For the Lady's or their experienced buyers

[TysonLeal]

The love of my life has tolerated my rifle, archery hunting, fly fishing, ab diving, spearfishing, business travel and my latest foray into reloading. In exchange I've committed to 4 weeks vacation per year as a family and provided a beautiful 5th wheel to build our memories....

However, last night over dinner she sweetened the pot. We started discussing this years deer/hog expeditions and she mentioned doing some research on obtaining her hunters safety cert and signed up for next month. So her b-day is Aug 8 and I am thinking a new rifle may be a really cool gift to show appreciation for all she does AND get her acclimated to the sport in the right way.

Can any of you out there share some insight on Lady's options (Makes, stocks, caliber etc) you have found success with in the past? In the closet right now I have a HOWA short action I could donate to a custom or simply buy new. I would like to keep the rifle purchase at or under $2K and will likely top it with a Swaro Z-3. I like long barrels and fast bullets, but I want something that she can handle easily getting in and out of the truck, maneuvering in the field, recoil that won't make her think twice and I prefer to keep bullet weights above 100gr.

Any ideas?

 

[tbrice23]

Savage has a line of rifles 'Savage Lady Hunter'. They're supposed to be built to fit a lady.

Looks like it's available in 223 Rem, 243 Win, 270 Win, 30.06 , 308Win. 6.5 Creedmoor, 7.08 Rem.

Says they weight 6 lb.

If it was my lady I'd look closely at 6.5 Creedmoor. Just so I could shoot it when she wasn't home

 

[HARPERC]

Take her shopping and let her pick.

It's a lot more feel I think, strength different than a man, as well as anatomy. A lot of good women's and youth choices out there.

If I had to pick today, a Ruger Hawkeye Compact, with a lighter after market stock, with a "thumbhole". I find a little better grip provides a little more control when folks have a little less upper body strength.

 

[aj427ci]

My wife bought a Savage lady hunter in 30-06 and she loves it. I like shooting it too, points like it's an extension of your body. And shoots awesome.

 

[WildRose]

The love of my life has tolerated my rifle, archery hunting, fly fishing, ab diving, spearfishing, business travel and my latest foray into reloading. In exchange I've committed to 4 weeks vacation per year as a family and provided a beautiful 5th wheel to build our memories....

However, last night over dinner she sweetened the pot. We started discussing this years deer/hog expeditions and she mentioned doing some research on obtaining her hunters safety cert and signed up for next month. So her b-day is Aug 8 and I am thinking a new rifle may be a really cool gift to show appreciation for all she does AND get her acclimated to the sport in the right way.

Can any of you out there share some insight on Lady's options (Makes, stocks, caliber etc) you have found success with in the past? In the closet right now I have a HOWA short action I could donate to a custom or simply buy new. I would like to keep the rifle purchase at or under $2K and will likely top it with a Swaro Z-3. I like long barrels and fast bullets, but I want something that she can handle easily getting in and out of the truck, maneuvering in the field, recoil that won't make her think twice and I prefer to keep bullet weights above 100gr.

Any ideas?

Sounds like you both married awfully well.

One thing to keep in mind is that as a rule women do not have the upper body strength that men do so you might want to keep the weight down similar to that of a youth or mountain rifle, something under 8, preferably under 7lbs total weight, scope and all.

The .25-06 and 6.5's have mild recoil and plenty of gas to get the job doe with a good selection of quality high BC bullets available.

The .243, 6mm Rem and 6mm TCU are calibers that most women, even young kids can shoot quite comfortably as are the
260 Rem, 6.5CM, and 6.5x47L with the latter being the mildest recoiling all else being equal. All of them also offer the benefit of having small enough case capacity that they will perform well from from 18-22" barrels.

If you already have an action and stock for around 800-1000.00 you can have the action trued and install a barrel from any number of the better barrel guys in the business. The only issue you might get into going the custom or semi custom is wait times so it's good you are thinking of this now.

I'd also encourage you to start cruising the LRH classifieds. Lots of great deals pop up there with some frequency and if you aren't already married to a particular cartridge there are endless options.

 

[Predator 22]

My wife shoots a remington model 7 cdl in 260. She is small framed 5' 0" 105lbs and handles the gun well. I'm loading a 130 grain accubond with a mild load of h4350 shoots 1moa OR a bit better consistently. At the modest ranges she shoots it's more than enough for elk and mule deer. Another thing is buy her clothes and boots that are made for a lady, it makes there experience much more enjoyable. Good luck

 

[MudRunner2005]

Use your current short action to build a 7mm-08. Put a 1:9 twist 20" (from lug to crown) Sendero/varmint contour Bartlein on it and shoot the Berger 168 VLD's out of Lapua brass with Varget powder and Fed 210M or CCI BR2 primers.

I had a similar custom .308 Win built on a Mod 7 action and it was a great tac/hunting rifle.

 

[DXHI]

My ex (stupid on my part) wanted to start duck hunting with me.. I was going to surprise her for Christmas (unknown to her). We went shopping together to "test" out the different ones for her.. With me suggesting which features I liked and didn't like and why... She found one she wanted and we left with it that day ...

I would research several guns on the market that seem feasible, narrow down choices... Let her make final one

 

[WildRose]

Use your current short action to build a 7mm-08. Put a 1:9 twist 20" (from lug to crown) Sendero/varmint contour Bartlein on it and shoot the Berger 168 VLD's out of Lapua brass with Varget powder and Fed 210M or CCI BR2 primers.

I had a similar custom .308 Win built on a Mod 7 action and it was a great tac/hunting rifle.

That's a lot more weight than most women are going to want to tote around.

You can do a Bull magnum contour that finishes at around .750 to get the desired effect for stability but at a considerable weight savings. With the mentioned calibers barrels of 18-20" is plenty and that helps too.

 

[WildRose]

My wife shoots a remington model 7 cdl in 260. She is small framed 5' 0" 105lbs and handles the gun well. I'm loading a 130 grain accubond with a mild load of h4350 shoots 1moa OR a bit better consistently. At the modest ranges she shoots it's more than enough for elk and mule deer. Another thing is buy her clothes and boots that are made for a lady, it makes there experience much more enjoyable. Good luck

I've got the 700 CDL SF in .264wm and right from the factory it shot very well.

I bedded the action and recoil well and made sure it was free floated and it started shooting even better.

They only made a handful of them in .260 but I'd sure love to get my hands on one.

 

[WildRose]

The love of my life has tolerated my rifle, archery hunting, fly fishing, ab diving, spearfishing, business travel and my latest foray into reloading. In exchange I've committed to 4 weeks vacation per year as a family and provided a beautiful 5th wheel to build our memories....

However, last night over dinner she sweetened the pot. We started discussing this years deer/hog expeditions and she mentioned doing some research on obtaining her hunters safety cert and signed up for next month. So her b-day is Aug 8 and I am thinking a new rifle may be a really cool gift to show appreciation for all she does AND get her acclimated to the sport in the right way.

Can any of you out there share some insight on Lady's options (Makes, stocks, caliber etc) you have found success with in the past? In the closet right now I have a HOWA short action I could donate to a custom or simply buy new. I would like to keep the rifle purchase at or under $2K and will likely top it with a Swaro Z-3. I like long barrels and fast bullets, but I want something that she can handle easily getting in and out of the truck, maneuvering in the field, recoil that won't make her think twice and I prefer to keep bullet weights above 100gr.

Any ideas?

On a lark I looked over at GB. Right now they have quite a few Rem 700 CDL SF's in stock in several calibers you would enjoy including .260 Rem and 7mm-8. Both are nice calibers for a woman or kids and this platform is one of the prettiest I've ever seen in a factory rifle.

Just have your gunsmith bed it and float the barrel and you're in business.

remington 700 cdl sf For Sale

 

[snox801]

I took my howa short action and turned it into a 6x45 18 inch barrel. My wife live shooting it and it was tuff to find a gun she liked with very little recoil. It does shoot 95 gr extremely well. Smaller than you wants for weight but I always stay on the safe side when starting new hunter. This is the rifle I use every year for the youth hunt also. Have taken many nice White tails and hogs. Just a thought. Many other good one mentioned already.

 

[TysonLeal]

Thanks to all for the input.
The 260 and 7-08 have been some of my personal top contenders, though a 6.5x47L has selfishly crept into my mind a few times.

Wildrose, thank you for the concerted effort. That 700 is a beautiful gun and will likely be the route I take.

For those who mentioned to let her pick...you're probably right, but I love a good surprise. She can pick out the sling and new shell holder for her belt.

And to whomever suggested the boots and clothing that fit...I am pretty sure that's why she wanted to get involved in the first place (new hobby to accessorize). A few of her new duds arrived the other day unbeknownst to me and they are nicer than mine.

What a great place this is and the people are even better.

Thanks All...Tyson

 

[jrock]

I tried what you are thinking of and it didn't work. I got her a .204 and she really doesn't care to shoot at all. The .243 is about is big as she will go.