Choosing new rifle for teen girl for hunting

Nim Rod · March 19, 2013, 01:03 PM

She currently shoots a Ruger .243, and she is proficient with it, it is a great go to rifle for deer & antelope and has served her well with many a tagged kill, however, we are looking to get something a little bigger for Elk after suffering a game loss due to the loss of a good blood trail after an initial good blood trail, leaving us to ponder if the bullet hole didn't close and prevent further blood loss.
After searching for well over 7 hours we were forced to give up when darkness fell.
As her mom, I shoot a Ruger 30.06, and she has shot it, but it seams a bit heavy for her with a little to much recoil, although she was proficient enough with it to bring down a nice Muley buck last fall.
We are debating between a .270, a .308, or "maybe" a 30.06...
Thoughts or advice?

Doyle · March 19, 2013, 01:13 PM

.270 will give you as much recoil as the .30-06. No help there. .308 will be a little better. Personally, I'd go with a 7mm-08. MUCH better at elk than a .243 as you can use 140grn bullets. Recoil is not much more than her .243.

Nim Rod · March 19, 2013, 01:23 PM

Thank you Doyle.
How available and pricey is ammo for a 7mm? I've not considered it before and know nothing about it. We'll add that to our list of prospective's

thanks!

Liambobbi · March 19, 2013, 01:26 PM

I second the 7mm-08 good choice

tahunua001 · March 19, 2013, 01:29 PM

308 is normally the minimum recommended for elk. another option you may think about is the 7mm-08 which is essentially the intermediary between 308 and 243(all three use the same case, just different neck sizes). it packs more weight than the 243 and shooters flatter and faster than 308.

if your family reloads, look for 7mm nosler accubonds, great bullet for elk...

Nim Rod · March 19, 2013, 01:36 PM

Thank you. I will definitely look into the 7mm 08.
I tried offering her my old starter rifle, a Marlin 30.30 Glenfield (it's already killed 4 elk in the past, so I know it can) but she wasn't interested in it...

We don't do any reloading, wish we did...........sigh...so need ammo to be easy enough to find (I know...it's near impossible to find these days for any cartridge)

allaroundhunter · March 19, 2013, 01:42 PM

If you need to be able to find ammo then .308 is pretty much out of the question as it is a rare luxury in most areas. I find 7mm-08 ammo most everywhere that I look, and it is a great round with just a little more recoil than the .243.

RonR6 · March 19, 2013, 01:46 PM

I have a Remington .280 mountain rifle and my wife occasionally shoots it and likes it. It's very light and can be carried all day on a hunt and should be sufficient for elk with heavy bullets. Recoil is not that bad.

kutz · March 19, 2013, 01:50 PM

Ruger Americans are not heavy, I use a .270 American on Elk.

Wyosmith · March 19, 2013, 02:08 PM

You might look at a Browning BAR in 270 or 30-06 instead of just looking at bolt actions. The wood stock version is just about 7 pounds as it comes out of the box, so about 8 pounds with a scope, loaded and ready to carry.
Also the wood stock can be shortened if she's not a tall gal, and so the gun can be made to fit her well.
See this link.

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...id=031&tid=536

A smaller and/or light bullet or lower velocity is a good way to reduce recoil, but so is a gas auto and if you go to an auto you don't have to give up as much power.
One of these firing a full power 270 with a 150 grain bullet is an excellent elk gun and it kicks about like a 25-06 or a light 243.

AllenJ · March 19, 2013, 02:08 PM

I’ll start off by saying how impressed I am that you, as a mother, have introduced and are willing to help your daughter in the sport of shooting and hunting. America does have some hope left!

Doyle is spot on with his assessment. The 270 is just a 30/06 necked down so recoil is about the same. The 308 Winchester is a good choice except again, the recoil is only slightly less than a 30/06 and it is nearly impossible to find any ammo for them right now. 7mm/08 is a great little cartridge, well capable of taking elk at close and intermediate distances, and with less recoil than a 30/06. From what I’ve seen the ammo is usually a little more expensive but other than that it is a cartridge I would give serious consideration if I were in your shoes.

BoogieMan · March 19, 2013, 02:08 PM

I would push a 30-30. I inherited one from one of my dads friends. I have a deer rifle but my 15 y/o son did not. 2 seasons he has dropped 5 deer in 2 states with it. Happens to be a Marlin microgroove with a 4x Bushnell. I see you offered her your 30-30. Perhaps she just wants her own "new" rifle. Or maybe a different style. IMO 30-30 is one of the most underrated calibers. Shoots flat (within range) hits hard and has a gentle recoil.

Nim Rod · March 19, 2013, 02:12 PM

WyosmithThat is pretty! However....and it won't affect anything, but she wants blond wood to match her .243...she's taken a real liking to blond woods, lol.
I wonder if any of the above mentioned is available in a blond wood, or MSR, which she also loves

Wyosmith · March 19, 2013, 02:15 PM

MSR?
What's that?

Nim Rod · March 19, 2013, 02:21 PM

Thank you AllenJ, I pride myself as a huntress and having been hunting since I was her age (17) I even left my x because he refused to hunt, lol...found me a new husband who is as die hard about hunting as I am...seriously, lol.

I absolutely love my 30.30, and it served me well for many, many years...but I also love my 30.06 with its "reach out and touch something" capability, lol.

Last fall, we went out for deer and she thought I had put her .243 in the truck, and I thought she had...after all, she is responsible for making sure she had everything she would need....long story short, we reached our destination only to discover she had left the .243 at home so I handed her my 30.06, which at first she was scared to shoot, but once she saw her buck, all fears left her and she dropped him in one fatal shot.....said she never even noticed the recoil in her excitement, lol..ok, yeah, I'm bragging

I admit it, I'm a proud mom!
The landowner just couldn't get over 2 gals, hunting with no fella along....then his jaw dropped when we quickly dressed out our kills...guess he was worried he was gonna have to do it, lol.
Anyhow, I personally feel she would do just fine with a 30.06, and ammo is readily available...plus we can share ammo if the need ever arose....but yes, she wants her very own rifle, not a hand me down......dang kids, lol

Geo_Erudite · March 19, 2013, 02:23 PM

Savage Model 11 lightweight hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor, 260, or 6.5x284

or

Savage Model 11 Lady Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor

Nim Rod · March 19, 2013, 02:23 PM

MSR - Military Style Rifle...I know very little about them....my son has an AR-15, but he doesn't hunt....(he works at a meat processing plant and has no disire to add to his workload, lol)
I don't know what calibers are available in a MSR though

Sgt Pepper · March 19, 2013, 02:26 PM

Ditto on the 7mm-08. While I am a fan of the .30-30 for a number of reasons, it is very limited in range.

tahunua001 · March 19, 2013, 02:46 PM

for 7mm-08 I found some 160 grain hunting ammo that uses the accubond bullet. a little spendy and currently on back order but much more effective against elk than 243.
here's the link

the rifleer · March 19, 2013, 02:57 PM

A good recoil pad helps a lot, i bet she could shoot a 30.06 comfortably with a good recoil pad.

Nim Rod · March 19, 2013, 03:01 PM

oh now THIS is sweet!!! I think she would LOVE this one!!!!

Nim Rod · March 19, 2013, 03:02 PM

Thank you so much everyone! I sent her a link to this thread..so we'll see what she has to say when she reads through it

(after all, she's the one who pointed out this forum to me

)

Saltydog235 · March 19, 2013, 03:16 PM

Quote:

for 7mm-08 I found some 160 grain hunting ammo that uses the accubond bullet. a little spendy and currently on back order but much more effective against elk than 243.
here's the link

I handload a 150grn Nosler BT in my 7mm08 and it is devastating on a whitetail deer and hogs. I have lot of rifles chambered in different cartridges but I always seem to favor my 7mm08's. I wouldn't think twice about taking on bigger game with it.

tahunua001 · March 19, 2013, 03:34 PM

my brother and brother in law both use 7mm rem mags and both swear by the 160 grain accubonds for elk. they travel a lot faster and kick a lot worse but I think the 08 would still work quite well.

sourdough44 · March 19, 2013, 03:40 PM

I do like the 7mm-08 but since no one reloads, and you already have the 243 covered I'd step up to the 308. If needed for occasional practice, you can track down some 'reduced recoil' ammo for the 308. They could be used for some hunting too.

If you did have a trusted reloader in your circle it would be helpful. One gun(among many) I like is the Browning X-Bolt, Micro-Hunter and regular sized.

Back to the 243, with a quality 95-100 grain bullet and reasonable ranges, it should do well with good shot placement.

March 19, 2013, 01:03 PM	#1
Nim Rod Member Join Date: March 19, 2013 Location: Wyoming Posts: 32	Choosing new rifle for teen girl for hunting She currently shoots a Ruger .243, and she is proficient with it, it is a great go to rifle for deer & antelope and has served her well with many a tagged kill, however, we are looking to get something a little bigger for Elk after suffering a game loss due to the loss of a good blood trail after an initial good blood trail, leaving us to ponder if the bullet hole didn't close and prevent further blood loss. After searching for well over 7 hours we were forced to give up when darkness fell. As her mom, I shoot a Ruger 30.06, and she has shot it, but it seams a bit heavy for her with a little to much recoil, although she was proficient enough with it to bring down a nice Muley buck last fall. We are debating between a .270, a .308, or "maybe" a 30.06... Thoughts or advice? Last edited by Nim Rod; March 19, 2013 at 01:38 PM.

March 19, 2013, 01:29 PM	#5
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	308 is normally the minimum recommended for elk. another option you may think about is the 7mm-08 which is essentially the intermediary between 308 and 243(all three use the same case, just different neck sizes). it packs more weight than the 243 and shooters flatter and faster than 308. if your family reloads, look for 7mm nosler accubonds, great bullet for elk... __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

March 19, 2013, 01:36 PM	#6
Nim Rod Member Join Date: March 19, 2013 Location: Wyoming Posts: 32	Thank you. I will definitely look into the 7mm 08. I tried offering her my old starter rifle, a Marlin 30.30 Glenfield (it's already killed 4 elk in the past, so I know it can) but she wasn't interested in it... We don't do any reloading, wish we did...........sigh...so need ammo to be easy enough to find (I know...it's near impossible to find these days for any cartridge) Last edited by Nim Rod; March 19, 2013 at 03:12 PM.

March 19, 2013, 02:08 PM	#12
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	I would push a 30-30. I inherited one from one of my dads friends. I have a deer rifle but my 15 y/o son did not. 2 seasons he has dropped 5 deer in 2 states with it. Happens to be a Marlin microgroove with a 4x Bushnell. I see you offered her your 30-30. Perhaps she just wants her own "new" rifle. Or maybe a different style. IMO 30-30 is one of the most underrated calibers. Shoots flat (within range) hits hard and has a gentle recoil. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

March 19, 2013, 02:46 PM	#19
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	for 7mm-08 I found some 160 grain hunting ammo that uses the accubond bullet. a little spendy and currently on back order but much more effective against elk than 243. here's the link __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

March 19, 2013, 01:13 PM	#2
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	.270 will give you as much recoil as the .30-06. No help there. .308 will be a little better. Personally, I'd go with a 7mm-08. MUCH better at elk than a .243 as you can use 140grn bullets. Recoil is not much more than her .243.

March 19, 2013, 01:23 PM	#3
Nim Rod Member Join Date: March 19, 2013 Location: Wyoming Posts: 32	Thank you Doyle. How available and pricey is ammo for a 7mm? I've not considered it before and know nothing about it. We'll add that to our list of prospective's thanks!

March 19, 2013, 01:26 PM	#4
Liambobbi Member Join Date: January 24, 2013 Posts: 51	I second the 7mm-08 good choice

March 19, 2013, 01:42 PM	#7
allaroundhunter Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2012 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 1,670	If you need to be able to find ammo then .308 is pretty much out of the question as it is a rare luxury in most areas. I find 7mm-08 ammo most everywhere that I look, and it is a great round with just a little more recoil than the .243.

March 19, 2013, 01:46 PM	#8
RonR6 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2013 Location: South Eastern PA Posts: 108	I have a Remington .280 mountain rifle and my wife occasionally shoots it and likes it. It's very light and can be carried all day on a hunt and should be sufficient for elk with heavy bullets. Recoil is not that bad.

March 19, 2013, 01:50 PM	#9
kutz Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 393	Ruger Americans are not heavy, I use a .270 American on Elk.

March 19, 2013, 02:08 PM	#10
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	You might look at a Browning BAR in 270 or 30-06 instead of just looking at bolt actions. The wood stock version is just about 7 pounds as it comes out of the box, so about 8 pounds with a scope, loaded and ready to carry. Also the wood stock can be shortened if she's not a tall gal, and so the gun can be made to fit her well. See this link. http://www.browning.com/products/cat...id=031&tid=536 A smaller and/or light bullet or lower velocity is a good way to reduce recoil, but so is a gas auto and if you go to an auto you don't have to give up as much power. One of these firing a full power 270 with a 150 grain bullet is an excellent elk gun and it kicks about like a 25-06 or a light 243.

March 19, 2013, 02:08 PM	#11
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	I’ll start off by saying how impressed I am that you, as a mother, have introduced and are willing to help your daughter in the sport of shooting and hunting. America does have some hope left! Doyle is spot on with his assessment. The 270 is just a 30/06 necked down so recoil is about the same. The 308 Winchester is a good choice except again, the recoil is only slightly less than a 30/06 and it is nearly impossible to find any ammo for them right now. 7mm/08 is a great little cartridge, well capable of taking elk at close and intermediate distances, and with less recoil than a 30/06. From what I’ve seen the ammo is usually a little more expensive but other than that it is a cartridge I would give serious consideration if I were in your shoes.

March 19, 2013, 02:12 PM	#13
Nim Rod Member Join Date: March 19, 2013 Location: Wyoming Posts: 32	WyosmithThat is pretty! However....and it won't affect anything, but she wants blond wood to match her .243...she's taken a real liking to blond woods, lol. I wonder if any of the above mentioned is available in a blond wood, or MSR, which she also loves

March 19, 2013, 02:15 PM	#14
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	MSR? What's that?

March 19, 2013, 02:21 PM	#15
Nim Rod Member Join Date: March 19, 2013 Location: Wyoming Posts: 32	Thank you AllenJ, I pride myself as a huntress and having been hunting since I was her age (17) I even left my x because he refused to hunt, lol...found me a new husband who is as die hard about hunting as I am...seriously, lol. I absolutely love my 30.30, and it served me well for many, many years...but I also love my 30.06 with its "reach out and touch something" capability, lol. Last fall, we went out for deer and she thought I had put her .243 in the truck, and I thought she had...after all, she is responsible for making sure she had everything she would need....long story short, we reached our destination only to discover she had left the .243 at home so I handed her my 30.06, which at first she was scared to shoot, but once she saw her buck, all fears left her and she dropped him in one fatal shot.....said she never even noticed the recoil in her excitement, lol..ok, yeah, I'm bragging I admit it, I'm a proud mom! The landowner just couldn't get over 2 gals, hunting with no fella along....then his jaw dropped when we quickly dressed out our kills...guess he was worried he was gonna have to do it, lol. Anyhow, I personally feel she would do just fine with a 30.06, and ammo is readily available...plus we can share ammo if the need ever arose....but yes, she wants her very own rifle, not a hand me down......dang kids, lol

March 19, 2013, 02:23 PM	#16
Geo_Erudite Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Location: SE WI Posts: 158	Savage Model 11 lightweight hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor, 260, or 6.5x284 or Savage Model 11 Lady Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor

March 19, 2013, 02:26 PM	#18
Sgt Pepper Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 811	Ditto on the 7mm-08. While I am a fan of the .30-30 for a number of reasons, it is very limited in range.

March 19, 2013, 02:57 PM	#20
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	A good recoil pad helps a lot, i bet she could shoot a 30.06 comfortably with a good recoil pad. __________________ There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.

March 19, 2013, 03:01 PM	#21
Nim Rod Member Join Date: March 19, 2013 Location: Wyoming Posts: 32	oh now THIS is sweet!!! I think she would LOVE this one!!!!

March 19, 2013, 03:02 PM	#22
Nim Rod Member Join Date: March 19, 2013 Location: Wyoming Posts: 32	Thank you so much everyone! I sent her a link to this thread..so we'll see what she has to say when she reads through it (after all, she's the one who pointed out this forum to me )

March 19, 2013, 03:34 PM	#24
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	my brother and brother in law both use 7mm rem mags and both swear by the 160 grain accubonds for elk. they travel a lot faster and kick a lot worse but I think the 08 would still work quite well. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

March 19, 2013, 03:40 PM	#25
sourdough44 Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 621	I do like the 7mm-08 but since no one reloads, and you already have the 243 covered I'd step up to the 308. If needed for occasional practice, you can track down some 'reduced recoil' ammo for the 308. They could be used for some hunting too. If you did have a trusted reloader in your circle it would be helpful. One gun(among many) I like is the Browning X-Bolt, Micro-Hunter and regular sized. Back to the 243, with a quality 95-100 grain bullet and reasonable ranges, it should do well with good shot placement.