I am just looking for opinions regarding a rifle adequate for whitetail deer hunting that has light recoil. My wife currently shoots a Sigarms SHR-970 chambered in .270 but says it is a little much for her to shoot. Particularly while at the range. Some of my friends have suggested the .243 or 7mm-08. I know nothing about both those two cartridges. I appreciate your time and input.
- Thread starter jekyl
- Start date
.243 would be perfect
243 or 260. Or 6x47, 6.5x47, 6.5 creedmore are also great choices.
You could always get a muzzle brake on her 270 and she would have no problems. My wife has no problem shooting a light 7 WSM or my heavy 338 Lapua, with my brake on them, and she is petite (like 100 pounds).
I had a custom 6.5x55 built for my wife. Off the shelf, I'd pick her up a Tikka in that same caliber and go to town... Could just have that .270 re-barreled to 6.5x55. Lots of good choices, but that is what I would do.
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http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...shing/194293-african-safari-2013-namibia.html
Berger 105 hybrid or 115 VLD on a whitetail will work just fine. Watched Robozebra's wife center punch steel from 100 to 750 with 115 VLDs out of a 6 CM chambered GAP non-typical.
243 would work also, though 6 Creedmoor fits in mag box of hinged floor plate / blind mag a bit better IMHO.
6BR can be made to run from hinged floor plate/blind mag and factory ammo is available.
6/223 set up with proper chamber and twist rate would be worth looking at too.
Need factory ammo or will you be reloading?
I have hunted with the 30-06, 25-06, 308, 243, and 223. Out of all of those the 243 is still my favorite. I don't understand it but that caliber works better than ones much larger. With the 95gr Nosler ballistic tip you will have no problem killing any deer. Also, with bullets from 55grs to 100grs with a standard twist rate you have plenty of other bullet choices. You won't go wrong with the 243.
Reloading. Her uncle does all my reloads. As I read more here at the hide I see the 6mm cartridges are quite popular. I really know very little about them. Just kind of assumed they were considered more for target or varmint hunting. She and I tend to prefer a detachable mag.
This is all good stuff. Thanks for all the input. As far as a muzzle break goes I had not even thought of that. Definitely a consideration. Many people do seem to quickly recommend the .243. I will tell you that since I have been reading here, that 6mm cartridge has peaked my interest. Whether its the 6.5cm. 6xc or 6br they get a lot of praise from many people. I am going to prematurely guess that the external and terminal ballistics of the "6mm's" out perform the .243. I also want to keep it fairly simple. This will be her hunting rifle. Although, on our hunting property we can take shots out to almost 500yds. Thanks for everyone's input. Much appreciated.
Actually, the .243 Win technically outperforms the 6XC and 6x47L, and is about on par with the 6mm Creedmoor, with regards to external and terminal ballistics. Reason being the .243 can push the exact same bullets, but faster (depending on the load). The shorter cases the the "6mm's" makes it easier to load touching (or near) the lands while still fitting in a magazine, and the 30 degree neck helps keep the brass from growing too much. The "6mm's" are also more "efficient", meaning they use less powder to get the same velocities. From what I gather, this also results in better barrel life. Can't comment on the 6.5's.
This - loaded with the proper ammo the .243 makes for an awesome hunting rifle. Its about all I use anymore when I hunt, that or the 7MM-08 but I seem to grab to .243 more often. Easy to shoot & kills stuff!!
243 is going to be tough to beat, especially with out doing some type of wildcat. If you want simple easy and the ability to get off the shelf ammo in case you lose handload then the 243 is what you want. If your no concerned about it and are willing to get past some of the issues with brass prep or fireforming then maybe a 6mm Crusader, 6 slr or 6 rem AI
243 or 6mm Creedmoor
I'd also go the 243 route. But, if you want to "avoid" getting a new gun, maybe your "reloader" could "dial back", on the loads, and find something "comfortable" for her.Just a "couple minutes", with the book. Loading a 110 grn. bullet, at 2800 fps., pretty much makes the 270. a 243, ballistically .Just a "quick 2 min", with the book. Maybe something to consider. Just me.AND ,{ 1 hr. later}While I was "out cutting the grass", I pondered the problem. How 'bout an AR-10. Recoil is "gone", for all intents". They're not "pretty", but they shoot. Being in NY., might be a problem. They also make the "black rifles, in .260. I "hear" the 260, is all the rage, with the long range guys. Maybe I "remember wrong", but I think that's what I read.Just me.
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Given all the latest light weight '270' sized bullets for the 6.8mm SPC, they are very deer capable and will lower recoil substantially. How far do you commonly need to shoot those deer? I would consider dropping back on powder and bullet weight, as the 270 as any round, does not have to be loaded to the hilt, and can be very effective. If you do replace the barrel, a 243 is flat, accurate, and deadly, and ammo can be found about anywhere. A 95 Ballistic Tip is a great deer bullet if you go that route. If good shot placement is used, it will do fine easily to 400 yds and probably further. Good hunting!
tHERE YOU ARE AGAIN That "pic", is nice.
Definitely the 243. Problem is thats all I ever shoot, my other guns dont get any love.
If someone reloads, then the 110 grain accubond would work VERY well, though all that case capacity might be problematic.
It comes down to how much you want to spend.
If she wants a new rifle, one of the Savage lady hunters in .243 or 6.5 CM would fill the bill nicely.
6mm bullets in the 85 to 105 range would work very well.
The 120 to 129 grain loads in 6.5 CM or .260 would be an excellent choice.
The 7-08 is a wonderful cartridge, but most of the factory loads are in the vicinity of the 139-140 grain class which puts your recoil right back up there with the .270.
A 7-08 with the speer 130 spitzer boattail is highly accurate and deadly on deer, but it is a handloading option only.
It comes down to how much you want to spend.
If she wants a new rifle, one of the Savage lady hunters in .243 or 6.5 CM would fill the bill nicely.
6mm bullets in the 85 to 105 range would work very well.
The 120 to 129 grain loads in 6.5 CM or .260 would be an excellent choice.
The 7-08 is a wonderful cartridge, but most of the factory loads are in the vicinity of the 139-140 grain class which puts your recoil right back up there with the .270.
A 7-08 with the speer 130 spitzer boattail is highly accurate and deadly on deer, but it is a handloading option only.
6mm Creedmoor in a heavy, more than 16 pounds, rifle with a proper fitting stock and recoil pad +/- suppressor would do the trick
You could always try some Remington managed recoil ammo for the 270.
I just picked up one of these 7x57's for my daughters (now 14 yo). Winny has a limited run this year.
Winchester 70 Featherweight 7x57 Mauser - YouTube
I just picked up one of these 7x57's for my daughters (now 14 yo). Winny has a limited run this year.
Winchester 70 Featherweight 7x57 Mauser - YouTube
I've done that, with my 308. the others, just sit, and wait. What a waste. They beckon me, while I walk out , without them. Poor souls.
^^^
What KYS said.
If you want factory rifle and factory ammo, go 243.
Custom build and rolling your own ammo, go 6 Creedmoor.
Given how well Mrs. Robozebra shot that GAP non-typical and how well the 6 CM w/115 VLDs did in Africa, I'd be hard pressed to pick a different platform or cartridge for a smaller statured individual.
250 yd shots on whitetail sized game I might even do a 6/223 set up for the 80 TTSX, 85gr TSX or similar bullet.
Will this be a custom build or a factory rifle? Custom route, GAP non-typical in 6 CM. Factory route, Tikka T3 in 243 but trim bolt stop and get 30-06/270 mags so you can seat bullet out and let the 243 breath a bit.
Nothing new to add. The 243 is a classic deer cartridge based on the 308. I can shoot mine out to 600 without any issues. Last month I was shooting prairie dogs out to about 700 yards with a 95 gr Hornady SST at about 2900 fps. On deer sized game it will/has done the job for years. I let my buddy's 11 year old daughter shoot it and she rocks it out to 400 with ease.
One thing you might try is adding weight to the current rifle. As the rifle gets heavier, the felt recoil is reduced. If you do most of your hunting from a stand, the extra weight doesn't become a problem, and in fact heavier rifles tend to shoot better. A 270 is a flat shooting deer killing machine, by adding some stock weight(s), everything she has learned etc. remains intact, just becomes less violent. The mercury tubes in the stock add weight, but so does a lead plug. It is really cheap and quick to try, if she still doesn't like it, they spend the $$$ on a new rifle, a .243 is never a bad choice.
Here is a really good chart to compare felt recoil between various cartridges, hope it helps.
Rifle Recoil Table
Rifle Recoil Table
Missed the hunting part, but the lighter the rifle the more it will recoil. Put a muzzle brake on it then and have realistic expectations.
Like everyone is saying, .243. I have been taking deer with a .250 savage lately, which is even a little less gas than the .243. I would not suggest a real heavy rifle for her to hunt with, she will not want to carry it anywhere. a compact, lightweight sporter that recoils lightly and doesn't have much muzzle blast will fit the bill best.
I bought this Savage 10FCM Scout 7.62x39 for my 110lb Granddaughter to use as an all-purpose grab-n-go rifle. She loves it, the cartridge is docile and capable within reasonable distances, and a multitude of commercial and/or surplus cartridge configurations are available without having to float a mortgage. For .30-30 deer distances (75-125yd) this is a decent and highly tolerable setup. Lightwight and compact, it's perfect for her full grown 5' 2" stature. It may be small, but the rifle packs large satisfaction; I like shooting it, too.
I replaced the scout mount with a conventional base, and put on a Tasco 2.5-10x42 Varmint/Target MilDot scope, which is about ideal for the chambering and definitely not expensive.
Since it's American made, Savage puts this chambering into a .308 bore that also handles .311 bullets due to a proper 7.62x39 hybrid 'choked' chamber/throat design.
With Hornady 110 V-Max handloads, the rifle gets very flat shooting and accurate, but that bullet is better left to smaller game than deer.
Designed for .30-30 velocities, the Sierra 125gr Pro-Hunter Bullet and the Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tip are ideal deer bullets for the chambering.
I also handload the 125 Ballistic Tip and the Sierra 125gr MatchKing in my .30BR for match shooting.
Greg
I replaced the scout mount with a conventional base, and put on a Tasco 2.5-10x42 Varmint/Target MilDot scope, which is about ideal for the chambering and definitely not expensive.
Since it's American made, Savage puts this chambering into a .308 bore that also handles .311 bullets due to a proper 7.62x39 hybrid 'choked' chamber/throat design.
With Hornady 110 V-Max handloads, the rifle gets very flat shooting and accurate, but that bullet is better left to smaller game than deer.
Designed for .30-30 velocities, the Sierra 125gr Pro-Hunter Bullet and the Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tip are ideal deer bullets for the chambering.
I also handload the 125 Ballistic Tip and the Sierra 125gr MatchKing in my .30BR for match shooting.
Greg
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A functional brake on a 243 might not be a bad idea. Should tame it right down to 223 recoil.
Even a lightweight .243 is a pussycat, and a brake on a hunting rifle??? Enjoy the tinnitus.
243WIN because:
-bullet weight primarily impacts recoil and the 6mm bullets will have less recoil than 6.5, 7 or higher.
-you should be able to buy hunting ammo at Walmart in an emergency....no wildcats. Chit happens and who wants to be finished with a hunt because they lost their ammo and can't replace it.
-A brake for a hunting rifle?...for a lady that is recoil senstive?...that's dumb.
-bullet weight primarily impacts recoil and the 6mm bullets will have less recoil than 6.5, 7 or higher.
-you should be able to buy hunting ammo at Walmart in an emergency....no wildcats. Chit happens and who wants to be finished with a hunt because they lost their ammo and can't replace it.
-A brake for a hunting rifle?...for a lady that is recoil senstive?...that's dumb.
For what's it's worth, my seven year old (a small 7 year old) shoots a .257 Roberts. He does great with it. No more recoil than a 243 and a tad more bullet (although shot placement is key). Walmart stopped carrying ammo years ago, but Bass Pro, Cabelas, and some Academy's still carry it. Classic cartridge.
At the worst point of the ammo shortage, I pretty much always was able to find .243. Of course, 3 - 20 rd boxes of hunting ammo will last you more than 5 years, maybe 10, so.... I mean, unless you are really a lousy shot, or hunt daily...
Dumb, huh? Tell us how you REALLY feel..... A well designed brake need not add that much noise to the shooter, directing most of its blast at 90 degrees. If a shooter is THAT noise sensitive AND recoil sensitive, they need a suppressor.
Again, we're NOT talking full auto here....
I would try a 243 with a muzzle brake.
Well, after perusing all this information I am leaning towards the .243. Her uncle can and will handle any reloads that we made need whether it be for the .243 or the 6mm family. I considered the break on her .270 but I don't think I am going to do that although I have not rule that out. Because if I do that I need another reason to buy a "new" rifle! After reviewing the Chuack Hawks recoil chart I believe the .243 untamed would be very acceptable for her. She does perfectly fine with my sniper rifle so I think the .243 will fit the bill. At this point I am probably going to look for an off the shelf stock rifle. The three I have looked at in brief so far are the savage Model 11, (Lady hunter I think), Winchester M70 and the Tikka T3. The 6.5 creedmoor is available in one or more of those. With respect to the 6.5 creedmoor, there is no recoil data in chuck hawks chart. Is the felt recoil with the 6.5 in the same ball park as the .243? Thanks gentlemen!
Jekyl,
My wife started out with an old Winchester 70 that had a butched stock in 270. I handloaded a sierra 110 grain pro-hunter with 50 grains of Ramshot Magnum powder. This load had zero recoil for her. The stock was goofy and Savage came out with the lady hunter, so I got an action to build on and she got a new rifle. She did not feel the Lady hunter before she bought it but thought it was going to fit her well. She does not like it. Her main complaint is the comb of the stock it slopes forward dramaticaly for her. Her rifle is in 7mm-08 and in that light gun it is a handful with deer loads. Main reason is because there is a ton of muzzle blast and it doesnt fit her right. Im sure I will load down for it but just something to consider. Before I buy her another rifle we will go to the store and find what fits her.
My wife started out with an old Winchester 70 that had a butched stock in 270. I handloaded a sierra 110 grain pro-hunter with 50 grains of Ramshot Magnum powder. This load had zero recoil for her. The stock was goofy and Savage came out with the lady hunter, so I got an action to build on and she got a new rifle. She did not feel the Lady hunter before she bought it but thought it was going to fit her well. She does not like it. Her main complaint is the comb of the stock it slopes forward dramaticaly for her. Her rifle is in 7mm-08 and in that light gun it is a handful with deer loads. Main reason is because there is a ton of muzzle blast and it doesnt fit her right. Im sure I will load down for it but just something to consider. Before I buy her another rifle we will go to the store and find what fits her.
I am a fan of 25-06. A little more bullet weight and recoil about the same as the 243. I have a 12yr old nephew shooting one of mine and he does great with it. Nothing wrong with 243 either.....
Jekyl, Since your heart is set on a "new" rifle, .243 can't be beat in the ranges you were talking. Otherwise down load the .270 with 130gr bullets and recoil could drop significantly. Or, maybe, a new stock which fits her better.
just bought my fiancé a 243 for this deer season. She has shot mine with no problem and she is 5'2 100-105 pounds. The 243 is a great round. I use mine for all deer sized game. Have taken deer with 80-95 grain ammo. Also I love that I can stop by a walmart and grab ammo if I need with no problem. I would try those Deer thug rounds from Walmart for off the shelf ammo. If you can get past the deer thug gimmick they were very accurate in my rem Rem 700 and were $22 a box of 20.(In PA)
