re: Best accurate low recoil, low tracking deer rifle and caliber for wife

Congratulations on introducing your wife to deer hunting. Lots of good suggestions thus far. Although price may not be an issue, you can get a good quality bolt action rifle/scope combo w/o having to take out a loan.

In bolt guns I'd personally suggest a 260 Rem, 7-08, 308 Win, 270 Win or 30-06. The 6.5 Creedmore will work too, but be aware ahead of time re: local availability of ammo. My local WM doesn't carry the CM nor the 7-08, and this was a before the recent shortages. In addition, I don't think the CM has reduced recoil loads yet and I'm not sure of the 260. I'd use reduced recoil loads until she shows she can handle recoil well. A reduced recoil 308 Win load actually has less recoil than a full power 243. W/ equal bullet weights, a short action round like the 308 Win will always recoil less than a similar long action round, like the 30-06, because the short round uses less powder. I've killed 6 deer w/ my 260 handgun and 7 deer w/ my 7-08 handgun. My handgun rounds are about the same velocity of reduced recoil rifle loads so reduced recoil loads'll work fine. I have no personal experience w/ the Weatherby Camilla, but the concept sounds attractive. It was interesting to read that the gun is named after Roy Weatherby's wife. Vanguards are made by Howa. The Hows bolt guns I've shot have been solid, very accurate guns. If not the Camilla, I'd look at a youth model. Whatever you get, be sure the gun/stock fits her. Some gun makers, e.g Mossberg, make a youth rifle that has an adjustable length of pull by means of different thicknesses of the butt pad. If you get a regular youth rifle that can't be adjusted you can always later buy an adult stock add to the length of pull using a slip on recoil pad if needed. The Axis looks to be a good gun. The only Mossberg bolt action I shot was very accurate. I have a Marlin bolt action that's also very inexpensive and very accurate. When shooting at the range, insist on her using both foam ear plugs and ear muffs. Consider using a "sissy pad" (small sand bag between shoulder and recoil pad) at the range until she's ok w/ the recoil. Be sure the gun has a nice recoil pad (Limbsaver or Kick Eez are two than come to mind).

When my son was 10 years old. I bought him a Savage bolt action (w/ the scope included) in 308 Win. I almost went w/ the 7-08, but this was before factory reduced recoil loads. I planned on making my own reduced loads and already had everything to do so w/ the 308. He handled the 308 well and killed a bunch of deer w/ it using both reduced recoil and full power loads. Fast forward 15 years later and I now have a 7-08 handgun I load for. This time around I bought a Thompson/Center Compass in 7-08 for a "grand child's" deer rifle. You'd be hard pressed to do better than the 7-08. Ammo availability is a factor, as well. Of the rounds I recommended, I've seen more 308 than anything else. You'll have to work hard to find ammo for whatever you buy.

Regardless of the gun you buy, I think it'll work out better if you keep her involved in the process.

Keep us updated, especially if you get the Camilla. It sounds really cool.

Haven't seen one suggestion for a semi-automatic... My Aero Precision AR10 is one I could shoot at the range all day (if I had the money!). Being that it's semi-auto, a lot of the energy from the cartridge is transmitted into a moving bolt and reduces recoil considerably. Also, a muzzle device and a limb saver recoil pad makes it even easier on the shoulder.

A fellow poster had me sight-in some rifles for him and recommend one for his son. While his Ruger American in 7mm-08 is a great deer rifle, his PSA AR10 was easier on the shoulder and one crazy accurate (3/4" groups with 150gr Core Lokt). That was my recommendation.

Performance vs recoil on animals under 300lbs, inside 200 yards the .243 is as good as any. I’ve killed deer with calibers ranging from 300 Weatherby to .243 and the 300 Weatherby aside (thors hammer) there just isn’t that much difference killing deer sized game, inside 200 yards.

6.5 grendel has made my 243 obsolete for this purpose. 243 is pretty great though. And much easier to get ammo for.

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30-30 (if you can find one in bolt action) or .243?

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Why all the downvotes? I thought this was a good suggestion. The 243 was a common pick.

Guess I should’ve recommended the 300 win mag like the other fellow. Low recoils and all.

My .30-06 with a boss doesn’t seem to kick at all. Wear hearing protection but you never feel the kick.

So y’all gave a lot of great information. I like the Tikka and really want to buy American but the Savage bolt seems kind of rough and Ruger trigger has been criticized. And well who know what’s going on with Remington. Glad to see a lot of Weatherby rifles recommended.

Kind of sad nobody at all recommended a Winchester.

And then there is availability. So ready for a second amendment President.

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I’m just curious what would make you want to use 3030 over 7622 x 39? They both are short range, both will kill dead but the 762x 39 has less recoil and bullets are cheaper.

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Nothing, really. OP just asked for a low recoil bolt action and 3030 came to mind for the low recoil part although I know it’s usually in lever action. 762x39 would be fine too. Plenty of options, really.
OP is looking for something very soft shooting and many suggestions seem a bit heavy. I mean sure, a 308 isn’t bad kick but OP probably wouldn’t be here asking if he though his wife would enjoy shooting a 308.

Great info, thanks!

I’m far less experienced and knowledgeable than most here so I come to learn with an open mind.

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I’m far less experienced and knowledgeable than most here so I come to learn with an open mind.

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Yeah it wasn’t really meant to be a dig at you just replying at the last comment.
When you look at the data there’s not much difference between a 308 and 7mm 08 but yet 7mm 08 is always what a lot of folks advertise as a “kid round” I have two 308s and several 30-30s and and have never felt like I was under gunned when using those kid rounds. As for the 7mm08 go
Follow randy new berg on YouTube. Dude is legit public land elk killer and uses a 7mm08.
I been drinking white cans all day an grilling
So gonna get on my soap box!!!
There is nothing wrong with (243, 257,7mmo8 , and OMG 6.cr)!!
The biggest issue with these rounds is they are most likely recommended for kids,ladies,newbies. These individuals then make hasty, marginal quick shots that more experienced hunters would have passed waited or not taken. That’s the problem it’s not the “bow it’s the Indian”
Going get my last beer happy Memorial Day baws thanks for all who made it possible for us