is likely doing that twice, once from the lighter recoiling cartridge and again from the heavier rifle (I'm assuming the vanguard weighs more, its on the heavy side so I feel like that's a fair assumption.) Personally I would suggest something a bit lighter (doesn't need to be a Kimber or anything) unless she'll only be stand hunting.
x7 Vanguard
Honestly I believe they are the best value in hunting rifles out there..particularly in stainless.. as others have suggested 7-08 would be a fine choice.
In fact the Weatherby Vanguard synthetic compact or Camilla (which will likely fit your smaller wife better than a full size rifle) weigh in at only 6.5 pounds if you check the numbers on the Weatherby website. With mounts, rings and glass you will be no more than 8 pounds if you select components wisely and that will be fine to carry around and recoil on a good caliber for your wife will be just fine.
Check them out!
Would you consider something vintage in a BAR .243..?
Fits my 5'3" wife very well indeed. Recoil a non-issue...
View attachment 171413
Fits my 5'3" wife very well indeed. Recoil a non-issue...
View attachment 171413
rifleman762
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I did the same. I shortened the barrel and stock and put a Limbsaver recoil pad on it. A Bushnell Elite 3-9x40 scope and you're set for anything this side of a grizzly bear. I was loading 129gr SST bullets for deer but I just started working up a 140gr Accubond load for elk and black bear. The AB would also take out a moose with no problems, even through the shoulder.
In fact, it's so nice to shoot that I'm tempted to buy another one for myself!
If you just want a buy it and shoot it gun I would go with a Tikka T3 in .25-06 or 6.5x55. 25-06 ammo is readily available in 120gr, which should be sufficient for moose with a rear lung shot. 6.5x55 is less available and is at its best handloaded. That said, any well-stocked outdoor store will have a selection. Your local Walmart or gas station may not.
I checked out the XPRs at P&D and I just prefer the feel of the Tikka. XPR is made in Japan by Browning (so I've been told) so I'm sure the quality is perfectly good. Both the Tikka and Winnie use single stack polymer mags which is really nice for carrying a spare in your pocket. Keep in mind that spare Tikka mags cost $75 and Winchester are $26...
So a sporterized Mauser, Tikka T3, or Winchester XPR in a non-magnum .25, 6.5, or 7mm caliber. Any one will serve you well.
