Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

[WapitiTalk1]

OK, starting to dig around for a rifle for Mrs. Phantom.  She doesn't hunt but I think she'd enjoy having her own rifle to shoot at the range (insert devious devil face here, LOL) while I'm shooting my .308.  Of course, I'm looking at something that won't blast her off the bench (must be a very manageable recoil for her small frame), and........ something I can use for predators and possible deer (particularly when we do our final retirement move to probably Idaho in the next year or two).  .243, 25-06, 6.5 C, what do you cats think?  As always, thanks for the discussion and recommendations.  I'll buy new but don't want to spend a ton of coin on the rifle/scope.     

[jay.sharkbait]

.223. 

This is a joke for all the folks out there who aren't sure.


6.5 C rocks

[yakimarcher]

6.5 C

[carpsniperg2]

Ruger american predator in 6.5 or ruger american 7mm08. Both great choices and both wont break the bank and both good shooting guns.

I have a full size 7mm08 kicking around the shop if you need a good deal let me know and ill hook ya up.

[BULLBLASTER]

.223. 

This is a joke for all the folks out there who aren't sure.


6.5 C rocks

Well played.

[BULLBLASTER]

243 would be a good choice. I really like shooting mine

[C-Money]

For what you have described.....243 win or 7mm-08

[JDHasty]

For what you have described.....243 win or 7mm-08

Yea, pretty much. 

[Wetwoodshunter]

If I were in your shoes I would not go with the 7-08 and go with the 6.5 C, .25-06, or .243
7-08 is a great round but your .308 is very similar. You have the opportunity to diversify your gun collection while getting one for your wife, take advantage of this!

My rating would be .25-06>6.5 C>.243>7-08
I could go either way on the 6.5 C or .25-06 maybe look to see if you can get a better deal used or something and go from there.

[Apples]

Ruger predator in the 6.5 creedmore you wont be sorry!

[bobcat]

No doubt I would go with the 243 Win. Mostly because ammo is available everywhere, with lots of options, and it's cheap. The only way I wouldn't choose the 243 is if you think she might ever decide to hunt elk. In that case, get a 270 Win. instead.

[Bango skank]

Id say a win88 .243, but im just saying that cause i want one.  Youve got your weatherby bokt action, so a lever gun would be cool for something different.

[b23]

I think one of the 6.5 somethings would suit your needs perfectly.  I don't always follow the herd so my pick would be a Tikka in 6.5x55 Swede.

Or, just about any of the already mentioned cartridges as they all have their pros and cons.

If recoil is a definite concern then the 243 will likely be your best option unless you want to have a muzzle brake installed, which wouldn't be a bad idea.  Yes they increase the noise but they'll more than prove their worth in felt recoil for your wife.

[MtnMuley]

I'd personally choose the 6.5, but if you're already shooting your .308 at the range, why not keep it simple and get her the Predator in .308? Very managed recoil for her as well like you mentioned you wanted.

[huntnphool]

If I were in your shoes I would not go with the 7-08 and go with the 243.
7-08 is a great round but your .308 is very similar.

 If you are okay with the .308 and .243, then why not the 7mm-08?

For what you have described.....243 win or 7mm-08

 +1

 I own both, in compact versions for smaller framed shooters, she is welcome to shoot both of them if you want to.

[WapitiTalk1]

Some really GREAT information/discussion folks, thanks so much for chiming in!  I'm certainly not the most techy guy when it comes to weaponry specs/capabilities and appreciate folks who know much more than I do chiming in.  And certainly thank you for the kind offer for the test run of a few of your rifles huntnphool.  The rifle, scope, sling, case, and possibly range/bench saddle (maybe a new Lead Sled) will be a gift of sorts for Mrs. Phantom (although she will in all probability launch a series of eye rolls thinking ulterior motives are at play) so I'm just gonna make the choice and present her with her new range rifle 

[Mark Brenckle]

Some really GREAT information/discussion folks, thanks so much for chiming in!  I'm certainly not the most techy guy when it comes to weaponry specs/capabilities and appreciate folks who know much more than I do chiming in.  And certainly thank you for the kind offer for the test run of a few of your rifles huntnphool.  The rifle, scope, sling, case, and possibly range/bench saddle (maybe a new Lead Sled) will be a gift of sorts for Mrs. Phantom (although she will in all probability launch a series of eye rolls thinking ulterior motives are at play) so I'm just gonna make the choice and present her with her new range rifle 

That's a good plan, until you have to 'ask' to borrow it or you dink it up a little out in the field - then you've ruined her rifle. May as well buy a matching set.

[pd]

C'mon, Phantom, if you are looking for something small for her to use at the range, just let her use your Casull.  Much smaller than the recommended .243 or 6.5 Creedmoors.

And, you can use it whenever you want for coyotes and whatnot.   

[Karl Blanchard]

All the options stated are solid choices.  I'm partial to the .243 myself just because I've seen what that sucker can do on coyotes, deer, and even an elk.  How excited would she be if you gave her a custom chambered in .243 AI 

[hunter399]

I also 1+ the 243 ,that's all my wife shoots,and because of the low recoil she is really good shot with it , maybe better than me

[cooltimber]

I put a limb saver recoil pad on my 7mm max loads for elk,recoil is like a .06 or less. very cushier!
    So with that said, now the options are more lol

[Lefthook]

"She doesn't hunt but I think she'd enjoy having her own rifle to shoot at the range (insert devious devil face here, LOL) while I'm shooting my .308".               

                                                                                      Phantom16

                                                                                         

That finally came around and bit me on the ass, hard. I've bought my (me) wife a couple rifles and a few hand guns over the last year. They really are for her to shoot, but I made the decision what firearms they would be, I seem to like them.

I had taken a couple of "her" guns with me to the range and she saw me cleaning them and putting them in the safe when she got home from work. She asked me what I was doing and I told her I was cleaning "her" guns, etc. She just flat out told me that those were not her guns and that they were mine. She went into detail explaining her position on the weapons and all I could do was agree. I felt like such an ass. I assumed that the guns were right for her and that she would like them.

Anyway, the devious devil face statement in your post reminded me of that so I thought I would share the experience. I don't know exactly what your deal is with your wife obviously, so I would have to say she would love a .243 or 6.5. Any other rifle or rifles you think would be right for her I suggest you pick them up, maybe even a hangun for her to shoot while you're dialing in your .308. 

[Wingin it]

If it were me I'd go with a short action to keep things a bit more compact. 6.5 C or 7mm-08 get my vote. My wife has the 7-08 and loves it!

[demontang]

I'll say the under dog 25-06. Have a 243 for the wife and it does the job but the 25 is a great round

[LEN]

Depends! If you really want her with you shooting then the 243, if you just want a reason to get another gun for you then anything you want. Used to teach some shooting rifle and shotgun and I loved it when man mountain mike would get the wife a heavy cal gun to learn with or a lockedup shotgun, while he shot state of the art low recoil custom, then wonder why he didn't get the wife interested when she went home with an all but bloodied shoulder. "AIN'T THIS FUN"

LEN