ORIGINAL: whitetaildeer87
Hello, as of right now I use a 30.06 bolt action rifle. It's a bruiser. I love the gun, but after sighting it in, my shoulder is black and blue. Im looking for a more comfortable gun that will do the job. Some people have told me a 7mm Mauser, 300 Win Mag (which I think kicks), and a 243 (which is hard to kill elk, I think). Please let me know what you think would be a great BIG game gun for a small female.
Melissa
Melissa,
Forget the 300WinMag. as it for sure has more recoil that your 30-06. Some here will
argue, but the 243Win. is too light for big game when you include elk. Yes, it will kill the
elk, but then so will a 22LR if properly placed. 243 just isn't the right tool for the job.
I'd recommend you take a look at a 270Win., or the 7mm Mauser (7x57). The 270 would be better for a little longer ranges, and the 7x57 is a little lighter on recoil of the two. Either one will handle the chores for antelope, mule deer, and elk with the right
bullets. The 7x57 is getting pretty hard to find in new rifles these days, but of course the
270 is available from a large selection of manufacturers, and ammo is plentiful from all the makers too.
When looking at a new rifle one of the things to watch for is the amount of drop in the stock design. The straighter the stock (less drop) the less percieved recoil. I like the
Ruger 77, and another real good one is the Remington Mountain rifles. I have a Remington 700 LSS Mountain Rifle in 270Win. It weighs a little over 6-1/2lbs. without the scope, approx. 7-1/4lbs with, and recoil reminds me of shooting one of my old
243's - one that had more drop in the stock dimensions.
Here's a link to the Remington web page for this rifle:
Link:
http://www.remington.com/firearms/ce...e/700mtnls.htm
Good luck.