[lesnyder79]

I'm trying to figure out what a good rifle would be for me for next hunting season. My husband has a 7mm mag, but I think it might be a little too much for me. I've looked into a 7mm 08, 25.06, 308, and some others. I don't want a rifle that will knock my shoulder off, but I want something accurate at 300 yards and that will kill the game that I'm trying to hunt like whitetail/mule deer and possibly elk. Any suggestions?

 

[WisconsinDeer]

I think any of the calibers you listed would be good. The 308 is a good cartridge for deer and elk and the 7mm-08 is just a .308 necked down to a 7mm bullet. The 25-06 is the same thing as the famous 30-06 cartridge just necked down to .25 caliber.

 

[Hunting Man]

I would rule out the 25-06 for elk. I would add the 280 Rem to your list as a do all caliber. I would not go to a light weight rifle = extra kick. In your case you need all the caliber you can comfortably shoot so a wood stocked rifle will eat up some of the recoil, however you do have to carry it around.

 

[WisconsinDeer]

I would rule out the 25-06 for elk.

I could see a 25-06 taking an elk pretty easily out to 200 yards with good shot placement and a high quality bullet. I've even heard of people using .243 on elk. Out of the cartridges listed I'd probably take a 308 myself.

 

[Karl.Luhr]

My thoughts on a rifle for a woman..

The first thing is it must fit you or you will not be comfortable with it. The length of pull (the buttstock length) will need to be shorter than your husband's unless you have very long arms. Most manufacturers make youth/women models that should fit you. I would recommend a bolt action rifle in a short action caliber. The bolt action usually will give you a clean trigger, it still may be heavier than you want. The weight of a trigger pull can be adjusted on many rifles and this will make shooting acurately much easier. For caliber I personally would recommend a 7mm-08. It will not kick as hard as the .308 Win but will do a great job on Deer and will work on Elk. Sense you list Elk as a possible on your list of game to be hunted I would also recommend that you try to keep the barrel length at 22 inches. Some of the youth/women models use a 18.5 or 20 inch barrel. This lightens the weight and makes it handier but if you go after Elk the extra velocity of the standard 22 inch would be appreciated. Let us know what you decide to go with. There are reduced recoil loads made by most manufacturers that allow you to reduce the recoil of a standard load. These would work great on Deer and at the shooting bench.

Karl

 

[BruceBruce1959]

Nobody even mentioned the .270 but the .270 is one of the recommended calibers by Federal Premium Ammunition for Elk hunting...
with the 150gr. Nosler Partition being the preferred bullet.

My choice would be the .270 with the 150Gr nosler partitions

Click the Federal link it's an interesting program to help you see what calibers will work for specific game animals...

Good Luck to you....

 

[WisconsinDeer]

The .270 has some fairly stout recoil which wouldn't be ideal for a woman as it can cause bad shooting habits, such as flinching and jerking the trigger.

 

[Karl.Luhr]

One additional thought on woman's rifles...

If you don't like the ones offered as a youth/woman's rifle don't hessitate to consider getting a regular one and have a gunsmith modify the length of pull to fit you perfectly. Remember to wear the clothes that you plan on shooting/hunting in for the fitting. At the same time consider getting one of the new high tech recoil reducing recoil pads. Many of the new rifles come from the factory with good ones, but some are even better. I personally don't like muzzle brakes on a rifle that is used for hunting, but the brakes do reduce felt recoil.

Karl

 

[Hunting Man]

I would consider the 270 win loaded with top end bullets to be the bare minimum for elk. My buddy hit an elk square in the shoulder with a 300 WM and it didn't go down and needed a second shot. My opinion and only mine is that the the 25-06 is more suited for western deer and antelope. BB good advice, I didn't mention the 270, probably because it's so popular, I figured she is considering it, but it certainly is enough gun for her needs and in the right rifle may be the best round.

 

[rdrader2002]

The .270 has some fairly stout recoil which wouldn't be ideal for a woman as it can cause bad shooting habits, such as flinching and jerking the trigger.

Remington makes "managed recoil" rounds in many different calibers and are worth checking out. .270 is a fine round for just about anything in North America.

 

[BruceBruce1959]

Remington makes "managed recoil" rounds in many different calibers and are worth checking out. .270 is a fine round for just about anything in North America.

I wouldn't recommend managed recoil ammunition to anyone for anything, groundhogs even laugh at managed recoil ammo. :yes:

The .270 has some fairly stout recoil which wouldn't be ideal for a woman as it can cause bad shooting habits, such as flinching and jerking the trigger.

the original poster, lesnyder79, mentioned the .308 which has much greater kick than the .270,
If lesnyder79 can handle calibers in the .308 range, the .270 would be a prefect choice to use.

 

[spiker]

i think the 270 or 7mm/08 would be ideal.If she did pursue elk than shot placement would be critical and bullet choice would need to researched.Both of these calibers have killed plenty of elk.try and find a good stout rifle of 7pnds or more,avoid a lightweight for her.this will help manage the recoil for her.some suggestions rem 700,savage american classic,thompson icon,weatherby vanguard,.

 

[su106]

maybe try 270 or 280 the 270 ammo is everywhere my wife shoots my 270 with 150 grain core lokt by remington

 

[Tricky]

I would go with a 308. You can get great ammo selection, and can find it almost anywhere. You can always get a recoil pad if it too much. Or go with a 270 with a premium bullets and the 270 will drop them also. Good luck.