Rifle suggestions for bad shoulder

[canyonhunter47]

I’m looking at getting a new gun for my father for what’s probably his last couple elk hunts. He’s used the ol aught six packed to the brim with powder and 200gr partitions but his doc told him to lay off the recoil so I’m thinking about getting him something with less recoil and Rokslide approved. Also, I’m taking him to my spots where we’ve taken bulls at 500-600 yards

I was thinking a Tikka in fast twist 243 (108 eldm) or 6.5 creed (147 eldm) and whatever SWFA 3-9 or 3-15 I can get my hands on. Im open to other cartridges but he’s not a koolaid drinker so 22 cal is out and CO legal is a plus. He’s probably not going to shell out for a suppressor so if I get one via trust can he use it freely at the range and hunting or do I have to always be nearby?

 

[WoodlandCritter]

If he's on the trust he can use the can like its his own.

 

[EastHumboldt]

I don’t have a bad shoulder, but shot a 30-06 for the first 25 years of my hunting career. Recently switched to a 7-08 tikka, which I shoot a lot better. I have a .243 1-8 twist tikka as a trainer, and with limbsaver butt pads both rifles are kittens, but the .243 of course has the lightest recoil. I have never killed anything with it but it’s a proven big game cartridge since I was a kid.

The recoil of a 6.5 creedmore is very very similar to 7-08 or .308 for that matter if you’re shooting the same weight of bullet out of the same rifle weight. The 6.5 bullets willl have the best bc of the bunch. If you can find a 6.5 to shoot then he can judge how the recoil feels.

I really like the new 8 twist .243 from Tikka. Here’s a couple ten shot 100 yard groups from the above mentioned .243 tikka which is stock except butt pad, vertical grip, and a cheek riser. Handloads using Sierra 100 gr seconds I got from midway. I’m not the world’s best shooter and I think a good shooter could do better, but certainly good enough for a hunting rifle. I have yet to try ELDM or ELDX bullets in it. ELDX shoots really well in my 30-06 and my 7-08.

Edit: 6” targets