Gun for wifey

[Mntngoat]

If she is anything like my wife (5'-0" - 100 lbs) ... Most guns will be too large heavy for her. I'd get her a youth rifle with a short stock on it in .243 or .260. I found my wife a Franchi 720 youth model 20 ga. and it just about perfect for her. In fact she shot 2 rounds of trap last night with it.

Work her up slowly with managed recoil rounds until she gets used to it.

Congrats on her passing her Hunters Safety now get her out in the field.

ML

 

[SDHNTR]

Yup, she's about 5' 2" and 110 or so, and willing to try but scared of guns. I have to be careful not to spoil the experience.

 

[inchr48]

I'd start her on rimfire to develop good gun handling and shooting habits. Cheap, so she can shoot enough to feel comfortable before moving up to a CF caliber. Glad she wants to do it. My wife loves to target shoot, but has no interest in Deer Hunting. She said she would like to chase upland birds this year though.

 

[bux-n-dux]

Congrats on the new hunting partner!!!!

I started my GF on my pump .22. She loved it and said she was ready for the big dogs, so I gave her my S&W .243. 10 rounds later she said she was ready for anything. Here she is dumping mags out of my 1100!!!!


The .243 gets my vote. It was my first big gun at 11 years old and I was smaller than your wife, very shy of recoil, and it worked for me. If she likes to shoot the gun, then it will be easier for her to practice her shots so that pig or deer won't have a chance!!!



Best of luck,

bux-n-dux

 

[One Track]

Here's what you need to do. Start her on a 300 Win Mag. Then, step down to the .270 and she will be stoked!

 

[Bulleye]

Take her shooting just for shootings sake. Start her on a 22lr then when she wants to shoot targets that are further out hand her a 223. Once she gets use to that hand her the 243 and explain the to her that if you go pig hunting you want to shoot a larger caliber than 223. If she likes the 243 and feels like she can make a step up then hand her the 270. If you start with a small caliber and increase bullet sizes you will build her confidence and she will enjoy shooting more. If the first thing she fires causes her pain or major bruiseing she is going to lose interest. Also set clay targets up for her to shoot or have her shoot steel targets so she can see the clays breaking or hear the steel getting hit. It will make it that much more satisfying then having to look through a spoting scope at some holes in paper. My girl is 5' 2" 108 pounds and I was having a hard time getting her to shoot. Her favorite fiemarm is my 22 pistol cause its light and she can hold it comfortably. My long guns are to big for her. The only long gun that fits her is my AR and she can handle it well. Good Luck! =)

 

[MJB]

I have a Winchester Youth Ranger, 20 ga. pump you can barrow if you want to take more than one gun shooting.

Too funny OT!!!!

 

[NikolaKangrga]

.243 !!!! Great Round. Its what I started on, its what my GF started on and still shoots today. And I still pull my ruger .243 out on occasion for a hog hunt.

 

[noonesperfect]

CorBon also makes a 30-30 that uses the Barnes TSX all copper bullet, if you are still considering that round for the wife.

 

[Raully]

I grew up shooting a 270 and the recoil isn't that bad for most people. Although I would make it fun for her the first time out, and start her with a 223 then step it up to a 243. Savage makes one sweet and accurate rifle out of the box and the price is damn good too. The key is to make sure she has the rifle butted up TIGHT to her shoulder and she is holding it RIGHT before she fires. Most first time shooters don't shoulder it properly which in turn makes the recoil worse. It should be a push instead of a punch. What ever you do make it fun thats the key with woman. Try an outdoor range. She might suprise and handle the recoil just fine.

 

[upper]

Like Coues said 243 in a Tika Lite will do fine,just fine........Upper

 

[TikkaNuts]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Speckmisser @ Aug 14 2008, 12:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

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.[/b]

SD, I agree with Speck also. Let her try the 270. a much better all purpose round. Her frame should handle it well as with my wife, she's 5'1. And if needed to, a Limb Saver recoil buttstock pad will definitely eliminated half of the recoil. She will enjoy it.

 

[Rick]

THe .243 ought to work fine. The problem with borrowing that 7-08 will be fit. You can't saw off a stock on a gun you borrow.... Make sure the .243 fits her and have her shoot the first shots standing - not off the bench. The bench will make the recoil seem worse. Put her on the bench for final sighting in after she is used to the gun and then she will know that the gun doesn't "really" kick that hard....

 

[tmoniz]

I just had my wife stand next to me and put out her arm out. Her arms are longer than mine. She's 5 foot 2 inches.
Weight? She won't tell me. I'm 5 foot 4 and 130. I don't mind shooting the big stuff, but hey, it's a guy thing.
So I'm puzzled as to why to shorten a rifle stock.
Your 243 sounds like a good beginning.
I don't think the 270 would be all that hatefull for her as well.
I had a 722 in 300 Savage. It was a great little rifle. Very handy.
As far as scratches on a "field" gun. It's gonna happen.
I would seriously consider handloading.

T

 

[Cold1nhand]

Here is my

I would go with the .270 for the following reasons

a) You can find ammo just abot anywhere
b) Many different grains of bullets available
c) One of the cheapest lead free calibers
d) YOU ALREADY OWN ONE!!!


I would just work her way up and you shouldn't have any issues. And just as previously stated, I don't feel any recoil when I am shooting at game. Now the target range... that can be killer! But the first shot is never as bad as the second. I would let her shoot a smaller caliber at the range and then the .270 when you go hunting.

 

[sancho]

i have been thinking about this: first off, you are damn lucky to have a SO willing to give it a shot. kudos to her. i think if she likes hunting/shooting, she should get her own firearms. no hand me downs or loaners. it reminds me of the guys i see on motorcycles, riding around with there ladys riding shotgun. the guy has killer gear,,. helmets, jackets, gloves...and the lady is wearing a beat down, helmet, no viser, no jacket, no gloves.

if lightning ever strikes me, and my wife wants to rifle hunt, i am going rifle shopping.

 

[Huntr Pat]

SD,
My wife shoots a remington 788 243win. and she shoots it good. We practice in the back yard shooting a pellet gun.which gives more confidence squeezing the trigger thats when she not shooting her bow. By the way my wife shoots a Mathews Mustang at 48 lbs and harvest her 1st doe with a bow last year during our A33 fhl hunt.