Deer Hunting rifles for girls.?

Question

My niece wants to go hunting for the first time and I am curious about what would be a good deer rifle for her. She is 5'4" and is just learning to shoot. So I am looking for something that she can practice on over the summer. I was thinking of a Rem 710 in 30-06 but would like some input. Anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

You notice all men answered. If it were me I would let her choose her gun. I have never been one to be bothered by the kick of any firearm, and don't appreciate anyone thinking other wise since I am a girl. She will know what is comfortable and what is not. Remember this is not duck hunting so it's not like she has to take a punch in the shoulder numerous times. I prefer to use my muzzleloader over any rifle and she may find one that she is so comfortable with that she feels the same, so give her a variety of guns to practice with. Good Luck and Great Job on getting more women interested..........

Answer 2

I'm of the opinion you can never go wrong with a .30-06 or .308.

That said, no one should start shooting on these calibers and it sounds like she's learning elsewise. That's good....shooting and gun safety is a skill that should be mastered before one ever puts a sight on live game...best with a .22. Also, I recommend "dry hunts" with experienced armed hunters prior to the first shooting hunt.

I'd take her out on a hunt unarmed with the older hunters ASAP to see how she likes it....it let's her learn a tremendous amount about how to act, safety, noise control, cold, tiredness, wet feet, mud, butchering the meat, blood, responsible hunting practices, etc.

Mastering shooting skills and safety practices at the range AND ALSO learning (even memorizing) your state's hunting laws and rules and seasons is all good preparation. Don't forget to give her homework!

You don't say the conditons or distances where you are...woodland, thick brush, plains, desert, tundra...that makes some input into caliber choice as well.

I'd definitely look at the most approipiate deer calibers and work from that list. My wife is five feet and handles a 30-06 with ease, although it took several years for her to get there and I think she's the exception and not the rule.

Among these calibers are popular calibers .243 Winchester, 6mm Remington, .240 Weatherby Magnum, .257 Roberts, .25-06 Remington, .260 Remington, 6.5x55 SE, 7mm-08 Remington, 7x57 Mauser and .30-30 Winchester up to the big boys .308W and .30-06. (.300 WM and 7mm Magnums ARE NOT deer calibers!)

Also, it may be the best investment to find a good used 'quality' gun rather than the Rem 710. The more I hear the more I'm thinking this rifle will not last you to hand over to the grandkids. Do your research.

Answer 3

The Rem 30/06 is probably the most reliable and versatile gun ever made, and there are so many different grains of bullets you can buy for that gun that I think its a good choice. Smaller grain of bullet, the less its gonna kick. Its really hard to say no to a Rem 30/06. Now, that being said there are a number of other very good options. The 243 and 6mm are both excellent beginner guns and if you wanted something with alittle more knockdown power the 25/06 is one of the flattest shooting guns on the market. All Remington of course. I started out on a Rem 30/06 and I was much smaller than your niece. Either way you go, congrats for your niece.

Answer 4

If she might be hunting elk or other larger game, that shouldn't be a bad choice. I've not tried the 710, but I have several 700's and got one of my children a model 7.
If whitetail will be the upper limit of the animals she hunts, the 30-06 is a bit more than she'll need, and something like a 6.5x55 or 7mm08 might be a friendlier choice for a beginner. I'd stay away from the 243/6mm, as they are more of a specialist's caliber, requiring the hunter to pass on an occasional shot that he'd take with a larger caliber.

Answer 5

.243 or 30-30. If you're going to be getting up close and personal with the deer in close bush, a 22.250 would do the trick...you may want to stick with something a bit bigger though. You probably coulnd't go wrong with a 30 30 or a .243 though, they're great deer busters for moderate to close range and have very little kick. If you're on a tight budget you could always pick up an SKS in 7.62x39. They're not quite as effective as the 3030 but all of the stats on them I've seen, the 7.62 was being shot from a really short barell, so the ballistics will probably be better than you may expect. They're cheap hardy, not overly heavy, but heavy enough to keep a good bead and keep the recoil down, and it's nearly impossible to make them not fire.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Probably the very best cal for deer sized game ia the 25.06 Rem. Flat shooting, hard hitting with recoil in the lower scale when compared to the 30.06 or .270. Killing a deer with a 22.250 would tear up so much flesh & make such a mess the young lady wouldn't like it at all. The 22.250 is a varmit rd.

Answer 7

I would agree that a 30.06 is too much for a starter rifle. I have a buddy who started a young person on a .270 with remingtons reduced recoil shells. they aare something like 110 gr. This is plenty for a deer and the kick is very minimal. It also gives her the ability to move up into heavier loads as she grows and has continued interest.

The key to light kick is primarily the shell, not the rifle. Do keep in mind that bench shooting creates the most kick. Also get her a shoulder pad for recoil reducing.

The above combinations should provide everything that she/you need.

Answer 8

Marlin makes a good 30-30 that is light short and very little kick. Other than that a small 20 gauge wold work,but there both short range guns. It's cheaper for practice with a 22 but you can shoot all day long with a muzzle loader for a couple bucks and it will teach her about guns and shooting

Answer 9

If I were you, I'd take her shooting and let her try your various guns out. Use that as a starting point to see what she likes. Another issue to consider is your hunting environment (IE - distance to target, forest, mountains, etc.) Anything from a light .357 lever action carbine (100 yards deer gun) to a .243 Winchester (300 yard deer gun) are great, mild rifles to build up a new shooter's confidence.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Work her up to the .30-06. Start her out with something smaller. I gave my 14 year old nephew a .44 lever action. A .243 should be a good starter gun for your niece if she can already shoot the .22 rimfire.

Best,

H