Rifles for women

khahn79 · 11-26-2007, 10:15 AM

Hi everyone. I'm considering getting into hunting and I wanted some input on a good riffle for a woman. I'm 5'5" and 125 lbs. so I don't want something that's going to knock me on my backside!

I plan to start out with small game hunting such as squirrel and rabbit (maybe dove). By next year, I'd like to try deer hunting. My dad was never a hunter, so this is all pretty new to me. My father-in-law does some squirrel and rabbit hunting and has agreed to take me with him. He uses a pellet gun, though, and I'd much rather buy a "real" gun! LOL Thanks in advance for your input.

Bravo · 11-26-2007, 10:28 AM

Glad to see a women interested in hunting

If you're going to stick to squirrel and rabbit for awhile, then I would recommend something with low recoil and cheap ammo (to practice with). A .22LR rifle would do wonders on the Squirrel and Rabbit. There are lots of good .22's out there, but I would look at the Remington 597 and Ruger 10/22 first. They might be $50 more than the cheaper Mossberg's or no-name brands, but it's worth it. Remington and Ruger make very solid rifles.

Sadly, a .22LR is not made to take deer. If you want to hunt all 3 animals (deer, squirrel, rabbit), I would really consider getting 2 rifles. Using a bullet that kills deer effectively on a rabbit could potentially destroy all meat. A great deer cartridge that offers small recoil is a .243winchester.

My personal recommendation would be this in .243win.: Remington Model 700™ SPS™

You can also find single shot rifles made by H&R and NEF that are chambered in .243, and will be cheaper than the Remington 700 SPS, but probably just as accurate.

I'm sure others will offer good advice as well

neophyte · 11-26-2007, 10:37 AM

khahn: Ma'am; as individualized as most of us are

supporting one hunting rifle over another is tough.
Ma'am; you have a hunting partner with you 'father in law' chasing squirrels, rabbits, varmints. Now if it were me going with you

my encouragement .17hmr. Range, accuracy, fun, not beat you up.
Anything larger? Consider your purpose. Accuracy more than makes up for caliber.
Considering your 'size' as an issue. Not important.
More important would be purpose.

Deer can and are taken with an assortment of calibers, Bear needs a larger bang for your safety.

Follow up when you can

toolman · 11-26-2007, 11:36 AM

Since you mentioned dove in your list, I'd look for a good 20 ga. pump or semi-auto shotgun. A Rem. 1100 or 11-87 in 12 ga. is also fine for most women as they thump too bad due to the action design. A .243 is a great deer cartridge for women. Rossi makes "combo" guns with barrels that can be swapped depending on what you want to shoot but they're all single shots. Here's a pretty good link but the selection isn't as large as some places.
Hunting

two-70 · 11-26-2007, 11:52 AM

a nice remington 870 20 gauge or mossberg 20 gauge is nice, will work good for squirrels and rabbits, wanna deer rifle go for a 243 or 7mm-08 both are easily managable in the recoil department

Bravo · 11-26-2007, 01:30 PM

I forgot about shotgun for bird and rabbit.

With toolman's advice, I think I found a winner: Rossi USA

This is an opinion though. You should purchase what you want, it will make you most happy.

nighthawk80 · 11-26-2007, 01:50 PM

I looked on the Illinois DNR web sight. You can only use a shotgun to hunt dear. 20,12,10 gauge only.
So I would say a good 20 or 12 guage shotgun with a slug and standard barrel combo would go great. I like the 870 express myself. Hope this helps and good luck with your endevours!!!

khahn79 · 11-26-2007, 02:00 PM

Thanks for the advice! Bravo, it's funny that you would post that link... I was just looking at that exact firearm a few minutes ago. I think I'm going to go check the local dealers to see if anyone has one in stock so I can check it out "in person". If I like it I just might have to ask Santa for that one!

I like the 10/22 as well.... humm...I just might end up with quite a little collection. May have to let uncle sam buy me one come tax time... especially since this is likely the last year I'll be getting money back instead of paying money out!

Thanks again...and keep the advice flowing.... no "set in stone" choices yet.

nathangdad · 11-26-2007, 02:49 PM

Both are excellent in accuracy and great for deer, atelope, and similar sized game. .243 with 80 grain bullet has the least recoil. 7mm/08 with 140 grain bullet would have the most recoil. However, you can purchase various shoulder pads and other recoil control devices to make shooting enjoyable. It is usually not so much the caliber but your time practicing to become a proficient marksman that really counts in the hunting field. By all means do not let anyone talk you into a larger caliber gun with stories of "it doesn't really kick so much" because it is a matter of physics and they really do kick.

BunnyWabbit · 11-26-2007, 05:03 PM

I have a Remington 870 and got a youth model because the stock was a little shorter and more controllable for me. I wanted a Benelli automatic.

Haven't missed with the Remington yet. You should take up turkey hunting. It's a lot of fun too. Also have the Remington 243 BDL. Husband has a Ruger 204 that I like a lot too.

redhed · 11-26-2007, 09:19 PM

Hey Khahn, why not a 17 hmr for small game? I agree with Neophyte. I just got a sweet Mossberg 17 hmr that was on sale at Farm King for 134 dollars. My husband got it for me for Christmas. He put a scope on it for me and I shot it over the weekend. It's great and you can bet that it's going to take rabbit and squirrel out in one shot. They ain't gonna suffer any. I intend to use it for hunting squirrel and rabbit next year.I've decided that it's time start hunting as a New Year's resolution.

As for deer, I'd go with a 12 gauge. We're similar in size, I'm a little shorter and a few pounds lighter and I've shot both a 12 and a 20. Trust me, the 12 is better. If you want to hunt deer outside of the land of oppression known as Illinois, why not go with a 30.30? I have a 30.30 in lever action and I tell ya, it's a fun shoot guaranteed to drop a deer in one shot.....if you are in Missouri, Arkansas...Kentucky.....and almost every other state in the union besides Illinois..oh, and California.

What do you guys think about a .223 for small game hunting? We've downloaded hand loads to almost .22 caliber power to shoot in our .223's. Of course factory loads would work too for anything up to deer size. .243 are a dollar + a round to shoot while 223 are from 35 to 1.00 to shoot and you can get them surplus.

You know, if you are going after deer in Illinois you can always go with a good hand gun. 30 cal or better will do the job and make you street legal. How about a Ruger Blackhawk in 38/357? They are great guns with interchangeable cylinders. You could also go with a Blackhawk in .45. Either gun will get the job done. I've shot them both and really like the 38/357 combo for comfort and accuracy.

There are a lot of good guns out there. The 10/22 isn't a bad weapon either. Or even a straight .22 bolt action is one of the best weapons to learn to shoot a rifle with and for target shooting in general. Husband shot a rabbit with a .22 long ago. It took 8 shots to kill it.It just kept twitching with each shot....nuff said. If you are going to getter done, getter done with one shot.

neophyte · 11-27-2007, 06:58 AM

redhead: Gal; you go

Khahn; ma'am; the 'redhead' is all over your 'new acquisitions' and they make sense.
redhead: Ma'am; 223's

and by by to varmints.

khahn79 · 11-27-2007, 08:01 AM

I'm still looking to find one of the Rossi "matched pairs" in person so I can get a feel for it and see if I like it. Sure looks good on paper though. Here's the links to the one's I'm thinking about. The first is a 12 gauge/.243. The second is a 12 gauge/30-06. What do you guys think?
Rossi USA
Rossi USA

Bravo · 11-27-2007, 12:13 PM

At 125lbs, I'm not sure if you want a 30-06. If you've shot one before and enjoy it, then by all means go for it!

The same goes for the 12 gauge.

If you really want the bigger gun (12ga/'06), you might want to find one around that you can test fire (any 30-06 will do). This will give you an idea of the recoil that you're going to experience. The 30-06 is an incredible hunting cartridge, but it comes at a cost of fairly sharp recoil. To you, it will probably feel like a punch compared to the shove of a .243.

When hunting, one rarely feels recoil. But, in order to hunt well, you need to have good shot placement, and good shot placement comes with practice. The 30-06 is not a lot of fun to practice with for long periods of time, especially if you are new to shooting.

The 20 guage/.243 would be my recommendation. The 20 gauge has a bit less recoil than the 12 gauge, but does just as good a job on birds and rabbit. My grandfather got his first 20 gauge when he was 12 (in 1940), and continues to use a 20 gauge today.

If you want a very rough gauge of recoil, here are 2 videos.

The first is of a boy firing an M1 Garand (semi-automatic 30-06). The M1 Garand is probably one of the lightest recoiling 30-06, but as you can see, it still moves him around a little. A single shot 30-06 would recoil quite a bit more, because there are no moving parts to eat up some of the recoil:

YouTube - Blaine shooting the M1 Garand

Here is a .243 with in bolt action (which would produce recoil similar to a single shot):

YouTube - Shooting my Remington .243

Notice the difference?

But it truly is up to you, you should be happy and confident with the rifle in your hands.

ArkansasHunter · 11-27-2007, 02:06 PM

I would like to suggest a 20ga. that handles 2 3/4 and 3" mags in a semi-auto in what ever brand you can afford and fits you.
Some of the gas expelled by the shotgun shell after being fired in a semi-auto shotgun is directed to a system that operates the loading and unloading of the semi-auto shotgun and too it also helps in reduceing FELT recoil.
Considering your statsure a semi-auto would be best suited for you.
A Single Shot and Pump Action shotguns don't have the gas regulating system as a semi-auto doe's thus you get kicked harder.
I reccomend a semi-auto

and by the way WELCOME to GUN and GAME...A.H

khahn79 · 11-27-2007, 02:38 PM

Actually, I fired a 20 ga. semi-auto last week out at the gun club that I really liked. Unfortunately, I live in IL and we can't hunt deer w/ any shotgun that has the capability to hold more than three rounds... are there any semi-auto's that would fit that requirement? It is possible that I will deer hunt as a non-resident in KY &/or IN since I have family there, but I'd rather purchase something I can use in IL should I choose to hunt in my home state. I appreciate all the advice... the guys at the gun club are jokingly pushing me towards a muzzleloader... they have a big muzzleloader club there. Just don't think I'm ready for that step though!

Bravo · 11-27-2007, 02:46 PM

Well, Muzzleloading is an entirely different animal

As for your shotgun dilemma, I think that it can be solved by using a plug. Most manufacturers make them, and many will send you one free. In Maine, you cannot have more than 3 rounds while bird hunting. They allow people to use higher capacity shotguns as long as the plastic plug is in place. I would call your local warden or the department of fisheries/wildlife to find out.

A nice shotgun would be great for you, because it would fill the need for a bird gun, rabbit gun, deer gun, and you could possibly pick up trap/skeet shooting and make it a target gun. A shotgun also makes a great home defense gun. It's quite a multitasking tool.

neophyte · 11-27-2007, 06:24 PM

khahn79: Ma'am; revisit the 'redhead' and my original thinking. Ma'am many many shooters fall into gender and size. I see no problem as long as you know that 30-06 and 12 gauge bump about the same.
When folks get 'sneak bumped' about is when caliber becomes a concern.
I visited your page with the Rossi's; nice looking. give consideration to they are single shot.

Pump shotguns, semi automatic shotguns have a simple device that prevent more than two in the magazine, with one in the chamber. Device comes with most new guns.
You and the bunch are a thinking

keep it up and do follow up.

bigbuddy21 · 11-27-2007, 09:52 PM

if you can find one an ithaca model 37 featherlight 12 ga. with 2 barrels will fit your needs. 1 barrel 30in. full choke for rabbits / sqrls. 1 18in. deerslayer barrel. its a pump gun that holds 4 in the tube but you can get a plug for it. i've had 1 for 30yrs and love it. have taken a lot of deer with it too. the deerslayer brl. is very accurate. the farthest kill i've had with it is 90 to100 yards

toolman · 11-28-2007, 10:51 AM

Here's another good choice that I'd forgotten about:
Savage Arms Shotgun Rifle Combo Model 24F-20

11-26-2007, 10:15 AM	#1
khahn79 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 179	Rifles for women Hi everyone. I'm considering getting into hunting and I wanted some input on a good riffle for a woman. I'm 5'5" and 125 lbs. so I don't want something that's going to knock me on my backside! I plan to start out with small game hunting such as squirrel and rabbit (maybe dove). By next year, I'd like to try deer hunting. My dad was never a hunter, so this is all pretty new to me. My father-in-law does some squirrel and rabbit hunting and has agreed to take me with him. He uses a pellet gun, though, and I'd much rather buy a "real" gun! LOL Thanks in advance for your input.

11-26-2007, 10:37 AM	#3
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,489 Blog Entries: 2	caliber khahn: Ma'am; as individualized as most of us are supporting one hunting rifle over another is tough. Ma'am; you have a hunting partner with you 'father in law' chasing squirrels, rabbits, varmints. Now if it were me going with you my encouragement .17hmr. Range, accuracy, fun, not beat you up. Anything larger? Consider your purpose. Accuracy more than makes up for caliber. Considering your 'size' as an issue. Not important. More important would be purpose. Deer can and are taken with an assortment of calibers, Bear needs a larger bang for your safety. Follow up when you can __________________ Craig By the standards of most

11-26-2007, 11:36 AM	#4
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,562 Blog Entries: 22	Since you mentioned dove in your list, I'd look for a good 20 ga. pump or semi-auto shotgun. A Rem. 1100 or 11-87 in 12 ga. is also fine for most women as they thump too bad due to the action design. A .243 is a great deer cartridge for women. Rossi makes "combo" guns with barrels that can be swapped depending on what you want to shoot but they're all single shots. Here's a pretty good link but the selection isn't as large as some places. Hunting __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

11-26-2007, 11:52 AM	#5
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,778	a nice remington 870 20 gauge or mossberg 20 gauge is nice, will work good for squirrels and rabbits, wanna deer rifle go for a 243 or 7mm-08 both are easily managable in the recoil department __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

11-26-2007, 02:49 PM	#9
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,433	.243 or 7mm/08 Both are excellent in accuracy and great for deer, atelope, and similar sized game. .243 with 80 grain bullet has the least recoil. 7mm/08 with 140 grain bullet would have the most recoil. However, you can purchase various shoulder pads and other recoil control devices to make shooting enjoyable. It is usually not so much the caliber but your time practicing to become a proficient marksman that really counts in the hunting field. By all means do not let anyone talk you into a larger caliber gun with stories of "it doesn't really kick so much" because it is a matter of physics and they really do kick.

11-26-2007, 10:28 AM	#2
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,877	Glad to see a women interested in hunting If you're going to stick to squirrel and rabbit for awhile, then I would recommend something with low recoil and cheap ammo (to practice with). A .22LR rifle would do wonders on the Squirrel and Rabbit. There are lots of good .22's out there, but I would look at the Remington 597 and Ruger 10/22 first. They might be $50 more than the cheaper Mossberg's or no-name brands, but it's worth it. Remington and Ruger make very solid rifles. Sadly, a .22LR is not made to take deer. If you want to hunt all 3 animals (deer, squirrel, rabbit), I would really consider getting 2 rifles. Using a bullet that kills deer effectively on a rabbit could potentially destroy all meat. A great deer cartridge that offers small recoil is a .243winchester. My personal recommendation would be this in .243win.: Remington Model 700™ SPS™ You can also find single shot rifles made by H&R and NEF that are chambered in .243, and will be cheaper than the Remington 700 SPS, but probably just as accurate. I'm sure others will offer good advice as well

11-26-2007, 01:30 PM	#6
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,877	I forgot about shotgun for bird and rabbit. With toolman's advice, I think I found a winner: Rossi USA This is an opinion though. You should purchase what you want, it will make you most happy.

11-26-2007, 01:50 PM	#7
nighthawk80 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Just south of Central Indiana Posts: 403	I looked on the Illinois DNR web sight. You can only use a shotgun to hunt dear. 20,12,10 gauge only. So I would say a good 20 or 12 guage shotgun with a slug and standard barrel combo would go great. I like the 870 express myself. Hope this helps and good luck with your endevours!!!

11-26-2007, 02:00 PM	#8
khahn79 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 179	Thanks for the advice! Bravo, it's funny that you would post that link... I was just looking at that exact firearm a few minutes ago. I think I'm going to go check the local dealers to see if anyone has one in stock so I can check it out "in person". If I like it I just might have to ask Santa for that one! I like the 10/22 as well.... humm...I just might end up with quite a little collection. May have to let uncle sam buy me one come tax time... especially since this is likely the last year I'll be getting money back instead of paying money out! Thanks again...and keep the advice flowing.... no "set in stone" choices yet.

11-26-2007, 05:03 PM	#10
BunnyWabbit Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Jayhawk Country Posts: 1,009	I have a Remington 870 and got a youth model because the stock was a little shorter and more controllable for me. I wanted a Benelli automatic. Haven't missed with the Remington yet. You should take up turkey hunting. It's a lot of fun too. Also have the Remington 243 BDL. Husband has a Ruger 204 that I like a lot too.

11-26-2007, 09:19 PM	#11
redhed Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Armpit, Illinois, USA Posts: 325	Hey Khahn, why not a 17 hmr for small game? I agree with Neophyte. I just got a sweet Mossberg 17 hmr that was on sale at Farm King for 134 dollars. My husband got it for me for Christmas. He put a scope on it for me and I shot it over the weekend. It's great and you can bet that it's going to take rabbit and squirrel out in one shot. They ain't gonna suffer any. I intend to use it for hunting squirrel and rabbit next year.I've decided that it's time start hunting as a New Year's resolution. As for deer, I'd go with a 12 gauge. We're similar in size, I'm a little shorter and a few pounds lighter and I've shot both a 12 and a 20. Trust me, the 12 is better. If you want to hunt deer outside of the land of oppression known as Illinois, why not go with a 30.30? I have a 30.30 in lever action and I tell ya, it's a fun shoot guaranteed to drop a deer in one shot.....if you are in Missouri, Arkansas...Kentucky.....and almost every other state in the union besides Illinois..oh, and California. What do you guys think about a .223 for small game hunting? We've downloaded hand loads to almost .22 caliber power to shoot in our .223's. Of course factory loads would work too for anything up to deer size. .243 are a dollar + a round to shoot while 223 are from 35 to 1.00 to shoot and you can get them surplus. You know, if you are going after deer in Illinois you can always go with a good hand gun. 30 cal or better will do the job and make you street legal. How about a Ruger Blackhawk in 38/357? They are great guns with interchangeable cylinders. You could also go with a Blackhawk in .45. Either gun will get the job done. I've shot them both and really like the 38/357 combo for comfort and accuracy. There are a lot of good guns out there. The 10/22 isn't a bad weapon either. Or even a straight .22 bolt action is one of the best weapons to learn to shoot a rifle with and for target shooting in general. Husband shot a rabbit with a .22 long ago. It took 8 shots to kill it.It just kept twitching with each shot....nuff said. If you are going to getter done, getter done with one shot. Last edited by redhed; 11-26-2007 at 09:21 PM. Reason: typos

11-27-2007, 06:58 AM	#12
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,489 Blog Entries: 2	you go redhead: Gal; you go Khahn; ma'am; the 'redhead' is all over your 'new acquisitions' and they make sense. redhead: Ma'am; 223's and by by to varmints. __________________ Craig By the standards of most

11-27-2007, 08:01 AM	#13
khahn79 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 179	I'm still looking to find one of the Rossi "matched pairs" in person so I can get a feel for it and see if I like it. Sure looks good on paper though. Here's the links to the one's I'm thinking about. The first is a 12 gauge/.243. The second is a 12 gauge/30-06. What do you guys think? Rossi USA Rossi USA

11-27-2007, 02:06 PM	#15
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,675	I would like to suggest a 20ga. that handles 2 3/4 and 3" mags in a semi-auto in what ever brand you can afford and fits you. Some of the gas expelled by the shotgun shell after being fired in a semi-auto shotgun is directed to a system that operates the loading and unloading of the semi-auto shotgun and too it also helps in reduceing FELT recoil. Considering your statsure a semi-auto would be best suited for you. A Single Shot and Pump Action shotguns don't have the gas regulating system as a semi-auto doe's thus you get kicked harder. I reccomend a semi-auto and by the way WELCOME to GUN and GAME...A.H

11-27-2007, 02:38 PM	#16
khahn79 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 179	Actually, I fired a 20 ga. semi-auto last week out at the gun club that I really liked. Unfortunately, I live in IL and we can't hunt deer w/ any shotgun that has the capability to hold more than three rounds... are there any semi-auto's that would fit that requirement? It is possible that I will deer hunt as a non-resident in KY &/or IN since I have family there, but I'd rather purchase something I can use in IL should I choose to hunt in my home state. I appreciate all the advice... the guys at the gun club are jokingly pushing me towards a muzzleloader... they have a big muzzleloader club there. Just don't think I'm ready for that step though!

11-27-2007, 02:46 PM	#17
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,877	Well, Muzzleloading is an entirely different animal As for your shotgun dilemma, I think that it can be solved by using a plug. Most manufacturers make them, and many will send you one free. In Maine, you cannot have more than 3 rounds while bird hunting. They allow people to use higher capacity shotguns as long as the plastic plug is in place. I would call your local warden or the department of fisheries/wildlife to find out. A nice shotgun would be great for you, because it would fill the need for a bird gun, rabbit gun, deer gun, and you could possibly pick up trap/skeet shooting and make it a target gun. A shotgun also makes a great home defense gun. It's quite a multitasking tool.

11-27-2007, 06:24 PM	#18
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,489 Blog Entries: 2	bump khahn79: Ma'am; revisit the 'redhead' and my original thinking. Ma'am many many shooters fall into gender and size. I see no problem as long as you know that 30-06 and 12 gauge bump about the same. When folks get 'sneak bumped' about is when caliber becomes a concern. I visited your page with the Rossi's; nice looking. give consideration to they are single shot. Pump shotguns, semi automatic shotguns have a simple device that prevent more than two in the magazine, with one in the chamber. Device comes with most new guns. You and the bunch are a thinking keep it up and do follow up. __________________ Craig By the standards of most

11-27-2007, 09:52 PM	#19
bigbuddy21 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: new albany in. Posts: 973 Images: 5	if you can find one an ithaca model 37 featherlight 12 ga. with 2 barrels will fit your needs. 1 barrel 30in. full choke for rabbits / sqrls. 1 18in. deerslayer barrel. its a pump gun that holds 4 in the tube but you can get a plug for it. i've had 1 for 30yrs and love it. have taken a lot of deer with it too. the deerslayer brl. is very accurate. the farthest kill i've had with it is 90 to100 yards

11-28-2007, 10:51 AM	#20
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,562 Blog Entries: 22	Here's another good choice that I'd forgotten about: Savage Arms Shotgun Rifle Combo Model 24F-20 __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!