Flash Report post Posted January 8, 2006 Hi gang. I'm helping out a buddy in his search for a good cartridge/rifle for coues and mule deer hunting. His priorities are (in order): 1.) Light recoil 2.) Gun that can be shot enough to become very comfortable with it 3.) Light, easy to pack gun 4.) inexpensive Any educated input is greatly appreciated. I know there was a post not too long ago similar, but this guy needs a light recoil rifle for he and his wife and kid that can make up to a 400 yard kill on deer sized game. He was hoping for no more kick than his Remington (700ADL) 243 (at most he said) but maybe a little more effective. He wants to be able to shoot it alot but will still consider a Weatherby or WSM if it's the best choice, but then again recoil is his priority. He currently doesn't reload. Thanks everyone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewp45 Report post Posted January 8, 2006 270 WSM, 280, 300 win mag any of these rounds can have less recoil than his 243 with the use of a muzzle break. The noise is increased tremendously but you can always carry earplugs. Browning A-Bolts have an option to come with a Boss muzzle break and you can get them in a lot of different calibers. I do not recommend shooting with out ear protection. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted January 8, 2006 270 Winchester (or 25-06 or 7mm-08). The 7-08 is based on the 308 win case, as are the 243 and 260, but uses a 7mm bullet. The 7-08 has enough velocity and energy to be used at 400+ yards. A friend's son and daughter have used a 7mm-08 to take some cow elk. Remington makes a "managed recoil" load in 270 that would be good to practice with or his wife/son to hunt at shorter ranges. Inexpensive rifles=Savage, Weatherby Vanguard, Rem SPS. Light weight rifles are going the opposite direction from lower recoil. Definitely replace the recoil pad with a Pachmeyer Decellerator or Sims SVL Sounds like your friend wants more range and energy than his 243, without more recoil. Pie in the sky. He can reduce the felt recoil with a heavier rifle, good recoil pad, good fitting stock (one that fits him may be too long for wife and/or son), Past shoulder pad, or a muzzlebrake. Sure the brakes reduce recoil substantially, but the increased muzzle blast also induces flinch. Be sure to wear both ear plugs and muffs when shooting at the range, and have plugs handy when hunting. One of my friends shot a braked 300 win mag three times without hearing protection while hunting, and his ears rang for a month (spell that hearing damage). Doug ~RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CRB Report post Posted January 8, 2006 I agree with Red Rabbit on the 25-06 I used to shoot one quite often and the recoil is not bad but you still get the distance your'e looking for Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benbrown Report post Posted January 8, 2006 Stock design has a lot to do with felt recoil, and most of the cheaper rifles don't have well-designed stocks. If light weight is important, I would suggest that he consider spending a little more and buyi a Kimber Montana in either .260 Remington or 7mm-08. The stock design mitigates a lot of the perceived recoil, and both callibers should reliably take Coues deer out to 400 yards with proper bullet placement. Another option would be a Weatherby Lightweight in .240 Weatherby. This is a 6mm cartridge that has the same case capacity as a 6mm-06 (.30-06 case necked down to 6mm). With a good premium bullet, it will take Coues deer reliably out to 400 yards with proper bullet placement. You can often find them from one of the internet suppliers at prices that are competitive with Winchester 70s and Remington 700s. However, store-bought ammo would be more expensive than .260s or 7mm-08s, and that might be a detriment to lots of practice shooting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted January 8, 2006 my vote is for 270wsm or 270. i own both and neither kick hard ( the WSM does weigh in at about 10lbs though) and they are very effective guns. tell him to suck it up a lil! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SunDevil Report post Posted January 8, 2006 another thing to consider is a good recoil pad. most of the factory rifles do not have quality recoil pads. you should be able to have a good one put on at any gun store for about $30. my buddy put one on his 300 weatherby mag and he was amazed at the results. CB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mulie hunter Report post Posted January 9, 2006 My 10 year old son shoots a 30-06 rifle, with the reduced recoil rounds made for the 30-06, it's recoil is practically the same as the .243 my daughter shoots. This is one the most versitile calibers on the market, you hunt anything from varmints to moose with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEERSLAM Report post Posted January 9, 2006 I've been watching this and other threads on this topic with great intrest as I'm trying to decide on what rifle and cal. to get for my 10 year old son. I've been leaning toward the 7mm-08 but read all of these posts with an open mind cause I'm not in any rush. Thanks for the good info. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted January 9, 2006 deerslam, depending on the size of your son, be careful! my little brother, who will be 10 in Feb, is TINY ( ask RedRabbit) i wanted the 7mm-08 but opted for a .243 because i dont want the recoil to be hard on him. that is the big thing is felt recoil, if he starts on a flinch, he will have it for a while, i started on a 308 with a steel but plate and had a flinch for a while! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Reynaldo de la Torre Report post Posted January 9, 2006 Hi gang. I'm helping out a buddy in his search for a good cartridge/rifle for coues and mule deer hunting. His priorities are (in order):1.) Light recoil 2.) Gun that can be shot enough to become very comfortable with it 3.) Light, easy to pack gun 4.) inexpensive Any educated input is greatly appreciated. I know there was a post not too long ago similar, but this guy needs a light recoil rifle for he and his wife and kid that can make up to a 400 yard kill on deer sized game. He was hoping for no more kick than his Remington (700ADL) 243 (at most he said) but maybe a little more effective. He wants to be able to shoot it alot but will still consider a Weatherby or WSM if it's the best choice, but then again recoil is his priority. He currently doesn't reload. Thanks everyone. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I've been shooting a .243 for20 years - Remington style. Shot placement is the trick - along with patience and self control. The '06 and .270 are great calibers - not too big and not too small. Keep in mind that a light rifle (not cal.)is going to kick more than a heavier rifle. There are many makes and styles to choose from and the "reload - ability" is big also. The 308 is right in there also. Try the reduced recoil rounds from Remington. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.270 Report post Posted January 9, 2006 crap, how many times do i hafta tell you guys to get a .270 and forget the rest o' them guns. Lark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arizona Griz Report post Posted January 10, 2006 It is hard to beat the .270. They even have reduced recoil rounds now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mulie hunter Report post Posted January 10, 2006 The .30-06 is the best all around caliber, sorry .270, but thats the truth of the matter! And yes you can get the reduced recoil for it also!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DEERSLAM Report post Posted January 10, 2006 deerslam, depending on the size of your son, be careful! my little brother, who will be 10 in Feb, is TINY ( ask RedRabbit) i wanted the 7mm-08 but opted for a .243 because i dont want the recoil to be hard on him. that is the big thing is felt recoil, if he starts on a flinch, he will have it for a while, i started on a 308 with a steel but plate and had a flinch for a while! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Casey, My son weighs 70lbs now and I probably won't get him the rifle till next Christmas. What do you think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
