Hi all - I'm new to the forum so thanks for being around and all your advice...
I'm thinking on a rifle for my wife (5', 120lbs) and my sons in the future (7 and 3) and would like some advice. My dad's place is in Rocksprings, TX and has whitetail, axis, fallow, and blackbuck... it'll be aa gun to use for ever really as the kids will grow up with it and she'll be around forever (hopefully so i'd just like to know your thoughts... i looked at a moss berg super bantam in .243 at academy and i feel like that is close the right size... anyhow, fire away
Thanks

i love the thompson centerfire .243 compact and my fiance does to shes a fairly small girl and handles it well. shoots like a dream too.

7-08 or .308 in the Ruger.

Boy I am with you on the 7-08 but I have a .308 and it packs a wallop. I would also look at .257 Roberts, great flat shooting gun but ammo a little hard to come by, but you can find it online. Love my Ruger 77 in .257. 25-06 is also a great round for the kids and wives. I am fond of bolt action 700 Remington's or Ruger 77. You can find great used guns at gun shows instead of buying new.

7mm08 or 308 Ruger American Compact.

I like your idea of a 243 as it is enough power for Texas hunting and they can go larger when they grow up and the ammo is readily available.

7-08 or 243 Ruger American compact for the price would be hard to beat. El_Numero_Uno has some good prices in the classifieds now.

I like the 7-08 of those 2. For those recoil sensitive the Remington managed recoil or the Hornady lite loads are good.

+1. It will fit your wife from now on.

Tikka T-3 in 243, 260, 6.5 Creedmoor or 7-08.

The last one will have some thump for light frames.

Savage 6.5 Creedmoor! They make a lady hunter version.

My wife is 5' even, daughters are shorter. Bought them a Remington 700 youth in .223. All can comfortable shoot it. It is one of most accurate guns I've ever shot (at 100 yards five shots one raged hole). Seven deer have been killed with and never had one go over 20 yards. But, I do wish I would have gotten it .243, 6 mm, or better yet .25-06. I would bet Cabella's puts them on sell after September first.

Another vote for the .243. I've got a Remington 700 that worked for me 40 years ago and I still use it occasionally. I've got many larger and a couple smaller but the .243 works for deer, hogs and coyotes just fine.

An AR in either .223 or 6.8spc will fit the bill. The adjustable stock can change as the kids grow.

Just an idea. If you go that route, I'd get a light weight barrel and handguards.

260 Remington, maybe 7mm08 (reduced recoil load for the 7mm08). Just not a fan of the 243 or of a 223 for primary deer rifle. That's my .02 anyway

Take a look at the Weatherby Vanguard, in 7mm-08 with 120gr, I have one and its the most accurate rifle I've owned. If you go with a 243, get barns bullets.