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Brian Pfleuger · July 2, 2013, 08:35 AM

If you handload and you MUST start with that rifle, get some Trail Boss and load it per IMRs instructions.

Much better, would be to start with a 22 and progress to something like a 223 or 22-250 and then to a .243. If you're deer hunting, I'd stop at the 243 anyway but you could then progress to the 7-08.

If you start at the 7-08, with any normal load, "reduced" recoil or not the young lady is not likely to enjoy shooting it. The Trail Boss loads would work great but the problem will still be "stepping up". The next step up would be significant recoil, comparatively.

In any case, I'd absolutely start with a 22 if she doesn't shoot at all currently.

July 2, 2013, 08:35 AM	#10
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	If you handload and you MUST start with that rifle, get some Trail Boss and load it per IMRs instructions. Much better, would be to start with a 22 and progress to something like a 223 or 22-250 and then to a .243. If you're deer hunting, I'd stop at the 243 anyway but you could then progress to the 7-08. If you start at the 7-08, with any normal load, "reduced" recoil or not the young lady is not likely to enjoy shooting it. The Trail Boss loads would work great but the problem will still be "stepping up". The next step up would be significant recoil, comparatively. In any case, I'd absolutely start with a 22 if she doesn't shoot at all currently.