smaller than .30 for deer

[valnar]

Another vote for 6.5x55, especially if you were leaning towards the .243

If you were leaning towards the higher end, then 7x57 or 7mm-08 would do good, but I don't know how much difference in recoil they would be compared to .308.

In any case, pay attention to the weight of the rifle too. If she insists on a light rifle for similar reasons, then a lightweight 7mm-08 may not be much difference in recoil than a heavier .308

 

[LJ-MosinFreak-Buck]

Shot placement has always been key in hunting, hasn't it? Unless you guys have been pounding around shooting deer/elk/whichever four-legged-freezer-filler we're talking about here, anywhere on their body hoping for a drop. I'm just saying, I'm not trying to start a war here.

 

[Southernsorrow]

you could still go .308 if you look into semi auto actions.... bolt action rifles always have more "felt" recoil as there is no moving parts or recoil springs to take some of the thump before transferring it into the shoulder.

 

[snakeman]

Get a 25-06 or 6.5x55. They are low recoil and should work well for elk with the right bullets. Personally I would opt for the 6.5x55 Howa m1500.

 

[Swing]

Sub-30 for deer? I'd go with the .270. Maybe the .243.

 

[T Bran]

7MM/08 gets the vote here. It is enough gun for her needs but without the harsh recoil.
I dont know your budget but if you dont want to break the bank look at a Savage AXIS. They come in youth legnth which is nice for smaller statures and at 300.00 including a 3x9 scope (not high end but not bad). Buds guns has them in .223 .243 and 7/08 with free shipping to your FFL. I received one in .223 a month or so ago and am pleased with it. It is a custom with me to lend a rifle to a new hunter and gift it to them after their first kill with it. In this case it is for a close friend's wife who has started hunting hogs with us. She wont know she owns it untill she shoots a piggy but her name is already on it.
Sorry for the long post good luck in your search.
T

 

[Damon555]

No need to use a 243 on elk.....plenty of better options out there.

 

[blarby]

I think she's settled on 7-08. She thanks everyone for their help and pleasantries.


Now with the caliber out of the way........ Rifles ?

 

[snakeman]

I wouldn't take for my 257 weatherby and it doesn't kick much at all. If you placed a vanguard in 257 weatherby in a axiom or compstock from knoxx, it would be a delightful rifle and plenty potent. As far as the 7mm-08 goes I would consider the howa or weatherby line. From my experience and I've had them all, they are the most dependable and accurate rifles available out of the box. If not either of those two I would have to go Savage or TC. I don't know your budget but er shaw has a semi-custom line and so does hill country rifles.

 

[Panzercat]

Shot placement has always been key in hunting, hasn't it? Unless you guys have been pounding around shooting deer/elk/whichever four-legged-freezer-filler we're talking about here, anywhere on their body hoping for a drop. I'm just saying, I'm not trying to start a war here.

Sure has, but somebody always mentions it as if they've discovered gravity for the first time when discussing anything less than .50bmg

 

[MachIVshooter]

I'd assume like the rest are saying you'd need a more powerful round than the .243 and .270 to take one down

.243 is light for elk, but .270 will do just fine at reasonable ranges ( <400 yards) and with proper bullet selection (bonded, 140+ gr.).

 

[7thGenAustinite]

i vote .270

 

[Ridgerunner665]

270...kills like lightening, shoots flat..it just plain works.

Its been killing elk since 1925 if I remember correctly...it didn't suddenly become inadequate our inferior in any way....elk ain't armor plated.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX!

 

[jerkface11]

270...kills like lightening, shoots flat..it just plain works.

Its been killing elk since 1925 if I remember correctly...it didn't suddenly become inadequate our inferior in any way....elk ain't armor plated.

No one said it won't kill elk. However the OP wanted lower recoil than a .308 and .270 doesn't fit that.

 

[jnoble87]

Like 2-3 people said .25-06...That's it? You can't go wrong with .25-06, especially for anything long range. 270 is nice, but it packs a decent wallop in the recoil department...25-06 kills like a FRICKIN LASER BEAM, and is a mild shooter...You know where the money is at ;-)

 

[Gunner11]

250 Savage anyone, sometimes the oldies are still the best.

 

[MachIVshooter]

250 Savage anyone, sometimes the oldies are still the best.

It's a good round, but fell out of favor in the US when the .257 Roberts was introduced. Then the .25-06 was standardized and all but killed the other quarterbores.

 

[Joemyxplyx]

Moose with 6.5x55 Cartridge

Interlock wrote:

look at the projectile first. a 6.5 mm bullet of a decent wieght has really high sectional density. indeed a great amount of moose are shot in scandinavia using a 6.5 bullet. These are mainly from 6.5 x 55.

I've often seen this reference to Scandinavians killing moose with a 6.5. But then I read the 6.5 is not much of a moose killer, taking multiple shots to bring one down. Often the moose is just wounded and left to die.

The reason the 6.5 is used by Swedish farmers is not because it is a good killer but because it is cheap and readily available as military surplus. The moose are pests to the farmers who don't much care how they get rid of them.

 

[Gunnerboy]

^ again its all shot placement

 

[tahoe2]

deer & elk

since elk is on the menu also, I would start with the 6.5's(x55, x57 or x.284) and work up from there,
.270 win, 7x57, 7mm-08, .300 Savage etc... Lots of choices out there, of course handloading you can download any cartridge.
There is always the "managed recoil" loads from Remington in .308 or .30-06, just my .02 cents.

 

[RPRNY]

On the issue of 6.5 x 55 and moose, all I can say is that, having hunted in Sweden - only deer and bear, no moose myself - the Swedes have no reservations about the round for moose. I have heard no suggestions that it was a wounding round or inadequate for the task.

Yes, the wide availability of rifles in this caliber is a key factor, but given the cost of hunting in most of the Nordic countries, if it wasn't effective, they wouldn't be using it. There are very few small-hold farmers hunting big game in Sweden (with the exception of shotgun deer season). Land owners hunt big game - and have big holdings. Otherwise, you pay good money for a mooose tag. 6.5x55 is a traditional cartridge, but when fired from a $10,000 custom rifle, it is a cartridge of choice, not necessity.

I am not suggesting the 6.5 x 55 is the only cartridge that meets the OP's criteria. His choice, 7mm-08, is an excellent one as well. But 6.5 x 55 will readily do for elk, does for moose, and is a very pleasant, soft shooting round.

Now - as to rifle choice, I have to say, bang for buck, it's hard to beat Howa these days.

 

[Sav .250]

If you haven`t figured it out by now............. A 243. There are others but
go with the 243.

 

[wraith56]

I'll recommend the Savage Model 11. I have the long action version with synthetic stock. IMHO, It has two things going for it 1) the right weight and balance for a full power cartridge shooting from a sitting or kneeling position, 2) very simple and obvious controls design.

When I tried another guy's Tikka T3 lite at my range, it was much too light and recoiled viciously. I also like how the accu-trigger indicates whether the rifle is cocked or not, and generally how its pieces work in simple, obvious ways. It is a very simple, excellent design. When looking at the gun store check out some savage rifles. I see savages in 7mm08 all the time.

If you get a Savage, don't be disappointed if you aren't shooting .75 inch 5-shot groups at 100 yards. Other people have put a lot out alot of accuracy hype about them. My experience is limited to ordinary conditions where wind, scope parallax, and a shaky table keep my 10 shot groups over 2 inches at 100 yards.

 

[Joemyxplyx]

Moose with 6.5x55 Cartridge

RPRNY wrote:

On the issue of 6.5 x 55 and moose, all I can say is that, having hunted in Sweden - only deer and bear, no moose myself - the Swedes have no reservations about the round for moose. I have heard no suggestions that it was a wounding round or inadequate for the task.

You seem to know more about it than I do. I just read this review of the 6.5x55 in Terminal Ballistics Research at this URL: http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledge+Base/6.5x55.html

Here's the money quotes:

For many years, Norma produced two loads for the 6.5x55, the 139 grain Vulcan at 2850fps (29" barrel) and the 156 grain Alaska at 2559fps. Both of these loads were used successfully on Sweden's Moose but this deserves an explanation. Firstly, the popularity of the 6.5x55 in Sweden came from the availability of cheap surplus rifles. Secondly, the 6.5x55 has mostly been used by farmers and lower income earners but has otherwise been superseded by more powerful cartridges.

When Norma designed projectiles for the 6.5, some 600 Moose were shot and autopsied which allowed Norma to conclude that flat point bullets deliver the most shock. The resulting flat pointed Vulcan and Alaska were ballistically suited to the Swedish woodlands where shots typically occur under 150 yards. Unfortunately the poor ballistic coefficients of both of these bullets make them highly susceptible to wind, drop and energy loss at the ranges they are used at in America, Australia and New Zealand. At close ranges, these bullets perform extremely well on medium game and offer immediate shock transfer on even the lightest animals. On Moose, death usually occurs after a run of up to 300 meters.

I really like the 6.5x55 and the .260. I envy the Ruger RSI in 6.5x55 someone showed earlier. But I do think something bigger like a .270 or .30-o6 might be more suitable for large elk and moose. Just saying.

 

[blarby]

Ok, shes settled on a model...and of COURSE its hard to find.

She's looking for :

Ruger M77 Hawkeye Compact 7mm-08 Remington Rifle in Matte Stainless Finish

Ruger model # 17111

Just like the Kimber.... If someone can help me locate one of these "in stock" I'd be happy to provide a box of ammo- your choice and caliber- from Midway once she has the rifle in her hands.

Scouts Honor- I promise.