cjwink

308,7mm08,260 and 243 are all the same case, just different calibers.. The difference in recoil of these rounds in the same gun will be from bullet weight. So 243 would be the lightest recoiling and then 260, 7mm08 and 308.. A 243 would be more than enough for any deer in NA and there are tons of bullet options, so why chance buying a larger caliber when it is not needed..

Mojotex

One thing I did not mention directly .... one of the often overlooked qualities of a long gun associated with recoil "comfort" is the length of pull, often abbreviated LOP. You mentioned "short". It might be wise to have the stock cut to fit her LOP, including the length of a good recoil pad. Another strategy could be to ease her into shooting ... say a 22 rim fire at the range plinking cans. Practicing with a 22 LR certainly will not hurt her shoulder and might get her used to the "pop" .... sometimes the "blast' is as much of a scarey thing for a newbie as is the recoil.

I know others will disagree with me, but I do not consider the 223 Rem. a good deer round. Will it kill one? Sure. So will a 222 Rem. or 22 Swift or 22 Long Rifle for that matter. I just do not care for 22 cal. on medium sized game when there are excellent, relatively low recoil rounds out there such as the 243 Win. that are excellent deer rounds.

halfbakedi420

it will work though, she is 11 here..taken with a 223 55g rem cl ....and i dont think our dog deer count as "medium sized game" lol but i have taken hogs through the chest plate with it.

marquismarc

all things considered I would go with 243

rjhans53

I'd go with a 7mm08 shooting 120 gr pills. a 260, ammo is a pain to find, same with a 6.5 x 55. I wouldn't use a 243 but that's just me.

polaris754

hey i am tellin u get the 308!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1928you

i bought a weatherby vangaurd in 308. and it is the best gun i've ever fired

ipscshooter

The initial post states that the young lady has a shoulder problem and thus has concerns about recoil. Given this, recommending a .308 (and definitely the .270) seems inappropriate. There aren't any deer in North America that can't be taken down with a properly placed .243.

If, for some bizarro reason, the .243 is deemed too small, then the 7mm-08 is a better choice than either the .308 or the .270 due to noticeably milder recoil.

salukipv1

depending on the hunting style, perhaps consider a varmint style set up...or just a heavier hunting rifle...

If she'll always be shooting from a blind/rest etc...not hiking for miles...heavier would soak up a lot of recoil,

.243 100gr.............8.8
7mm-08 120gr.....12.1
25-06 120gr.........12.5

I don't think I'd rule out the .25-06, recoil would be even less with 100gr, nothing a 100gr TSX won't due that a 120grs soft will...

A BRowning BAR semi auto in any of those may be the answer, it's not too light, but not super heavy, it's semi auto so it would soak up more recoil, my 270 is very accurate, only ever heard good things about BAR's.

Let us know what you decide or what you're thinking...

emtrescue6

Bad shoulder? I have several 270's and 308's and I would not consider them (except the 1 muzzle broke 308) light on recoil, especially for a bad shoulder. Considering that...I'd go with a .243 WIN in a youth model (WBY Vanguard is an excellent choice for the $$). Ammo options will allow one to hunt any deer in North American, are available everywhere and is inexpensive...(well inexpensive is relative in today's world). My 11 year old niece and my 7 year old daughter both hunt with 243's and handle the recoil well and have no problem taking game.