new gun 243 or 7mm-08 -308?
 

Well i am going to try to get my wife into shooting, my question is, i shoot a 30.06, but i think that's a little too much gun for her. I am considering getting another rifle that she will enjoy shooting AND that i can use on occasion AND to add another gun to the cabinet.. (lots of motives you see)

What would you suggest.? I have never shot any of these calibers only 30.06 and 12 gauges for deer hunting in the midwest. My main goal is to get something lightweight with little recoil that is useful and not to small that i would have to worry about hunting with. I also want to make sure she enjoys it.. to much gun will turn her off to this hobby quickly.

RE: new gun 243 or 7mm-08 -308?
 

I have a 30.06 (that I have used for 25 years for whitetail), a recently acquired .243 and just ordered a 7mm-08. Did a lot of research on 7mm-08 on this bbs, shootersforum.com and others after seeing a buddy's Rem 700 7mm-08 and his comments. Each caliber has its benefits. To me the 7mm-08 has about 50% the felt recoil of a 30.06 with great ballistics and good choice of manu ammo - http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2.guns.htm has a ton of info.

For a shooter concerned with recoil and wanting ballistic performance the 7mm-08 has a strong appeal, in my opinion. In my case, the 7mm-08 and .243 will be for youth hunters that are not capable of using the 30.06 cal rifle for these reasons; recoil, weight and shooting requirement (whitetail).

You will obtain a lot of information from the subscribers to this bbs. Good luck.

RE: new gun 243 or 7mm-08 -308?
 

If recoil is a concern, I'd rule out the .308 in a light rifle. It would not be much less in recoil than the '06!
The .243 with good ammo is all the whitetail medicine you'd ever need, but the 7MM-08 would give you more options! Plenty of power and light recoil to boot! The 7MM-08 is as perfect a deer caliber as you could ever get.

RE: new gun 243 or 7mm-08 -308?
 

A 25-06 is another great choice for whitetail.

RE: new gun 243 or 7mm-08 -308?
 

Well, the 243 will have the least amount of recoil if thats the primary issue. The 7mm-08 will have a little more recoil but is also more deadly on whitetails in my opinion. I have one and love it. Try and find someone who has a 7mm-08 and let her shoot it. I know thats a little trouble but it may save you from wasting money on a gun she is scared to shoot. I'm no recoil lover myself and even without a recoil pad my 7mm-08 doesn't kick too bad. With a good recoil pad its very mild at least to my senses. If she can handle it then I'd get the 7mm-08. If the 7mm-08 is still too much then the 243 is the way to go. Another good option to consider is a 260 rem. Recoil is a little less than a 7mm-08 but its deadly on whitetails as well. I wouldn't consider a 308 for her if this is her first rifle. Most 308's that I have shot kicked about as much as a 30-06.

One word of warning though. If you get her a 7mm-08 or a 260 rem you may like it so much that you may start leaving your 30-06 at home whenever she doesn't go with you.

RE: new gun 243 or 7mm-08 -308?
 

Let your wife try some of the new Remington Managed recoil loads out of your 30-06. If she can handle these it may let you know just how interested she is in hunting and shooting.

RE: new gun 243 or 7mm-08 -308?
 

I don't have any experience with the 7-08 but my .308 kicks pretty hard. So much so that I've considered installing a muzzle brake. It is a very light rifle so get your wife something with some heft to it. I would also consider the .257 Roberts. Although ammo won't be as easy to find.

RE: new gun 243 or 7mm-08 -308?
 

Your right the .243 is a great choice for Whitetail. Hoping my 7mm-08 arrives shortly...................:D

RE: new gun 243 or 7mm-08 -308?
 

Couldn't have said it any better myself, Todd! [8D]

RE: new gun 243 or 7mm-08 -308?
 

in my honest opinion , if recoil is a factor then go for the 7mm-08

but personally , i like the .260 rem. a lot better , my 7mm-08 wasn't much of a shooter , mine was a remington model 700 mountain rifle DM , and i couldn't get very good groups out of her , the magazine was also very loose fitting and actually had a slight wobble and rattling noise to her so maybe that was the reason for the poor acuracy but it prompted me to retire her. now i've got a remington model 7 in .260 and i get pretty good groups out of her for a short 18 1/2 " barrel . just thought i'de add me .2cents :D:D