[s3gunner]

My daughter is planning to go deer hunting this year for the first time since before her boys were born. The gun she really liked that I had at the time was an M-1 Garand "Tanker", so it became her's. It has a synthetic stock and a full 6" shorter than a standard M-1. Because of that it's also about 2 pounds lighter! She had a hard time loading the 8 round clips into it because of her hand strength, so I got her 5 round clips that are much easier to load. Where we hunted at that time, her shots would most likely be 75 yards or less with her first deer being taken at 10 or so yards. Now we have to hunt public land that is more open. I really don't want to set that M-1 up with any one of the scope options (and I really like that tanker). I was thinking of trading that Garand from her to me, for something more scope friendly. I'm thinking either a bolt gun in .308, 243, or an AR-15 in 6.8 SPC, or 6.5 Grendel. (I have a 6.8 that I love) I have one extra lower and all the parts needed other than the barrel to make a good AR for her. She is a little gal (5-2), so that sort of makes me lean towards the AR with an adjustable stock. It also would make a gun her boys can grow into as they are 7 and 8 now.
Thoughts?
Of course she has to approve of it, and I want to set her up as best I can.

Steven

 

[charlie sterner]

you can't go wrong with a Model 7 in 243 or my favorite, the 7mm08. The 7mm-08 might be a bit stout for recoil for the boys in the future, but you can load H4895 reduced loads and it will kick less than the 243 and hit with more authority.

 

[45TAJ]

School me Charlie.
Other than more RSP (relative shocking power) of .24 to .28, based on "For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction" I'm not seeing the advantage you mention with loading light. Help me out here and thanks.

 

[charlie sterner]

round numbers, too busy to convert to ft/lbs

7-08 = 140gr x 2500fps x2500 fps = energy 875000000
243 = 100gr x 2900x2900 = energy 841000000

Plus the 7-08 makes a bigger hole

Ok...it might not kick "less" but it will be very similar. I've done it.

 

[damonkeydobad]

My girls started with 243 and have stayed with them brass and bullets are a lot cheaper than bigger bores(yes we shoot a lot its a family thing for us).I hunt white tail to bear with one my self except elk.

 

[Kermit in Va.]

Never have a problem killing with a 243...but also like the
7-08.


Donnie

 

[koger]

My wife hates recoil, she has as .243 Hand rifle, with a Nikon buckmasters scope, she has taken 31 deer with it, from 35 yds to 270 yds, all one shot kills,very few of them took more than two steps! She shoots off a set of cross sticks, and the little rifle shoots 3 shots into a dime at 100yds with boring regularity. She has taken most of them with a 85 gr Sierra gameking, that does sensational damage. If interested [pm me for the load data!

 

[Markbo]

You can't go wrong with anything SHE likes. Take your likes out of the equation. For instance my all time deer fav is the 25-06. I have killed truck loads of whitetail with it and have never lost one. But recommend it to anyone else...meh is always the answer.

 

[Kentucky Fisherman]

I like Charlie's suggestion of a Model 7 in .243, but they tend to be pricey, either new or used. Years ago I was looking for a good used Mod 7 and stumbled across a Remington 788 carbine (18.5) in .243. I switched from .30-06 to that .243 and have never looked back.

... She has taken most of them with a 85 gr Sierra gameking, that does sensational damage. If interested [pm me for the load data!

Koger is smack on target recommending the 85gr Sierra in .243. Numerous guys right here on the Green Board gave me whitetail bullet recommendations in .243 and a majority told me to start with the 85 Sierra and stop right there. It's that good.

 

[T.D.C.]

CZ 527 in 7.62 X 39. Local shop can't keep them in stock. All seem to be going to wives and daughters, beginning hunters. Fine for deer and pigs.

 

[rem 17-222]

6.5 Creedmore - That would be my choice for anybody new or old to the game.

 

[dk17hmr]

6.8 fan here.....they kill better than they should

Go short and light weight and build it as a pistol.

I have a registered SBR and am planning on taking my 11.3” 6.8spc suppressed on a couple hunts this year.

 

[s3gunner]

6.8 fan here.....they kill better than they should

Go short and light weight and build it as a pistol.

I have a registered SBR and am planning on taking my 11.3” 6.8spc suppressed on a couple hunts this year.

I like your idea, and I agree with your views on the 6.8! However as for the SBR, shes on my NFA trust and dont think she wants to get into NFA. This will be her gun. When I'm gone she and her sisters will have more guns. I want to keep cost around $500 plus scope so that I spent same amount on each of the girls. Her sisters have a 243 and a 308 and they both have gotten 20+" bucks with them. Deborah has not had that chance yet. I want to give her the best chance to do so that I can. I am leaning towards an AR since it still offers low recoil, adjustable stock, light weight and likely will hold its value well. I have an as new Vortex Viper 2-7 that would keep it light.

Steven

 

[charlie sterner]

The new 224 valkyrie is supposed to shoot up to 90 gr bullets and Federal has Fusion bonded ammo in something like 75-80 gr version that would be suited for most deer. You probably have huge bodied bucks though. The 6.8 might be the ticket.

 

[s3gunner]

The new 224 valkyrie is supposed to shoot up to 90 gr bullets and Federal has Fusion bonded ammo in something like 75-80 gr version that would be suited for most deer. You probably have huge bodied bucks though. The 6.8 might be the ticket.

I might try it for myself. However, that round begs for a longer barrel and that means a heavier gun. That's also an advantage of the 6.8, it does not mind shorter barrels.
As far as deer size... the biggest one I've seen was weighed two days after it was shot (I shot at it first and glad I missed it) but gutted out to include windpipe, it tipped the scales at 238 pounds. My daughters last year was 203. I've shot several over 200. So might not be the biggest, but they can have some size.

Steven

 

[RickB]

Years ago

My first wife was a short lady and I needed a short light rifle for her, to hunt with and shoot short range sillywets. I got a barreled 93 Mauser action and built her a 250 Savage. that all up, weighed 6 pounds.

Considering that it is in the same class as a 243, That would be my recommendation for a first Deer gun, for a young lady. With 100 gr partition bullets and she should be ready for those 200 Lb deer.

I have since that time become a fan of the 25 cal. and have 3 different 25's and all have killed deer.

When deer season is out a 243 would be a good varmint gun, too.

Rick Brown

 

[Holedigger]

I'm personally to the point on caliber discussions for deer, etc., where I say they all kill fine with 1. a GOOD bullet, 2. and good bullet PLACEMENT. I personally will love to own as many toys as I can before I'm dead, but I'd go any of the above that can kill nicely at 300-400 yds later, if and when she wants to, and work a good light load up for her to start. 243 on up, unless you go AR format - the 6.8, and it's wildcat spawn, aint bad with a good set of dies. This Valkyrie thing may take it over tho with allowing nice magazine capacity in exchange for muzzle velocity. I can see the Valk being wildcatted to death with new bullets and twist rates in other bullet diameters.

 

[dk17hmr]

Build it as a pistol with a brace. Even though I have an SBR I still have a lower set up as a pistol for various reasons.

I had my 11.3" 6.8 out this morning making sure it's still zeroed where I wanted it. 110gr factory Hornady VMax at 100, clocks at 2432fps average with single digit SD I haven't messed with loading for this particular upper yet. I have killed a couple deer with this bullet in 20" guns and it preforms well, it'll probably do better being about 300fps slower now from the stubby upper.

 

[s3gunner]

Build it as a pistol with a brace. Even though I have an SBR I still have a lower set up as a pistol for various reasons.

I had my 11.3" 6.8 out this morning making sure it's still zeroed where I wanted it. 110gr factory Hornady VMax at 100, clocks at 2432fps average with single digit SD I haven't messed with loading for this particular upper yet. I have killed a couple deer with this bullet in 20" guns and it preforms well, it'll probably do better being about 300fps slower now from the stubby upper.

Hmmmm....I do have a couple extra lowers I could make into pistols, and a brace that is only 3/4 inch shorter than an A-1 stock.....hmmm

Steven

 

[Squeeze]

I have to add to the 6.8 SPC pile. I shot a NW WI dry, fawnless, doe that weighed 145 lbs after field dressing...Big girl. The autopsy on the doe, after getting hit by a 95 gr. TTSX, from a 18" ARP 6.8 SPC was pretty impressive.
I have a number of good deer rifles, but the handiness of an 18" carbine 6.8 SPC, was not lost on me. I hunt out of box blinds, or pop-ups, so the short carbine, with an adjustable stock, is the ticket for various layers of clothing,
and tight quarters. As for recoil, a friend visits my range every fall, to sight in his deer rifle. Last year his non-hunting wife and hunting daughter tagged along. Both are recoil sensitive. The daughter was in the market for a new rifle, and I let them shoot a few of mine. She really liked my Browning BAR, in 308 Win., until she shot the 6.8 SPC. Her mother then wanted to shoot the 6.8, even though she doesn't hunt or shoot much. She wanted one immediately after shooting it, and putting a nice group in the bull. They were a little hesitant when I told them the cost of the rifle and scope, but were back to interested when I told them, what a more budget minded version would cost. The daughter bought one on her own, but I don't recall the brand, and she is now a 6.8 SPC convert.

Squeeze