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Rifle choice for my daughter.

libertyman777

libertyman777

Are you gonna eat that....
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 26, 2007
849
11
57
Heflin, Alabama
Background. She's 14 and a very good shot. Enjoys shooting and hunting. The largest firearm she's shot was a shotgun at her boyfriend's house. With me, it's been my son's AR15.

I'm looking at something that she can one day leave here with and use it for many years to come. She's tall and athletic, 5' 7", so she's grown woman sized. I think she could handle a long range session of moderate recoil with no problem.

Also, it'll be sometime next year before I can do this (as I am broke). She's also going to have to put her air rifle up for sale but that's not a problem, she never shoots it anyway.

Aesthetics are important to her. We looked at rifles yesterday online and she prefers the lines of the bolt rifles over the autoloaders.

The easy choice is to go .243 or similar. But that's another new round to reload for that I don't have anything else in that caliber or bullet diameter.

I've always like the CZ 527 Carbine in 7.62x39. While I don't load any .311 either, ammo would be cheap and she could shoot alot. Light weight, DBM, backup sights, it's a strong contender.

I do load some .30 caliber, .223 and 6.5 Creedmoor. I could do a Savage in 6.5 CM but it would be big and heavy. I'd like more punch than the .223 but haven't really ever considered it in a bolt action rifle. May actually be the best choice if I can use the heavier Bergers or similar.

She will be target shooting and hunting deer here in the Southeast. My son's .223 has done a number on deer.

Sometimes organizing and writing a question out helps me to think about it. I'm starting to like the .223 idea in a bolt rifle. It'll be cheap to load for and extremely accurate. What are you guys running in your .223 bolt guns?

Also, CZ 527 Varmnit or Savage Precision Carbine?

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Paul
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

.243, even though you don't loads for it. IMHO, .223 is too light for deer. I've killed them w/ 70gr Speers over Varget, but IMHO, it's just too marginal to be her one and only deer cartridge. There are several options in short action 6.5mm’s, but affordable factory ammo is hard to find; that could change by the time she’s out on her own. There’s also the possibility she enjoys shooting it and burns out two or three barrels by the time she leaves the nest…

I’m going to build something similar in the next year or two and will likely go with an old Rem or Savage short action in 6.5x47. Mine can either learn to reload or come home to see dad for some more ammo…
smile.gif
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

Savage Predator hunter max in 6.5CM.

They are not heavy at all, come in a very good stock, laser like accuracy.

Once she leaves the nest, good quality ammo is available from hornady that isn't going to break the bank.

Barrel life is longer too.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

6.5 CM gets my vote since you already load for it. You can load 100 grainers in there for deer and if she ever gets the chance for something bigger or longer range then the option is there.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: monteboy84</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.223 gets my vote, but only if you're loading the 70 grain TSX for deer.

-matt </div></div>

I like the .223 also. Another good deer hunting round is the 62gr. Federal Fusion round. My daughter who was 9 at the time shot a nice 8pt whitetail with one last year out of her AR. The round entered behind the leg, shattered a rib on entrance, struck both lungs and heart and came to rest on the far rib cage. The energy dump in the body cavity was pretty impressive. I'll be sure to take some good photos this year if she get's another one.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

Thanks for the input.

Thus far, I've only loaded Winchester 64 grain power points in .223 but they did a number on 120lb spike. It's about a 2 moa load in my son's CAR.

I'll think about the CM. She's not recoil sensitive but hasn't shot very much centerfire. She can hit a shotgun hull at 100 yards better than 50% of the time with my Biathlon Basic in .22lr. And she's shot the AR.

Maybe I could fit it with a brake.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

Have you thought of a 22-250. Same bullets as a .223. Just a little more power/ speed. Recoil is not an issue at all. It more than enough for deer. My buddy took a mule deer with one. Not the ideal rifle for that but that's what he had and it drop that 300lbs mule deer easy.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

Might consider 260 rem. and 7-08. Quality componants available, lots of data, easy on barrels, great down range and ballistics, low recoil. A new set of dies is a small price for a lifetime of enjoyment. Good luck to you and your daughter.

Okie
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

Has she shot the 6.5cm? If she shoots it well, and you are loading for it already, I would recommend it. With respect to recoil, i feel it to be in the same category as the .243 and .260, so that opens those two options.

There are going to be a ton of offerings in the .243, 7-08 and the .223; as far as rifles, you can have anything you want.

While I like the idea of the low recoil, affordable .223, I would prefer the bigger bullets of the 6.5 or 7mm, or .243, or ( insert any other non .22) for deer, providing she doesn't shy away from the recoil.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

No, she hasn't shot the 6.5 yet but will soon. If she loves it, then the search will be over.

But I suspect that she will prefer the smaller offerings.

I noticed that the heavy Bergers in .224 didn't make the cut. Are they not the same on game as their larger brethren?
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Killer Spade 13</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 on the .243 </div></div>

Absofreakinlutely... a HUGE +1 for the .243WIN. No need to look elsewhere.

DK
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

243Win if you can live with the shorter barrel life. 260Rem an excellent compromise.

My pick: 6x45mm (6mm-223Rem) with a longer throat (2.5" COAL)and 8-twist barrel. 107's@2600fps, like shooting a pellet gun.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

what about the 6.5 creed in a nice savage lady hunter. cut 2 inches off the barrel, thread for a break and top it off with a nice Vortex PST scope... Probably will last a lifetime!
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

Ask her what SHE wants. Then have it built for her.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

The .243 is a great option, but I would lean towards a 6.5 Creedmoor or .260 Remington.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

My daughter takes out soda cans at 500 yards with her 243 and she only been shooting it 3 weeks.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

My daughter, which is 13 going on 14 has shot my .308 really well. She is about 5'4 or so and 85-90 lbs soaking wet. However, she thought the recoil was a bit much for her. She could shoot a few rounds accurately but then would start anticipating recoil. She then tried a .243 and loved it. She could kill stuff all day with it. If your daughter likes the 6.5, go for it. Otherwise check out the 7-08 and .243 options. Good luck, and congrats on her interest in shooting.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CounterViolence</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you thought of a 22-250. Same bullets as a .223. Just a little more power/ speed. Recoil is not an issue at all. It more than enough for deer. My buddy took a mule deer with one. Not the ideal rifle for that but that's what he had and it drop that 300lbs mule deer easy. </div></div>Another vote for the 22-250, we were shooting deer last weekend with it. 40 grain Hornady at 4200 fps absolutely stoned three whitetail. My eight year old doesn't even feel it.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

I say 6.5CM because you already load for it, with a brake it will be like shooting the 223. I have the 260 with a brake and it is like shooting a 223 with a brake. I can see hits at 300 no problem, sometimes at a 100 if I don't flinch at how loud it is. I hate starting to load for a new caliber so the CM is the way to go.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RugerSlinger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I say 6.5CM because you already load for it, with a brake it will be like shooting the 223. I have the 260 with a brake and it is like shooting a 223 with a brake. I can see hits at 300 no problem, sometimes at a 100 if I don't flinch at how loud it is. I hate starting to load for a new caliber so the CM is the way to go. </div></div>

This. I try to load for as few calibers as possible. And recoil would be light for her.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

You can also light load for the 6.5 creed using hodgdons youth loads to start. Then as she wants to streatch it out and gets used to the recoil you can load normal. I'd go the 6.5 creed as it is more versital for target and hunting then the 243 and you already load for it. Plus when she grows up and moves out she can buy excellent factory ammo at a great price.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

cheapest practical hunting/plinking round. Because once you start getting her shooting a lot. You will thank your wallet.

Get her hooked and good on the basic.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

Another vote for the .243. It's all about shot placement, and with such little recoil, she should be comfortable behind a 100 grain bullet.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

I'm following this thread with great interest. Thanks to the OP and those responding.

David
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RMW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The .243 is a great option, but I would lean towards a 6.5 Creedmoor or .260 Remington. </div></div>

This pretty well sums up my thoughts as well, especially if it's a rifle she'll keep and shoot for years to come.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

Thanks for the input. I'll try her on the Creedmoor. Who knows, she may embrace the recoil. It's less than .308.

If not, It'll probably be a Savage in .223. Easy to move up in caliber when needed but nice to have an extra .223 around too. I've just ordered some 65 Grain Sierra Game Kings to try in my boy's AR.

Paul
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf

They show examples of certain loads, but you can use H4895 with any bullet-BUT ONLY IN THE CALIBERS SHOWN.(You may check with them on the 6.5cm) I've done this with the .308 and it's a huge difference. I wish I did this for my daughter vs the 300 Blackout route, but that's nice also. In the .308, I used 35 grains and it moves a 125 SPH at 2250 from the W70, 22" barrel.

Hope it helps-I would go the 7-08 route. Remington and Federal make reduced recoil rounds if you don't want to reload.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=001C&mid=535126
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

Ditto, for 243. Maybe look for a "lightly used Browning auto", in 243. Great guns, and pretty. Just flipped over to Guns America. There's a BAR, in 243, Belgium made in 72, for $499! Heck, I might grab it. I won't, for a week, cause it was your idea.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: z71rat</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Killer Spade 13</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 on the .243 </div></div>

Absofreakinlutely... a HUGE +1 for the .243WIN. No need to look elsewhere.

DK </div></div>
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

I have/had a savage LRP in 6.5CM very good shooter, but its heavy. They also make a long range hunter 8.4 lbs long barrel, predator max 8.5lbs medium barrel, lightweight hunter short barrel 5.5 lbs, and a lady hunter in 6.5CM short barrel 6lbs.

Let her shoot the creed.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

The 6.5CM will give you more options, it will shoot 140s well over a 1000yds. Not to mention if she get bored with the only thing, you can add it to your collection. I shoot one and even pushing 140 at just over 2800 fps and the recoil is still easy on the body. Another load is 130VLD at 2964, with managable recoil. The 6.5s seem to not have the throut problems that the 243 are know for. The 6.4x47 is another popular round.
 
Re: Rifle choice for my daughter.

Well guys, I had to let the economy and overall value dictate this choice. I was ready to give the 6.5 CM a go for her, especially if she liked mine. But I found the Savage 11 Hog Hunter. It's only offered in three calibers, .223, .308 or .338 Winchester.

Here's a pic>
78092.jpg


But there's still a decision to be made. While I'm inclined to just go ahead with the .223, I'm also toying with the idea of installing a brake and loading some 130 grain pills for it, maybe run around 2200 to 2400 fps or so. I think that makes more sense and gradually work her into the recoil as she gets older.
 
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