I consider a .243 a functional minimum for deer and hogs. 22-250,.223,.204 are all varmint calibers, in my opinion not well suited for deer or hogs. I've never owned a 7mm-08 but have known several that have and I wouldn't hesitate to get one for a kid or woman, or to shoot one myself. I would see what it is about the .243 she doesn't like and try and change that or try a different rifle in a .243 or a little larger.

Killed an axis and a ram with a 243 and it did the job. Over the past few years I am only hunting with a 22-250. Best all around gun for TX if you ask me. A well placed shot lays down anything from a fox to a mule deer without damage to the hide or very little. 30-30 busts everything open. I hate getting deer or even bobcats in shot by 30-30s. Just to much damage and a lot of fixing to be done. It's a good gun for elk though.

Evelyn

A lot of opinions, might as well post mine.

The 204 is too light for deer, even neckshots. The bullets just are not made for that.

The 223 and 22-250 are fully capable for taking deer especially with some of the bullets avaialable today. But is not for all. These are for experienced shooters that know where and when to shoot and when not to shoot.

243 and up are good deer guns with the 7mm-08 being my personal favorite for deer.

For a very light recoiling rifle restricting shots to 125 yards or less my favorite is a Marlin 1894 in 357mag.

Propper gun fit and shooting technique goes a long way in the enjoyment of shooting any gun.

Like many things in life you should know your limitations and stay within them.

Here's a chart... enough of the BS about "this caliber has no recoil".... it's basic physics. a projectile sent at a certain velocity in a certain weight rifle will produce recoil...

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

I agree with the 243 or 7mm 08.... great guns. don't buy a super lightweight rifle.. if you're hunting out of a blind, it's probably esier to shoot a heavier gun anyway, and the added weight will reduce felt recoil.

a 30-30 has around 10 lbs... some of the 243 loads are 8 lbs. a 223 is 3-4 lbs...

260 Remington is good for recoil-sensitive.

Thanks for all the help guys. I got a deal on a 243 for her. It has a heavy barrel so I don't think recoil is going to be an issue. I am glad I did not buy a 204, after taking a look at the ballistics I found out it is WAY to light of a caliber.

Good call.
.204 is an excellent varmit gun, but too light for a deer round unless she can head shoot them from close range.

22 hornet is an experts gun. .243 is a cannon.


I definatley wouldnt go with a .204 or any .22 centerfire for a woman or begginer, start with .243 25-06 or 7-08

that 100 grain bullet makes a heck of a buffalo round

I killed lots of deer on mld doe cleansings with a 22-250, also killed a ton of CD pronghorns with them....

Any caliber is only as good as the shooter...personally think the 204 is fine for close neck shots...unfortunately there is no tsx or gmx bullets choices in .20... but there are in the .22.

If my wife was hunting from a blind and shot well enough I would have no problem with her shooting deer under 7O yards with a 22-250 and barnes 53gr tsx's , but I don't have any blinds under 100..so she shoots a 243..

The first time I have ever agreed with you..wow....world must be ending

I love the idea of the .260 but to bad its just an idea, seems like theyre a figment of imagination cause you cant find one or bullets anywhere.

i love my 243 for anything out there haven't found anything it won't take down in my area i figure if it will drop a 350 pound hog in its tracks then i'm good with it

Midway currently has 17 different loads available online. They're not that hard to find..........

so basicaly special order, thats my point, most people i know dont even own a computer, or even heard of a 260. if they want to sell them they need to build them and stock the shelves with ammo

Any gun shop you walk into can have them in a couple of days if you have them order it. Most reputable shope will not even ask for a deposit. The .260 in my collection is one that will always stay with us. It is my wifes baby and she is pretty mean with it. Also she has shot 75 plus rounds at one setting with it. Recoil is almost non existant. They are redily available in Remington Model 7 and the Ruger compact. Two guns idealy suited for women or small stature people.

i know its a great caliber, just sucks ammo is not on the shelves or manufactures dont chamber them enough. For me it doesnt matter I handload, but not enough chamberings by manufacturers.
so i went 7-08 on my last purchase

You ever heard of Geico?

Not trying to give your girlfriend a hard time, but I agree with CALCREEK AND REDCHEVY. As stated "one mistake" in sight-in should not put her off the 30-30. She probably needs to think about what happened. Was she leaning to far into the scope to get sight picture? Does the scope need a little more eye relief? Did she have a good hold on the forearm? Is this gun set up for you, her, or both? (you or both is not good - been there. Read on)

I don't say this lightly as I got scope tapped by my 25.06 several years ago - when I wasn't really paying attention to what I was doing. Also got tapped again when adjusting the scope on my wife's .308. She got bumped once too - but she bounced right back.

She's 5' tall about 120lbs and obviously has short arms and legs. Having said that I'm 6'6", weigh 240 and my knuckles drag the ground - so bringing a scope into adjustment for my wife is an ordeal. Her gun of choice is a Winchester 70 Youth Model ordered in .308 and she shoots 150gr and 168's. When I finally got it right for her, she became a terribly good shot. (gnat's eye at 100yds)

Respectfully, don't care who showed your girl how to shoot. You need to get her back on that gun and then watch her like a hawk to make sure she's getting a good set before she touches off a round. The 30-30 is just not a "kicker" unless there is a set up or form problem. One problem I saw with my wife was the tendency to lean too far into the gun when shooting on the bench, but we got that problem solved.

I'm not a big fan of any of the .22-- at anything but short yardage (less than 100) on deer size animals, but... I have taken both deer and hogs at 75 to 100 with a .223. There are others who feel different but this is MY opinion and I would hate for her to see that buck of a lifetime standing out there between 250 and 350 yards and take a shot and not get a good hit. 243 is really getting there, but then why not 270 or 7mm-08. IMHO the felt recoil from either of these is just not that much worse than a 30-30. Once she gets going and puts the X on a nice buck she isn't going to feel it anyway....

Good luck to you sir.....AND your girlfriend too! Hope the scar is not too bad. Tell her to wear it like a "badge of honor" and get back out there.

(Now then - if YOU just want another gun...go get 'er done )

As stated, .204 is too light. Designed for 40 gr bullets, and most if not all are Varmint construction. Not appropriate for hunting game.

.22-250 slightly better, can be loaded with 55 and 60. You can get Partitions, TSX, and other tough bullets. I like the 53 gr TSX. In my opinion, shooter must be a good shot, and limit shots to 60 yards. I use mine as a cull rifle sometimes, but only on "chip" shots.

A better choice for her would be a .243, much better would be .25-06, or 7mm-08. With a properly fit rifle and good recoil pad they are all very docile and effective.

As stated, her technique is the most important piece. Teach her to shoot with proper form. My wife shoots a .308 regularly and is 125 lbs. I built her a .25-06 last year, and she loves it.

243 is the way to go and neck shots!!!!