New gun for wife

[back country]

My hunting rifle is currently a Browning X bolt in 300 WSM. My wife has shot the gun several times, but she says it kicks too much for her. I've watched her shoot it accurately for a few shots, and then pretty unaccurately for the next few shots, and this pattern seems to somewhat repeat itself. I can tell when she shoots that she anticipates the recoil and that greatly affects her accuracy. I'd like to get a new rifle for her in a caliber that won't kick her like a mule that she can enjoy shooting moreso than she does my rifle. I assume some of you have been in this same position before...what did you decide to go with and why?

We will be hunting mostly elk and mule deer if that helps to narrow down any suggestions. Thanks in advance!

 

[Orion81]

308 or 7mm-08...light enough on recoil, plenty of power for animals listed, ammo is fairly easy to come by, and ammo is significantly cheaper than magnum rounds. If elk wasn't in the mix I would say 6.5 Creedmoor. I love everything about this round. Recoil is almost non existent, and ammo is cheap. Some folks will say that 6.5 is plenty for elk, but I don't have elk experience with my 6.5 to speak educated on the subject.

 

[slick]

There's another thread on here that talks extensively about this.

My vote is for a 7-08. Know plenty of women that shoot this (& men) accurately and effectively on deer & elk. Can find factory loads fairly easy, mild recoil, decent ballistics.

Few friends were in this exact situation, 1 wife, and 2 girlfriends (not the same fella). One ruger American leupold vx2.....another, Remington 700. Nikon pro staff scope, the last a Remington 700 vortex viper. So far have taken two elk, a pronghorn and a deer between the three ladies this year.

I'd vote for a Tikka & Leupold combo. Good luck!


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[CorbLand]

My aunt is a pretty small lady and shoots a .270 in a Tikka and really likes it.

I would also suggest the 7mm08 or a 6.5CM. Both are light recoil with plenty of power to take deer and elk. The 6.5CM carries more energy than the 7mm08 so I would not question its ability on elk.

 

[Jimbob]

Tikka compact in .308 is a really nice gun and my wife shoots it well. Also have a ruger american compact in 7mm-08 that is a handy little gun.

 

[hflier]

Tikka compact in .308 is a really nice gun and my wife shoots it well. Also have a ruger american compact in 7mm-08 that is a handy little gun.

I second both of these suggestions.


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[16Bore]

Assuming you don't reload, 270 or 708 in a Tikka. Whichever one you can find reduced recoil loads for to get her comfortable behind the gun, then move to the heavier stuff. Tikka is lightweight and the mag box might be a little easier to manage loading and unloading, depending on her firearms experience. A Limbsaver recoil pad will help too. Make sure there's plenty of eye relief on the scope as well.

Reduced recoil loads can sometimes be iffy in the accuracy department and the Tikka will likely take of that problem on its own. Guys poo poo the reduced stuff because it's the Joe Stud thing to do.

And of course, shoot, shoot, shoot.

 

[MuleyFever]

Got my wife a 7-08 in a Howa youth because it fit her best and it came with a second adult stock. One thing I noticed is that the lighter the gun the more she will feel the recoil. The Howa is a nice balance in my opinion. Her fist animal with it was a cow elk at about 250 yds that she dropped in its tracks with the 140gr Superformance. I liked the 7-08 so much I shelved my 270 and got me a 7-08.

 

[targetpanic]

Just picked up my wife a Browning A-Bolt micro stalker in 7mm-08. Just mounted scope last night, haven't hit the range yet.

 

[Stid2677]

I bought a Kimber Adirondack in 6.5 Creedmore, after seeing what a 130 grain Accubond did to a big grizzly at 200 yards, I would have no hesitation shooting an elk with it. The small size is nice to pack and with the brake for the 7mm-08 that Kimber recommends for it, the recoil and muzzle flip are very tame. My wife is 5 ft 1 inch and 100 pounds soaking wet, she is very happy with it.

One thing that helped her become a much better shooter, was me having her shot my bolt action 22-250. She was able to shoot it and work the action, over and over. This helped her work on form and muscle memory, when she started shooting rifles with more recoil, she was more comfortable with the process and is now a much better shot. I resist the urge to load, and work the action for her. One day she may need to do that on her own and I want her to be able to handle her firearm.

Plus when she is not using "her" rifle, I get to use it.

 

[back country]

Thanks for all the responses, sounds like a 7mm-08 might be just the ticket. I've also been looking at the 6.5 creedmore a little bit Stid, I like the look of it as well. The smaller size is attractive to me about the Creedmore for her (and probably me too!). Decisions, decisions...

 

[tuffcity]

Just ordered a Sako 85 finnlight in 7-08 for my wife. Topped with a swaro Z3 3-10 X42 it should make for a good Christmas gift.

RC

 

[hodgeman]

For a low recoil killing stick, the 7-08 is tough to beat. Good availability in a variety of rifles and factory loads can do about anything that needs done with a 7-08.

 

[Fjelljeger]

+++ on the 7mm-08. Got my wife a Browning x-bolt micro hunter (in left hand no less!). Fits her length of pull better than most.

 

[ericF]

I don't think anybody has mentioned it, but how about buying a Suppressor. It doesn't list what state your in, but nowadays most states allow hunting with suppressors. Multiple companies are coming out with hunting specific suppressors and I specifically use the Silencerco Harvester. It is only 11 oz and has a built in brake that helps even more with recoil. My hunting buddy borrowed by 308 Ruger American with Suppressor (on a trust) for his 12 year old daughter this hunting season. She was having issues last year with the 243 due to the noise and recoil, but the suppressed 308 had less recoil than her 243. This allows you to retain a higher caliber gun for elk, but still reduce the recoil tremendously.

 

[ncstewart]

7mm 08 gets my vote too!
Might get you one to tho cause it's an easy round to love.


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