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View Full Version : New to the Rifle Zone Best Girly Caliber



scott lee
02-11-2003, 12:17 PM
This fall 03 my partner/wife and I will start venision hunting in the rifle zone.
I'm thinking about a Winchester 94 in a .357 for the wife,but don't have any experience or knowledge.
She shoots the .357 hand gun with some expertiese both single action and double action.
Is the .357 in a rifle adquate for deer?

mohavesam
02-11-2003, 12:44 PM
What a question!

What is her build/weight/physical condition/rifle & shotgun experience?

The gun she handles with the most confidence at a realistic range is the one for her. Realistic range means any range at which she can hit inside a 6" circle without a rest, etc. Will she be only hunting from a treestand (I know that's almost an oxymoron)? Then an open-sighted carbine of AT LEAST .357Magnum will do. Limit ranges and ensure time to place the shot carefully of course.

Better yet, go out and buy her what she wants! This sounds like a new hunter, gear up accordingly!

CnA
02-11-2003, 12:51 PM
The .357 mag barely does it for deer. The 44 mag recoil is very easy to handle in a rifle, so is the 30-30. I personally would go for the 30-30. The recoil is very light.

My wife shoots a Ruger 44 mag carbine with no problem and she is 5'2", 103 lbs.

The 94 is a real nice rifle, and a classic in 30-30 caliber.

Dale
02-11-2003, 01:03 PM
I would agree that there are a lot of light weight, low recoiling rifles better than the .357 Magnum for deer. Look at the Ruger and Remington bolt actions in .243 Win, 6 MM Rem., any number of good lever guns, and a couple of semiautomatics as well.

The short, light weight bolt actions with a scope are about as good as it gets. :D

scott lee
02-11-2003, 01:04 PM
6 years hunting now 4 deer with a bow only 1 buck 5 deer with a shotgun
3 bucks she uses a 20gauge ithca deerslayer with lepold scope from a tree stand.
holds a real nice 3 shot offhand group at 50yrds with the ithica not 6" but closer to 8" its always that last shot that drifts out.
she is of average build 5'9 140lbs. she is recoil senstitve. by that i mean she has shot the 44 mag blkhawk and the 12 gauge .50cal blkpwder with two pellets (100grns.) but prefers the 20 gauge and really likes the .38 spcl. and my little buckmark .22
It sounds like the .30-.30 is the way to go.
I was just wondering about the .357.
Thanks

goldwing2000
02-11-2003, 01:04 PM
I agree with the 30-30. Just remember to use round-point bullets if you get a lever gun with a tubular magazine. :shock:

ANIMAL
02-11-2003, 01:49 PM
35 rem or 32spl is also a very nice caliber for the ladies or the old shoulders.

Engsetter
02-11-2003, 03:23 PM
I agree with everybody that .357 is borderline.

I'll put a vote in for an oldie but goody. The .257 Roberts, this is a cartridge I love (among many). I know Ruger currently makes a rifle in this caliber. This cartridge has a mild recoil and is more than adequate for whitetails.

Rebirth of the Robert http://www.realguns.com/features/articles?9

RSF
02-12-2003, 12:33 PM
the 260 comes to mind as well as the 7-08! or even the 243! all are good choices! heck i even know a little troll who uses a 6mm on whitetails :twisted:

Leader
03-14-2003, 04:12 PM
I agree that the 30-30 is a good choice but recommend silvertips rather then soft points. The silvertips don't deform as much with repeated loadings and *I* feel are more accurate.
Now on the other hand, what's wrong with the shotgun she now uses ? Sounds like she likes it and is a good shot with it. Shotguns are still legal in the rifle zone.

ANIMAL
03-15-2003, 01:23 AM
Go to the for sale section. a few good deer guns are looking for a new home.

Renegade
03-15-2003, 08:38 AM
I would go with the .243 Win. in a bolt action.
or the .35 Rem. in the lever.
the 30-30 will also work.

If you want tto have her shoot a few different ones. Let me know.
I live in northern Hillsdale county.

Big_Jim
04-23-2003, 07:54 AM
Whatever you get, make sure it has a muzzle brake. The recoil will be greatly reduced. I have a 308 that a kid can shoot. It's louder but the recoil is easily half of a 30-30. This would allow you to get a larger caliber.

sprink
06-02-2003, 07:44 PM
If she can shoot the 20 gage, she should be able to shoot anything mentioned above. It's easy, light bullets kick less, but you need strong bullets, not varmint stuff. That is the only "problem" with small calibers.

I second the 257 nomination. Never shot a 260, but sounds interesting.

I own a 7-08. Nice cartridge, but I don't include it in light recoil discussions. Big game bullets in 7mm start at 140 grains. 30 cal starts at 150 grains. The 7-08 is a .308 in recoil.

Most guns chambered for 7-08 are small and light. They look like "kids and girls" guns, but they kick. The Remington model 7 illustrates this the best. My 700 with 24 in barrel is not bad, but it was actually hard to find a "full size" rifle in 7-08 without a "bull barrel".

My cute little girly looking gun is a 700 with a 20" light barrel. Looks like a model 7, but it's a .338. Ouch.

sprink
06-02-2003, 07:45 PM
If she can shoot the 20 gage, she should be able to shoot anything mentioned above. It's easy, light bullets kick less, but you need strong bullets, not varmint stuff. That is the only "problem" with small calibers.

I second the 257 nomination. Never shot a 260, but sounds interesting.

I own a 7-08. Nice cartridge, but I don't include it in light recoil discussions. Big game bullets in 7mm start at 140 grains. 30 cal starts at 150 grains. The 7-08 is a .308 in recoil.

Most guns chambered for 7-08 are small and light. They look like "kids and girls" guns, but they kick. The Remington model 7 illistrates this the best. My 700 with 24 in barrel is not bad, but it was actually hard to find a "full size" rifle in 7-08 without a "bull barrel".

Oh yea, I hate muzzle breaks!

My cute little girly looking gun is a 700 with a 20" light barrel. Looks like a model 7, but it's a .338. Ouch.