Hey guys this is my first post on this site, and I was wondering what the general consensus for a good beginner deer rifle for my lady friend would be. My brother has the Youth Savage axis .243 so I'm not looking for that. She can shoot my Tikka t3 superlight .270 win but does complain it kicks to hard, so what might be a happy medium? Cheers.
Starter rifle for the wife.
- Thread starter steadly93
- Start date
If she likes the Tikka you could go with the compact model in something along the lines of 7mm-08, or .243 if that's what she likes to shoot. There are many other options in more compact rifles for smaller framed shooters from Remington, Browning, etc... There's also the option of shooting a slightly heavier rifle to absorb some of the felt recoil. What is the primary game species being hunted?
Primary game would definitely be mule deer and accompanying me on black bear hunts (although I don't think she would ever want to be the one taking the shot haha) I really liked the look of the Rugger American in like a .308 but haven't done enough research.
Next day off you and the wife should go on a date to the nearest gun shops and see what fits her best (also a great excuse to have a look for yourself...). Depending on how much you're looking to spend there are many different makes/models that could fit the bill. If you're looking at the Ruger American, I'd also have a good look at the Weatherby Vanguard S2, it's a slightly heavier gun, but with a better stock, trigger, 3-position safety, and smooth action (for the price). There are many discussions around the forum you can search for comparing the "budget" guns (if that's what you're looking for).
308 in something with a nice smooth action like a tikka, sauer, steyr, sako, merkel, etc.
I say this because it is more enjoyable for them to shoot as it takes less physical effort to cycle. I have had lady shooters try other brands like mossberg, savage, ruger, etc where the actions take more force to operate because they are notchy, most could not keep the rifle shouldered and on target if they needed to cycle the gun for a second shot making a follow up, if needed take far to long to be effective.
I say this because it is more enjoyable for them to shoot as it takes less physical effort to cycle. I have had lady shooters try other brands like mossberg, savage, ruger, etc where the actions take more force to operate because they are notchy, most could not keep the rifle shouldered and on target if they needed to cycle the gun for a second shot making a follow up, if needed take far to long to be effective.
Bigfoot 870
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Vanguard in .243 Win.
The platform will be dependent on your budget for one. And also whether the lady likes the looks of it. Caliber wise, I absolutly love the 7mm-08. Versatile, short action, plenty of power for your needs and inherently very accurate as it is a child of the .308 which has a well established reputation.
I just got some Ruger American's in today (gun order) - the ones with Redfield Revenge scopes mounted (nice glass for this rifle - and mounted which would run you 300'ish bucks for scope/mount/rings) - prices are decent for the package.
The gun holds well and looks "ok" for what it is but I was really disappointed with the stock itself.
It has very "sharp" edges along the barrel channel - so sharp that you could cut your hand while supporting the forestock. I got in four of them and they were all the same.
Ok, no biggie, you could trim it/sand it/nock down the sharp edge, but don't feel you should have to.
Makes me wonder if that is "ok" by Ruger to ship that way is there something else that was ok to ship a "little unfinished".
As to caliber though, 243 is fine (use that for deer myself), 6.5 Creed/260 Rem or the 7mm-08 Rem (just bought one of them too) are all more than enough for the game you list and all kick "significantly less" than the 270 when loaded with suitable ammunition.
The gun holds well and looks "ok" for what it is but I was really disappointed with the stock itself.
It has very "sharp" edges along the barrel channel - so sharp that you could cut your hand while supporting the forestock. I got in four of them and they were all the same.
Ok, no biggie, you could trim it/sand it/nock down the sharp edge, but don't feel you should have to.
Makes me wonder if that is "ok" by Ruger to ship that way is there something else that was ok to ship a "little unfinished".
As to caliber though, 243 is fine (use that for deer myself), 6.5 Creed/260 Rem or the 7mm-08 Rem (just bought one of them too) are all more than enough for the game you list and all kick "significantly less" than the 270 when loaded with suitable ammunition.
naktabar72
Regular
- Location
- Posted to #### Hole QC
Would be good to know what`s her experience and size.
My wife started with a 300 wsm, all the way down using: 30-06, 308, 7mm08, 25-06.
and now guess what she`s shooting: 243 Savage Axis Pink Muddy girl.
No way she will go back up, the game are dead's anyway.
My wife started with a 300 wsm, all the way down using: 30-06, 308, 7mm08, 25-06.
and now guess what she`s shooting: 243 Savage Axis Pink Muddy girl.
No way she will go back up, the game are dead's anyway.
Let her decide what gun feels right when she holds it. Depending on her arm length a youth model or compact may fit nicer. 7mm-08 would be a great round and very versatile for hunting. Keep in mind that even the 270 doesn't kick that much, and if you have the factory POS recoil pad on the t3 POS stock then a simple upgrade to a limbsaver may make the 270 manageable. Or even getting a slightly heavier stock with a correct length of pull and a good pad, it would give you the advantage of both using the same ammunition
Funny thing this "wife's first rifle" around my house...her and I did our courses together and decided it would be a great way to spend some extra time together.
Soooo soon after we got our PALS it was our anniversary, I thought how nice would it be if I bought "us" a rifle I looked at lots, at first I almost bought us (her) an SKS, but ended up settling on a great 'little' gun called an M305 in an Archangel stock! .....here we can shorten the story up and just say I guess I probably played that whole hand wrong right from the first card because well now "it" was going to have to be "my" gun, darn! So a few months later we were going to shoot some whatever off the boat maybe on our out of province vacation, so I bought "us" another gun
....this time wasn't AS bad because she thought the MPA-TS I brought home was scary but kind of cool...however at this point I am still not winning....a short time (weeks) later my Buddy had this beauty of a Rem 7600 in .270 for a great deal! I thought what the hell, it was her birthday....I tried again and although she thought it looked classy, once she seen me shoot that old mule....she wanted no part of it. Still not winning...add that one to the other fails. Then I found "us" another Norcinstine M14 that was clearly a way better unit then "OUR" M305 and how much farther ahead "we" would be if I made a deal with 'this guy' and then sold "our" M305....won that one, got the M14 but Still not winning the card game because this one was WAY too heavy for her (for a bench gun). I had to agree, and that one had to go over there in the pile with the others...full of fail.
A few months go by, I get an old ithica leaver action .22 from her uncle. I do a refinish job on it and she falls in love with it, found it! Her new gun! Winning!...then my 10 year old daughter falls in love with it as well....Moms cut...Daughter wins out and now has her first rifle. A family hand me down from her great uncle!
Now I give up. No more buying guns for "us" or "her"....I buy myself a nice old Russian SKS refurb for a goto shooter for "me" and put it in an ATI stock with a nice rubber grip....it's a blast to shoot... Love it!
My wife decides she wants to come to the range with me a few weeks back, she's seen this "bubba" but not outside... says it looks scary, tries it.....LOVES IT! And CLAIMS it for herself! So much for a "me" gun I say! All of this is crazy I say! Now that the "Daughter", the "Her" and the "us" have all be thought of first, the only solution is now that she is temporarily happy and has something she likes, is to start back at square one and find that "me" rifle. Wow...such effort.
Moral of the story....if your new at the game and are having a hard time convincing the wife that you NEED a huge collection of a wide array of firearms for no apparent reason (weather you can afford them or not!) and she is just not seeing the light as she should ...start by buying "her" a new gun...any gun...but not your first choice! Never your first choice! And go up from there. And always stand by her to let her know that you won't ever stop in your quest for her happiness until she is satisfied and beyond! And that you would buy many guns until you get it right....just for her....because you love her....and the kids.
Use this method and buy a bigger safe!
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