Caliber Recommendations for my Wife

[Eberle]

Guys & Gals,

I want to hear your opinions on a caliber for my wife. My wife, Amy & I are in the early stages of planning a South Africa hunt. She shoots a 25-06, but would like to get her something with a little more knockdown. Amy is not a real big girl, she is 5' 5" & 120 lbs. I'd like something big enough to kill a Kudu & Gemsbok at 400 yards or less. But, I need to keep the recoil down. I was thinking about a .308? What do you guys think?

 

[Ikeepitcold]

My wife killed her antelope with my 7mm with a muzzle break. Umm now she loves HER 7mm! I got her a 270 and she hated it. I got my kid a 7mm-08 and I have shot it to get it sighted in and I have to say I like it a lot. I think a break would make this gun perfect for my kid but not sure how it would perform for an African hunt. Look into it tho. Might be a good option.

 

[Musket Man]

I have never shot anything with a true muzzle break but I have shot a 7mm mag with the barrel ported and I was surprised how little it kicked. The 308 would probably be a good choice or one of the WSM's as they seem to kick less then others with the comparable performance.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I agree with MM the 7mm is a WSM as well and it had surprisingly low recoil. The break help a bunch more.

 

[Musket Man]

How much does a break cost? Im not looking to get one just curious. If I didnt have my trusty old .270 Win I think I would get a .270 or .300 WSM. The .325 WSM has always interested me too and I have been thinking about getting one since they came out I just havent been able to justify the cost of a new gun when the .270 Win does everything I want.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I don't like brakes myself. My recommendation is to run a 7-08 with 140 gr. Bullets and call it good.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

My wife shoots my Christensen Arms 300 WSM. It's very light and weights 6 pounds 140 ounces scoped. It has a muzzle break and the recoil is very mild, I would say less kick than my .270. It is all my wife shoots. She doesn't even want her own rifle. My son shot his buck and elk with it this year. I'd highly recommend a muzzle break but it is a good idea to carry a pair of foam ear plugs when shooting a muzzle break.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

About $200 for a break.

 

[bdan68]

The 308 or 270, can't go wrong with either one. You get up into the WSM's, you're talking quite a bit more recoil. Which is fine if you want to go with a brake, like others have suggested. But then you almost have to wear ear protection, even when you're hunting. That's why I'd rather just go with a low recoil cartridge and skip the brake.

 

[6mm Remington]

I'm with Bitterroot Bulls on this one. I do not care for muzzle breaks at all. His caliber selection is a very good one as well. The 7mm-08, 7x57, or 280 Remington loaded with a good 140 gr. bullet would serve her well and would be something I imagine she would be very comfortable shooting. If she shoots a 25-06 and the recoil does not bother her, she will be able to handle any of the cartridges i have mentioned, and she won't have to have a muzzle break on the rifle.

 

[T43]

I put a lot of thought into what to get for my wife and finally setteled on just re stocking one of my 30'06s. Loaded with a 130 gr sp. it makes a good practice gun, with 150 btsp its good for deer and I am going to work up a 180 accubond load that won't recoil to much if she ever draws a moose tag.

 

[480/277]

I'm with Bitterroot Bulls on this one. I do not care for muzzle breaks at all. His caliber selection is a very good one as well. The 7mm-08, 7x57, or 280 Remington loaded with a good 140 gr. bullet would serve her well and would be something I imagine she would be very comfortable shooting. If she shoots a 25-06 and the recoil does not bother her, she will be able to handle any of the cartridges i have mentioned, and she won't have to have a muzzle break on the rifle.

What they said...

 

[buckbull]

Can she legally use the .25-06 on kudo and gemsbok where you will be hunting? Might want to stick with what she is used too. I think the .308 would be a good choice if you wanted to go bigger. Lots of options with "managed recoil" loads if need be.

 

[Colorado T]

Although my favorite rifle is my 270, my dad took his to Africa and it was a little too light for the large antelope. He shot his wildebeest with it but everything else he used the guides larger 338. I would recommend the 308. Also, choose a caliber that is popular in case you need to get ammo there or you'll pay he

 

[Colorado T]

Not sure what happened to the rest of my post...... You'll pay a lot for the ammo down there or won't find some calibers. The guide told my dad that he has had hunters whose luggage was lost and had to buy ammo.

 

[sneakypete]

I shoot a model 70 7mm actually have two and love them both, but how about a 6.5 good round

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

My wife shoots my Christensen Arms 300 WSM. It's very light and weights 6 pounds 140 ounces scoped. It has a muzzle break and the recoil is very mild, I would say less kick than my .270. It is all my wife shoots. She doesn't even want her own rifle. My son shot his buck and elk with it this year. I'd highly recommend a muzzle break but it is a good idea to carry a pair of foam ear plugs when shooting a muzzle break.

Lots of pros/cons about MBs. I have one on my custom .300 WBY and it is a pleasure to shoot.....with the exception of the noise increase. Umpqua has it right from my prospective. The MB is really helpful when developing loads and shooting from a bench just practicing. I have shot mine with and w/o the MB with no change in poi, so you could shoot it with the mb or without it. I think they are good options for recoil reduction in larger calibers, especially if someone has a low tolerance for recoil.
The foam ear plugs are a good suggestion too.

 

[Timberstalker]

My 16 year old Step daughter uses a .280rem. She's 5'7" 12O LBS and handles with no problems. I have never been around a 7mm-08 but they seem to be very popular and highly thought of as a low recoil high impact cartrage, I would like to shoot one someday.

On another note, I wouldn't be scared to use the 25-06 with a good 120 gr bullet either.

 

[dhershberger]

I would recommend the .308 because on most loads it averages fps ratings that are only 100 fps under .30-06 loads with a lot less recoil.

 

[Musket Man]

Getting a gun that fits her properly is very important too. Maybe even more important then the caliber. With lighter recoil you can get away with alot but when you are shooting a caliber with more recoil a gun that doesnt fit correctly will beat about anyone up. Over all weight, stock design, recoil pad ect, have alot to do with felt recoil.