Rifle For Wife

CO BND · 05-30-2008, 06:22 PM

First let me say hello to everyone as I am new to the forum. I am looking for a bolt action rifle for my wife. We will be hunting mainly in Colorado for everything from deer to elk. What do you think is the best caliber for her and the type of game we will be after. I have a Ruger hawkeye in 7mm rem mag but I think its a little to much for her. Thanks for your input in advance.

nathangdad · 05-30-2008, 06:26 PM

. . . the 7mm/08 but this is a forum so you will get
other opinions.

Good luck and good hunting.

AKHunter · 05-30-2008, 06:40 PM

Without knowing the physical stature of your wife I will suggest this. A .30-06, .280 rem, or 7mm-08 would my first choices favoring the 06'. If you know anyone with any of these calibers, see if you can set up a shoot with her at the trigger so she can determine suitability/comfort/fit/recoil tolerance etc.

If she is anything like my wife she may want a lighter weight rifle to carry. If that is so it will affect recoil so a lighter caliber may in order. I ended up getting my wife a Mod. 70 Featherweight in .280rem though she does use my .30-06.

turner · 05-30-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

. . . the 7mm/08 but this is a forum so you will get
other opinions.

Good luck and good hunting.

+1... I think this is an excellent choice and will be perfect with 140-160gr loadings at up to 250yds or so. Good Luck.

lefty o · 05-30-2008, 07:42 PM

how big of a woman is she? if she's a larger gal, a normal sized rifle will work without beating her up. if she's petite, look into a youth rifle. i think the 7MM-08 is an excellent choice.

rdale501 · 05-31-2008, 02:12 AM

I would lean toward the 30-06, since you mentioned elk. I got my daughter a Smith and Wesson 30-06. Recoil was a little harsh for her at first, I took it to my gunsmith and he cut the stock to fit her, added a pachmyr recoil pad, and she loves it. She isn't very big and if she can handle a 06 I bet your wife could too. Teach her good shooting practices so she doesn't get scared from the recoil. Good hunting....

SwedeSteve · 05-31-2008, 05:31 AM

I think 7/08 is a good choice, as is 280.

samuel · 05-31-2008, 06:21 AM

I believe in "WOMENS RIGHTS".Let her pick out what she likes. sam.

HARDERTR · 05-31-2008, 06:27 AM

What experience does your wife have with shooting?
If she's never shot anything more than a 22, a 7-08 is an excellent choice.
If's she's confortable shooting something like a 30-30, then a 308 or 30-06 would work fine....but I would still lean toward the 7-08.

If you weren't dead-set on a bolt action, you could always go for a Thompson Encore and get a combination of barrels. It's a single shot, but can be reloaded almost as fast as a bolt action.

Like the guys are saying though....a 7-08 is just about perfect for everybody, all the time.

Dookiebutt · 05-31-2008, 08:14 AM

Rifle for wife is a good trade. You don't have to feed the rifle and it won't talk back.

Mike Franklin · 05-31-2008, 08:19 AM

rdale51 has hit the nail on the head. Get the rifle fitted to her, it'll make all the difference in the world. BTW, Have her dress like she will when she's hunting. Fitting a gun with just a shirt on then using it with 3 shirts, a coat and camo will defeat the whole purpose.

Purdy · 05-31-2008, 12:14 PM

I could get a bolt action rifle for my wife

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

ArkansasHunter · 05-31-2008, 12:35 PM

If she's going to hunt ELK I would chose a 308 over the 7mm08 because of bullet size.
But my personal choice would be the 280.
Do some research on the 280 on the net it's very impressive.

Back to the 308 and 7mm08 The stats are close on these 2 cartridges with the 308 useing a 30 caliber bullet which is bigger than the 7mm08's bullet.
The 30 caliber bullet will do more tissue damage and larger wound cannel.

Forgive me for getting off topic but I would like to know what you think about your Ruger Hawkeye.
I bought one in 308 black synthectic stocks/ matted stainless steel.
Mine is very accurate with fit and finish near perfect.
It's also the nicest looking rifle I own.

Could you give a little report on yours ?
Thank you ...A.H

KingMusa45 · 05-31-2008, 01:14 PM

when i first saw this thread i thought it said rifle or wife. i was ready to reply rifle, i don't have to take it to movies that suck, listen to it yap on and on about absolutely nothing with out pause for hours, our act like i care about it's friends who i just wanna karate chop in the neck when ever i see them. hands down rifle. the only thing my wife is good for is zombie fodder. lol

samuel · 05-31-2008, 10:22 PM

KingMusa45:You are a mean,nasty sexist.(And I wish I had nerve enough to follow your example.) sam.

wirehunt · 05-31-2008, 11:01 PM

6.5X55 Mild to shoot and does the job

or 260 which is really the same thing more or less.

SwedeSteve · 06-01-2008, 07:51 PM

Rifle for Wife Hell Yes !! What kinda rifle you got ????

Sooner Shooter · 06-01-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingMusa45

when i first saw this thread i thought it said rifle or wife. i was ready to reply rifle, i don't have to take it to movies that suck, listen to it yap on and on about absolutely nothing with out pause for hours, our act like i care about it's friends who i just wanna karate chop in the neck when ever i see them. hands down rifle. the only thing my wife is good for is zombie fodder. lol

King,
Now why am I thinking about an old country song after reading your post. It went something like this. D I V O R C E Hang in there man!

KingMusa45 · 06-02-2008, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sooner Shooter

King,
Now why am I thinking about an old country song after reading your post. It went something like this. D I V O R C E Hang in there man!

naw not really yo gotta be married to get a divorce

GlockMeister · 06-02-2008, 02:41 AM

I'm just going to throw Browning A-Bolt .270 out there.

05-30-2008, 06:22 PM	#1
CO BND Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 1	Rifle For Wife First let me say hello to everyone as I am new to the forum. I am looking for a bolt action rifle for my wife. We will be hunting mainly in Colorado for everything from deer to elk. What do you think is the best caliber for her and the type of game we will be after. I have a Ruger hawkeye in 7mm rem mag but I think its a little to much for her. Thanks for your input in advance.

05-30-2008, 06:26 PM	#2
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,440	I really like . . . . . . the 7mm/08 but this is a forum so you will get other opinions. Good luck and good hunting.

05-31-2008, 05:31 AM	#7
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,306 Images: 1	I think 7/08 is a good choice, as is 280. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

05-31-2008, 08:19 AM	#11
Mike Franklin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 1,276	rdale51 has hit the nail on the head. Get the rifle fitted to her, it'll make all the difference in the world. BTW, Have her dress like she will when she's hunting. Fitting a gun with just a shirt on then using it with 3 shirts, a coat and camo will defeat the whole purpose. __________________ Aim real good we're nearly out of ammo.

05-31-2008, 12:14 PM	#12
Purdy Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 86	I wish I could get a bolt action rifle for my wife Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

05-30-2008, 06:40 PM	#3
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	Without knowing the physical stature of your wife I will suggest this. A .30-06, .280 rem, or 7mm-08 would my first choices favoring the 06'. If you know anyone with any of these calibers, see if you can set up a shoot with her at the trigger so she can determine suitability/comfort/fit/recoil tolerance etc. If she is anything like my wife she may want a lighter weight rifle to carry. If that is so it will affect recoil so a lighter caliber may in order. I ended up getting my wife a Mod. 70 Featherweight in .280rem though she does use my .30-06.

05-30-2008, 07:42 PM	#5
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,786	how big of a woman is she? if she's a larger gal, a normal sized rifle will work without beating her up. if she's petite, look into a youth rifle. i think the 7MM-08 is an excellent choice.

05-31-2008, 02:12 AM	#6
rdale501 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 398	I would lean toward the 30-06, since you mentioned elk. I got my daughter a Smith and Wesson 30-06. Recoil was a little harsh for her at first, I took it to my gunsmith and he cut the stock to fit her, added a pachmyr recoil pad, and she loves it. She isn't very big and if she can handle a 06 I bet your wife could too. Teach her good shooting practices so she doesn't get scared from the recoil. Good hunting....

05-31-2008, 06:21 AM	#8
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I believe in "WOMENS RIGHTS".Let her pick out what she likes. sam.

05-31-2008, 06:27 AM	#9
HARDERTR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Southern Iraq Posts: 189 Images: 9	What experience does your wife have with shooting? If she's never shot anything more than a 22, a 7-08 is an excellent choice. If's she's confortable shooting something like a 30-30, then a 308 or 30-06 would work fine....but I would still lean toward the 7-08. If you weren't dead-set on a bolt action, you could always go for a Thompson Encore and get a combination of barrels. It's a single shot, but can be reloaded almost as fast as a bolt action. Like the guys are saying though....a 7-08 is just about perfect for everybody, all the time.

05-31-2008, 08:14 AM	#10
Dookiebutt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: America's North Coast Posts: 1,157	Rifle for wife is a good trade. You don't have to feed the rifle and it won't talk back.

05-31-2008, 12:35 PM	#13
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,684	If she's going to hunt ELK I would chose a 308 over the 7mm08 because of bullet size. But my personal choice would be the 280. Do some research on the 280 on the net it's very impressive. Back to the 308 and 7mm08 The stats are close on these 2 cartridges with the 308 useing a 30 caliber bullet which is bigger than the 7mm08's bullet. The 30 caliber bullet will do more tissue damage and larger wound cannel. Forgive me for getting off topic but I would like to know what you think about your Ruger Hawkeye. I bought one in 308 black synthectic stocks/ matted stainless steel. Mine is very accurate with fit and finish near perfect. It's also the nicest looking rifle I own. Could you give a little report on yours ? Thank you ...A.H

05-31-2008, 01:14 PM	#14
KingMusa45 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 312	when i first saw this thread i thought it said rifle or wife. i was ready to reply rifle, i don't have to take it to movies that suck, listen to it yap on and on about absolutely nothing with out pause for hours, our act like i care about it's friends who i just wanna karate chop in the neck when ever i see them. hands down rifle. the only thing my wife is good for is zombie fodder. lol

05-31-2008, 10:22 PM	#15
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	KingMusa45:You are a mean,nasty sexist.(And I wish I had nerve enough to follow your example.) sam.

05-31-2008, 11:01 PM	#16
wirehunt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Otago New Zealand Posts: 651	6.5X55 Mild to shoot and does the job or 260 which is really the same thing more or less. __________________ Happy Hunting

06-01-2008, 07:51 PM	#17
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,306 Images: 1	Rifle for Wife Hell Yes !! What kinda rifle you got ???? __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

06-02-2008, 02:41 AM	#20
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,399	I'm just going to throw Browning A-Bolt .270 out there. __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!