I am looking to buy a rifle for my wife to hunt hogs with. Want to keep her on a 243, bolt action must be fairly easy. I have looked at a few brands,models but the bolt action was stiff and hard. Please help with some suggestions and justifications.

I shot a model 10 Savage .243 for years till my son in law talked me out of it. I now have a Marlin XS7C that is very accurate and won't break the bank either. I also have the Marlin in .308.

Have you looked at the Tikka? Money is sane and they have a reputation for functionality and accuracy second to none. I'd try a mono-metal bullet (TSX, TTSX, GMX) in 80-85 grains @ 33-3400 fps, for some serious smack down hog medicine. It's not a .308, but it's pretty darn good.

I'm a Howa shill. I think that's a great action and they use the same hammer forged barrels found on the Weatherby Vanguard.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/974323804/HOWA_Model_1500_RIFLE_243_CAL.htm

I bought a Howa .25-06 from James Wayne Firearms in Victoria for $350 shipped a few years back. It has become *almost* my favorite rifle. I shot a Sako L691 in .30-06 growing up and that MUST remain my favorite, but the Howa is pretty close - partly because I'm not afraid to customize it, but mostly because it's really accurate and really pleasant to shoot.

Look at any of the rifles from above in 7mm-08

Same kick as a .243 but a lot more bullet.

Several threads here about 7mm-08 caliber - i love my model 70 winchester featherweight 7mm-08 -its handy, light and smooth shooting - drops everything in its tracks

I hate looking for big hogs my son shoots at night with his .243 - but do love .243 for deer....

And you can easily get the ammo no matter what the democrats are doing.

x2 on bullet availability ...and bullet types

If you are looking for a smooth action in a factory gun, the tikka is one of the best options. Lots of models and price ranges and tikka makes a accurate gun with a great action. I would stick with the 243 if it was me. Plenty of practice and shot placement is all that matters.

Walter

"Thanks for your imput. She has been shooting a 243 for the past couple of years, and is carrying a 100% kill ratio, that is dead in their tracks. I tought her to shoot in the neck and she has it down. I first looked at the TC ventura and the bolt was hard. I am going to go look at some Tikka, and I also heard the Ruger M77 was a nice rifle. Keep the suggestions coming. Also going to look into the 7mm-08

I've shot 6mm for years and now the kids are killing with it too. I noticed local feed store with stacks of 6mm ammo and asked why? They said most hog hunters in the area are shooting them now. I would have never guessed.

6.5 Creedmoor instead of 7mm-08.

Same ballistics and terminal effect with even less recoil.

SAAMI spec with plentiful ammo.

Available in Ruger M77 as well.

BB

I bought my wife the tc dimension it's a bolt gun that takes a magazine and it can shoot! Now she likes shooting my single shot 300 black out

I do agree with others that ammo availability is key for a gun for the wife.

Otherwise I'd of mentioned a 6x45mm bolt gun.

BB

If you're not too worried about price, I'd consider getting a Remington R25. All the mentioned calibers above are available in the R25, with great accuracy..

http://www.remington.com/en/products/firearms/centerfire/model-r-25/model-r-25-rifle.aspx

I've owned Savage and Ruger and neither one will bust your budget and are dead accurate.

It sounds like she already has her 243 and you're looking for you one to replace it!

Tikka

No Slow Drifter just trying to get my 243 back and let her have a gun she can call her own. Since she is comfortable with the 243 and dead on accurate with it I see no reason to change calibers. Make the ammo supply easier if we are both shooting the same cal. Mainly looking for light gun and smooth bolt action. She is no spring chicken she is in her sixties, and has lost some strenght in her arms due to illness. That is why the smooth bolt action is so important to me.

savage makes the model 11/111 lady hunter which comes in 243 and many other calibers. Also will fit a woman better so she will want to keep using her rifle.

Tikka but change out the tupperware stock to a B&C with full length bedding. Smoothest action out there and boringly accurate.

I have looked at the lady hunter as well as the Tikka. Like the action of the Tikka, but turned off on the stock, hate to buy a gun and have to replace the stock, but if I do I may put a thumb hole stock on it for her. What about service issues or replacement parts? How expensive and available are they? What model Tikka are you all speaking of?

I purchased a Howa 1500 from cabela's and then found a "drop in" Blackhawk Axiom stock for it. I bought the stock from Cheaper than Dirt for $180. Awesome gun. My daughters use it for deer hunting and I used it this year on my hog hunt. It has an adjustable stock and recoil reduction. Very easy to install!!

Shoot Str8 and Stay Safe

I was just messin' with ya'. My wife shot my Win70 243 and I never have "gotten it back."

My son' fiancé ought a Browning X-Bolt in .243 and she is a dead eye with it.