help decide... deer rifle for wife

[mustanger98]

Better address the length of pull issue too while we're at it, since that has a big effect on felt recoil.

And I wasn't assuming everybody with a semiauto just tries to hose 'em down, but too many do. I tend to think learn to shoot first, then go semi, and don't forget how to make the first shot count just because you have a quick follow up shot ready to go. I also tend to think in terms of what's going to function when everything else is gunked up and jamming. Single-shots, .30-30's, and bolt guns will run when everything else is down.

I looked at a Deerfield about four years ago. It works a lot like an M1 Carbine, which I liked about it, but magazines are expensive and you're limited in what you can do with it. It didn't seem to catch on around here.

 

[berettashotgun]

270?

I got Sandy a win 70 classic SM, don't have a clue what the S.M. stands for, with a boss, in 270. I reload,so the recoil calculations were there to be worked- but I didn't have to. The boss worked great at reducing recoil and the rifle is a sub MOA with 130 noslers. An accidental find, but a darn good find anyhows. Sandy loves it and I couldn't be happier with the performance. BTW- started my boys out on 243's- they work great. The 260 is an excellent choice- but the stock design should be taken into consideration- my ruger #1's ALL have alot more PERCIEVED recoil than almost any other firearm I shoot/own.

 

[jefnvk]

One thing about the BOSS. They are loud. Last time I went to the range, a guy had got his wife a Browning with the BOSS in 7mm Mag. She was not flinching at the recoil, but the noise (her words, not mine).

I had a bad flinch when she let loose, too

 

[GAMALOT]

I never considered a Semi Auto DEER HUNTING RIFLE for one that would ever get GUNKED UP. Had mine for 40 years and can honestly say it has never fired more then 15 rounds, at the range, before a thourough cleaning and much less durring the hunting season. GUNK is not an option or a concern.
The question was, "What gun for the wife" and the variables are, LOW RECOIL, EASY TO USE and COMMON AMMO.
I had to buy a new gun for myself because my WIFE loves my 308 Winchester 100. SEEMS LIKE A GREAT CHOICE TO ME and MORE IMPORTANTLY-TO HER!
Gary

 

[mustanger98]

GAMALOT wrote:

I never considered a Semi Auto DEER HUNTING RIFLE for one that would ever get GUNKED UP. Had mine for 40 years and can honestly say it has never fired more then 15 rounds, at the range, before a thourough cleaning and much less durring the hunting season. GUNK is not an option or a concern.

Your mileage may vary. Some folks shoot more than others. Some clean more frequently than others. Some always field/detail strip while other's never do. Some ammo burns dirtier than others. Some rifles go through harder use/abuse in the field. Gunk ain't an option, but IMO if you don't clean your rifle thoroughly after a session and keep it clean during deer season, it'll get to be a concern. As I said, your mileage may vary. Most folks' mileage does vary.

As to the original question, this is another one of those threads where we're making recommendations to outfit someone we don't know, and that's the problem. She could pick any of the options we've recommended, or something completely different once she gets to looking at rifles.

 

[GAMALOT]

All we can ever do is make suggestions and hopefully they are based on knowledge or personal experiences.
Here in my part of NY we can use Semi Autos but other areas forbid them, "ASSAULT RIFLES" LOL.
I am fine with what ever suits the shooter and this shooter was given some great directions to go on.
Guess I just "ASSUME" hunters take pride in their equipment and it's ability to function propperly. I know I do and there is no question my rifle is ready to work all the time, any time.
You could be right because I have seen hunting rifles tossed back in the case after a season, never cleaned and never seen again till the next opening day.
My guns get more wear from cleaning and wiping them down then they ever get from actual use. I suspect yours do too.
Just for the fun of it, try a Model 100 some time, nice shooting gun and an excellent choice if you can find a nice one at a reasonable price. I am looking for another now since my wife seems to have inherited mine
Gary

 

[MaterDei]

Man I hope Pax doesn't see this thread, we'll get another stupid women rant.

 

[atblis]

CDNN has Steyrs on sale

I believe they have one in 260 Remington. It's a great women/child caliber.

 

[mustanger98]

Guess I just "ASSUME" hunters take pride in their equipment and it's ability to function propperly. I know I do and there is no question my rifle is ready to work all the time, any time.

I like to take better care of my rifles too. They haven't let me down yet.

You could be right because I have seen hunting rifles tossed back in the case after a season, never cleaned and never seen again till the next opening day.

I've heard plenty about people doing that. People don't realize, even if they only consider their rifle a tool, that if they don't take care of their tools, they will fail them sooner or later.

My guns get more wear from cleaning and wiping them down then they ever get from actual use. I suspect yours do too.

I wouldn't quite say that about mine, especially since I enjoy taking mine to the range. This one old .30-30 I talk about- it's the one I put the Lyman #2 tang sight on- I've shot it a lot since I got it. That's the one I won the bucket match with last month. If I keep it clean and do my part, it'll put any bullet I've fed it right where I want it to go. Thing is, when I bought it used, it was showing some dings in the stock and rusty worn finish on the reciever. I haven't refinished it yet- I'm liable to one of these days. Somebody'd been using it rough and probably traded it in on something else to abuse.

Just for the fun of it, try a Model 100 some time, nice shooting gun and an excellent choice if you can find a nice one at a reasonable price.

I'll have to look into it.

I'm trying to remember if I mentioned my buddies who own the gunshop- they're married and he shoots a .243Win and she shoots a .260 in a Rem. Model 7. She's kinda on the petite side and said she likes .260 real well.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I believe they have one in 260 Remington. It's a great women/child caliber.

.260 Rem.= hard-to-find ammo. Great cartridge if you are a handloader, but there are only a couple of factory loads, and difficult to procure other than gun stores.

As I said before, I think the .243 or .25-06 are probably the best choices for deer. And to reiterate, the .25-06 has a substantial ballistic advantage and is more flexible, but also supplies more recoil. But if she can handle 12 gauge 2-3/4" loads, she should be fine. Most .25-06 loads in a standard rifle produce around 15 ft/lbs of recoil.

 

[varoadking]

When I first read this, I thought the title was "Deer rifle OR wife."

That question would have been much easier to answer...

 

[GAMALOT]

I don't have a fondness for the Remington Semi Models. Both my brother and best friend have them, model 7400 I think and both have painfully hard magazine insertion and extraction.
The guns shoot fine and function without flaw yet the magazines are very poorly designed and are hard to get in and out. My Ruger Ranch is also finicky in this area but both my Winchester 88 and 100 are simple and sure.
About the last thing I want to see is a person, Male or Female, fighting & fumbeling with a gun to get it loaded or unloaded.
This also goes for Bolt actions that don't use removable magazines or have drop bottoms.
My advice is always to keep it as "SIMPLE" as possible because "Stupid" is not an option.
Gary

 

[atblis]

There's this beautiful thing called the internet

Order 260 ammo online. Just because Walmart doesn't sell it, doesn't mean it's hard to find.
Federal loads for it
Remington loads for it (Corelokts are only about $16 a box)
Georgia Arms loads it

Cabelas sells it
Basspro sells it
Natchezss sells it

I'd rather have a Steyr in 6.5x55, but I can't seem to find any of those (they supposedly exist).

 

[Berek]

P95Loser: I was about to say that it depends on what your wife looks like as to what ppl were willing to trade for her, but I see I was mistaken about the context of the "deer rifle for wife" part....

Berek

 

[GunGoBoom]

I'd rather have a Steyr in 6.5x55

If you can't find it, get the Tikka T3, CZ 550, Howa 1500, or Winchester 70 - all chambered in 6.5x55 - you probably knew that though.

And I might be willing to trade one of my rifles if your wife cooks & cleans well.

 

[mustanger98]

About the last thing I want to see is a person, Male or Female, fighting & fumbeling with a gun to get it loaded or unloaded.
This also goes for Bolt actions that don't use removable magazines or have drop bottoms.
My advice is always to keep it as "SIMPLE" as possible because "Stupid" is not an option.
Gary

Right. In the Rem. M7's case, I'm thinking it's got a hinged floor plate. What kept me from going for a M7 was I couldn't find a left hander. If I were building a custom Mauser from a K98k, I'd change out the K98's lower steel for that of a 1909 Argentine which is hinged and see if I could make the button easier to mash.

 

[atblis]

Off topic but oh well...

I specifically want a Steyr (Wouldn't mind another Tikka though) in 6.5x55.

The Winchester, CZ, and Howa don't do anything for me.

 

[Sunray]

Has she ever shot any CF before? I'd take her shooting with your rifles before I worried about anything else. She'll tell you if the felt recoil is too much, but it sounds like she has never shot before. S'ok, but she has no basis to make a decision about calibre. It's not your decision to make. She has to decide what she's comfortable shooting and what she can shoot well enough to hunt with. A 'chick range day'(I don't live there)with your hunting buddies and their ladies will let your lady try as many rifles and calibres as possible. Shooting is and always has been a social thing.
My experience with female shooters does not indicate any, I say again, any, inability to deal with felt recoil. One of my female Cadets, at 5 foot nothing and 100 lbs. soaking wet, could shoot circles around most of the 6 foot, 190lbs. guys with either a No. 4 Lee-Enfield or an FN C1A1.

 

[fisherman66]

I think we need more info on your wife. Tell us about her physique.

I think most if not all said rifles and calibers are fine. I also think this is a great opportunity to start reloading and that opens up the world and almost any gun you already shoot. I vote to by a reloading kit and let her shoot what you already have (loaded to her comfort level). If she likes hunting you are not out much and if she doesn't you don't have a rifle that you wouldn't use. Now if this is an excuse to get a new gun (like homer's gift to his wife of a bowling ball ingraved "Homer") then by all means get a new gun; but skip the ingraving.

 

[mustanger98]

Actually, I thought about bringing up Lee Enfields as they've killed a lot of deer and probably some of everything else up to and including polar bear. Depending on stock fit, the recoil's not bad and it's available in 174gr (PMP) and 180gr (Winchester) SP and you have several options to handload.

I'd get a No.4 Mk1 from SOG, then call up Numrich and have 'em send you the original micrometer rear sight ($12 + shipping).

Hunting being an area where weight can get in your way, if you want to lighten it up, Numrich has "sporterized" stock sets. You could change it out of the original wood which is set aside for if you wanted to put it back original. Taking the forward weight off does make a difference, but don't shorten the barrel.