new hunter here
 

:) Hello, everyone. I have a couple of questions for ya' ll. I am a 5' 3 26 year old female and weigh about 125 lbs. I want to get started in deer hunting and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a good rifle I could use that will not blow my shoulder out of socket. I have shot a 10 gauge and a 12 gauge before and the kick was not sooo bad but still left me sore. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

RE: new hunter here
 

243 IS THE WAY TO GO.

GO DEEP HUNT HARD.

RE: new hunter here
 

Welcome to the board. The .243 is a great little gun that will take any deer you may get a shot at, as long as you do your job and take out the kill zone. Be sure to get a quality scope to top off your rifle.

RE: new hunter here
 

dixiecups I bought my wife a browning 260 and she love' s it, it' s a short gun because she' s 5' 4" , and the gun fit' s her very well. It also doesn' t have a bad kick to it. She harvested a spike last year with it and it fell in it' s track' s.

RE: new hunter here
 

I second the .260 as a better choice than the .243. I think the .243 is too light.

RE: new hunter here
 

:) Thank you gentlemen, I greatly appreciate any and all advice. I will have to check both of those out. I intend on going soon as gun season opens up down here this year.

RE: new hunter here
 

Welcome to the board dixiecups. Let me suggest the 7mm-08.

RE: new hunter here
 

I too am short. I am only 4' 11" so I have a hard time finding firearms I can shoot. My first rifle was Youth model in .260. I know mainly bow hunt(don' t even want to discuss problems finding a bow that fit). When I do rifle hunt I use my husband' s 30-06 which he has shortened for me. You won' t remember the kick when you put one on the ground anyway.

RE: new hunter here
 

My suggestion is the 25-06, not a hard recoil its fast and alot of knock-down, put money in a good scope trust me

RE: new hunter here
 

My vote goes for either the .223 or .25-06. I only bow hunt, but these would be my choices (have shot them both). While they do not have as much power, I feel that since there isnt nearly as much kick, it will not bother you and you can focus on shooting the gun more than " oh no this is gonna hurt" (not that it is an issue when there is a deer out there). but that is just my opinion

RE: new hunter here
 

Thanks for everyone' s comments and suggestions. I have to check out all these options and find what is best for me. lol well, Good luck with everyone' s hunt this year, I know I am gonna need it. lol
catch you guys later.

RE: new hunter here
 

I suggest a .243 or a .25-06 or a .270.

RE: new hunter here
 

Welcome to the Board Dixie,

If I may add my 2 cents, as an ex-gun dealer I would agree with those who have suggested either the .243 or 25-06. I wish you much success in which ever choice you make.

RE: new hunter here
 

I will probably go with the .243. A friend of mine that hunts says the other will probably blow my shoulder off seeing as I am sooo petite. Anyhow, Thanks for everything. anyone know the best and cheapest place I could look into purchasing one?

RE: new hunter here
 

Dont forget the ever popular 30-30 and the 30-06. My aunt, who is about the same size, uses both with ease.

RE: new hunter here
 

I use a 308. It does not have alot of kick. You got to learn how to hold it just right.

RE: new hunter here
 

:) Thank you for the suggestion. I need to go and look. where would be the best place to look for these? I mean walmart or a specialty gun store or hunting store?

RE: new hunter here
 

Wal-Mart has a very limited selection, go to some of the bigger sporting goods stores in your area. After you find what you like you may want to search the local pawn shops. Or you can look online for a deal. www.gunsamerica.com is a good place to start.

RE: new hunter here
 

Thanks for your suggestions. I will do that. ttyl.
dixiecups.

RE: new hunter here
 

Remmington makes a youth model. 7. It comes in a few good calibers, .243 and .260 are the 2 best. Short stock and light weight would work well for you. My wife is 5" 1" and my boys model 7 in .260 fits her well.

Not sure I agree with a .243 being to small. A few of my hand loading good ole boys out here in hill country would sure aruge about .243 being to small. . .they have dropped many a deer using .243 90gr hand loads.;)

RE: new hunter here
 

Dixie,

Welcome to the world of hunting. You will find that the help you have gotten here is only the tip of the Ice Berg. Most of us on this board are just average people who love hunting. You will probably learn to almost live for it. In my life GOD, My family, and hunting come in that order.

Good Hunting

RE: new hunter here
 

I would go with the .243 at the minimum, better yet the .260. Just don' t use ballistic tip ammo - use a bullet that will expand better. Ask your local gun shop for a bullet to match your gun and size of deer in your area.

RE: new hunter here
 

Welcomoe to the board. It' s great to welcome another female huntress. If we get more huntress' involved ion the sport, then the male will come as well.

Anyway, If I were you I would go with the 260 and then the 243. You will want to go to a gun store and see what model fits you the best. The caliber is secondary. If you do not have a gun that fits you, then you will not want to shoot it. Once you find the gun that fits you the best, the one that just snaps right to your shoulder (you' ll recognize it when you find the one), then talk to the dealer about calibers.

That' s my 2 cents worth,
Matt

RE: new hunter here
 

Welcome aboard, it seems we are getting more females and that' s great. As far as a rifle, stay away from the .30 calibers, they can be punishing. .243 is great, but a 6mm is just a hair better but you don' t have as great a choice of factory bullet sizes to choose from. My wife shoots a .243 youth remington 700. It' s great out to 200 yards but after that, the short barrel causes the bullet to drop darn fast. It also has an adjustable trigger, from the factory it' s a bear to pull.

RE: new hunter here
 

You guys have been a great help. I plan on going and looking as soon as I get a day off from work. A friend of mine was hunting yesterday and he was on the ground next to some brush deer hunting and he heard something behind him but thought it was far off so he did not turn around. Well, he kept hearing it so he turned around and a 8 pointer jumped over him and leaped twice then took off running. He said he about had a heartattack. I laughed at that one. He said he could not even get his gun up in time. I will never let him live it down. LOL. " the one that jumped away." Sorry, just thought I would tell a little story for you all to read up on. But I really do appreciate the advice. ttyl

RE: new hunter here
 

You can use about any gun you want. In NC you can' t legally use a .223! A .243 is the smallest you can go. I have a Savage Tactical .308 with bull barrel and synt. stock. This gun is loud and powerful but does not kick. My wife uses it.

Check out the so called ' varmit' rifles. They are usually heavy but have bull barrels and don' t kick very hard. I had a nice .243 with bull barrel mouser, that we cut the stock on so my wife could hunt with it.

Good luck. And if you can' t find one, send me an e-mail and I probably can find you one if you know what you want.

RE: new hunter here
 

Walmart has any gun you want. They have a book that you can look at if you don' t find what you want in the store, anyway just ask for that book and if you find a rifle that you want they' ll order it for you. I would suggest a .243 it is a pretty awesome rifle. It has less kick than a .308 and it' s not very heavy. Remington 7mm .243 is what I use.