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Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

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Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 12 05, 2016 •  [Post 1]

OK, starting to dig around for a rifle for Mrs. Phantom. She doesn't hunt but I think she'd enjoy having her own rifle to shoot at the range (insert devious devil face here, LOL) while I'm shooting my .308. Of course, I'm looking at something that won't blast her off the bench (must be a very manageable recoil for her small frame), and........ something I can use for predators and possibly deer (particularly when we do our final retirement move to probably Idaho in the next year or two). .243, 25-06, 6.5 C, what do you cats think? As always, thanks for the discussion and recommendations.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby baddaddy » 12 06, 2016 •  [Post 2]

Rory,

Look into a .260 Remington or the 6.5 Creedmore. Both will fill the bill nicely. Your .308 will cover it all as well.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby pointysticks » 12 06, 2016 •  [Post 3]

7mm-08
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby cohunter14 » 12 06, 2016 •  [Post 4]

Any of those would work. If you want a fun toy, check out a Remington R-25 in .243 or .7mm-08. Very little recoil, but it will also do some damage on predators and deer :D
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Rangerz » 12 07, 2016 •  [Post 5]

I have an older Remington BDL 25-06. Very straight shooter with 110s and easy on the recoil. Fairly easy to find ammo for.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby husky390 » 12 07, 2016 •  [Post 6]

.243 or if you want a more nostalgic caliber, .257 Roberts.


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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby mlob1one » 12 07, 2016 •  [Post 7]

120 grain 7mm-08 with regular or light powder loads. I'd also suggest looking at a .270 with a light load.

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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Elkduds » 12 07, 2016 •  [Post 8]

husky390 wrote:.243 or if you want a more nostalgic caliber, .257 Roberts.


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^^^this, especially the 257 Roberts, which is also avail in +P. VERY mild recoil. 6.5 Creedmoor is gaining in popularity now, may be more pop than she needs.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Fridaythe13th » 12 08, 2016 •  [Post 9]

I all ways picked on my brother for owning a girls gun but he loves it. 243 straight shooter, many of yotes have fallen to this caliber. top it with a Leupold scope she well be happy.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby VT Sasquatch » 12 11, 2016 •  [Post 10]

If I was in your situation, I would be looking at a .260 Remington. I'd also consider a 6mm Remington or a 25-06. The 243 seems like an obvious choice but maybe a little less exciting. You could get a Browning BAR in 243, though, and end up with a nice soft shooting semi-auto.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby husky390 » 12 18, 2016 •  [Post 11]

Sooo, what'd you get her?


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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 12 18, 2016 •  [Post 12]

husky390 wrote:Sooo, what'd you get her?

Nothing yet. Had a logging crew come out and clear problem trees by my shop this weekend. Gonna wait a bit on this boom stick purchase. Wifey told me to get a new bow first also ;)


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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby lamrith » 12 19, 2016 •  [Post 13]

Phantom16 wrote:
husky390 wrote:Sooo, what'd you get her?



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Nothing yet. Had a logging crew come out and clear problem trees by my shop this weekend. Gonna wait a bit on this boom stick purchase. Wifey told me to get a new bow first also ;)

Making room for trailer for next year's hunt? :lol:

Hope you moved the red monster out of garage before you let them drop any trees!!
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Swede » 12 19, 2016 •  [Post 14]

I would go with the 260 Rem. too. The other calibers mentioned would be fine, so you can't go wrong for "her" purposes. :D
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 10 26, 2017 •  [Post 15]

Back on the trail to set the wife up with a boom stick. I have a 4-12X40 Vortex scope ordered through Elknut and have pretty much decided on the rifle. Gonna head up to the local sports shop this weekend so Mrs. Wapiti can put her mitts on a Browning AB3 Hunter in .243. I think this combo (rifle and scope) will suit her just fine for initially, some range shooting and hopefully down the road, she'll decide to get out and do some actual hunting.... we'll see about the last part as she's never been too keen on shooting critters. I'm hoping though......

Browning AB3 Hunter.png
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Roosiebull » 10 26, 2017 •  [Post 16]

that should do the trick!
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Roosiebull » 10 26, 2017 •  [Post 17]

if they have one, put a Kimber hunter in her hands too, very nice rifle for the money, and as nice to pack as anything, they have them in some calibers that would fit the bill also. I know they have 7-08 (I had one of these I sold yesterday) 6.5creed, 257roberts.... and would assume 243.

I had one in 7-08 for about a year, it was a very nice rifle, I bought an AR that replaced that niche so I sold it and ordered a 10mm glock yesterday. the Kimber had very low perceived recoil for the weight, that really surprised me, it shot under MOA with factory ammo, and they are around 5.5lbs with a slimmed down mauser style action. very heavy in features for the money.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Tigger » 10 26, 2017 •  [Post 18]

Look at a ballistic chart. That will put the different calibers in some perspective. I always get a chuckle out of the 30/30 ballistics. I shot my lope with a 7-08. Daughter used a 243. Both died.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 10 28, 2017 •  [Post 19]

After a long process, finally got Mrs Wapiti her first rifle today. She liked the AB3 Hunter immediately. Grabbed the scope mounts/rings, a sling (she picked out a nice browning sling), and a cleaning set up for her gun. Once the scope comes in from Elknut, I'll get her out to the range after we grab some ammo. Thanks for the discussion and Input folks.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby wawhitey » 10 28, 2017 •  [Post 20]

Just ordered myself a .243 also. Went with the savage m16 lightweight. Has a 1:9.5 twist. Will try out the 90gr accubond from underwoodammo.com. putting tohether a lightweight, low recoil mountain rifle. What twist does your old ladys boomstick have?
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 10 28, 2017 •  [Post 21]

1:10 I believe. We did look at the Savage but wifey wanted a wood stock. it's a nice little pop gun ;).
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby wawhitey » 10 28, 2017 •  [Post 22]

10 twist is too slow to do the heavy bullets, but the 90gr from underwood ammo would probably be worth a shot. They make some damn good, extremely consistent ammo. If i were you id buy a box, and see how they do. My dad built a .243 with a 26" 1:7.5 twist barrel that he shoots 105gr out to 1200 yrds. You wont find a 7.5 twist in a factory .243 though.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Roosiebull » 10 29, 2017 •  [Post 23]

WapitiTalk1 wrote:1:10 I believe. We did look at the Savage but wifey wanted a wood stock. it's a nice little pop gun ;).

that is cool she wanted a traditional looking rifle. it sure is a good looking gun!

I want a pretty rifle some day, I had one for a minute, a Browning Bar safari grade chambered in 338. shot awesome, the bluing and walnut stock were really pretty, as well as the engraving....but I knew it was too pretty for me, I got rid of it before I uglied it up ;)

i'm a poor candidate for pretty rifles, my stainless guns rust :lol:

make sure you post some pics when it's all put together!
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 10 30, 2017 •  [Post 24]

Roosiebull wrote:i'm a poor candidate for pretty rifles, my stainless guns rust :lol: Mke sure you post some pics when it's all put together!


I'm with you. I didn't bat an eye when I picked up my rifle last year (synthetic stock all the way). For Mrs. Wapiti, however, for her first rifle she wanted a wood stock and I was more than happy to oblige! I'll get some pics up once the scope comes in mister. Anxious to get her out on the range and hopefully, out hunting with it as she becomes comfortable with her shooting.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 11 10, 2017 •  [Post 25]

The bosses new boom stick is assembled and bore sighted. May try to hit the range tomorrow.

IMG_4498.JPG

IMG_4497.JPG
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby lamrith » 11 12, 2017 •  [Post 26]

Outstanding. That is a fine looking piece of hardware.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Roosiebull » 11 15, 2017 •  [Post 27]

very good looking rig! I like all of the small details, looks perfect!

perfect height on the scope, like the rings you chose, and should be a shooter! keep us posted
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 11 15, 2017 •  [Post 28]

Yes sir, sure will. We haven't got out to even shoot the rifle yet and unfortunately, Mrs. Wapiti has to have a MED procedure done next week so she'll be sore as heck for a bit. Once I get her out and we get some range time in, I'll let you know how the new boom stick performs.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Roosiebull » 11 18, 2017 •  [Post 29]

Hope she heals fast! My thoughts are with you guys, hope she is out breaking in her new rifle in short order.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Indian Summer » 11 18, 2017 •  [Post 30]

Consider a 25-.06. No recoil. Deadly accurate tack driver. Get it in a heavy barreled Remington Sendero and you'll want to shoot it yourself.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Swede » 11 18, 2017 •  [Post 31]

Very nice looking rifle. I hope your wife is up and ready to use it right away. Best wishes.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 11 20, 2017 •  [Post 32]

Swede wrote:Very nice looking rifle. I hope your wife is up and ready to use it right away. Best wishes.


Thanks Swede and Roosie. Same procedure she had in early SEP. Hope it goes better this time. I think she's finally on board with hunting. We!ll see.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Elkhntr08 » 11 25, 2017 •  [Post 33]

Question, does the AB3 have a plastic mag?
Hope the boss heals up soon and can put the rifle to good use. Too nice a weapon to let sit.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 11 25, 2017 •  [Post 34]

IMG_4525.JPG
Put a magnet on it. Looks like sides and back and front are metal, bottom is plastic.
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Re: Range, Predator, Deer Rifle.... which caliber?

Postby Elkhntr08 » 11 25, 2017 •  [Post 35]

I can see one in 7mm in my future. Be interested in how fussy it is with different loads.
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