rifleman25 Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 My wife will be hunting with me on two trips this year. I have her going into Idaho's area 45 on a mule deer hunt with me. We are also planning a hunt for her to take an oryx in New Mexico. She will probably do other hunts in the future with me, All of my hunts are western big game as that is my passion. I am considering 2 different rifles for her. The first is a 7x57, and the other is the 308. I am wondering your thoughts on these rifles as she is a small to medium frame and will be hunting other wester big game in the future such as elk, sheep, black bears etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle Don't know the 7x57, the 308 would be a good choice. I would also look at 7mm-08, 243, 25-06, 260, and 6mm rem. All would be relatively low recoil calibers with the 7mm-08 being probibly the best for raw energy vs recoil, 243 or 6mm would probibly have the least recoil but not as much energy. I'm sure AJ will set us straight if I missed something. He's the man when it comes to this stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kooter Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle out of your two choices I would also pick the 308. There are plenty of different size bullets to use to handle all the different animals you plan on hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle Either of your choices will suit the situation just fine. The 7 Mauser, 7-08, 308 Win will all work just fine. Recoil should not be too bad of an issue even in lightweight compact guns. They all have enough thump for the game you mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted January 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle Would the 243, 6mm and the likes be a tad on the light side for western big game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherguy Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle [ QUOTE ] Would the 243, 6mm and the likes be a tad on the light side for western big game? [/ QUOTE ] Yes. for sure the .243 is too light for anything bigger than deer. I really don't know anything about the 6mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted January 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle They are very similar rounds, basically the same thing. The slugs are the same size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle rifleman25-------If an oryx is on the menu----they are tough animals. I hunted the White Sands Missile range for them in 2003. You shoots will probably be long---250 yards plus. I'm going to be different here & say she should use a 30/06. That's what my wife uses. I put a good recoil pad on it & we don't go on marathon shooting sessions with it. When we go shooting I have her shoot a 22 then the 06----about 8 to 10 rounds. Then back to the 22. She doesn't flinch at all. Seems to work---she has taken several elk & a bighorn at 260 yards. Get an 06----then when she gets drawn for an oryx---use an HE round. I used a 300 Win Mag onmine & was not a bit over gunned. Good luck--CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest J_Owens_66 Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle .308, this is the do it all caliber for North America in my opinion. Recoil is mild inless its in a light compact gun, then you will need to add a Simms or Pacmyer recoil pad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MIhillbilly Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle I was faced with the same descision about a year ago and ended up buying my wife a 7mm-08 to be used mainly on whitetail deer, but if she ever did want to go elk hunting with me, it'd work well for that too. Made the perfect Valentines day gift. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_218 Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle I've own both .308's & 7 X 57 m/m Rifles and really couldn't tell the difference performance wise of either. Either one would be fine for your wife as the recoil on both is very mild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle I think the .308 would be the best choice for your wife. Very little recoil with pretty heavy hitting power and velocity. Along with that the ammo is nice and short and the guns are short action. Perfect combination for an all around gun for most species in North America. The .308 has plenty of knockdown power, a guy I deer hunt with uses his .308 to hunt moose, and they are far bigger than elk. A well placed shot knocks them just as dead as .30-06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted January 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle Thanks guys I am really torn on the subject. AJ how easy or difficult are the components to load the 7x57? Is brass easy to come by? What bullet does it take. I ned a new reloading book. I have ben using the same ones so long I just wrote them on a card and put them by my bench. I loaned my books out never to be returned by a someone I cant remember who? I plan on buying a new book soon but any ideas for the meantime? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Would the 243, 6mm and the likes be a tad on the light side for western big game? [/ QUOTE ] Yes. for sure the .243 is too light for anything bigger than deer. I really don't know anything about the 6mm. [/ QUOTE ] 6 mm I believe is a .244. Performs about the same as a .243. Think I would also go with the .308 if it were me and I was intending to have her take game larger than just deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle [ QUOTE ] AJ how easy or difficult are the components to load the 7x57? Is brass easy to come by? [/ QUOTE ] It is available from a few retailers. I found these at Midway Remington and Norma The 7x57 is available in rimmed and rimless. The standard 7 Mauser is rimless. [ QUOTE ] What bullet does it take. [/ QUOTE ] It takes the standard 7mm or .284" bullet like the 7-08, 280 Rem, 7mm Mag, etc. [ QUOTE ] I ned a new reloading book. I have ben using the same ones so long I just wrote them on a card and put them by my bench. I loaned my books out never to be returned by a someone I cant remember who? I plan on buying a new book soon but any ideas for the meantime? [/ QUOTE ] I always suggest checking multiple sources for data. You never know when one has some bogus data. It's better to find out before than after you have done some damage. You can get some online data here: Hodgdon Alliant IMR Accurate Powder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rifleman25 Posted January 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Re: Womens Rifle Thanks AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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