What to Shoot?

J

JLTD

Guest
Well now that my mom finally drew a rifle elk tag in Utah we have a dilemma. The problem is we don't own a gun that will fit her. She is a small framed woman "only 5'3'' so not only size of stock but kick, are both going to be factors. We want something she will be comfortable shooting and can practice with before the hunt as she has never shot anything with a center fire. So what are everyone?s opinions? What do you guys have your wives and daughters shooting?


Just Living The Dream
 
MY SON WANTED TO HUNT ELK AT 14!!!

AT A WHOPPIN 75 POUNDS!!!

I TOLD HIM IF HE'S HUNTIN ELK HE'S GONNA USE A GUN BIG ENOUGH FOR THE JOB!!!

RIGGED HIM UP A 300 WSM WITH A LIMBSAVER KICK PAD & 180 GRAIN SLUGS!!!

HE HANDLED IT FINE!!!

IT'S A HARD HITTING GUN!!!

I ONLY HAVE ONE RECOMENDATION!!!

YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO WOUND & LOSE A BIG BULL!!!

SO DON'T USE NO PISSCUTTER CALIBERS!!!

AND GOOD LUCK!!!



SOMTIMES TO GET IN ON A PISSCUTTER IT TAKES SOME STEALTH!!!
I THANK MY FRIEND Feleno FOR THE STEALTH CAMO!!!

4a25cb9a7105a720.jpg


REMEMBER!!!

THERE'S ONLY ONE bobcat!!!
 
shes never shot a center fire rifle? that is b.s. IMO


why the hell do you think it's so hard to draw tags? people who put in people who have absolutly no clue as to what they are drawing. she wouldn't care less if she ever drew a tag, and there are die hards out there who have put in 15+ yrs. and never drawn, because of that crap. tell her to buy a .223, with the experiance, she has as good of odds of making a clean kill with it as she does any other gun.............
 
Good point Killer!
I think women, kids, the old, people who do not hunt 20 days a year, and anyone in Salt Lake should all be banned from the application process!
I deserve that tag!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-15-09 AT 10:23PM (MST)[p]Hey Killerbee why don't you but the hell out!!!!!!! She has been hunting for the last ten years and has probably shot better general season bucks than you ever will. She could not be happier to draw this tag! She KNOWS what she has; and has been in the gym trying to prepare every night since we found out she drew! Difference is she does not feel the need to shot them with a center fire she chooses a weapon that requires a little more skill! It's called a MUZZLE LOADER! You heard of it?


Just Living The Dream
 
Killer it is people like you that marginalize all of us as hunters. We represent less than 5% of the general population. It is great that we can have an ambassador such as yourself out there promoting our sport. The recruitment of women and children is crucial to the survival of our sport PERIOD. Thanks again for being such a good representative for us all!

Just Living The Dream
 
If that's true and she is comfortable withe Muzz then let her shoot that. It's not a rifle tag, its "any legal weapon" tag. Or just get her a .30-06 and let her rip. It can't kick any more than a smokepole. I will say that people who put in for areas they have never been to then ask for honey holes or even worse guys who shoot their wive's elk when the wife is at the mall kind of makes me mad.
 
My wife has never put it for nor hunted any big game in the past. I think I'll have her start now just to ruffle feathers. I never noticed the fine print in the big game proc that says only those who start out at age 14 may apply.

I guess the other argument that could be made is the die hards have had their glory days now give someone else a chance. What's fair is fair. Sheesh.

498a6f395e505405.jpg
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-15-09 AT 11:27PM (MST)[p]I'm sure i'll get crap for this too. but my mom shot her pronghorn last year with my 30-378. she had used a 257 roberts up to that point, but while we were shooting before the season, i had her try the big weatherby, she shot it at long range far better than the 257, so thats what she used.

a 270, 280 or 30-06 wouldnt be a bad choice. or even a 308. if she can handle a muzzy, she can handle any of those with ease.

no matter what, if it is on the light side for elk, use a good bullet and even better judgment, big bulls can take a hit!
 
Does sound a bit odd saying she has always shot a muzz, but you don't have a gun she can handle? If she has truly shot a muzz before then I don't think you would even be asking the question. I'm not sayin, I'm just sayin;-)
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-09 AT 08:05AM (MST)[p]Congrats to your mom on her tag. As you are painfully aware there are a few who post on here that have a truly twisted view on life. Thats their problem so just ignore it. Anyway, any of the ''medium '' calibers ('06, 270,) would be a good choice. Moderate recoil and plenty of snap for a bull. My daughter shoots a 7mm -08 in a remington youth model 700. With a premium 140 grain bullet that would be adequate as well - as long as you aren't doing any of that '' beyond beleif'' shooting. As far as fit goes just have her try a couple of different rifles to see what she's comfortable with. Is her muzzy a short stock ? GOOD LUCK. Chip
 
You might try this... for my boys, when they were 12-14 yrs. when pretty small or just starting out, I borrowed a Savage .250, a .257, .30-30, and .243 for them to try. They did all right using these, but there was a problem in each case with the stock (trigger reach) and head space. I ended up buying an old Stevens/Savage .30-30 which both shared as they grew up.. I trimmed inches off the stock and used a butt plate w/absorber which helped. When they got older, they just used my Ruger M-77 .30-06, until they got their own rifle. Then, my wife wanted to try hunting... the scaled-down stock was too small for her. She used my .30-06 and did well with it... however, we had to limit the amount of rounds fired at range each time, as repetitive shooting tired her and she could feel soreness after too many rounds... by doing the repetitive thing,and multiple trips to the range, she got fairly comfortable with the rifle... and in three seasons of hunting, I think two of her harvested deer were one shot affairs, and the other just two shots. I also think heavy clothing and butt shock absorbers can help without interfering too much with shot mechanics.
 
Other things I wanted to say, but being experienced hunters you might already know. For most of my hunting years.. I always shot off-hand kneeling, prone, sitting position. When I finally started hunting elk, I got a good set of shooting sticks and practiced with them both at home and at range. Some hunters also like bi-pods or monopods... don't know what brands are best.

A good friend who is a guide also told me to check ballastics of ammo I was using so I would be aware of trajectory (and drop!) if I was going to have to take a long-range shot. Also good work at range both min.-max. range for what you'll be shooting.
 
No reason why she could not use the muzzleloader she likes to use.

If she wants to use a centerfire this time, get an extra stock to fit one of your suitably chambered rifles and cut the stock shorter and put on a SVL pad. For small hands, you could build up the front (not sides) of the grip so the trigger reach is not so long for short fingers.

Or buy her a youth rifle in 308 or 7-08 if the $ is there.

RR
 
Since SOME of us are so obviously struggling with this "not everyone hunts with a center fire? idea let me say out of the 5 big game animals I have killed NONE of them have been with a center fire. 3 deer with a bow and 1 deer and 1 elk with a muzzle loader.

She does not think the muzzle loader kicks. The reason behind that is; it is really easy to down load the muzzle loader during practice and have her shoot 50 yards. This not only builds confidence in the gun but also in her self. And I am pretty sure in the heat of the moment she does not notice a full sized load.

Since this will be a once in a lifetime hunt we want to make the best out of it and do everything we can to optimizer her chances at a big bull. My dad and I both feel this will be best accomplished with a center fire rifle. He plans on buying a rifle to fit her for this hunt thus me asking the question

Just Living The Dream
 
JTLD Id say your mother would be fine with a 270! Maybe even a 25-06. Both are very light on recoil and easy to handle!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-09 AT 01:58PM (MST)[p]I'm in Salt Lake, why shouldn't I be able to draw a tag??? I am in the mountains at least 25 days not including hunting time... I am a dedicated hunter, and we grow seeds for wildfire replanting...FOR WILDLIFE ! ! ! And there are plenty of guys just like me in the valley... Watch what you're saying, we're all in it together. Dude, you're from Springville, what's the difference??? WOW...

CSO

It's all about the good times...
 
You can buy her a youth model and there are quite a few out there if she decides not to shoot the muzzy. Just buy her something that she is comfortable with and she'll be fine. The 7mm/08. .260 Remington, .308 will all take an elk and the .257 roberts is fine as well. Remington, Browning, Savage, Mossberg all make youth models with the shorter stock and of course any of the medium to bigger calibers will work.

You mother or any individual for that matter deserves that tag just as much as anybody does and those that think otherwise need to examine their values and why they think they're better than anybody else. The opportunity is hers and I hope you guys have a great hunt and a memorable experience. good luck!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-09 AT 02:14PM (MST)[p]I've been planning to purchase a 308 for my wife to use during the OTC hunt here in CO. God forbid she apply for a limited tag. I had planned on a 270, but it seems I found a recoil chart somewhere and the 270 was quite a bit higher (???)than the 7mm08 and 308. I'm not into handloading, and it seems I see a lot more 308 ammo on the shelf than 7mm08.

However, I believe you can get "reduced recoil" loads in 270 (probably several other rounds)that she could practice shooting with then you or your dad could set up the bigger rounds that she would never notice at the moment of truth, much like your doing with the muzzy.

www.newcobowhunter.blogspot.com
 
hey all - - i'd look into a 270 wsm - myfreind got his 12 yr old the gun and he loves shooting it savges run about 400 and the go up from there - ammo around $25 a box - very accurate - hard hittin - GH
 
I would look at the mtn rifle series there not as heavy and more compact I think every version rem, ruger ,weatheraby ,win, all have good mtn rifles ,and great calibers, good luck on the hunt and I'm not saying she can't handle the weight of a bigger gun just looking for comfort.
 
Howa has a youth model that comes with 2 stocks.

VERY accurate and under $600.

Has a scope, Hogue stocks, that are free floated.

I bought one in .243, just to keep in the truck.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-09 AT 03:30PM (MST)[p]Thanks for all with positive replies, the 7mm-08 and the 308 are very appealing. Does anyone have any experience with the 303 British or the 257 roberts?

Just Living The Dream
 
I'm not much of a rifle guy and mostly bowhunt, but have been researching to narrow down the purchase for my wife that will probably be used by my kids also.

There seems to be a lot of rounds that would fit/work, but availabilty of ammo is one of my concerns. If I can't find it over the county fairly easy and relatively inexpensive, I don't want it.

www.newcobowhunter.blogspot.com
 
KILLER, and others
YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF DOUCHE BAGS FOR SAYING WOMEN DONT DESERVE LIMITED ENTRY TAGS. Im 26 years old die hard, I put in for everything from big game to dedicated hunter to furr berrors permit to fishing to bobcat trapping. I just recently drew my dutton elk tag (really excited by the way) Anyways my gorgous amazing wife now has 6 deer points and 6 sheep points and we are waiting for a henrys tag (for another 20 years +), why the hell dont they deserve a tag when we buy hunting and fishing liscences every year and pay the fees that every other guy pays, so what your saying is if our wifes are not dedicated hunters and are not back packing into ##### holes 7 miles, they dont deserve a limited entry tag? Get a set of nuts and grow up! killer, your a douche people get lucky and get tags its how the system works! If ya dont like it move to colorado and use that point system.
 
Get her the 308 have her practice out to 300 yards and I think your whole family will be celebrating come late September.

Enjoy!

Dan
 
Whatever you decide to get for her to shoot, put a good after market recoil pad on in and a muzzle break. My wife (also 5?3?? small frame) can shoot 20-30 rounds from her 7mm before she starts flinching. Personally, I think the muzzle break makes a HUGE difference.
My 2 cents.
 
ya i have used the 303 and the 257 Roberts. the 257 is on the light side for elk. i would highly recommend a barnes. the "Bob" is more of a handloaders round, but if its a modern rifle, i think hornady has a light mag load that would suffice.

If you have a 303 that shoots well, it is a capable 250 yard gun, i wouldnt go out and buy one for an elk hunt tho. factory loads are also limited. performance is about the same as the 300 savage or 30-40 krag.
 
HERE COMES KILLER----

first, read my post. "SHE HAS NEVER SHOT A CENTER FIRE RIFLE???"

never mentioned girls and kids shouldn't get tags. my wife hunts alot, killed lots of nice animals. i cant wait for my kids to start hunting, hope they luck into a tag before their supposed to.

i know a lady that would kick 99.9% of any guys azz out their when it comes to being a die hard hunter. she'd been in most all the magazines for her DIY hunts,that is bad azz IMO.

BUT i dont buy for one second that she "is a die hard hunter" and has never shot a center fire rifle, only muzzy's.

if she was really into hunting she would have shot a gun at some point.


MY POINT IS. [ the complete b.s. part] the jokers out there who so badly want to go on a hunt themselves that they start putting their wives in, who could give a chit less about the tag, for hunts people who have waited their whole lives for, are lining up to draw someday.

so "IF" your wife loves hunting and even if she's not a die -hard but just has fun doing it, awsome! congrats on the tag, get her a 7mm-08 ,.264, .280, all would be great guns.

but i'm not buying it.....
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-09 AT 08:21PM (MST)[p]Again DUMBFOUNDING The post does not say she has never shot a centerfire. The post does however say she has never shot ANYTHING with a center fire. Meaning a big game animal with a center fire. Are you dumb or just a JACKASS?


Just Living The Dream
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-09 AT 08:32PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-09 AT 08:30?PM (MST)

ah ha , got ya, my bad....





pathetic apology ?




if you read my post, you'll see i did miss-read that one, i even looked for an edit on your part.


but like i said, if she is into hunting great, awsome for her. i do think girls /kids should be all over hunting.

but it does piss me off when people put there wives in , just so they can go on a hunting trip. when whoever drew the tag could really give a chit less if they ever had the tag.

i put my wife in every year for her tags, she drew a great antelope tag this year , and a pretty good buck tag, ironicly muzzleloader[ her favorite weapon of choice] but i will not put her in for a once-in-a-lifetime sheep tag. she has no desire, has no clue how rare it is, and would not appriciate it.

i have a "friend of a friend" who put his girl friend in for a sheep tag this year, she drew,[ has never hunted anything] her response to him telling her she drew?? " but i didn't get a deer tag? that sucks"
 
JLTD,
Ya know, when my kids were little and they screwed up like all little kids do, all I ever really wanted them to do was admit their mistake and give me a sincere apology and learn from their mistakes. The times they never gave me a sincere apology were the times I knew they didn't learn from the mistake and sure enough, they'd screw up again...and again until they learned some humility. Pride really sucks huh?
Killer, we all hate party hunters, especially on hard to draw LE hunts...you're not special in that dislike. But you made a rash judgement and accusation and you owe JLTD a real apology bro. Man up.
 
Though i am not sure why the entire post got nuked, my last statement was out of line but the whole write up i didnt think was.

Just Living The Dream
 
just for you lowcountry----

jldt, i hope you take this post to heart, i am in great remorse for my passing judgement, i did read into your post wrong, and for that i can never be so remorsefull. i want your wife to hunt, and i want you to hunt with her. i hope that it is the greatest hunt of all times, ending with a bull much bigger than the famouse "spiderman" bull. words cannot explain the way my heart feels right now. please, please except my apology.



sincerely, killer "the killer" b







alright that was over the top, and sarcastic. but i did admit that i read into the post wrong, for that i do apologize.

but it might have been easier to point that part out earlier{ she has shot a center fire rifle} than to start all the name calling. what , are you trying to hurt peoples feelings? :)
 
Another miss read killer, she is my mom not my wife. good try though bud!

Just Living The Dream
 
ah crud, i cant win for losing...

even moms are fun taking to, 2 yrs ago i took my mom on a buck hunt just 1 month after she finished treatment for breast cancer. it was awsome. she is nop diehard, but loves going ans has gone every year long before i was ever alive. i hope i clarified, i just dont like the guys who put in people just so they can go on a hunt. there are tag holder each year that could give a rats azz about having a tag.


can we have a hug now?
 
As far as a "Die Hard" goes what defines that. Do you have to be a Cameron Hanes, Tred Barta or Jim Shockey? If that's the standard then I am far from a die hard. But if its defined as someone who loves the experience puts in for their general/limited entry/and once in a lifetime every year and hunts as much as they can for the tags they draw then I think she is doin just fine.

Just Living The Dream
 
i wont take the arguement any farther, i dont care if anyone is die hard or not. but someone who gives a chit about hunting. i think you might be fishing now. i said it once, i did mis-read your post, i still dont like people who dont give a crap about their tag , to have a tag.

good luck to your mom, die - hard or not. as long as she is in to it. if not than i dont really care how the hunt goes.

i said i read the post wrong, from here on out - you can make it whatever you want to.
 
Back to thte original ? Some good suggestions here. I started my 80lb, 13 years old daughter off with a ported .280 shooting reduced 120 gr. bulets. When she went hunting in Nov, in layered clothing she was shooting max load 140 gr bullets and never knew the difference.

My 125 lb wife shoots a 7mm-08 with hot 140 gr bullets and the recoil never bothers her. IMO that gun and load kicks less than my .50 cal muzzy with 100 gr. powder.

And the Savage recommendation is a good one too. Bought my wife one and like it so well my next rifle might be one. Light, great trigger and accurate.
 
Killer I can take that, and I am willing to admit I took this a little too personally. Like lowcounty said we all dislike the idea of someone having a tag they don't give a crap about especially on a limited entry unit. I can guarantee she does care and is "in it". I hope you and your wife have a great season and she kills a great speed goat! If she does POST PICS! We are headed out tomorrow for round 3 of scouting hopefully I will have some good pics come Monday. Again I apologize for what I pushed this to become. To quote the water boy ?I LOVE MY MOMMA VERY MUCH? lol. On a side note my mom doesn't want to hunt sheep either. What is the deal with women not wanting to hunt sheep? I would dang near give my left nut for a sheep tag!

Just Living the Dream
 
JLTD, I don't think Killer was the only one mislead here and you are to blame as much as anyone else. You could have saved yourself and us much anguish by simply stating, "though she has taken much game with a muzzy, she has never taken game with a centerfire round." You may not believe so but looks to me that your original statement, was a setup! If that had been said in the beginning we could have just answered your question without the fuss.

I like the .270WSM. It packs a wallop downrange yet is fairly mild in recoil. Certainly less than the other "bigger" magnums. I've shot several muzzys with full loadings and must say, my 270WSM is considerably more comfortable to shoot.

Joey
 
He shouldn't have to explain anything! He didnt set up himself for anything your all a bunch of jealous douche bags! If you dont like the draw system then move to coloarado where the system is different. People draw with no points, people draw with 15 points its how it works. A kid I work with drew moose with 5 points this year, he has no idea how lucky he was, mean while I have 12 and i have a .05 percent chance of getting the tag. Am I involved more in wildlife concervation and hunting than him? Ya I am, have I invested 7 more years for a tag than him? Ya I have. But it's how the system is ran and some people benafit from it and some people have to put in there (max) time. Don't just jump on the waggon and state someone doesnt deserve a tag and talk ##### on them because they benafited from a system when you have no idea whats going on, she had 10 points to which is the funny part so she actually did invest some time!! Everyone has the same opportunity to get lucky, so whether or not you agree or disagree with the system, it is a fare system!
 
Mulecraz.
Nice post you are right on!

My daughter who NEVER hunts has 9 points, but she is excited about finally drawing some day, and will hunt for a big elk.

It has nothing to do with me going, it is all about her, I am excited for her to get a tag some day, and have 10 days in the mountains with her.
 
Muleycraz said; " He didnt set up himself for anything your all a bunch of jealous douche bags! If you dont like the draw system..."


Wo-wo-wo there Muleycraz, He asked about what would be a good cartridge-gun to shoot. That's what i'm talking about!

As far as your jealous douche bags comment, you're way off and outa line! I could care less who fills the tags, don't ever care to hunt Utah ever again, just trying to help with which gun might be a good selection for her as asked. The part of her experience, was not made clear and that makes a big difference in the advice i might give.

Joey
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom