What small caliber for a lady?

[W.TX-hunter21]

Hi all, new to the forum's.

I have a question pertaining to what small caliber is a good choice for my wife?


Here are a few question's and criteria's I have:

1. What small caliber choice would you recomend for a 5'2" 125lb lady?
2. Has to be big enough to take a whitetail no more than 300yds.
3. She would like something that is fun to shoot at the range as well as the field. ( not a lot of recoil).
4. I would like the caliber to be readily available and somewhat cheep to shoot as we go to the range almost every weekend.
5. Has to be able to pop varmints about 500yds or less.

I hope I have covered the basic's any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Miller Outdoors]

Buy her a nice little .243 win and never look back.

 

[tackb]

any of the mild 6mms , .243 win /6mm ppc would suit fine , very easy to shoot well and both will work for your applications with good bullet placement?

 

[Buffalobob]

Any of the 308 case cartridges such as 308, 7-08, 260, 243. Recoil is mostly affected by bullet weight and rifle weight.. A 175 grain bullet in the 308 will be about the most I would recommend in any caliber without a Limbsaver recoil pad and some shoulder pad. So probably the choice narrows down to the 260 and the 243 and you can throw in a couple of 25 calibers such as the 25-06. There really should be no problem with the 243 killing deer to 300 yards so there is no need to shy away from it. So the 260, 25-06 and 243 would top the list and then I would just see what rifle she likes and get it in one of those calibers.

 

[300R]

+1 for 243win, my second choice but not as practical would be the 6BR, super fun accurate cartridge.

 

[MN Hunter]

Welcome to LRH.

Has your wife had the opportunity to shoot before? If so what calibers and what did she think of the recoil? I agree with what the others have suggested as far as caliber. What will be most important is that the gun fits her. Make sure the length of pull is right along with it being of a weight that she can easily manage.

 

[winmag]

+1 with B.B.
.308 Win. I plan on getting one for my daughter, and one for my wife someday. They dont have ''jack'' for recoil, yet shoot a big enough bullet to kill an elk at reasonable distance, under the right circumstances. Exelent lady's caliber IMO.
If varmints and deer are the only things on the menue a 243 will suffice.

 

[Broz]

My wife is about the same size and she loves our 6mmbr. With an 8 twist and 107 SMK's it shoots bug holes way out there. It will do all you have mentioned and more.

Jeff

 

[W.TX-hunter21]

Thanks guy's for the recomendation's.

My wife has shot quite a few gun's of mine but just hate's the recoil of my big deer rifle's. There are a few exception's she really like's to shoot my .22's, .223, .17, and .204, and all the hand guns raning from .22- .45.

Im trying to learn how to reload as well so that should keep some cost's down as well. Im trying to keep cost somewhat "Affordable" and want something that is readily available.

I've been told really good thing's about the .243 and how light the recoil is, so I might really look into that, as far as some of the wildcats mentioned, there real awsome shooter's dont get me wrong, but I would like something I can just pop down to the local outdoor shop and pick up a box of shells for the range for somewhat cheap.

Thank's again for all the post's, and keep them coming, if anymore idea's come about. I will keep ya'll posted on the search and purchase of the rig and setup when I finally figure it out.

 

[CapDog]

I'm a big fan of the 6.5's. My wife shoots a 6.5x55. Loaded with 120gr class of bullets recoil is mild and it is very effective on deer. You also have the option of some heavier bullets like the 130gr Accubond and a number of 140gr options that are effective on game as large as moose. A 260Rem would be in the same boat.

 

[tackb]

I'm a massive fan of the 260 remington and this is a calibre you could consider ? my custom doesn't shoot factory very well or i haven't found a round that does yet , although a lot of people consider an inch good, my handloads with the 140 amax are just the nuts in my rifle!

If your handloading then you can tailor the load to suit , i would recommend the lyman reloading book as it gives such a variety of loads and you can use the cast loads which are reduced to reduce recoil ?

 

[mopar440]

dont know if their is better round than 243 for your criteria

it is a very accurate round responds well to reloading and can find a box of ammo just about any where

this was my first centerfire as a kid at 10 years old and 75 pounds still have the rifle I learned my nehews to shoot with it still shoots good groups

i use 100gr core locks most of its life they work well with deer

 

[trebark]

I've been told really good thing's about the .243 and how light the recoil is, so I might really look into that, as far as some of the wildcats mentioned, there real awsome shooter's dont get me wrong, but I would like something I can just pop down to the local outdoor shop and pick up a box of shells for the range for somewhat cheap.

Given this criteria, the 243 is your best bet. If I had the choice though, I would look at the 260 or the 7-08. Both of these will provide a bit more power down range.

As for varmints....if you can see 'em, they're in range.

 

[azsugarbear]

So she is sensitive to recoil. She likes the 17's, 20's and 22's. Sounds like the 243 is your best bet. You can buy/load 75 -80 gr. ammo down in the 223/22-250 range and then slowly introduce her to heavier bullets to see how she does with them.