Originally Posted by
Bob H in NH
I know, hard question "which kicks more", so let me try this.
I am getting a rifle for my wife, the goal is to use this for the next 10+ years all across north America hunting, we have "dreams" to hunt whitetail, mule, antelope, elk.
By far the most use will be NH whitetails, so 100 yards is a long shot, but we want it to be suitable for up to elk out west.
I have a post elsewhere on the specific rifle, ignoring caliber, so now flip question.
Given the same gun, which fits her, can anyone rank the recoil of several suitable calibers (also, are the below suitable for deer to elk, also any others)
.30-06
.308
7mm Mag
.270
We don't reload so off the shelf bullet selection is important.
I carry a .30-06 and have no issue with having a second one in the house, but not opposed to other calibers as well.
Thanks
A different path to consider might be to find a rifle that your wife likes in .243W. That caliber would work well for everything but elk and have a LOT less recoil. When you guys go for that elk hunt every 10 years or whenever, she could borrow your 30-06 or get another rifle in one of your original calibers for hunting elk. I know an extra rifle in your gun safe is a burden but you should be willing to take that burden on, especially for your wife.
