Help me pick a hunting rifle for the wife (Finally picked one... update in OP)

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Help me pick a hunting rifle for the wife (Finally picked one... update in OP)

Posted: 10/9/2014 6:27:48 PM EDT

My wife has decided she wants to go deer hunting this year, so I figure this is a good excuse to buy a new rifle.

What are some good bolt action rifles that I can get for less than $500? I'm wanting something smaller than the standard .270, .308, .30-06.

I would love to get the CZ in 7.62x39 but they are a little out of the price range.

So throw me some suggestions please.

Thanks.

ETA:

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Today I was browsing around the LGS and came across a used but good condition Savage Axis in .243 with the Bushnell scope for $207 out the door. I figure this gun may not be the best on the block but for her first hunting rifle it should get the job done.

Posted: 10/9/2014 6:35:50 PM EDT

[#1]

A .243 is what you want.Light recoil,high velocity,accurate and deadly on deer sized game.
EVERYONE who makes rifles makes a .243.
See what fits her best and what she likes..........

Posted: 10/9/2014 6:47:06 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
A .243 is what you want.Light recoil,high velocity,accurate and deadly on deer sized game.
EVERYONE who makes rifles makes a .243.
See what fits her best and what she likes..........

View Quote

+1
They also come in youth models if the full size isn't comfortable

Posted: 10/9/2014 6:47:28 PM EDT

[#3]

Used 7mm-08 ?

Maybe some lower end new... such as :

Savage, Ruger, Mossburg...

Add some decent glass for around $200, like Leopold Rifleman or Nikon's Prostaff ?

Posted: 10/9/2014 7:41:19 PM EDT

[#4]

Height and weight of wife?

If she weighs 100 lbs, I would choose a .243, definitely.

Isn't there some way you can arrange for her to shoot several different calibers?

Posted: 10/9/2014 8:04:47 PM EDT

[#5]

My wife is small stature and wanted a caliber more than strong enough or deer and still with enough punch for PA black bears.

She got a youth model Winchester Ranger in 7mm-08 and absolutely loves it. Recoil is not unmanageable and is more than enough for her for whatever she hunts.

Posted: 10/9/2014 8:16:51 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

+1
They also come in youth models if the full size isn't comfortable

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
A .243 is what you want.Light recoil,high velocity,accurate and deadly on deer sized game.
EVERYONE who makes rifles makes a .243.
See what fits her best and what she likes..........

+1
They also come in youth models if the full size isn't comfortable

The .243 was what first came to mind for me too.... they have become hard to come by on the used market. That's why I was wanting to see what other options might be out there.

Posted: 10/9/2014 9:16:22 PM EDT

[#7]

Savage 243. Done.

Posted: 10/9/2014 9:53:16 PM EDT

[#8]

DanaHillen nailed it.

Posted: 10/9/2014 9:56:00 PM EDT

[#9]

You can get a Ruger American in .243 at Bud's for around $350, a little more if you want a stainless "all weather" version. While the rifle's are a bit homely, all reports I've read say the rifle's are reliable shooters. An American in .243 is on my short list for a rifle to pick up for my gf to use this deer season. She's decided she wants to give hunting a try, and I need something that kicks less than my 12g slug gun.

Posted: 10/9/2014 10:00:11 PM EDT

[#10]

7mm-08 > .243

People's first choice is usually .243 when they hears "wife or girlfriend" or "children's starting rifle" but really a look at the 7mm-08 is WAY worth a look, heavier bullets, will reliably leave a good blood trail and has more power, isn't ust a "beginner" round, and its ballistically better than the .243 as well as having almost the exact same recoil with similar bullet weights.

Posted: 10/9/2014 10:07:09 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
You can get a Ruger American in .243 at Bud's for around $350, a little more if you want a stainless "all weather" version. While the rifle's are a bit homely, all reports I've read say the rifle's are reliable shooters. An American in .243 is on my short list for a rifle to pick up for my gf to use this deer season. She's decided she wants to give hunting a try, and I need something that kicks less than my 12g slug gun.

View Quote

great rifle...a friend just set up his wife with the same and topped it with an older 1.5 - 4 Nikon scope...those Ruger's have a great trigger and don't weigh a ton...

Posted: 10/10/2014 11:59:18 AM EDT

[#12]

IMO...I would find the best deal possible on a Savage Lady Hunter. You and her both won't be disappointed.

Posted: 10/10/2014 2:31:48 PM EDT

[#13]

I will say it: How does she feel about an AR15? 62 grain bonded works fine on whitetails at 200 yards and in.

Posted: 10/11/2014 2:05:31 AM EDT

[#14]

Find a lightweight rifle in a caliber you already have that fits her. Get a gunsmith to add a muzzle break and you're set. Cheaper to reload for and it will mitigate recoil a ton.

Posted: 10/11/2014 7:00:27 AM EDT

[#15]

My wife used a Marlin 336 in 30-30 for the past 7 years.

Posted: 10/11/2014 9:03:58 AM EDT

[#16]

243 Winchester would be my first choice if only deer were in the mix.

7mm-08 Remington if bears were added.

I bought a Savage this year when Remington was having the 700 recall and was surprised at the accuracy and pleased with the price.

Posted: 10/11/2014 6:33:41 PM EDT

[#17]

I love Weatherby Vanguard rifles, guaranteed sub moa at about $450. I would definitely go 243 as well, great caliber for deer.

Posted: 10/11/2014 6:47:06 PM EDT

[#18]

.243 or 7mm-08

Posted: 10/12/2014 8:54:29 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
My wife has decided she wants to go deer hunting this year, so I figure this is a good excuse to buy a new rifle.

What are some good bolt action rifles that I can get for less than $500? I'm wanting something smaller than the standard .270, .308, .30-06.

I would love to get the CZ in 7.62x39 but they are a little out of the price range.

So throw me some suggestions please.

Thanks.

View Quote

With premium ammo .223 and 300 Blk Out will take deer fine with proper shot placement. Also very little recoil and ammo can be found inexpensive for more practice. Make sure the gun fits her, has decent trigger, decent scope and she will shoot it until good at reasonable ranges from less then perfect shooting positions.

If you go with a .223 I would want a 1 in 9" twist or faster to handle heavier premium bullets or longer bullets such as Barnes TSX all copper rounds which would be my first choice on deer with a .223. I have yet to not see full penetration on hogs or large deer with TSX bullets.
Good Luck to her.

Posted: 10/12/2014 12:02:04 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:

A .243 is what you want.Light recoil,high velocity,accurate and deadly on deer sized game.

EVERYONE who makes rifles makes a .243.

See what fits her best and what she likes..........

View Quote

FPNI and all that jazz.

Specifically, I would recommend something like a remington model 700 in .243 winchester. I bought a model 700 sps compact .243 several years ago and it turned out to be one of my best purchases ever.

Posted: 10/12/2014 1:35:24 PM EDT

[#21]

any of the XX08 caliber's will work.

it's hunting not shooting.

clown

Posted: 10/12/2014 1:51:20 PM EDT

[#22]

Savage youth Axis in 7mm-08, coupled with Hornady Lite 120gr SST. My best friend bought his son that package this year, and brought it over to sight in the other day. I shot it and it's a really nice gun for the money.

The Lite 7mm-08 says 2675fps on the box with a 24" barrel, but my chrony said 2825fps from the Axis, which has a shorter barrel. The chrony was spot on with the ammo we shot that I use to be sure it's calibrated. I'm wondering if full power loads were mis-packaged, because it should have be about 2600fps.

The ammo was within 5fps of each other on the rounds fired through the chrony.

It's going to be real hard to beat that gun, and the 120SST will be devastating on deer out to 400 yards.

Another option if she's into ARs, is the 6.8 spec II. The friend's kid, same one, took his first deer last year with my ARP 16" with a Mepro M21 reflex sight, 200 yards measured ( 190 something ), using a 110gr AB at 2650fps.

The 6.8 in spec II with spec II / tac ammo is a 400 yards deer gun as well. There are 4 more new ammo choices coming on the market now, and already a bunch out there.

It's already way cheaper than the 7mm-08. You can get a box of hunting ammo for around $15, lots of choices at $20, really super premium stuff around $25. The ammo my buddy bought for his kid's gun was about $25.

Posted: 10/12/2014 3:00:45 PM EDT

[#23]

I really like the 260 as a lighter recoiling deer rifle; however they and the ammo aren't quite as common.

Posted: 10/17/2014 9:27:16 AM EDT

[#24]

My wife really liked the Savage Lady Hunter but it is a bit pricey. I found a lightly used Tikka T3 light in 243. She couldn't be happier. The recoil is light, the gun is light, the trigger is steller for factory, and the action is great. Plus it has a box mag.

Posted: 10/30/2014 10:54:51 PM EDT

[#25]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Today I was browsing around the LGS and came across a used but good condition Savage Axis in .243 with the Bushnell scope for $207 out the door. I figure this gun may not be the best on the block but for her first hunting rifle it should get the job done.

Posted: 10/30/2014 11:13:40 PM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
My wife has decided she wants to go deer hunting this year, so I figure this is a good excuse to buy a new rifle.

What are some good bolt action rifles that I can get for less than $500? I'm wanting something smaller than the standard .270, .308, .30-06.

I would love to get the CZ in 7.62x39 but they are a little out of the price range.

So throw me some suggestions please.

Thanks.

ETA:

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Today I was browsing around the LGS and came across a used but good condition Savage Axis in .243 with the Bushnell scope for $207 out the door. I figure this gun may not be the best on the block but for her first hunting rifle it should get the job done.

View Quote

Lord,dude.............didyakisshimonthelips?????????
I hope your wife kills a GREAT BIG 'ol deer with it!

Posted: 10/30/2014 11:16:39 PM EDT

[#27]

What a SMOKIN' deal !!!!!

WOW .

Posted: 10/31/2014 4:17:15 PM EDT

[#28]

Even if the Savage wasn't my first choice, I couldn't pass it up at that price.

Posted: 10/31/2014 8:47:34 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Today I was browsing around the LGS and came across a used but good condition Savage Axis in .243 with the Bushnell scope for $207 out the door. I figure this gun may not be the best on the block but for her first hunting rifle it should get the job done.

View Quote

Nothing wrong with a .243!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Help me pick a hunting rifle for the wife (Finally picked one... update in OP)

Outdoors » Deer Hunting

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us