Rifle reccomendation

[Jdc]

My wife told me today that she would get her hunting license and elk hunt with me next year.  She has been shooting with me since we met over twenty years ago, but had shoulder surgery a couple years ago and hasn't shot a rifle since.  Does anyone have any suggestions for a rifle for her?  I bought a Savage 116 in 30.06 for hunting this year (which I love), and she is going to try it out, but I am looking for options.

[buck man]

If she has no prob with recoil, the 06 is a good choice. A 308 is a great choice for youth or women out to 250-300 yards. Less recoil, short action and good bullet choices. Lots of options for smaller individuals.

[jrebel]

Look at the savage lady hunter series.  Father in law just bought mother in law a 6.5 creedmore that would work for elk.  He bought the lady hunter and she absolutely loves it.  I guess the recoil is very light and the bullet selection is really good.  Anything from varmit to elk sized animals. 

[Pazn25]

Depends on what she will be hunting, and where she will be hunting.  Deer?  Elk?  Eastern Wa?  Western Wa? Alot of factors come into play

[krism83]

I believe that with a .270 you can take just about any animal you are going to come across in washington, recoil isn't bad and they can barely fairly inexpensive to buy and shoot. The problem with rifles and one of the most expensive parts of hunting is always what glass you are going to put on it.

[rosscrazyelk]

7mm

[Jdc]

She will be hunting westside elk.  The recoil is the main concern due to the shoulder issue, but I want to find something that that she feels confident about knocking down an elk.  For what it is worth I know it is all about shot placement, but I think that feeling confident in your shot gives you a little bit of an edge.

[mdbuck5x5]

I believe that with a .270 you can take just about any animal you are going to come across in washington, recoil isn't bad and they can barely fairly inexpensive to buy and shoot. The problem with rifles and one of the most expensive parts of hunting is always what glass you are going to put on it.

  .270 was the 1st that came to mind! Also they do make recoil pads.

[Bean Counter]

 

You can also add a Pachmayr slip on pad that will help reduce recoil. .270 is cheap and will take down an elk.

[runningboard]

if it fits her I 2nd the vote for the Savage lady hunter, 7mm-08 would be my recommendation for cartridge.
I bought a sims recoil shoulder pad that has straps on it, it kinda looks like 1/2 a vest but is filled with a pad that reduces felt recoil. (I have a pin in my arm from shoulder to elbow that limits my tolerance for recoil)

[Ripper]

I bought a savage model 11 in 7mm-08 for my son last year and I love it. Keep your distances down and make sure of good shot placement and it should work fine. Very light recoil.

[winshooter88]

Whatever you get make sure to put a Limbsaver or Kick-ezz recoil pad on it. You can also use the PAST strap-on shoulder pad, between the two she should be ok with most of the non-magnum calibers. Also use the lightest bullet weight that will do the job. The heavier the bullet, the harder the recoil.

[brokenvet]

The father of calibers; .280Rem, .270Win, 25.06, 6.5-06, 8mm-06, 338-06, & the .35Whelen is the 30.06.  The .270, .280 & the 25-06 will recoil just slightly below the 30.06, but not much below.

With a bad shoulder I would go with a .308 case length cartridge, here are some choices:
.308Win; .260 Rem; 6.5 Creedmore;  7mm-08, 338 Federal,  6.5X55,  7X57 Mauser

The .243 is a great cartridge for deer, But I think it is under powered for elk even with solid copper bullets.

For the gun; if you want to keep your 116 and just rebarrel it, you can do it yourself.  Buy a kit from MidwayyUSA for around $199.       
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/464539/e-r-shaw-barrel-kit-savage-110-series-small-shank-260-remington-factory-contour-1-in-9-twist-24-stainless-steel

The 116 is a small shank and these barrels should fit, do however double check it before purchasing.   

[BULLBLASTER]

If recoil of the mentioned calibers is still an issue a break will make almost any caliber a dream to shoot.

[tbrady]

Definitely look into getting a muzzle break, it can make the muzzle blast a lot louder but there is a pretty good reduction in felt recoil (in my experience).  Also, get a Sims limbsaver recoil pad (much better than the pachmayer decelerator imo).

[snowshoes22]

Look at the 6.5 creedmoor. Low recoil, great ballistics, good sectional density with heavy for caliber bullets.

[headshot5]

Definitely go with a 7mm-08, or a .260.  I have a couple 7-08's and a .260 and love them all.  You can use 120's for deer and 140's for elk.  With my .260 I can watch a bullet hit the target (usually an animal) through the scope.  Pretty awesome.  My .260 is a Stainless ruger M77.  My 7-08's are a 700 Rem and a TCR 87.  Recoil is mild in both calibers.   

[coachcw]

Definitely go with a 7mm-08, or a .260.  I have a couple 7-08's and a .260 and love them all.  You can use 120's for deer and 140's for elk.  With my .260 I can watch a bullet hit the target (usually an animal) through the scope.  Pretty awesome.  My .260 is a Stainless ruger M77.  My 7-08's are a 700 Rem and a TCR 87.  Recoil is mild in both calibers.   

  .338 fedral also a good choice for elk close range

[Blacktail Sniper]

Have you considered an autoloader like a Remington 742?   Depending on how sensitive she is to the recoil, a 742 in say .30/06 or .270 with a muzzle brake should be pretty mild in felt recoil. And more than enough power for elk, probably not much different in weight to carry and a detachable magazine for convenience.

[Mark Youngblood]

Maybe consider a semi-auto a well...that will take out allot of recoil and with a muzzle break added I would think she could handle a larger caliber no problem.

[Chukarhead]

Since there are a lot of darts hitting the wall, I'll throw another.  Consider muzzleloading.  For the price of a new rifle and decent glass, you could buy two muzzies easily.  Since confidence is a big deal, as is recoil, practice is key.  Muzzies allow you to handload on the fly.  We shoot super-light loads for paper punching, similar to recoil from a .223, but can run up to magnum loads for whomping big elk without changing weapons.

I have a light .30-06 that is uncomfortable with standard loads, and is downright painful with hot hunting loads.  Consequently, I don't shoot it much, and don't have great confidence in my shots.  Not so with the front-stuffer, which is like an extension of my body.

Have fun--hunting with your special lady friend is a great deal!

[TriggerHappy]

My wife shoots a 7MM with a limb saver recoil pad like its a .22, the limb saver pad is awesome.

[snowshoes22]

i agree with the limb saver they are great.

[Bean Counter]

Well I love my slip on Pachmayr, and it was much cheaper than the Limbsaver 

[callonetta]

I had Mr. Palazzo build a 25-06AI with brake on it for my wife, I reload the ammo with Barnes TSX 100gr.
She has killed so far 2 muleys, 1 whitetail, 2 pronghorn and this year a cow elk, only one of the goats needed a second shot, she loves the rifle and feels no recoil.

[Watimberghost]

I will echo the .270 win. Can find the ammo anywhere and it's fairly cheap. Along with a limbsaver that cartridge would feel like a pellet gun. I know an old timer that has taken over 60 elk with his winchester pre-64 .270.

[dvolmer]

I have a wife and six daughters that hunt so I have been down this road already.  Stay away from all the funky calibers and stick to the basics.  .270 or 30-06 is what you want with a good recoil pad.  My girls shoot either a Browning BAR semi-auto in 270 and 30-06 or I have a Remington semi-auto 30-06.  The semi-auto is the key.  The recoil of a gas operated rifle is reduced by at least 30% or more.  The guns are a little bit heavier but it works.  My 130 lb 16 year old shot a nice large cow elk this year with the BAR 270 and my 20 year old 120 lb daughter shot a nice cow this year with the Remington 30-06.  My 13 year old son shot a nice 3x5 muley in Montana with the BAR 270 with no problems at all.  My oldest daughter has shot two 6X6 bulls in the past with the Remington 30-06 and she is around 5'6" and weighs in at around 130 lbs. In these calibers, ammo is cheap and easily found.  If you want to find a gun that just jumps in your hands with no kick at all get a Browning BAR in 243.  but I wouldn't reccomend a 243 for elk.