Gun for wifey

[SDHNTR]

Well my wife just passed her hunter's safety course and I want to take her on a hog hunt. She is pretty small and does not have a background in firearms so they intimidate her. I have plenty to choose from but these are a few that I think might do the job.

A Ruger .243, very accurate but somewhate heavy. 3x10 scope.

A Marlin 336 30-30, no scope.

A Remington 722 in .300 sav. 4x scope.

A big consideration is the availability of non lead ammo. I would normally lean towards the .300 savage as it is a nice compact rifle and does not recoil much, but I don't think I can find non-lead ammo for it. The 30-30 would probably be a good choice but she might struggle with accuracy and open sights. So I'm leaning towards the .243 with 85 gr TSX loads from Fed Prem. Not my fav pig caliber, but I've used it with good results in the past. I do not, however, have any experience with that little 85 gr TSX load. Whatchya'll think?

Another option would by my .270 or 30-06 with reduced recoil loads, but are they made in non-lead? I do not handload.

 

[hogassasen]

Congrats on the wifey passing the test. I think anyone would do good but my vote goes to the 243.

 

[sancho]

of your list,,the .243.

i think the best choice, is a 7mm-08. lots of bullet choices, very managable recoil..get it in a ruger No1..it would be awesome.

 

[Speckmisser]

SD, that 85gr TSX will perform as well or better than most 100gr lead ammo. You'll get great penetration, which is one place the .243 is so often underrated with lead ammo.

I'd still say to keep the shots reasonably close, and help her learn to pick shots like a bowhunter, and you should be golden. It might be good, though, to drill a little bit on follow-up shots (something most of us could stand to work on). You're not likely to get much of a blood trail if she doesn't anchor it well the first time, so putting one more in for insurance could mean the difference between a great experience and a real bummer.

.243 is not my favorite pig round either, as I've said before, but it's proven that it will do the job. Of the three rifles you mentioned, I think it would be my choice too.

Edited to add...

I didn't see the last couple of lines. Why not let her try the .270 with standard loads? You might be surprised. Body size is not the only thing that determines how someone can handle recoil, and if her form is good (most women are naturals IF THE GUN FITS), that .270 shouldn't punish her at all.

 

[Gyopo]

I would go w/the 243 from your list.
Save weight by taking off the 3-10 scope and getting a fixed 4x.
You don't need all that magnification.
The copper bullets are long-for-weight b/c the copper is less dense than lead.
so, although the bullet may seem light, you get a good s.d.

I am also looking at options for a smaller framed shooter.
right now, I am leaning towards a kids' stco for my Ruger 77 in 7 mauser.

 

[2rocky]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (sancho @ Aug 14 2008, 12:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

of your list,,the .243.

I think the best choice, is a 7mm-08. lots of bullet choices, very managable recoil..[/b]

I had the same thoughts.

My wife has a 7mm-08, and I think my daughter will shoot it in a couple years.

I'd say let her play with the guns you have there at home and have her tell you what fits, and what scope she likes. She WILL have a preference and a good reason, although she may not be able to express it in terms us guys could understand....(this is where you say "Yes Dear")

It will probably sound like " I like where the clickie thingie is and the way the shoulder piece sits," or at least that is how MY wife and daughter expressed themselves...

You are lucky that your wife wants tro go hunting with you. Mine just calls the blacktails "jackrabbits with horns" and points to the last deer she shot....a 3x4 mule deer when she was 14 (20 years ago)

 

[barel74]

even if the .270 seems to kick a bit hard for her, while sighting in, once there is hair in the scope, she won't feel a thing.

 

[SDHNTR]

I'd rather not buy a new rifle and I don't have a 7mm-08, although that and a .260 would probably be good choices. But is there factory non-lead ammo available?

I'm inclined to let her give my .243 a whirl and just be real selective with shots (which I want her to learn anyway). I could have the stock cut down to fit her.

The last thing I want is to scare her out of being interested. Knowing her level of intimidation already, I'm afraid my .270 would do just that. I want her first experience with a high powered rifle to be a pleasant surprise. I want her to look up from the bench and say "hey, that wasn't bad at all" as she eagely shoves another round in the hole.

 

[ltdann]

I don't seem to remember anyone making lead free 30-30 so that ought to narrow the options.

 

[2rocky]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ltdann @ Aug 14 2008, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I don't seem to remember anyone making lead free 30-30 so that ought to narrow the options.[/b]

According to my gun shop Federal has Lead Free 30-30 factory rounds, but they didn't have any at the time....

I found these at Midway. Maybe I'm imagining the Federal...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/...leitemid=560751

 

[One Track]

Pick up Julie's .270 before you head to the range. Julie doesn't mind the kick and it's deadly. You can borrow it anytime.

Julie shot a 30-30 and she didn't like the crack. She shot my 30-06 and shot it really well. The .270 is a Ruger M77, toped with a VXII 3-9x40. Sweet.

 

[ltdann]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (2rocky @ Aug 14 2008, 02:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ltdann @ Aug 14 2008, 12:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't seem to remember anyone making lead free 30-30 so that ought to narrow the options.[/b]

According to my gun shop Federal has Lead Free 30-30 factory rounds, but they didn't have any at the time....

I found these at Midway. Maybe I'm imagining the Federal...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/...leitemid=560751
[/b][/quote]

Wow, that's the first lead free 30-30 I've seen, and out of stock, I see.

 

[jackrabbit]

.243 for all the reasons stated above -- but DO NOT LIGHTEN THE WEIGHT!  I have an old Model 70 wood stocked standard weight Winchester in .243, and of course it is heavier than larger calibers because there is more steel left in the barrel.  A standard 30-30 kicks way worse.  And my .270 Featherweight kicks pretty good because of the light weight of the firearm/scope combo.  I regularly shoot a 7 mag savage and a 300 Wby SS with composite stock, so I can handle recoil without much problem, so I am experienced on felt recoil.  But the .243 with the heavy rifle and heavy scope is what I started my son on -- now he is a regular on the skeet range and can shoot a hundred rounds with no problems. A heavy firearm is not a bad thing for reducing felt recoil -- but if your mostly just hiking on public land with a rifle tagging along, it sure could make a differnence!

 

[Tallbud]

Check out this link for lead free ammo. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/con...tifiedammo.html

The site has the link to each manufacturer that the California DFG has approved.

By the way my vote is the .243!

Have fun, good luck and be careful!

 

[Rancho Loco]

For me, I'd scrub the .243... I don't like it as a pig rifle. The .30-30 would be awesome, but I'd put a fixed 4x on it for her. It'd be a killing machine, and with you by her side, you'll get her close enough to kill what you're hunting.

Next choice - Rem makes a model 7 in .260 that will kill any deer or pig she sees, and cor-bon loads TSX's for it, but they're bank. I still think you gotta start reloading. At least do it to stick it to this state. From the messing around I've done with my .260, I see why it's developing a huge cult following. Light recoil, great accuracy, big punch. Pigs, deer, Antelope... Even Elk within reason. It's going to be my truck gun, I can see it.


After that - 7mm-08. TSX ammo availible if you're going to ###### out and not reload like a real man. Once again, look at the model 7, or a model 700 if it fits her.

 

[Coues]

Nate, come by and pick up my Tikka 7mm/08 when you come for your Coues, if you want.
Return it when you come back in Jan. I won't need it, I didn't draw jack squat.

 

[outdoorsman]

.270..................ammo readily found, including "lead-free", will take big-game up to and including elk, many bullet weights to choose from, light kick, multipul makers.

 

[SDHNTR]

I've got an awesome Winchester M70 in .270 all worked over and buffed out by Hill Country Rifles. I've got a wonderful Zeiss scope on it. It drives tacks and is beautiful, I might let her try it but if she scratches it, I might have to serve papers. Coues, that's a generous offer. I might have to mull that one over. Thanks!

 

[Rancho Loco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SDHNTR @ Aug 14 2008, 12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

She is pretty small and does not have a background in firearms so they intimidate her.[/b]

Putting her on your tricked out rig might just be like trying to teach her to drive in your Z4. That Tikka 7mm-08 sounds nice - that's what Backcountry's better half uses.
Or am I just wasting my time here?

 

[SDHNTR]

I think all you ever do is waste your time.