Beginner Lady Hunting Calibers??

[bearhunter99]

Ammo shortages are the biggest obstacle for new shooters right now.  There just isn't availability to spend time at the range and see what works.

Regardless of caliber my suggestion would be to visit the gun shops and actually hold and shoulder as many different rifles as possible and fine that feels right to you.  Recoil pads can be changed out to provide some added recoil reduction, there are great options in recoil pads out there.  Muzzle breaks are great for recoil but lousy for noise.

[Chesapeake]

For the 7mm-08 the Hornady Custom lite will probably be hard to find for a spell.
But Bi-mart regularly has the 139 grain American Whitetail ammo for ~$22 a box. When they have it the Remington 140 Corelokt is about $25 a box. (that ship may have sailed)
I bought the Custom light stuff off the web by the case when my kids were smaller. Sportsman's would carry it local, but I don't recall it ever being at any other local stores.
I've not seen 30-06 or 270win on the shelves as of late, but I do see 243 trickle in.

In my opinion (we know how that goes):

30-06 is too much recoil for a new smaller frame hunter.
243 is too small for larger game.
Muzzle brakes aren't good for general hunting due to the increased need for hearing protection.
260 is to obscure.
308 has to short of a MPBR.
257 Bob is to obscure.
25-06 is to small for larger game.
No doubt there are others I could as easily discount......LOL

So that leaves 270win, 7mm-08, or 6.5 Creedmoor. If I had to rank those 3 for a new small to mid frame hunter it would be 7mm-08, 270 win, 6.5 Creedmoor in that order. (Yes I favor frontal area and heavier bullets)

Pick the one that comes in the rifle you find that fits you well and that you like and can afford.

[Hilltop123]

These, rifles are designed for women. My wife has one of each, the Camila in 243 and the Lady Hunter in 308. As already mentioned, a good fitting rifle will help with preceived recoil. Plus, a rifle that fits is just more pleasurable to shoot and make you a better marksman.




https://weatherby.com/store/vanguard-camilla/
https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=19655

[Dan-o]

Do you want one rifle to hunt all over the counter game in Washington with, or are you happy to get one for deer, and one for Elk down the road?

Consider more than recoil (as noted the 243, 7mm-08 and 6.5 cred will all be similar).  Consider ease of finding ammo.

My gut says finding ammo for a 243 and 6.5 Creedmoor would be easier than a 7mm-08. 

Consider a 308 Winchester too.

I'm definitely interested in one rifle to rule them all haha since I am fortunate enough to buy a nice rifle and scope right now... probably not so much down the line.

I'd say the only animals I don't have any nterest in is varmints and coyotes.

Thanks a ton for the information! I'll have to check local ammo selection when I get back from Idaho. Definitely more interested in the 6.5/7-08 now.

Mrs. Dan-0 and I go thru Cle Elum semi-regularly.
I have a Savage Youth in 7mm-08 I'd be happy to let you try out. 
If you are interested, we could hit the woods and take a few shots just so you now what a particular 7mm-08 feels like.
Mrs. Dan-0 is always up for throwing a few mags through her pistol....   Rifles not so much.

[Rob]

http://www.threeforksreloading.com/

Three Forks in Cle Elum is a great shop.  usually has lots of ammo (been thin lately as most places have been).

They are right next to the meat candy story (Owens Meats).

[Hilltop123]

Never heard of Osborn meats, did you mean Owens?

[GWP]

Keep in mind there is also a difference between plinking or 'shooting for fun' and hunting. One you may or will fire many rounds in one sitting. Recoil is more of an issue. Hunting SHOULD be one shot or maybe two in a day for center fire. Unless it is varmint hunting.
Noise, a lot and continuous, and recoil, pounding for an hour as opposed to one hit for the day, for the two is different, and you may want to consider that as well. You will need to practice with it, but you could spread it out over time.
Used to load 'hot and heavy' rounds for a guy with his .375 H&H and 30-378 Weatherby. Not 'plinkers', or very fun to shoot. At least for me. Ok for one or two shots a day. Maybe.

[GWP]

Never heard of Osborn meats, did you mean Owens?

Beat me to it! 

[Rob]

Never heard of Osborn meats, did you mean Owens?

Yep!

Will correct that.

[Rob]

Keep in mind there is also a difference between plinking or 'shooting for fun' and hunting. One you may or will fire many rounds in one sitting. Recoil is more of an issue. Hunting SHOULD be one shot or maybe two in a day for center fire. Unless it is varmint hunting.
Noise, a lot and continuous, and recoil, pounding for an hour as opposed to one hit for the day, for the two is different, and you may want to consider that as well. You will need to practice with it, but you could spread it out over time.
Used to load 'hot and heavy' rounds for a guy with his .375 H&H and 30-378 Weatherby. Not 'plinkers', or very fun to shoot. At least for me. Ok for one or two shots a day. Maybe.

Very True.  Also,  I can 100% guarantee that when you are lined up on a deer, and pulling the trigger you will not even feel the gun go off.  You may not even hear it.   You may not even remember pulling the trigger.  The rush is real.

[GWP]

Keep in mind there is also a difference between plinking or 'shooting for fun' and hunting. One you may or will fire many rounds in one sitting. Recoil is more of an issue. Hunting SHOULD be one shot or maybe two in a day for center fire. Unless it is varmint hunting.
Noise, a lot and continuous, and recoil, pounding for an hour as opposed to one hit for the day, for the two is different, and you may want to consider that as well. You will need to practice with it, but you could spread it out over time.
Used to load 'hot and heavy' rounds for a guy with his .375 H&H and 30-378 Weatherby. Not 'plinkers', or very fun to shoot. At least for me. Ok for one or two shots a day. Maybe.

Very True.  Also,  I can 100% guarantee that when you are lined up on a deer, and pulling the trigger you will not even feel the gun go off.  You may not even hear it.   You may not even remember pulling the trigger.  The rush is real.

Curious if anyone else held their breath for a second when they read that? 

[Rob]

[ghosthunter]

https://www.outdoorlife.com/story/guns/the-7mm-showdown-7x57-7mm-08rem-284win/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1uSMPrCAOINX7Z1jqjOr4vDtTgJ5ZNuRHlTzymE_sQbHNyganCcnOG0UY

[Dan-o]

Rob.
That video is AWESOME!

[Rob]

One of my favorites

When I loose that feeling, I will quit hunting.