Post by: GBoyd on April 16, 2015, 07:29:24 PM
My plan is to get a Ruger American in 30-06 with a Leupold VX2 3-9x40.
Does that sound reasonable to you?
Post by: wadu1 on April 16, 2015, 07:36:23 PM
Post by: GBoyd on April 16, 2015, 07:50:16 PM
Maybe the ladies here can weigh in.
Post by: Jolten on April 16, 2015, 07:58:29 PM
Post by: Miles on April 16, 2015, 08:08:18 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on April 16, 2015, 08:11:39 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on April 16, 2015, 08:15:43 PM
Post by: Miles on April 16, 2015, 08:19:11 PM
Post by: GBoyd on April 16, 2015, 08:24:02 PM
Depends on how recoil sensitive your girlfriend is.
She's pretty tough. No complaints about the 30-30 or shooting clays with my 12 gauge.
Post by: GBoyd on April 16, 2015, 08:27:50 PM
I wouldn't hesitate to hunt elk or moose with my 6.5 x 55 and the recoil is far less than a 30-06.
I don't believe Ruger makes the American with that round. I would need a recommendation for a different budget rifle for that one.
Post by: Jolten on April 16, 2015, 08:31:08 PM
Post by: Jolten on April 16, 2015, 08:33:21 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 16, 2015, 08:42:29 PM
With the 270 you can go with a lighter 130 grain bullet, and it's plenty for elk, especially if you use good bullets like Nosler Accubonds or Barnes.
Post by: GBoyd on April 16, 2015, 08:50:47 PM
If you get the Ruger American, I'd recommend going with the 270. That's a relatively light rifle and recoil will be pretty bad with the 30/06.
With the 270 you can go with a lighter 130 grain bullet, and it's plenty for elk, especially if you use good bullets like Nosler Accubonds or Barnes.
Yeah, I've been thinking about the .270. I'd like the ability to have lighter bullets for varmint hunting as well. I've never shot one though, so I wasn't sure how much different the recoil would be.
Post by: SemperFidelis97 on April 16, 2015, 09:28:49 PM
Post by: fastdam on April 16, 2015, 09:59:47 PM
Post by: bod on April 17, 2015, 06:28:13 AM
Post by: headshot5 on April 17, 2015, 06:33:24 AM
Post by: Curly on April 17, 2015, 06:58:47 AM
I bet 150 gr 30-06 loads would recoil similarly, so I would steer toward the 270 or 7mm-08 but just stay away from the Superformance ammo.
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on April 17, 2015, 07:14:09 AM
Post by: Mxracer532 on April 17, 2015, 07:42:23 AM
Absolute tack ddrivers and dont kick at all using 140 grain Bergers.
Post by: Colville on April 17, 2015, 07:43:07 AM
Post by: baker5150 on April 17, 2015, 07:44:28 AM
Ruger American in 308 there is a compact version also the 308 will kill them farther than most hunters can shoot, plus it uses less powder than 30-06 or 270. Plenty of cheap ammo too for plinkin.
:yeah:
308
Ammo is everywhere and cheap.
Recoil isn't bad at all, bullet weight variety is plentifull
People have been killing Elk and Deer with a .308 for decades, and will continue to for years to come.
Or tell her to man up and get a 300RUM :chuckle:
Post by: baker5150 on April 17, 2015, 07:51:58 AM
6905 22-250 Rem
6913 223 Rem
6904 243 Win
6902 270 Win
6906 7mm-08
6901 30-06
6903 308 Win
That 7mm-08 isn't a bad choice either.
Don't discount that 30-30 either. I shoot out to 300 yards with Leverevolution.
Love my 30-30, but she is a heavy son of a gun.
Post by: xXLojackXx on April 17, 2015, 09:06:54 AM
Post by: MP123 on April 17, 2015, 10:00:26 AM
Post by: wooltie on April 17, 2015, 12:29:33 PM
http://www.chuckhawks.com/myth_busting_calibers.htm
In sum, killing most animals you've described from beyond 300 yards is impractical for most shooters. Most common cartridges will get the job done, and their trajectory [i.e. holdover] is practically the same as far as hitting "the killing zone" is concerned. His conclusions are based upon those premises and the fact that excessive recoil negatively affects precision.
He argues you should base your decision on recoil and personal preference. Within 300 yards, the .308 is the most versatile. If you can handle slightly more recoil, then move up to the .30-06. The .270 is a great round, but produces more recoil and doesn't offer any practical advantage over the .308.
I dunno, kinda put things in perspective for me. So I bought a .308!
I like using a 22" bbl in the brush, and 24" in the open country.
Post by: savagehunter on April 17, 2015, 06:16:11 PM
Post by: Special T on April 17, 2015, 06:27:21 PM
Post by: stevemiller on April 17, 2015, 06:41:23 PM
Savage axis.270 :tup: Thats my favorite deer rifle.Wont have no problem using it for elk either just use the proper bullet.
Post by: GBoyd on April 17, 2015, 07:22:57 PM
Post by: Special T on April 17, 2015, 07:43:36 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 17, 2015, 07:52:02 PM
Post by: huntnphool on April 17, 2015, 07:58:46 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 17, 2015, 08:04:08 PM
Post by: elkaholic123 on April 17, 2015, 08:21:39 PM
Post by: kukusya on April 17, 2015, 08:35:43 PM
Post by: andy* on April 18, 2015, 06:29:48 AM
Has she seen or handled any of your choices? Do those choices fit her at all?
No matter the caliber choice, if a rifle doesn't fit your body frame or how you shoot, the felt recoil can be bad.
Andy
Post by: GBoyd on April 18, 2015, 09:05:13 AM
I know you said that the rifle is for you, but you also want your GF to shoot it as well.
Has she seen or handled any of your choices? Do those choices fit her at all?
No matter the caliber choice, if a rifle doesn't fit your body frame or how you shoot, the felt recoil can be bad.
Andy
I hadn't thought of that. I'll take her along to the store later to play with a few of the different choices. Right now I'm leaning towards the Ruger American in .308, but if she hates it she might convince me to go for a Savage or Remington.
Thanks for all the discussion guys.
Post by: PiNkPaNtHeR on April 24, 2015, 12:30:17 AM
Also - I didn't see any mention of a Weatherby. I have two and they're awesome.
I also agree with the fit for the GF. I bought my wife a youth model & even that is a bit heavy for her to shoot offhand.
As others have pointed out - the .30-06 is probably the most versatile with the .308 being right there with it. I like 7mm personally, but hope to own a .308 soon.
Post by: Firedogg on April 24, 2015, 12:37:58 AM
Post by: RadSav on April 24, 2015, 01:29:49 AM
This article was interesting.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/myth_busting_calibers.htm
I'm not sure how much validity I give to an article that claims the 308 Win it the Optimum Cartridge for Brown Bear. ;)
You can never rely on the word of a girl friend. They aim to please and often say recoil is ok when really it is not. Might shoot it well for a year, maybe even two, but then flinching starts to get the best of them. When I was dating my wife she would shoot darn near everything and say, "It's OK". Once that ring went on her finger and our bank accounts were in both names...things were no longer "OK". I ended up finding out that "OK" really means "I hate it with a passion!!" Meanwhile, "I love this gun" means "This is no longer yours. Go get your own!" :chuckle:
Post by: RadSav on April 24, 2015, 01:45:13 AM
My wife is tough as nails, had her own gang while in school and takes a punch like Sugar Ray. She shoots everything I have except the 375 and the 325 WSM. She shoots the 270WSM better than I do. And challenges me with the 338 WM. She will pound patterning boards with just about any shotgun she can get to fit her small frame. But, given a choice in rifles that maximize her enjoyment while hunting? It's the little Bob. No ifs, ands or buts!! And most importantly, in her hands, that little .25 puts the hammer down hard on critters big and small.
Warning: When the lady is going to shoot any big game rifle it's best not to skimp on the scope. Try to get the most eye relief as possible. Nothing ruins a ladies enjoyment of hunting more than marring up her beautiful face with a bloody scope kiss. Hard to beat Leupold for the price.
Post by: magnumb on April 24, 2015, 09:19:04 AM
Warning: When the lady is going to shoot any big game rifle it's best not to skimp on the scope. Try to get the most eye relief as possible. Nothing ruins a ladies enjoyment of hunting more than marring up her beautiful face with a bloody scope kiss. Hard to beat Leupold for the price.
[/quote]
My thinking, as well. Given that, I'm thinking that a 25-06 would fit the bill, quite well. My ex and both kids started out shooting their first and many subsequent animals with what could justifiably be called, the '25 Mag'......... ;). It remains a favorite choice to this day for me as well, given all of the aforementioned comfortable shooting qualities/attributes that are desired.
IMHO.......it would be tough to find a 25-06 in most any configuration shooting most any load that would be considered 'uncomfortable' and/or not 'up to the job', sans commonly accepted, dangerous game.
As far as eye relief.......not something to overlook, be it for a pretty lady or us ole' grizzled types...... :(. But even a scope with ample eye relief will not be universally 'safe', as we all shoulder long, scoped guns differently. And as we all know, we all 'climb' up them differently too when really bearing down, be it at the range or when afield.............said the recipient of 2 such enthusiastic moves during my earlier years....... ;).
A properly adjusted/mounted scope for one person, then handed over to the next, can and often does bring about a much different result. In that it's tough or unreasonable to buy individual scoped rifles for each member of a family, a scope which traditionally offers a good deal of eye relief is certainly a prudent way to go, but actively seeking one out that also sports a rubberized or otherwise, padded eyepiece, can also help to reduce the dreaded, 'scoped', result.
Such precautions and preventative and thoughtful considerations with your significant other's well being in mind, could also save you from hearing the much dreaded, "no means no, not maybe!" response later when you are hoping and expecting to have your own enjoyable and successful 'outing'............ :tup:.
Post by: buglebrush on April 24, 2015, 09:43:41 AM
Post by: Buzz2401 on April 24, 2015, 09:04:04 PM
Post by: 2labs on April 24, 2015, 10:00:57 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 24, 2015, 10:08:23 PM
270 and a 30-06 are pretty much identical.
:dunno: Typically most shoot heavier bullets out of the 06 than they do in the .270. But for fun look at the BC's and SD's in say a 130 grain in both calibers. The .270 will be head and shoulders better. The calibers are not even remotely close to being identical.
On paper there may be a difference, but in the real world it's definitely not significant. The case is identical, they hold the same amount of powder, the only difference is about 2 hundredths of an inch in bullet diameter. I'd have to agree that they are nearly identical in performance.
Post by: bobcat on April 25, 2015, 12:11:10 AM
270 and a 30-06 are pretty much identical.
:dunno: Typically most shoot heavier bullets out of the 06 than they do in the .270. But for fun look at the BC's and SD's in say a 130 grain in both calibers. The .270 will be head and shoulders better. The calibers are not even remotely close to being identical.
On paper there may be a difference, but in the real world it's definitely not significant. The case is identical, they hold the same amount of powder, the only difference is about 2 hundredths of an inch in bullet diameter. I'd have to agree that they are nearly identical in performance.
This kind of thinking makes no sense to me. On paper there is a difference and as far as BC and SD goes a significant difference. These differences do make a difference in the real world and it can be proven on paper, making this a factual statement. Saying otherwise is just an opinion and a baseless one at that.
Both are fine calibers. If one wants to shoot lighter bullets I think the .270 is the way to go, if one wants to shoot heavier bullets the 06 would be a better choice.
The only real difference I see is slightly less recoil with the 270, since you can use 130 grain bullets versus 150 grain in the 30-06. Velocities are similar, trajectory is similar, ability to kill is similar. I don't know of anything that one could do that the other couldn't do. :dunno:
Post by: Taco280AI on April 25, 2015, 01:08:05 AM
Post by: Curly on April 25, 2015, 06:20:00 AM
I would pick a 270 over a 30-06 and a 7 -08 over a 3-08. Most ladies are going to want a lightweight rifle. Light rifles will have more felt recoil than heavier rifles so you are going to want to match that light rifle with a lower recoiling round.
25-06 and 260 would be great choices too but they are hard to find in a lot of manufacturer's offerings.
Post by: magnumb on April 25, 2015, 08:19:45 AM
With the bullets available today, smaller caliber cartridges have become more viable for being able to cleanly take big game. I would certainly stay with 7mm size and below in a rifle for a lady.
I would pick a 270 over a 30-06 and a 7 -08 over a 3-08. Most ladies are going to want a lightweight rifle. Light rifles will have more felt recoil than heavier rifles so you are going to want to match that light rifle with a lower recoiling round.
25-06 and 260 would be great choices too but they are hard to find in a lot of manufacturer's offerings.
:yeah:......... and when you do your due diligence, find the brand that she shoulders most comfortably and then purchase either, a lady or anyone's experience, for that matter, can be much more 'pleasant' rather than going bigger simply because............well, I'm not sure why...... :dunno:.
I've never killed a game animal, any game animal, and later wished that I'd done it with a more powerful cartridge.
Post by: kukusya on April 25, 2015, 08:43:29 AM
Post by: stevemiller on April 25, 2015, 09:53:33 AM
+1 :yeah:With the bullets available today, smaller caliber cartridges have become more viable for being able to cleanly take big game. I would certainly stay with 7mm size and below in a rifle for a lady.
I would pick a 270 over a 30-06 and a 7 -08 over a 3-08. Most ladies are going to want a lightweight rifle. Light rifles will have more felt recoil than heavier rifles so you are going to want to match that light rifle with a lower recoiling round.
25-06 and 260 would be great choices too but they are hard to find in a lot of manufacturer's offerings.
:yeah:......... and when you do your due diligence, find the brand that she shoulders most comfortably and then purchase either, a lady or anyone's experience, for that matter, can be much more 'pleasant' rather than going bigger simply because............well, I'm not sure why...... :dunno:.
I've never killed a game animal, any game animal, and later wished that I'd done it with a more powerful cartridge.
Post by: gunnarnewt on April 25, 2015, 10:03:00 AM
Post by: wooltie on April 27, 2015, 03:58:21 PM
1. what animals do I want to take with it?
2. how far away do I want to be able to take em?
3. what can I shoot consistently, comfortably, and accurately [i.e. how much recoil do I want to deal with]?
my takeaway from that chuckhawks article was that most popular cartridges [308, 270, 30-06, 7mm08) when used on deer, bear, and elk out to 300 yards can produce a kill shot--provided good shot placement and of course a good bullet weight/construction. So pick what you shoot well, and enjoy. the oscar went to the 308 for versatility i.e. killing power / recoil.
take the drop at 300 yards for example:
270-- 7.6"
30-06-- 8.5"
308-- 9.4"
Each round is 1" from the other. On paper the .270 is "flatter", but that 1" trajectory advantage matters little on on a 12" kill zone. Dealing with more recoil may affect the shot, however.
I don't see an advantage until stepping up to 7mm mags or the 300 win mag from a killing-big-animal-from-a-distance perspective.
NOTE: I have little real-world experience with killing elk and bear. My first deer was shot at 39 yards with a 30-06, 165 g partition. Bullet blew through his lungs, leaving a 1" exit hole.
Post by: tgomez on May 06, 2015, 06:37:27 AM
Post by: Rob Allen on June 30, 2015, 07:27:46 AM
Post by: Wingin it on June 30, 2015, 07:39:12 AM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on June 30, 2015, 08:04:15 AM
Don't get a short magnum - son's .325wsm kicks harder than my .338
Post by: superdown on June 30, 2015, 08:24:05 AM
Don't get a short magnum - son's .325wsm kicks harder than my .338While i certainly would not recommend a short magnum in this situation.A lot of the felt recoil really depends on the rifle it self i had a blr lighting in 300 win mag and it kicked like a mule couldn't shoot more than a few rounds but my a-bolt in 325wsm and my fiancee's a-bolt in 270wsm are both a pleasure to shoot.In contrast my remington 700 mountain rifle in 270win and my mothers ruger compact ss lam 308 win were two worst recoiling SOB's i have ever had the displeasure to shoot.
Post by: Igor on June 30, 2015, 08:29:23 AM
There is nothing a .308 can do better than an '06. The '06 is way more versatile if you decide to start reloading. And, they are both .308 caliber, so I can't see any reason not to pick the .30-'06. The .270 is a great caliber, but the .30-'06 is way more versatile as far as ammo choices go.
As far as brands go, I believe the Browning A-Bolt is a very good choice. The combination of detachable magazine, tang safety and 60º bolt throw make it a perfect hunting rifle, IMO.
Just my 2¢.
Post by: huntnphool on June 30, 2015, 08:55:08 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on June 30, 2015, 08:59:06 AM
My wife has shot every weapon I own. .45/70 fire breathing, 400 grain rounds, 12 ga turkey shells, .300 WSM and Win Mag with 220 grains but she doesn't enjoy it. She won't shoot those ones enough to be proficient and she flinches after a few shots.
Her rifle is a .243, Savage Axis Compact. She is small so it fits and she can fire a box of ammo without the slightest development of a flinch. She has shot 600-ish rounds through it and is extremely confident and comfortable. If she was elk hunting and a bull was at 150 yards, I would rather her shoot it with her .243 than my .300 WSM or Win Mag.
Post by: pianoman9701 on June 30, 2015, 09:03:47 AM
I haven't seen any suggestion that you put together an AR in .308. I believe you could build a great functional .308 for a grand plus glass or use the open sights, depending on which part of the state you're hunting. This would have 1/4 the recoil of a standard .30-06 and be a solid home defense rifle, as well. It would be a very appropriate firearm for just about any big game in North America and fun for her to shoot.
I know you said she's rugged and all, but it still needs to be fun all the time or she'll eventually lose interest. That wouldn't happen with an AR, IMO.
Post by: Mark251 on July 01, 2015, 10:08:06 PM
Post by: shootem on July 02, 2015, 12:19:58 AM
Post by: MountainWalk on July 02, 2015, 12:06:28 PM
Post by: fremont on July 02, 2015, 08:29:27 PM
Ruger American 7mm-08. :tup:This or in 308.
Post by: nastybynature on July 02, 2015, 10:06:22 PM
Post by: KFhunter on July 02, 2015, 10:32:09 PM
Yeah, I've been looking at those. There are a lot of pretty nasty corners of the internet discussing whether .270 and .308 are appropriate for elk. My conclusion is that the gf should be able to just suck it up and shoot the 30-06. It's really not that tough of a round.
Maybe the ladies here can weigh in.
Hornady makes a custom lite ammo and Remington makes a managed recoil round, start her off with the reduced recoil stuff to boost confidence.
Most ammo manufacturers are probably making it
Post by: Mark251 on July 03, 2015, 11:18:08 AM
Good luck!