Rifle for Wife
 

Im going to buy a rifle for my wife for xmas who has just started hunting. Probably the Savage package or a Rem 700 ADL Youth. Trying to decide on caliber. Have narrowed it down to .308 or 7mm-08. Can anybody give me any info/experience with the 7mm-08? Thanks.

RE: Rifle for Wife
 

pclancey

Over the years I've owned 2 7mm-08's & a 308 & can recomend both.
It depends what you will be shooting a little bit,with the 308 i've only shot pigs up to 300 maybee 350 pounds & it worked extremely well with a couple taken around the 300 yard range.

The 7mm-08's have taken numerous pigs up to the 300 pounds range.2 donkeys & a wild scrub bull,he was pretty big,atleast 800 pounds & much heavier I think,shot him just behind his front leg with a 140 grain barnes x,I thought I was way undergunned & thought it would take a number of shots but by the time i'de worked the bolt & had a second round in the chamber he was down,& by the time I reached him after a cautious approach he was dead,I now wish I'de investigated further to find out what damage the bullet did.

I've also shot a number of wild dogs,foxes,crows & even rabbits out to 300 yards & beyond using 110 & 120 grain projectiles,both of my rifles were very accurate & its quite flat shooting with these bullets.
I use 130 & 140 grain projectiles for pigs & bigger game & find these weights perform extremely well in the 7mm-08,performance does drop off a little with projectiles over the 150 grain range & I didn't use them much,finding the 140's easily handle anything that I hunt.

I definately prefer the 7mm-08 over the 308 but the 308 might be a better option if you dont handload because of avalibility of factory ammo,have a look at the 260 rem also.

I'm currently looking at bying a new 7mm-08 for Silhouette & target shooting out to 500 yards & for the occasional hunt as well.

Look at the tikkas as well,very accurate out of the box rifle & good value for money.

I think those 2 calibers are a very sensible choice for a lady's rifle,look at the 260 as well though.

Good luck

Tumbo

RE: Rifle for Wife
 

pclancey first what kind of game she will be hunting no sense getting a canon when she will only be hunting deer,7-08 is a excellent gun for women lower recoil and deliever's a hard punch a bolt action 30-30 is another good choice hardley any recoil dont have the range as the 7-08 but anything up to 200 yard's it's great another caliber to consider is the 25-06 great long range little recoil and awsome knock down power.The 308 is a good choice if you plan maybe to hunt larger game it deffintley kick's a deer's butt they are to me a little heavier to carry than most rifles,I own one of each of these gun's that I have mentioned and my wife has used all three, this year she stayed with the 30-30 because were she sit's is kinda brushy and the longest shot she would have is about 100 yard's,It's a tough choice but if you choose any caliber mentioned here you will be fine

RE: Rifle for Wife
 

She will mainly be hunting Deer to start. I think im going to go with the 7mm-08. Really appreciate the assistance.

RE: Rifle for Wife
 

i think for simply a hunting rifle that you are making a good choice, good luck with it

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

RE: Rifle for Wife
 

The 7mm-08 is a great gun for deer, and is also a very good gun for hogs. Look at the Model 7's too.. Stainless barrels are golden!

-Timba
2 deer with a bow, 7 deer and 1 hog (and counting) with a gun

Preserve your hunting rights- Spay or neuter a liberal
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