i need advice
 

hello everyone. i am looking for a youth rifle for my wife, she wants tostart huntingwith me but finding a compact/youth model in .308 win that will not boot the snotout of her is proving to be quite a dillema. any advice would be appreciated. also trying to stay under 800 dollrs forthe gun. thanks Josh.

RE: i need advice
 

Have you definitely decided on the .308? There are some "tamer" choices out there (especially in short barreled, light weight rifles). A 7mm-08 might be easier...less recoil, less muzzle flip. Anyway, check the Ruger compacts, Browning X Bolt Micro Hunters, Rem Model 7, and for a few more bucks the Kimber 84's. If you go with the .308, I'd suggest trying some Managed Recoil ammo first. Good luck and Kudos to the Mrs. for wanting to join in the fun.

RE: i need advice
 

I would suggest the Model 7 from Remington but I'm sure all the other major manufacturers offer a similar youth option.The .308 is fairly tame as far as recoil goes, but if you are worried about recoil you could go down to .243. Much tamer recoil but still adequate for deer.

This might be obvious but I'll say it anyways, recoil is 90 percent mental. When you teach her to shoot make sure she keeps the rifle snug to her shoulder and use good form. Also make sure she has good hearing protection. If she shoots a rifle and it rings her ears, comes flying back into her shoulder and gives her a scope cut she is going to think a .308 has nasty recoil. If she has good hearing protection, has the rifle snug to her shoulder, and keeps her head a safe distance from the scope she will go "oh that's not bad at all"

RE: i need advice
 

i understand the recoi idea and am no stranger to teaching others to shoot however my remark about "that will not boot the snot out of her" was i fired a ruger compact in 308 with the 16.5 inch barrel and i hve to say that the recoi was comparable to my 300 win mag. for me not a problem but coud become fairly uncomfortable with a long day on the range. and yes she is firm on 308 which is ok with me because i have 100 +rounds for it allready from my 308.:D

RE: i need advice
 

Recoil is about weight and fit. If the rifle weighs enough it will soak it up. If the rifle fits her then the recoil will feel much less brutal. Have you consider just getting a standard medium weight rifle that fits her finger length and then having a smith cut it down?

Tom

RE: i need advice
 

Encore TC hunter with a bantum stock. I purchased that for my fiancee I have the regular size stock for me and my barrels and she has her .223 .243 and 7mm-08 barrels.

Just a suggestion since when you buy an encore you are getting alot more for your money!

RE: i need advice
 

Ruger's M77 Compact is a great little gun. My wife is 5'5 and 130lbs and it is just her size.

RE: i need advice
 

I got a Savage 11FYCAK in 7-08 for my grand son. It is a very accurate rifle and has a detachable magazine which is great for safety's sake, converting it into a single shot for training, and it has a muzzle brake that can be used in the open or closed positions. Recoil with the muz brake is negligible.

RE: i need advice
 

I'd really like to see how the mathematics works on that...

RE: i need advice
 

thanks for the advice no i never thought of having one cut down but the idea i ike the best is the tc with the bantum stock what is the price range on the tc's?

RE: i need advice
 

The .308 is a excellent all-around choice.

My pick would be a Ruger M77 Compact with a laminated stock...(my 7 year old son found it comfortable to hold and shoulder)...has about a 16 inch barrel...and most reports have found it very accurate. Sportsman's wearhouse had them for about $550, and they come with Ruger's factory scope rings.

If recoil is a problem, check out Remington's Manage Recoil loads...decent performance with about half the recoil! As she becomes more familiar with the rifle she can work up to full power factory loads or even Hornady's Light Magnum loads for very hot performance.

RE: i need advice
 

My 16 yoa daughter at 120 lbs shoots my NEF .308 with no problem. I have a bushnell banner 4x12 on itand love it. Total cost, rifle $250, scope $100, rings $20, sling $20 = with tax a little over $400. Shoots 2 inch groups with cheap ammo at 100 yards. Never tried expensive ammo to try for tighter groups. Did a 6 point at 250 yards last month with Federal Classic 180 gr jacketed soft points that I bought from K-mart when they went under for $6 a box. I own 6 NEF / H&R and love them all. Slug gun will hurt you but most others are not bad. My 45-70 with remmington 405 gr are not bad but friends complain that Hornady 325 kick to much. Love the NEF / H&R so much, I have locked up my Remington 700, 7400 as well as my L1A1 all in .308.