A friend of mine has grown an interest in hunting big game recently. She has shot sporting clays with a 28 ga a bit, as well as shooting gophers with .22s. I told her I'd take her deer hunting. I have, among other things, an sks, a lee enfield (both scopeless), a 30-06, a couple 7mm rem mags, and a .35 whelen. Which would you say would be best for her to use? Shots will likely be at less than 150 yards, but possibly as far as 200 and a bit (I doubt she should be shooting farther than that as a total novice). Thanks in advance, I want to do this right the first time to keep her interested and unafraid of "big guns".
Which gun would you suggest for a new shooter?
- Thread starter kyle700
- Start date
- Location
- Sunny Manitoba
The SKS has by far the least kick of those. I would start there.
You know I've been telling myself for a few years now that I need a little 7mm-08 or 250-3000 for times just like this, My brother has a .243, but he hasn't used it yet. Might be worth asking him.
A .243 would be a great starting gun for deer & smaller critters. The SKS is also adequate for deer & soft recoiling. Any of your other firearms will just scare the crap out of her! If you decide to use the SKS, make sure you get proper hunting ammo for it. Please don't use milsurp FMJ's.
My first rifle from when i was 14 or 15 was a 30.06 Winchester mod 70. I used light loads for the first year or two because i was a skinny kid. I've been using full size and heavy loads since. Recoil exists with any hunting rifle and it needs to be managed, not feared. 30.06 was a good choice because the variety of ammo was from 130gr to 250 grain, even a 150gr bullet is plenty to drop a deer and have very manageable recoil for a small or beginning shooter. I still use the same rifle over 30 years later.
7mm-08. I bought a stainless Savage with accutrigger/stock for my son and a Savage Axis youth for my 13 year old daughter in 7mm-08. I have a 7mm RM. I will be buying another for my wife next year - possibly a Weatherby. Lots of power and can load 110-140gr projectiles with good results.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
No matter what you folks decide for her to try, the thing I stress the most is fit/comfort level of the rifle.
A poor fitting .270 or such will give intimidating results far more harsh than a well fitting rifle of larger/greater chambering.
A poor fitting .270 or such will give intimidating results far more harsh than a well fitting rifle of larger/greater chambering.
I would shy away from the '06 and 7mms as well. But remember that rifle fit is at least as important if not more so than actual recoil. If she can't hold it comfortably almost any centre fire caliber will turn her off in a hurry.
Good luck!
Good luck!
This might help:
ww w.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
7mm-08 also has a managed recoil option and can be loaded with much heavier projectiles than .243.
.243 can definitely pencil hole through deer. I am joining a hunting party this year with a .243 shooter. He always has to chase - even with solid shots. Anything I have shot with 7mm RM was DRT. 7mm-08 loads can be pretty stout or very light with 110gr "youth loads".
ww w.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm
7mm-08 also has a managed recoil option and can be loaded with much heavier projectiles than .243.
.243 can definitely pencil hole through deer. I am joining a hunting party this year with a .243 shooter. He always has to chase - even with solid shots. Anything I have shot with 7mm RM was DRT. 7mm-08 loads can be pretty stout or very light with 110gr "youth loads".
Last edited:
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
That isn't a failure on the .243 chambering, that is the performance of the bullet itself.A 300 WM with incorrect bullets will do the very same.
Kelly said it and so will i make sure the gun fits the person. As for the 243, i use one a lot and if you use the right bullets and know where your shooting i have no reservations out to 400 yards. The Sks may be good for getting used to shooting as the recoil is minimal. Lots of range time is the main thing. If you can`t borrow the 243 and reload i would use the 06 with a lightened load.
