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

 

[Castle Rock]

You won’t go wrong with the 243 tikka

 

[RancherJohn]

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?

I am putting together a 6.5 PRC for my dad for the same reasons. He has taken elk with his .300WM for years, but an old plate & screws in his collarbone are giving him issues. He has taken a few elk with one of my 6.5s and is the one that made the call on caliber for this rifle. I wouldn't hesitate for him to take a .243/6CM/6.5CM out hunting either. You can put him on your trust for the suppressor; I did that initially for my dad and now he has one and is waiting on more, for him it was a game-changer on recoil when he still wanted to shoot his .300WM for every hunt.

 

[MT762]

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

243 or 6mm creed are so crazy low in recoil--you can watch the animals fall in the scope--esp when suppressed.

Stepping up a class are the 7-08 and 6.5 creed. Basically interchangeable, recoil wise. They are both super mild to shoot suppressed. Much milder than a suppressed 30-06.

Add him to the trust, for sure. It used to be easy--just fill out some documents--but I believe that now he may have to submit fingerprints and a mug shot to the ATF. Or that may be a grey area now.