smaller than .30 for deer

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For a short action cartridge, I'd put another vote in for the 7mm-08. For a long action I'd go with a 25-06. I'd compare the recoil of a heavier weight 25-06 like a Howa 1500, for example to a 7-08 on a lighter synthetic stocked rifle. You probably already know this, but I'd definitely stay away from single shots! They can be harsh on recoil sensitive people in 308 and -06 based cartridges.
 
I don't have a wife or a hunting license, but a couple of second hand reports:
One guy here furnished his girlfriend with a .260 on the Remington 700 Youth. They agreed later it should have been a 7-08.
Another lady found the dividing line between .30-06 and .270, and bought the latter.
 
Hello, Mrs. Blarby. 'Tis a pleasure meeting you!

I'd be happy with .243 Winchester. It'll take down about most of the hunted animals in North America with the proper shot-placement, and I've witnessed multiple bang-drops with this caliber. May not be the cheapest, but you will be able to practice on the regular. Recoil is a pleasant thump.

The rifle in question is an older Savage Model 110. And the round is pretty capable of being really accurate. On a good day I can group that rifle at just over in inch.

Hope this helps!
 
I have been impressed with the results of the .243 with the Barnes TSX or TTSX bullets on deer.

.260 is hard to complain about from a recoil or results standpoint as well.
 
No mention of the excellent .270 Winchester? The late Jack O'Connor must be rolling over in his grave, after all those years of pushing it as the best all-around calibre available.
 
243 hands down for your use, with proper loads it will do the job plus with low recoil allows the shooter to gain confidence and make one shot count,
I've seen many large eastern white tail go down(one round)with an 85gr hollow point.
 
The Swedes and Norwegians take loads of moose every year (which ironically they call aelg - the origin of our word elk) with their home turf cartridge, the 6.5x55. It has also taken virtually every type of African game south of the Big Five. It is a remarkably accurate, soft shooting, and diverse cartridge. Until the mid Seventies, this was the cartridge used in the biathalon, now replaced with the 22lr, which should add to the evidence that it is a soft shooting and accurate round.

A Ruger 77 RSI in 6.5x55:

L1020092.jpg

I would be surprised indeed if the Missus didn't find that absolutely delightful!
 
RPRNY, that is one gorgeous rifle. I have never seen the RSI in a stainless/walnut configuration. A family member has a Winchester M70 Featherweight in the same caliber that is almost as pretty.

To address the question at hand, I got my 12 year old son a Weatherby Vanguard in 7MM-08 and it is a joy to shoot. It is a little heavy for a youth rifle which really tames the recoil, and the 20" barrel makes it pretty handy. It is also pretty accurate, certainly good enough for deer and elk. I started him on 100 gr. handloads a few hundred fps off max to build confidence, and even they are more than adequate for deer unless you are shooting across a canyon.
 
Good deer cartridges for the recoil sensitive:

.243 Win.
6mm Rem.
.257 Roberts
.25-06 Rem.
.260 Rem.
6.5x55mm Swede
7mm-08 Rem.
7x57mm Mauser

Of these, the most commonly available (rifles and ammunition) are the .243 Win, .25-06 Rem, 7mm-08 and 7x57.

If ranges will likely be shorter, the .243 is the most gentle, and still a perfectly capable deer round at 300 yards.

If expecting longer shots (or just wanting a flatter trajectory) the .25-06 is pretty much the undisputed champion of deer rifle chamberings.

If elk are ever to be hunted, I'd suggest the 7mm-08 or 7x57. .25-06 is fine for elk with proper bullet selection and good shot placement, but the heavier 7mm bullets give a better margin of error.

Some have suggested the .270, which is certainly a good round. But the .270 Win (and .280 Rem) will kick harder than a .308 in a given rifle.
 
I am coaching/teaching my sister in law to hunt.

I have set up a ruger Hawkeye, compact model.
This rifle is chambered in 7.62x39. light recoil, and accurate with my handloads.
I am loading Sierra 150 grain (.308") flat based bullets.
H335 powder. And yes the .308 diameter bullets shoot great!

The rifle has a 16" barrel.
My sister in law is 95lbs. At most, and she loves to shoot this combo.
I am guiding her for black bear this spring.

I would Love to see her get a bear!

This model of rifle also comes in .243,.308win.

Hopefully the OP will find what she likes. And good luck with your choice.
Welcome to the hunters fraternety!
 
I and many others have used .243 and .270win for deer for many years, I just recently switched to .308 as it seems to drop them quicker and can hit them effectively at slightly longer range. +1 on a savage rifle as you can easily switch calibers on them with a barrel swap and bolt face swap. 223/270/308 etc.etc. without buying a new rifle
 
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you could drop a deer with a .223 with a headshot or direct heart shot if you go behind the shoulder into armpit area...but if you don't get a perfect hit or strike a rib they'll run 1/2 mile atleast before dropping.
 
Southernsorrow said:
you could drop a deer with a .223 with a headshot or direct heart shot if you go behind the shoulder into armpit area...but if you don't get a perfect hit or strike a rib they'll run 1/2 mile atleast before dropping.
Click to expand...
That has been addressed.
Here's the hitch...she'd also like to be able to use it for elk when the occasion arises, so the .22+ variations are out here in Oregon.

That leaves us starting at 24 cal.
Click to expand...
 
257 Roberts since you want to potentially take Elk as well. Its the perfect white tail cartridge. And can be loaded up to take Elk. I know many deer are taken with a .243. But I consider it a marginal round at best. It's also the minimum caliber allowed where I live for deer. It's not allowed for elk. 257 Roberts isn't allowed either. A .308 reduced load is the best option IMO.


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I imagine weight matters, but a heavier rifle would help to absorb the recoil of any caliber you pair with it. Light and sexy is great, but you're running a fine line with elk on the menu in terms of caliber, and since somebody always brings it up, OMG!shotplacement panic.

And damn, I don't generally go for Bolt actions, but that Ruger 77 RSI is hot.
 
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