First Hunting Rifle

[dale2242]

My Great Granddaughter just turned 12 in November.
She is not a small girl at 5' 4" and 120#.
She has a 2019 Oregon Youth Sports Pack which includes deer, bear, cougar, and elk tags.
Most adults in my area seem to recommend a 243 Win as a first hunting rifle.
She will be hunting mostly Blacktail deer and bear but she may get the opportunity to hunt elk.
I was thinking more along the lines of a 7-08 Rem. as a more appropriate caliber for the bigger game.
I can download it for deer and load heavier loads for elk and bear.
What are your thoughts about this and which rifle would you buy?
BTW, Oregon Youth Sports packs include:
1. Hunting and fishing license
2. Upland Game validation
3. Shellfish license
4. Salmon, Steelhead, Halibut, Sturgeon tag
5. Turkey tag
6. Deer tag
7. Bear tag
8. Cougar tag
9. Elk tag

This all for $55.00
Adult sports Packs are $190

[lightman]

The 7-08 would not be a bad choice. I started my Wife and kids off with a 308 using reduced loads and/or light bullets. Just a suggestion, but think about giving Her some options and let Her be part of the decision.

Several of my friends Daughters use 243's and a few even use 223's and one has a 220 Swift. These are for deer and your Elk tag probably nixes these calibers.

Thats a heck of a package for $55!

[Wayne Smith]

The 7-08 is the current iteration of the 7x57 and never a bad choice. I would agree with letting her be part of the choice but she doesn't have the experience to know the flexibility of loading for various cartridges. The 7mm gives you many more choices than the .243 - to me it's simple to the reloader. Maybe not to someone who only buys boxed ammo, but not to us.

For her the issue is stock fit. That is important and worth listening to her.

[Driver33]

I think I would go with the 7-08. I have killed a lot of deer with a 243 but I think the extra bullet weight with the 7 would be better for bear an elk

[HangFireW8]

I would go for the 7-08 for less muzzle blast then a short barrelled 243.

[redhawk0]

I would also go with the 7-08. Make sure the rifle fits her well. A youth stock might just be the ticket....5'4" really isn't that big of a girl especially when it comes to a full length stock being made for a man 5'10" or taller.

BTW...my Son-in-Law is only 5'5" and he prefers a youth stock as well. Even my Win94 is too long for him.

redhawk

[richhodg66]

A .308 down loads really easy and is still effective and then you can make it powerful when you need to.

Oldest son's first hunting rifle was a .260 Remington. Good enough for the task and it does recoil less than bigger ones. Youngest got a .308 because he is a lefty and choices were more limited. If I had it to do over, both would have gotten .308s. A 125-130 grain bullet and 37 grains of 4895 worked great on deer and recoils less than a .243. Just my thoughts, we're all hand loaders here, no need to be a slave to what factory ammo does, you can make a big cartridge into a tame kitten no problem.

[clintsfolly]

Go back and reread richhodg66 post! The man hit the nail square on the head!

[pete501]

How about 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 Grendel in the AR platform. Auto action would take care of some recoil. My nephew hunts big mulies with the Grendel.

[waksupi]

How about 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5 Grendel in the AR platform. Auto action would take care of some recoil. My nephew hunts big mulies with the Grendel.

I consider the AR a poor platform to teach a new shooter.

[osteodoc08]

If she is going to be hunting elk, just go with the 7mm-08. If looking for good budget entry with classic feel, look at the savage lady hunter. Good luck to you both on the range and in the woods this coming season.!

[dale2242]

Sorry pete501, we are not interested in an AR.
It will be a bolt gun for sure.

[shortlegs]

7mm08 was my youngest sons choice at age 9. Browning Micro Medalion fit him fine and is still his choice in his mid 30s.

[Duckiller]

#2 son is in the marlet for a new hunting rifle. He is looking for a Thika ultra light in 7-08. He has decided he doesn't like heavy recoil and doesn't want to carry a heavy gun up and down the cascades. Loading light for deer and heavy for elk is a very good idea. Are you going to use one headstamp for deer and another for elk?

[country gent]

The 7mm 08 should make fine work of the intended game provided good shot placement. One thing that will help a lot is to do all you can to keep range of shots down Give her the easiest shots possible. A good load and rifle that fits her will go farther than the actual caliber. If possible have the length of pull shortened to fit her and possibly a slightly taller thicker cheek piece. THese don't make the rifle more powerful but do make it easier for her to shoot better with it improving the potential for a solid hit.
If possible having her shoot several rifles in different calibers may help guide you and her along your journey. See what she likes and is capable of handling.

[Texas by God]

The only fly in the Tikka ointment is the poorly designed recoil pad. Use a slip on Limbsaver for sighting in and remove it to hunt. I'll join the 7mm-08 chorus; my 3 kids all started with .243s but we don't have bear and elk available.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Bazoo]

If you go with a 308 then you can download using 30-30 bullets and velocity. 7mm08 can be downloaded true, but are there any bullets that are made in 7mm suited to the lower velocity? 7-30 waters bullets? Premium jacketed can be had for 30-30 velocity and I think that would make it more versatile in reduced loading for all game.

[Smoke4320]

either 7-08 or 308 .. personally I would go 308 as its more versatile. You can download for her in the beginning for deer and stretch it out for extra umph for bear and elk

[Shawlerbrook]

My wife is 5’ 2” and loves her Browning A-Bolt Micro in 7mm08. She has killed over a dozen whitetails with it and most were one shot. Great choice for women, youngsters and even old farts like us. Here is this year’s buck. 180#
237539

[David2011]

Your granddaughter is probably going to grow like a weed in the coming years. Look at the height of her parents and make sure you don't buy a rifle that she will outgrow by the time she hits 14. Good choice to pass on the AR-10 platform. They tend to be pretty heavy if the ones I've shot are typical. I've hunted with someone that has a 7mm-08 and it is quite capable. My hunting rifle is a 6.5x55, very equivalent to the 6.5 Creedmoor. The recoil and muzzle blast are mild and it's good for all but the biggest game in North America.

[popper]

308W in a rifle that fits. Down load with H4895 youth loads, it'll also do heavy for cal stuff for penetration on the big bruisers.

[725]

No wrong answer, I guess, but the .308 is by far the better cartridge. Wide range of J-bullets to taylor to the game sought. I just loaded a bunch of 125 Sierras for around the farm. Loaded 180 Hornady's for my last elk trip. The only caliber I took to Africa years ago. Everything I shot died with one shot. A very under appreciated cartridge.

[rking22]

I think you are heading in the right direction with the 7-08. Now I also propose the 308 as even better. I loaded 125gr at about 2250fps for my 10 year old son to deer hunt. I had found that bullet a solid preformer in my Contender 30Herret so no concern there. The recoil was less than 243 and was quieter as well. This was a Kimber M84 classic. That very same rifle shoots 165gr loads very well and probably 180s if wanted. 308s are good cast platform as well, and doing it again it would be 31141 at 1750fps! Get her a nice bolt gun in 308 and she will be set for life, and can pass it on to her children. Every time she shoots it she will think of you and happy times. A quality rifle can be more than a tool. I do not understand folk buying their child a junker because "they are gonna beat it up". They will take care of it if they know it's expected and are taught how. They will be proud of their rifle and all the little scratches and dings will be memories of past hunts. Just my opinion, ymmv.

[Petander]

308 ammo is everywhere. You will need lots of practise ammo.

[cwlongshot]

I say trust your gut. The 7/08 is a excellent choice!!

I have recently been exposed to the 6.5 Grendel and feel its also a excellent choice BUT feel its a lil light for the largest big game, like elk & moose. (Yes absolutely it will/can work!)

CW

[trapper9260]

If you are able to let her test the guns to see how it feels for her and then go from there. That way she will be like stated part of the choice .As for 308 win you can down load it to shoot like a 22lr with cast. up to full loads.

[Hi-Speed]

I recommend a 223 Remington bolt action...there are various 223 loads made to anchor deer sized game. Reloading is also an option for the 223 Rem.

[rking22]

That might be a bit light for a bear or elk, your call.

[dale2242]

No 223s or ARs...dale

[lightman]

You mentioned a 7-08 in your first post and I agree that its not a bad choice. I lightly touched on the 308 then. You have got a lot of post suggesting the 308 and as a 308 lover I have to agree. Its very versatile with bullets from 100 grain to 240 grain and most sporting good stores and Walmart have 308 ammo. Good Luck in your choice.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I would go with a 308 since elk is on the list, bullet diameter always helps when hunting. Component availability, bullet mold availabilty, loaded cartridge selection. A 308 will be slightly lighter than the 7-08 in the same rifle(bigger hole in the barrel). A Savage Lady Hunter or Lightweight Hunter(?). Shorten the stock as required and fit a really good recoil pad (Limbsaver, Kick-eez, Hi-Viz). A really good trigger is important for success for the new shooter. A 125gr Accubond, Sierra, Hornady SST at 2500-2600fps should handle blacktail, lots of light recoil practice with boolits or plenty of 'cheap jacketed' loaded light, elk - 165 or 180 Partition -2500fps plus. Cast bullets for hunting require a little more experience.

[Hi-Speed]

...223 Remington limited to deer. Give her a few more years before elk and bear, then use no less than one of the top ten elk and bear cartridges if they can be handled and shot accurately.

[woody1]

Get the right rifle, one that fits, chambered in .308. IMO much more versatile than the other .308 case children when reloaded. I started my kids with a .243 but when elk were on the menu, they used a loaded down 30-06 'cause that's what we had. I used the .243 and yes it did kill elk as did the 30-06. The 7/08 is adequate for elk as a daughter-in-law proved several times but IMO not a beginner's elk rifle. Do what you will but do keep the youngsters coming into the hunting/shooting world.

[fatnhappy]

7-08

I started my son on the 7-08 and reduced loads. He's killed everything he's ever pointed the rifle at. I plan to start my daughter with the same rifle.

YMMV

[upr45]

7-08 sounds good, she will never outgrow! I download a .308 for my brothers daughters, which they are old enough to shoot full power now. My all time favorite in mild recoil is a 6.5 x 55. The sportorized mil (my preference 23.5" barrels) shoot incredibly well! The performance in game far exceeds the .243!

[slownsteady22]

I have always been parttial to the 270 Winchester, it is a fine caliber, along with others mentioned. I think fit is probably more important than caliber, because when that elk, bear, deer, walk out in front recoil wont be a problem. You can always put together some reduced loads for trigger time at the range. Good luck and great hunting.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Hi-Speed]

270 Winchester still brings them down - my favorite high powered cartridge for the West. “Thutty Thutty” for the Northeast woods.

[BrassMagnet]

A .308 down loads really easy and is still effective and then you can make it powerful when you need to.

Oldest son's first hunting rifle was a .260 Remington. Good enough for the task and it does recoil less than bigger ones. Youngest got a .308 because he is a lefty and choices were more limited. If I had it to do over, both would have gotten .308s. A 125-130 grain bullet and 37 grains of 4895 worked great on deer and recoils less than a .243. Just my thoughts, we're all hand loaders here, no need to be a slave to what factory ammo does, you can make a big cartridge into a tame kitten no problem.


If you go with a 308 then you can download using 30-30 bullets and velocity. 7mm08 can be downloaded true, but are there any bullets that are made in 7mm suited to the lower velocity? 7-30 waters bullets? Premium jacketed can be had for 30-30 velocity and I think that would make it more versatile in reduced loading for all game.


either 7-08 or 308 .. personally I would go 308 as its more versatile. You can download for her in the beginning for deer and stretch it out for extra umph for bear and elk


308W in a rifle that fits. Down load with H4895 youth loads, it'll also do heavy for cal stuff for penetration on the big bruisers.


No wrong answer, I guess, but the .308 is by far the better cartridge. Wide range of J-bullets to taylor to the game sought. I just loaded a bunch of 125 Sierras for around the farm. Loaded 180 Hornady's for my last elk trip. The only caliber I took to Africa years ago. Everything I shot died with one shot. A very under appreciated cartridge.


I think you are heading in the right direction with the 7-08. Now I also propose the 308 as even better. I loaded 125gr at about 2250fps for my 10 year old son to deer hunt. I had found that bullet a solid preformer in my Contender 30Herret so no concern there. The recoil was less than 243 and was quieter as well. This was a Kimber M84 classic. That very same rifle shoots 165gr loads very well and probably 180s if wanted. 308s are good cast platform as well, and doing it again it would be 31141 at 1750fps! Get her a nice bolt gun in 308 and she will be set for life, and can pass it on to her children. Every time she shoots it she will think of you and happy times. A quality rifle can be more than a tool. I do not understand folk buying their child a junker because "they are gonna beat it up". They will take care of it if they know it's expected and are taught how. They will be proud of their rifle and all the little scratches and dings will be memories of past hunts. Just my opinion, ymmv.


308 ammo is everywhere. You will need lots of practise ammo.


If you are able to let her test the guns to see how it feels for her and then go from there. That way she will be like stated part of the choice .As for 308 win you can down load it to shoot like a 22lr with cast. up to full loads.


You mentioned a 7-08 in your first post and I agree that its not a bad choice. I lightly touched on the 308 then. You have got a lot of post suggesting the 308 and as a 308 lover I have to agree. Its very versatile with bullets from 100 grain to 240 grain and most sporting good stores and Walmart have 308 ammo. Good Luck in your choice.


I would go with a 308 since elk is on the list, bullet diameter always helps when hunting. Component availability, bullet mold availabilty, loaded cartridge selection. A 308 will be slightly lighter than the 7-08 in the same rifle(bigger hole in the barrel). A Savage Lady Hunter or Lightweight Hunter(?). Shorten the stock as required and fit a really good recoil pad (Limbsaver, Kick-eez, Hi-Viz). A really good trigger is important for success for the new shooter. A 125gr Accubond, Sierra, Hornady SST at 2500-2600fps should handle blacktail, lots of light recoil practice with boolits or plenty of 'cheap jacketed' loaded light, elk - 165 or 180 Partition -2500fps plus. Cast bullets for hunting require a little more experience.


Get the right rifle, one that fits, chambered in .308. IMO much more versatile than the other .308 case children when reloaded. I started my kids with a .243 but when elk were on the menu, they used a loaded down 30-06 'cause that's what we had. I used the .243 and yes it did kill elk as did the 30-06. The 7/08 is adequate for elk as a daughter-in-law proved several times but IMO not a beginner's elk rifle. Do what you will but do keep the youngsters coming into the hunting/shooting world.


I vote with all of these folks!
While it is true that any caliber can work, it is also true that the best is more likely to perform the best in challenging times!
Fear the man (or woman) with only one gun because he (or she) knows how to use it!

That comes from practice and practice comes from plentiful supply. 308/7.62 is available anywhere and brass/components are commonly available and very affordable, too!
Also get her the best scope you can.

[GL49]

The .308 has more advantages than the 7mm-08. That being said, here's what I would do:

Heads - .308
Tails - 7mm-08

Keep flipping until it comes up tails. But that's just me and the choice I would make. Special girl deserves a special rifle.

[Hi-Speed]

...also, it may go without saying, but pls ensure that your chosen round is within the requirements of your respective state game laws.

[dale2242]

The 7-08 is legal for any thing we can get a tag for in Oregon.
Although she is big for her age, she is somewhat recoil shy.
If I get her a 7-08, which I feel is adequate for elk in our area because of the close shots, she can hand it down to her 10 year old brother and I can get her a larger caliber when she becomes less recoil shy....dale

[Blammer]

take her to a gunshop and have her shoulder a few of the different makes, to see what she likes, then get one in 243.

if you want elk, then another rifle is in order. :)

see how this works...

[fatnhappy]

There’s alway one guy from the Deep South that shoots 55 lb deer who chimes in .243.


Geez....,,, DJ

[Tom W.]

I've seen both elk and black bears that were killed with a 30/30, but I'd chime in and say a .308 would be the better choice. My son uses a multitude of rifles, but uses his 7mm- 08 or 7mm RemMag the most. All handloaded......

[Tripplebeards]

243 with some 90 or 100 grainers. Any more recoil and your going to get a recoil shy kid. In a year or two move her up to a 260 or 7-08. There’s a lot of growing from 12 to 14. My buddies kid was about 80lbs and about 5’ when he was 12 the summer before last. I had him shooting 44 mag rifles, 35 rems, and 243’s. This past summer he rocketed to about 5’ 8” and has been blasting away with 30-06’s now.

[waksupi]

7-08 sounds good, she will never outgrow! I download a .308 for my brothers daughters, which they are old enough to shoot full power now. My all time favorite in mild recoil is a 6.5 x 55. The sportorized mil (my preference 23.5" barrels) shoot incredibly well! The performance in game far exceeds the .243!


6.5X55 is definitely a good all round choice.

[bmortell]

its kind of a pet peeve of mine people recommending 243 as the universal youth rifle for large game. small projectile, big powder charge, big muzzle blast, bloodshots quarters really bad. I don't think I seen much recommendations for 357 or 44 rifles which are pretty good at stopping power per "recoil" especially with good bullet choice, there also not long or heavy. or just a 30cal with a 180gr cast at 1800 that's only same ft-lbs as a 223 but much better penetration, low muzzle blast, wont ruin meat much, and of course could be loaded much higher in the future. point being 243 is certainly not the most efficient at "animal size" vs "recoil/blast" not a fan of necked down unless for varmints

[Tripplebeards]

Love my Ruger 77/44. It’s as light as a BB gun and little recoil. It’s my cast boolit plinker. I’ve have two different cast boolit loads that shoot sub MOA out of it. I let new shooters try it out alon* with my Remington 600 chambered in 243. Both small lightweight rifles and light on recoil. What ever you don’t pick an oddball caliber as she and you will probably be upgrading it in a few years.

[jonp]

The only fly in the Tikka ointment is the poorly designed recoil pad. Use a slip on Limbsaver for sighting in and remove it to hunt. I'll join the 7mm-08 chorus...

Friends wife had a 243 but after a bad experience with a 250lb Whitetail switched to a Tikka 7-08. Swears the deer take a look and just fall down. Buddy like it so much he got a Tikka in 270 WSM. Used it on everything from coyote to moose.

With elk on the horizon and being a reloader (my friend is not) I'd opt for the 308. Load it light and as she grows into it with more experience increase the power. Ammo is cheaper, bullets and powder are everywhere for it and it's most likely the only caliber she will ever need in the lower 48.

My Grandfather grew up in the depression where money was tight to say the least and after WW2 when he saved enough money by trapping and working 16hr days he bought a 308 for his one rifle. Does everything you need it to do.

[OnHoPr]

I hope you don’t mind me being a little eccentric. Does it have to be a new rifle? Generally I would bring the 257 Bob into the equation, but since elk and bear may be considered something a little stronger would be more sufficient. The 6.5x55 could be very useful along with the 6.5x57, but when she gets older on her own store bought ammo might be in the cards, so the 260 Rem would be my lightest choice.

Next caliber up is the 7mm which is very adequate for the game intended. Bullet construction would play a major role in the ammo choice deliberation just as with the 308. The 7-08 might be the wisest choice, but like I mentioned above if no rifles are chambered for the 7x57 now a Ruger 77 in 7x57 would be my choice suggestion. It has a touch more powder capacity than the 7-08 and a longer neck for gramps to cast boolits for a lot of practice ammo. The 7mm bullets usually have better BCs than the 308 bullets especially when considering the 308, because it can’t push heavier bullets or at least past 165 gr fast enough at anything past 200 yds. In eight more years your granddaughter might have a Ranger or Toyota pickup with a cap and doing her own hunting. She might want to travel to western Montana for a goat hunt or try for sheep in OR if possible or WA. She could generally always find ammo for it online and could always purchase stuff like Rem 140 or 175 gr loads which are reduced loads anyways. Where she would have to get 275 Rigby ammo for full power loads in the 7x57. So, in a lot of aspects if a reloader was not around the 7-08 would be a wiser choice. The 7mms can get pretty zippy with 120 gr balls in them with lighter recoil and still pushed fast enough for the HIGH BC 160 gr BTs.

Heck, if you are considering the 308 you may as well go to the 06 for the game intended. There are reduced loads for it and even more variety of ammo than the 308. The 308s recoil is on par with the 06 anyways. What a 150gr bullet from a 308 is about 2900 fps in a commercial loading and the 06 is 2950 fps. You would not tell the difference in a proper fitting stock and if the stock did not fit proper the 308 would have more unpleasant recoil.

The only other generally commercial usually available ammo that I could think of that would fit the bill is the 300 Savage. But, the ammo price might be a bit costly if reloading was out of the question.

Anyways the 6.5, 7mm, and 30 cals would be in my considerations with the Savage, x57, or 08 case.

[jonp]

I hope you don’t mind me being a little eccentric. Does it have to be a new rifle?

I assumed the OP meant that she was getting a new rifle as in brand new. Maybe I took him wrong and he meant "new to her"?

[David2011]

Maybe let the young lady shoot several calibers and see what she's comfortable with prior to purchasing anything? An adult woman I knew wanted to try out several handguns so I loaded up a selection and we went to the range. She was about the same size as the OP's granddaughter and had little or no prior experience shooting handguns. I was concerned when she wanted to shoot the Blackhawk in .45 Colt with Ruger/Contender loads but she loved the stiff recoil. It's probably a big assumption to assume that the young lady is terribly recoil sensitive. She can determine that for herself. I would be uncomfortable recommending a .243 for the range of game mentioned.

I don't enjoy heavy recoil mostly because I shoot my hunting rifles from the bench a lot. I can shoot 60 rounds in an afternoon from the 6.5x55 and not hurt the next day. The .260 and 6.5 Creedmoor are ballistically identical for all practical purposes. I've shot Browning X-Bolts in 6.5 Creedmoor with and without muzzle brakes. Browning offers at least one model with the brake as a standard item. The muzzle brake reduced recoil substantially and it was just the tubular style with lots of holes around it. A .308 with a muzzle brake would also offer adequate power without the recoil.

[bob208]

first rifle I used for deer was a 94 Winchester in .32 spl. borrowed from my uncle. the first deer rifle was a cut up number 4 Enfield in .303. neither one had ever failed me.

[Adventure Fish]

My first hunting rifle was a 30-30. Indiana only allowed straight wall cartridges for deer at that time. I've never shot a 7-08. I have taken a lot of deer with a 30-30 in state, and quite a few out of state with a 30-06 and 308. 30-06 and 308 are the most versatile to load for that I know of. Ive loaded both down with a boolit intended for a 30-40 Krag rifle and shot it. Might as well have been shooting a 22 except in 30 cal. The benefit being that if she starts with one of those two and finds a rifle she likes, you have the advantage of tuning a boolit recipe to her and her rifle. Then she learns to do it all.

[white eagle]

Sorry pete501, we are not interested in an AR.
It will be a bolt gun for sure.

I would still get her a 6.5 CM
lots of prime bullets and capable with minimal recoil

[Walks]

I have a .250-3000 Ruger M77R. I bought it 1976. A few years later I happened on a M77 S-A stk at a gun show with a BIG Scrape on the buttstock. I refinished the stk as a project for the cool winter evenings.

When my Kids were born I already had a Rifle for them to grow into. I cut the extra stk down and bought a Good Kick-Eze recoil pad and half a dozen 1/4" spacers.
Got busted up just before my oldest turned 12yrs and got her Hunting License. So a friend took her for her first deer, I waited in camp in my wheelchair. 100gr Sierra worked just fine. Her brother did the same a year later. Added spacers as needed. When he got big enough He switched to the Family .257 Rob't, and then My .270WCF.
His sister Switched to a .308 REM 700 that I bought a youth stk for.

My buddy retired and moved away My Son's last spring in H. S. My Son went in the service, didn't come home from his 2nd tour in Iraq. My Daughter didn't want to Hunt without Him so she gave it up.

But She still goes to the Range about once a year with me. I'm out of the wheelchair most days.

She down loads the .308 for bench shooting, she is still a heck of a fine shot.
She still uses H4895 in all her .308 loads.

A .308 with a 2nd stk with spacers/recoil pad is the way to go.

[sniper]

My 3 270s were fine rifles, but, after a while, the recoil got to me, and I went to the 257 Roberts. Nowadays, brass is almost unobtanium, and finding ammo is a real problem if a person doesn't reload.

The .260 is languishing, but the 6.5X55 Swedish can be loaded to emulate be a "very good" 257 Roberts with 100 or 120 gr. bullets. With 140 gr. the Scandinavians take Moose with no fuss. But...they have to prove they can shoot! A downloaded 308, or maybe even 7mm08 will do just fine, and as was said, fit (along with practice) will be the deciding factor. Good luck to you and your young lady!

[Duckiller]

Tika evidently won't ship ultra light 7-08 to US so #2 son just ordered it in 6.5 Creedmor. Nore dies to buy.

[rockrat]

7mm-08 all the way, unless she is close to you and you plan on loading for her. Then the 308, as there are plenty more 30 cal moulds available (if she will shoot cast boolits)

[MDC]

Except for elk and larger bear, I'd say get her a Contender carbine in 7-30 Waters. I've shot several deer and feral pigs with excellent results and the recoil is very mild.

[robg]

Me I'd down load a 308 but over here the 243 seems very popular along with 270 and 6.5s .a moderator /silencer will help with recoil muzzle blast for a nervous newbie.

[GregLaROCHE]

A lot like the 308, but to me, it’s stepping up a notch on recoil. My choice is 6.5x55 Swedish. Very flat shooter and a lot less recoil than a 308. Getting used to something that has less recoil, will probably improve accuracy, the most important part. 6.5x55se is hard to find. Another would be 270. Was once considered the woman’s deer gun, although I’ve known woman to bring down large carabou with them.

[BigMagShooter]

a good 270 win will work for you and your daughter.

[rockrat]

My neighbors daughter used a 243 for her three elk she has shot. Used partition bullets and her longest shot was a lasered 287 yards. Was told it just stood there, began wobbling and fell over.


I would still lean with the 7-08

[Lloyd Smale]

708 isn't a bad choice but the 308 is a better choice. Once your not there to handload for her ammo may be tough to find for the 708 and is available everywhere for the 308. difference in recoil between a factory 150 308 and a factor 140 708 is so small if you were blind folded you couldn't tell the difference. Another advantage with the 308 is a non handloader can buy reduced loads right over the counter. One other very slight advantage is in two identical guns the 308 will be slightly lighter due to the bigger bore.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

This is the cast boolit forum. Get the 308, more boolit molds than you can shake a stick at, including some great ones from Lee, cheap brass to boot. Deer loads at 1800 fps, work up from there... I like the supressor idea, pre-threaded barrels are easy to come by these days. Muzzle blast is a big component in the perception of recoil. Start her with double hearing protection. Practice has to be fun to make a markswoman out of her.

[SSGOldfart]

Go back and reread richhodg66 post! The man hit the nail square on the head!

Yes he did,even a 30-30,that she can use after she gets bigger would work You'll have to teach her the Art of reloading and casting many hours of enjoyment in the future too.

[snowwolfe]

OP,
Take a look at the Savage Storm. It is stainless and the stock is adjustable to include LOP and comb height. As she grows the stock can grow with her.