I am new to firearms and have a caliber question

When I hunt deer I bring out my 25-06. My fiancee loves it too. It was her first hunting rifle. Even her sister shoots it and she is tiny. Great starter rifle for anything upto small moose.
 
When I was 13 or 14, my Father bought me a Mod 70 featherweight in 30.06. We purchased or loaded light loads of 140 and 150 grain because I was a small skinny kid who didn't weigh much. His Idea was to find a load that shoots well for me without taking my shoulder off, yet be a good enough rifle that I can use as an adult with rounds that pack more of a punch.

He never had to buy me another rifle and i still have it and use it today. It has taken a mountain of deer and a truckload of moose.

My point is: if you find the right gun, one size does fit all.
 
JMHO but I do have 2 243s and as far as a rifle for the wife or kids a 708.206, or 7x57 will do a much better job still within mild recoil. Game deserves more than minimum we all strive for a clean kill.
 
That all depends on the woman. Took a tiny girl out shooting a couple of weeks ago. She weighs less than 100 lbs. She really liked my 338 Lapua. Couldnt get her off the thing.
 
punkrockboy said:
I get so tired of hearing this. Here in Ontario it, is perfectly legal to hunt deer with a 223. Believe me, it makes no difference to a deer whether the hole in it's heart and lungs is 22 cal or 30.
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How many deer have you shot with .223? :confused: A dozen? I hope this opinion has a basis at least a dozen deep. Suggesting somebody brand new to hunting go out and chase deer with a beyond marginal chambering is not good hunting advice in any camp. Even the slightest bit marginal on the shot and that deer's off to die a very long, suffering death. Get the right tool for the job, .223 sure isn't it. Yes, it'll kill them, but it's not a good place to draw the line. It's also quite rightfully illegal in many provinces for big game (not BC, notably).
 
Ardent said:
How many deer have you shot with .223? :confused: A dozen? I hope this opinion has a basis at least a dozen deep. Suggesting somebody brand new to hunting go out and chase deer with a beyond marginal chambering is not good hunting advice in any camp. Even the slightest bit marginal on the shot and that deer's off to die a very long, suffering death. Get the right tool for the job, .223 sure isn't it. Yes, it'll kill them, but it's not a good place to draw the line. It's also quite rightfully illegal in many provinces for big game (not BC, notably).
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To answer your earlier question... no... our deer are no different.... unfortunately some feel that because something is legal that it is also intelligent....
 
Enfield303 said:
That all depends on the woman. Took a tiny girl out shooting a couple of weeks ago. She weighs less than 100 lbs. She really liked my 338 Lapua. Couldnt get her off the thing.
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That being said, I have heard of Inuit hunters that have made clean kills on moose with a .223 it all depends on how skilled the shooter is. Better to use something to big than too small. Especially if your not very experienced. Too many horror stories of people who think they have a magical ability to kill large animals with very small bullets, only to wound the animal and loose it in the bush.

Besides where I live it is illegal.
 
I can't tell if the OP's wife actually tried the 30-06 and had problems with it.

I was very seriously looking into getting a rifle in 7.62x39 for my wife, but one trip to the range with one of my 30-06's and she was hooked on it. Her "first time shooter", sub 2" groups at 100 yards were just fine with me too. She's a fairly small lady too.

I'd only buy a smaller rifle if the OP's wife can't handle the 30-06 as is, and no light handloads can be found.
 
Try Managed Recoil in Remington 30-06 125 grain and a shoulder pad, this will get her use to the recoil than work up to 150 grain, Many moose in NL were taken with 150gr 30-06 I am sure it's more than enough for deer.
 
Enfield303 said:
That being said, I have heard of Inuit hunters that have made clean kills on moose with a .223 it all depends on how skilled the shooter is. Better to use something to big than too small. Especially if your not very experienced. Too many horror stories of people who think they have a magical ability to kill large animals with very small bullets, only to wound the animal and loose it in the bush.

Besides where I live it is illegal.
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As far as I know there are no minimum modern rifle cartridge/caliber requirements in Manitoba provided that rimfires are not used.

Any cartridge regardless of caliber can be loaded to low recoil levels, look at the mild factory .45/70 loads for instance. My wife's rifle is a .30/06, it fits here and she shoots enough not be be concerned by the recoil boogyman and that rifle doesn't produce the objectionable muzzle blast that a small bore can.
 
Consider getting your wife a Benelli Argo R1 semi in 30-06.

The one I had in 300 win mag felt like a mild .270 and my wife loved shooting it.
 
Boomer said:
As far as I know there are no minimum modern rifle cartridge/caliber requirements in Manitoba provided that rimfires are not used.

Any cartridge regardless of caliber can be loaded to low recoil levels, look at the mild factory .45/70 loads for instance. My wife's rifle is a .30/06, it fits here and she shoots enough not be be concerned by the recoil boogyman and that rifle doesn't produce the objectionable muzzle blast that a small bore can.
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A CO I talked to told me 22-250 is the smallest caliber you can use on big game in Manitoba. Maybe he was pulling my leg. Still not something I would use on big game.
 
punkrockboy said:
I get so tired of hearing this. Here in Ontario it, is perfectly legal to hunt deer with a 223. Believe me, it makes no difference to a deer whether the hole in it's heart and lungs is 22 cal or 30.
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When a deer is hit in the belly or the rear end, it makes a whale of a difference, whether the bullet is a 22 or 30 calibre.
Legallity doesn't enter into this discussion, as any centre fire is legal for deer in BC.
I agree, the 243 would be ideal for the question posed by the OP.
I will also say that a 223 is too light a cartridge to be considered a good deer cartridge.
Sure, lots of deer have been shot by a 223, just as a great many deer have been killed with the 22 rimfire. But, that doesn't mean either of them can be considered adequate for regular deer hunting.
 
Enfield303 said:
A CO I talked to told me 22-250 is the smallest caliber you can use on big game in Manitoba. Maybe he was pulling my leg. Still not something I would use on big game.
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i have seen a deer that was shot with a 22-250. hit in the boiler room and it was like a mini bomb. no exit hole. gread stoper but i dont know how it would fair in the sholder. no my first choise.
 
.243 is a great cartridge. But don't overlook the old .30-30. It's not glamorous but it's been getting the job done for 117 years and the guns it's found in tend to be wonderful to carry. There are lots of great older Marlin 336's at very reasonable prices in the EE all the time.
 
thumper1 said:
I'd go with the 243 or maybe a 7-08
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These would be my choices also. Both are based on the .308 cartridge case. Just the neck & shoulder angle is changed to accommodate the smaller bullets. The 7mm08 will have better bullet choices than the .243, but factory ammo will be more available for the .243. I am a dedicated reloader so if it was me I would just load up some lighter, reduced recoil loads for the 30-06. If you wife is new to shooting in general, get her comfortable with a .22 rimfire before you give her the large rifles. Just my 2 cents.

George
 
Just a thought...

Any chance you can borrow a mild centrefire rifle from a friend, take her to the range and see if she can work up to more felt recoil? Have you let her shoot your 30-06 with reduced recoil loads?

Your going to get lots of suggestions from .243, 25-06, .257, 6.5x55, .270,7x57, 7mm-08...
 
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