What rifle for moose for a small framed shooter

CreamySmooth said:
I keep pointing this out for guys who ask similar questions....Savage 11 Light Weight Hunter or Lady Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor, or any of the other chamberings you would prefer. Light, tight, affordable and accurate.
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This ^

It's a Savage 11/111, mine is in .308 but it also comes in 7mm-08. Scoped it's maybe 8lbs, which is nice for walking, and it's very accurate. I love shooting this gun, they've lightened the fore end which makes it very comfortable for me to shoot and it's natural to bring it to my shoulder. The name is ridiculous but otherwise a really nice gun, most guys who shoot it really like it as well.
 
Got the wife a Savage Axis in 7mm-08 with a youth stock. After shooting a few of my guns I realized that she needed something that fit her (5' 8"). We went to the LGS and she tried a few. She really liked the Savage Lady hunter and the Axis was a close second. Ultimately we bought an Axis. After shooting it a few time it was very clear to her that the recoil was not nearly as big of an issue once she had a stock that fit properly and a scope with the proper eye relief. I loaded down a bunch of plinking rounds for her and will have some full bore 120 TTSX for deer and moose.

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7-08 with 139gr hornady interlocks over H4350, between my Missus, My friends and myself we have shot everything from muskrat to moose with it last year and it is a potent performer with moderate recoil.

The lady hunter is a good rifle to look at but not the only one... Try some youth models too.
 
Firstly I'd get a rifle that fits her well, and is as heavy as she can handle - uber light rifles are NOT recoil friendly.

Cartridge selection is going to be secondary to chosing a good bullet and having her practice and know what shot not to take in the field.

If you were twisting my arm to chose a cartridge, I'd go .308 win if she can handle it (most women actually can, even smaller ladies), if not then work down.
 
6.5 x 55 the 7nds and up are starting to get to big
I got a 6.5 x 55 for the wife it's the right size for her
she is 5 5 and 120 lbs
she can comfortably punch bull eyes out at 300
and no complaints on recoil
my 308- or 3006 hurts her
 
A simple old 308 will do, growing up I had a model 70 featherlight in 243 and it still kicks harder than the 308's I have settled on some 30 years later that I use for all game.

I just picked up a mossberg MVP patrol because I wanted a shorter rifle than my steyr scout but either will be a great match for new and small framed shooters.
 
The 7-08 and 260 Rem might be good starting points. Anything firing about a 140-150 grain premium bullet at modest velocities should do the trick. More important is going to be the fit of the rifle. Shop the various youth/lady versions in store if possible, or check with your shooting buddies to see if they have anything worth trying out. Figuring out what works for her specifically is key.
 
I use a 308, buddies use 7 mm mag and 3006 but for your needs I agree 30-30. Around here the moose are so beligerant that you can walk up to them (50 yds) and just about any 7 mm or larger at that range will put them down with a decently placed shot ... and 30-30 is pretty nice/easy for shooting under 100 yds and you can't beat the cost and availability of ammo (unlike the 7mm08 which I also love)
 
Depends on what difference she is practiced and proficient at shooting at given the possible hunting conditions.
I'd hazard to guess off hand shooting (standing).

Is rather take someone well practiced with an SKS moose hunting then a bad shot with a 300 win mag.
 
Browning Micro Midas
Weatherby Vanguard Youth
Savage Youth
Axis Youth
Remington 7

Point is, its not so much a caliber choice, they all will kill a moose, but a fit issue. As someone already stated, a smaller person looks silly holding most full sized rifles.
By look silly, I mean the rifle just not fit them.
If it does not fit, they will not enjoy it.

Find a rifle that the person likes to hold and shoulder. Most do not get a chance to try many rifles and therefore they do not know what feels "right" means until they find one that feels right.

After that - 7-08, 6.5, 308, 243 ...30-06, 7x57, 7x64, 280, 260 ... whatever works for the shooter.
 
I tried a Remington model 7 youth 7mm 08. For my wife she is 5'8" but is recoil sensitive and it was too much, I bought a model 98FN 6.5x55 from Tradex and am in the process of shortening and refinishing a stock for it, I am going to keep buying her rifles until she is happy.
 
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