Beginner Lady Hunting Calibers??

[Raincast]

Howdy everyone!

I'll cut right to it. I've been interested in getting into rifle hunting (white/mule deer mostly) but I'm lost in the sea of calibers.

I was set on a classic .243 for my first gun ever but every shop (8!) I've been in has suggested a 6.5 creedmoor without batting an eye so I went back to the drawing board and fell down the caliber rabbit hole.

Interested in hearing any caliber suggestions, I ain't a string bean but  what my recoil tolerance is yet. Especially interested in what other ladies or greenhorns are shooting out there. Thanks!

[Westside88]

15 year old step-daughter shoots 6.5 Creedmoor well. They’re really popular now, so lots of choices in rifles.

[h20hunter]

7mm 08 and 6.5 creed....then i'd suggest maybe a 25 06 but getting a little light imo.

[jrebel]

No particular order...

.243 win
6.5 creedmoor
7-08

My wife started with the .243 and now shoots the 7-08.  Everyone in my family shots the 6.5 creed.  I would suggest the 6.5 creed or 7-08 over the .243 purely due to the heavier bullet choices.  Will allow you to hunt bear and elk where the .243 is a little lite in my opinion.

[MADMAX]

My daughter shoots a 270 very well
Small framed little gal

[Dan-o]

Welcome to the site!

My daughter shoots a 7mm-08 (it's close to a 6.5 Creedmoor.....   someone will disagree.)..   She shot reduced recoil loads for a while when she was younger/smaller.

Personally, I think a 243 is a fine deer rifle......  especially with some of the modern bullets available.

Everybody has a favorite caliber, but 243 will kill any deer out there with a good shot.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is a fine round.
There are lots of fine rounds out there.

If you are able to get someone to let you shoot a few rifles in the 243/7mm-08/6.5 Creedmoor range, you could assess your comfort level.   I dont know how to assess tolerance level without actually trying a few.    I'm a big dude, but I now guys a lot smaller than me who can tolerate a lot more recoil than I like.   

Just don't let anyone talk you into a bigger caliber than you want.    :-)

Happy hunting.

P.S.   A 7mm-08 uses the same case as a 243, but the neck is opened up to 7mm (about 28 caliber).   We opted for the 7mm-08 because I believe it's a better choice for elk and bears.

[Jolten]

I've got a .243, .308 and. 26 nosler. If you ever make it to the yakima area you're welcome to message me to try out the .243

[highside74]

I like 7mm08 because you can find 120gr-150gr rounds on the shelf and very low recoil. Put a muzzle break on and a kid could shoot it all day without a problem.

6.5 Creedmoor is very popular. Most off the shelf rounds are 120-143gr. Same recoil as the 7mm08

243 has no real upside to me. Very light bullets basically in the 90-100gr and mainly just a deer rifle. I know they have killed bigger animals but it just isn't recommended..

[wadu1]

First of all "Welcome to the Site" also checkout the women's board here.
Boy do you have gone to the rabbit hole, just remember everyone has an opinion or two. Dan-o is right on find folks who have the calibers you may be interested in and go shoot them.
Best of luck, and ask questions 

[Chesapeake]

7mm-08 is a classic deer cartridge. It works well for elk and black bear as well.

I started both my boys with 7mm-08 and they still use them.
The smaller one started with the Hornady lite loads.
The Vortex 120ttsx rounds are good as well and lighter in recoil.

I prefer the 7mm-08 over the 6.5 creedmoor due to the selection of heavier tough bonded hunting bullets for the 7mm.

[Raincast]

Lots of great insight here, thanks for all the replies everyone! 

[GWP]

243 if fine. There is no substitute for shot placement no matter what you decide to shoot. Beyond that, 7X57 (or 275 Rigby, if you prefer) has killed everything from elephants to small game. Pretty comparable to a ‘light’ 270, 25.06, 270. Lots of capable enough cartridges out there.
Something you can find ammo for would be good. Hit Farm and Home downtown and see what they have on the shelf, and or what they might suggest.
If you get into hand loading, the next step in the ‘caliber addiction’, there are even more options for that 243 or any of the other ones.

[ghosthunter]

Look at the Savage 110 Storm in 7 mm 08.
You can adjust the gun to fit you comb height and length of pull.
Light recoil and lots of loads.


Good luck.

[MountainWalk]

30'06. Practice with Remington reduced loads and hunt with the regular stuff.
 An 8 year old boy, an eight year old girl and two non  hunting women all manage it nicely.

[hunter399]

My wife uses 243 ,she seems to like it.