I live 30 minutes south of Cheyenne so its not a long drive but hey. My step dad (lives in Cheyenne) got me hooked on antelope hunting about 5 years ago but I havent gone in a few years. I just bought a new Savage 6.5X284 to go this year but I am taking my wife for her first rifle hunt. Any recommendations on a store bought rifle and caliber for an inexperienced female shooter? I will have her practiced up before the season starts. Looking for the best, low cost, low recoil option, she wont shoot much so I dont want a high end rifle, and I dont want her flinching and missing a shot. Maybe a Savage 243?
Taking the wife to WY!
- Thread starter tlittle
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243 or 22-250 should work?
westcliffe01
Well-Known Member
She can't shoot your rifle ? That would be just 1 rifle to carry between the 2 of you ?
You are getting rid of his reason to buy her (really him) another rifle! Isn't there a forum rule against this?!
chucknbach
Well-Known Member
.243 is a good call.
Kevin Wilmes
New Member
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- Feb 9, 2013
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The .243 gets my vote; I just bought the Savage Trophy Hunter XP with a Nikon BDC scope package in a .243 lefty for my son's 12th birthday in April. He is small framed for his age and has shot a borrowed .243 for the past two deer seasons in Nebraska with great results. My hope is the New Savage with the Accu Trigger and BDC Scope allows him to become a proficient shot out to 300 or so yards this summer. As many of you know we have put in for Wyoming antelope this year and if drawn the ranges may certainly exceed the 100 yard max range shots we have seen him make on does and bucks in eastern Nebraska.
trebark
Well-Known Member
Savage in 243win...that's the ticket.
The ladies at my house have always shot a Remington model 7 in 7-08 but there's a lot of good choices out there right now.
To the poster who suggested they both shoot the same rifle....the only time you tell a man not to buy a gun is if you're going to buy it yourself.
To the poster who suggested they both shoot the same rifle....the only time you tell a man not to buy a gun is if you're going to buy it yourself.
I would also consider a gun in the Remmington 260 Caliber. Very low recoil because it is a smaller bullet using a necked down 308 case. This is a wonderfully flat cartridge that is capable of moving up to larger animals should she want to because of the 140 grain bullets. Awesome caliber for what you are considering.
Tikkamike
Well-Known Member
tikka 243 is a winner
6.5Express
Well-Known Member
25 06 would get my vote. That's what I just got...bought for my wife to shoot antelope.
westcliffe01
Well-Known Member
I understand everyone's desire to "own more guns", but if she is not going to shoot a lot, why spend all the money on another rifle, another scope, more ammo, more dies, more components etc etc (I'm assuming that the 6.5 is not the only rifle the poster owns ???) then it seems like a bit of a waste. Maybe she insists she wants "her own" rifle, but I would sooner loan my wife one of my rifles that is already outfitted or possibly the same one I am carrying before just adding more to the mix.
Thats because that money could otherwise buy a nice self defense piece for her, or a 9mm/45 carbine for home defense or a 22 mag rifle with an illuminated scope and predator light for shooting critters that go bump in the night...
Thats because that money could otherwise buy a nice self defense piece for her, or a 9mm/45 carbine for home defense or a 22 mag rifle with an illuminated scope and predator light for shooting critters that go bump in the night...
You are getting rid of his reason to buy her (really him) another rifle! Isn't there a forum rule against this?!
He said a low cost option, Savage 243. Guessing it ain't really for him. I'd second having yer wife shoot yer gun. You'll get more mileage out of using the money for a nice dinner and some cash for her to go shopping. Then when you really do want to buy a higher end rifle, she'll be unable to say no. Nothing wrong with a little planning and manipulation when it comes spousal politic's...
westcliffe01
Well-Known Member
Even the Savage bolt guns are experiencing inflation in the current climate. Last year I got a Model 10 PC for $550 and a Model 12 243 for $750 (in stainless/laminate stock). Try find something now... The model 10 is going for close to $800 and the model 12 for close to $1000. Now add a scope for $450 and a base at $100 and rings at $30 and a sling for $50 and a stock pack for $20 and a rifle case for $50 and soon you are looking at $1500 out the door. Thats before ammo and range time. I agree that unless she is an enthusiast, you will get a lot more "mileage" as Howard Hughes used to say, buying a LOT of candle lit dinners instead of having a "cheap" gun that takes up space in the safe.
