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

try a .270 it was jack o'conners favorite elk rifle should do i fine job with well placed shots.might also consider a 7mm-08

For "anyone" NOT use to recoil, a 7-08 would be hard to beat!!!!! In this case 243 Win. is too small, and the 7x57 is really the same power level as the 7-08. 300 Win. mag. has MORE recoil than a 30-06, so...........

7-08 gets my vote,

Drilling Man

308, 270 or 7mm-08

Do you hike alot or do you mostly hunt from a tree stand or other stationary hunting? If you move a lot and have to carry then the weight of the rifle, which helps reduce felt recoil, can be an issue. If you hunt from stationary positions then get a heavy rifle, it'll help a lot. Either way a good recoil pad is a must. If you have to carry I'd say 7mm-08 if not then I'd say a heavy rifle in .270 or even .270WSM since you also want to hunt elk and the extra oomph may come in handy.

I would take a 7mm-08 over the 270 due to the better bullet selection for larger game and slightly less recoil.

Even if your .30-06 has a recoil pad, I highly recommend getting additional recoil protection. The PAST recoil pad is one of the best solutions out there. Even a large person can suffer soft tissue damage from repeated recoil, in some cases requiring surgery to correct. The PAST pad straps on to your shoulder and does a fantastic job dissipating the energy fro a kicking rifle, and reducing felt recoil. They come in varying thicknesses, from a rather thin Field Grade all the way to rather thick Magnum grades (these are meant for the big nasty calibers.)

I NEVER shoot my .30-06 at the range without my PAST pad, and with it, 50 to 100 rounds are quite managable, with no bruising and not too much soreness the next day. WIthout that pad I would be in pain for days with that many rounds. I use the low end Field Grade and it works GREAT. I also wear this when I am shooting clay targets with my 12 guage shotgun, and again, the difference is like night and day.

These are about twenty to thirty dollars depending on the one you get. If your gun store doesn't have them you can order them online from Midway (link below.) Walmart has a very similar product for about twenty bucks also, but I can't remember the manufacturer.

Before changing rifles I would try the recoil protection first. The .30-06 is a fine round, and if you can handle it, it will handle deer and elk quite nicely for you.

Good luck!

http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteabro...0/655***688***

Thanks for all your guys help. I hope you guys dont think Im a whimp. Ill take a look at that pad and also does anyone know where I can get a 7mm-08 at? I checked out Bass Pro in Springfield MO, and they dont carry. Can I get more info on it too? Is it a good elk gun? Why does it have less recoil?

Thanks!
Melissa

It's not about being a wimp at all. Recoil affects accuracy especially if you start developing a flinch or simply can't handle it. Hunting/shooting is a hobby, why not make it comfortable for yourself?
Bass Pro Shops can order stuff for you, so you can still check them out. Look at the websites of Ruger, Remington, Winchester, Savage Arms, Weatherby, etc. to find a rifle that will suit your needs. If you list your requirements I'm sure some of us will start listing specific rifles for you to look at.

Whitetaiaildeer87 JIMFA1957 has the deal get the pad to set your scope. As you allready said you LOVE the gun and you know it works.so you will not ever be unsure uf it. My wife shoots did shoot a 300 just got here a 30-06 for her. The 1 shoot you have to shoot at elk you will never get to feal as you allready know.

I say KEEP the gun you beleave in and buy the pad. set your sights then go kill the elk

good luck