Which rifle to buy

[vickyjo]

So I'm in the market for a good rifle for shooting antelope, deer and elk. I've asked the kids I work with for advice since I'm just a beginner, and so far we're thinkin either a 270, 30-06, or 7mm308. I'm a smaller girl so I'm thinking I need a youth model that is left handed. Anyways, any help with this would be appreciated! Thanks.

[VinVega]

I would suggest a 7mm-08 or .243 if you're small and a beginner A .270 or .30-06 will make you flinch and, like I said, if you're just starting out, will be very unpleasant at first. While both are wonderful cartridges for hunting just about anything, they kick...hard. And if you're getting a youth model, it will kick even harder. If you're not going to hunt elk, the .243 will do fine. If the elk really are likely to be involved, get the 7mm.

[denton]

I've just been through a long discussion about using the 243 on deer. If you're going to do that, I suggest that you use a premium bullet, like the Speer Grand Slam or Nosler Partition.

As mentioned, the 7mm08 is a better choice if elk are on the menu. Again, a premium bullet would be a good idea.

Another chambering, less common, that you might like is the 6.5x55. Those of us that have them think they are about the coolest round there is. Case capacity is a bit higher than the 308 based rounds. I have no data to support this, but the round has a reputation of doing a better job that its paper ballistics would indicate. Also, the published reloading data is almost all for older milsurp rifles. You can go up a grain or two on those loads without problem, if you're shooting a modern rifle.

Still less common is the 257 Roberts. Those who have them seem to be extremely happy with them.... almost fanatically so.

Check the offerings from CZ and from Savage. Savage has a reputation for being ugly, but performing well.

[smacarac]

I WOULD GO WITH A 7X57 A 7MM08 IS ALSO A GOOD CHOICE.

[M.T. Pockets]

Lots of good choices, and it probably wouldn't make a bit of difference which you end up with. But if elk are in your future with this rifle I would like a .308. You can load them down so recoil would be comfortable, and with a 180 grain premium bullet you've got a 200 yard elk rifle.

[Evan03]

dont forget remingtons new managed recoil ammunition, may be the ticket to tame that 3006

[fabsroman]

Welcome to the board VickyJo.

If you can leave elk out of the equation for a while, a .25-06 might be the right cartridge for you as a beginner and for killing antelope and deer. It has a little less recoil than the .270 and .30-06, and I would guess the .308 and 7mm. I haven't hunted elk yet, but if I did I would take my .300 Win Mag. That cartridge isn't one that a new shooter should try. I have had a couple of guys shoot my .300 Win Mag, which has a 2 lb trigger on it. Now, I weigh about 150 lbs. and can handle the recoil to a certain degree because I have increased the weight of the rifle and I know when it is going to fire. These guys that were shooting that rifle were in the 200+ lb category and when the trigger caught them by surprise, they ended up taking a step or two backwards.

New shooters should shoot smaller cartridges until they work themselves up to the larger ones. Have you done any shooting before? If so, what rifle cartridges have you shot or what shotgun gauges have you shot?

Best way to figure out how much recoil you are comfortable with is to shoot some of these guns. Borrow them from friends, fire off a round or two, and see if you like the amount of recoil.

By the way, if you are dead set on hunting elk, you can probably still accomplish a clean kill with a .25-06 with a premium bullet like a Barnes X, Barnes XXX, Winchester Failsafe, Nosler Partition, etc. Personally, I believe in bullet placement over the firepower of the gun. You can be shooting a canon, but if you can't hit your target you might as well stay home.

[IchWarrior]

Dont over look .260 in your searches...

Mine is a real sweet little gun, my mom and most of the aunts that have shot it all love it.

[Evan03]

2506 recoil in my opion isnt even in the same ballpark as the 270win

the 2506 will feel more like 22/250 after shooting the 270. they realy are a pleasure to shoot. no recoil issues at all.



fabs.
our 300 winnies are already plenty heavy, unscoped they weigh 8.25lbs. this rifle is farily heavy as is. recoil to me feels to be very very similar to a ruger I beamed stocked 3006.

your freinds are shooting your 300win standing up, whoa. did they even hit the paper, maybe with the first shot?

im kidding and throwing alittle rib jabbing in at the same time. dont take me personal.

i also weigh a buck fifty, the 300win recoil is very manageable, but does take alot of getting used to after shooting the 2506 so much. you can be lazy with the 2506. but with the 300 youd better have better handle on things or its gona handle you.

the first shot threw my 300 i must have forgot that i was shooting it and not my 25, dang thing jumped and ever so lightly nudged me in the eye with the scope


anyways headed out yote hunting with the trusty 2506. busted a few rocks earlier this morning just to make sure shes still on and shes is.


ill catch you all later

Evan

[fabsroman]

My friends were actually standing up with the rifle rested across the hood or the roof of the car. That was a mistake that I will never make again. The muzzle blast took little chips of paint off the car and left dents in the hood and roof. Good thing that car is pretty much my hunting/Nitro car at this point. I just might be able to get a nice car for daily use since I can use the Taurus as a backup.

[Dutchboy]

For a young lady, the 260, 7-08 and the 308 are all good choices, IMO.

I would lean towards the 308, because of the variety, price and availability of ammo. The difference in recoil with similar weight bullets would be negligible. Lots of cheap practice ammo for the 308. HTH, Dutch.

[Evan03]

i think id shy away from 308 calibers.

i shot rugers compact in 7mm08 and that little thing will put a thumpn on you.

if i was in your shoes id get a 243 257 6mm 7mm08 260 2506, in rifles weigh bout 7lbs unscoped.

id shy from all 30 cals, 277's 280rem, 3006, and all other magnum calibers out there.

my top choice for the low recoiling do everything rifle would probly be the 257roberts with the 243win following right behind it.

with barrels no less than 22"s

im not sure about the 7mm08, it might recoil a bit more than the others i mentioned but shouldnt be bad in 7lb rifle

Evan

[denton]

One thought not discussed so far: Muzzle brake.

This is a device that causes much of the compressed gas in the barrel to exit sideways, decreasing its contribution to recoil.

The bad news is that they increase muzzle blast. They're fine on smaller calibers, but will figuratively make your ears bleed on a 30-06.

Anyway, it's something to consider.

Here's another factor: Longer barrels recoil less. If you can stand to carry a 24" barrel, it will work in your favor. (What am I saying? You're young and cute. Young men will be standing in line to carry it for you....)

Strap-on shoulder pads also offer considerable relief, as do shooting jackets with a built-in pad. They will let you be much more comfortable.

You didn't mention your age. If you have a little more growth ahead of you, you might concentrate on a gun strictly for deer, and add a second rifle, for elk a bit later.

There are good reasons for all of the suggestions given. Personally, I'm a little leery of the 25-06, because barrel life isn't so good, but it's a superb performer. The 6.5x55 will match its performance, and give you better barrel life, but you're handloading for sure with that one. In a new gun, CZ550 offers that caliber, or you might even consider a Swedish M38 milsurp. My Swedish Mauser is the longer barreled version, and it is a sweet deer rifle.

If you're handloading, then my opinion is that a 308 is a good choice. You can load it light with 150 grain bullets at 2700 fps for deer, and run it to the max with 165 or 180 grainers for elk. As mentioned, 243, 257 Roberts, 6.5x55, and 7mm08 are all good choices, though the smaller ones are not optimum elk guns.

Added later: Yet another thing to think about... Is your right eye dominant, or your left? Lefties with right-eye dominance have a strong tendency to end up shooting right handed. It is easier to retrain the hands than the eyes.

Whatever you get, I hope you have a wonderful time. Get something that will let you practice without beating you up. Spend lots of time at the range, and really master your firearm, and really enjoy yourself when hunting season comes around.

[Jack]

Vickyjo, welcome to Huntchat.
You've gotten some good advice so far, and I don't know that mine will be any different.
As to calibers, 25-06 is great for deer and antelope, but not enough for elk, IMO. Maybe the 270 would be better if elk are in the mix.
Now, you mentioned a left hand rifle- you'll find that lefty bolt actions aren't made in as many calibers as righy bolt guns, but, you'll find 270 lefty's.
I will point out a law of physics that may effect you: all things equal (same caliber, bullet weight, etc.) light rifles kick more than standard weight rifles.
Evan pointed this out, and I've noticed it, too...in some of the really lightweight rifles, a relatively light kicking caliber can whack you pretty good.
So, for a lefty, I'll recommend a standard weight bolt gun in 270. Avoid the lightweight rifles, even though they're tempting.
Shoot 130 grain bullets for deer and antelope, and switch to 150 grain bullets for elk.
And don't scimp on a scope, either- a good scope is just as important as a good rifle.

[Brithunter]

Hi All,

Hmm lot's of advice but not sure if is all not confusing. Part of the trouble is that although you gave soem information to be really accurate and helpful some more would be usful.

Now Vickjo, you mention Antelope and Elk hunting, both these pastimes will require a reasonable level of fitness and may require carrying your rifle quite a distance, no doubt this has crossed your mind. You said possibly you would require a youth model due to being quite petite, good on you you have stumbled onto somethig that some more experienced shooters ignore. Rifle fit! the rifle has to fit you for you to be able to shoot it comfortably and quickly should the need arise. The rifles weight can be adjusted more easily tan fit, cheaper too I believe, stocks can be weighted in the butstock and forestock. Balance must be preserved when doing this so as the rifles handling is not upset.

My personel views are that you may be better off choosing a short/medium length action, left handed will limit your choie here. However have you considered a single shot rifle like the Ruger No1 or the Thompson G2 ? thses rifles and other single shots can be operated easily by both right and left handed people just as easily The G2 at least comes in Youth stocked models, not sure about the Ruger though

As to cartridges........ well as mentioned the Swedish 6.5x55 cartirdge will do it all and takes hundreds of Moose yearly in Scandinavia, the 260 rem is also highly rated. The 257 roberts cannot be overlooked nor can the 7x57 mauser all will serve your pupose well with factory ammunition. i will not suggest reloadign as I ahve no idea if your interests le in that direction Some ladies like to get involved others prefer just to purchase factory cartridges and get to the shooting, men seems to be drawn to reloading for some reason, I am guilty of that.

Please let us know how it turns out and what you decide upon and get.......... Oh scopes......... as Jack said... do not scrimp on this item get a vey good quality scope, after all you don;'t want to miss an opertunity of a lifetime though not being able to see your quarry or the reticle in your scope clearly. It happens more than some will admit