My daughter and I have hunted Oklahoma Whitetail for the past 4 years together

She’s 14 and I started her off w a .223 and this year she used a 22-250

My plan is to miss OK next year and book us a south Texas Nilgai hunt 2021

Problem is she is very recoil sensitive

I posted in the trading section of wanting to get a 6.8 AR for this reason

Edit, I just edited that post to include a Browning BAR .270, idk guys

She’s an 80 lb 14 year old girl

But I am seeing guides recommend a .338

There’s no way I think she can handle that

What’s the smallest caliber y’all think I can get away with?

I’d ideally like a semi auto to lessen the recoil

The 6.8 SPC with 100 grain Accubonds or either one of the 2 Cavity Back MKZ bullets will get the job done no problem.

Having shot more than ten of them, I certainly understand the desire. It's a neat experience. Chasing the Blue Ghosts of the Wild Horse Desert delivers a lot of awesomeness. It's kind of Safari - Texas Style. I never lost one (somehow) and primarily shot cows for meat consumption at home (Wifeypoo allergic to beef). Most of mine were taken with my 270, but later on I began to rely on the strength of my 300. Most were taken on the run with some requiring multiple shots to bring down.

I used to help "guide" at a smaller place (2,500 acres) just south of the Norias Division of the King Ranch. Nilgai there were considered an add on bonus. Once blood was drawn, the bonus charge was in order. We trailed many a wounded bull. I would bet we found less than half of them. Their toughness is legendary. They can suck up a bullet like nothing else I have seen. When running and on upon impact, you see a lil' shudder as they continue on with their elegant lope. Nobody, at least not any reasonable outfitter, wants to set someone up for the trailing of a wounded animal that will not be found It is not a good experience and is very uncomfortable from the guide side. The 270 would be a minimum if you can find someone wiling to accommodate her and maybe they'll do that on a cow hunt. A 280 AI or just a 280 might be better. Either way, and if these "smaller" calibers are allowed and then used, she better be spot on with bullet placement.

Shooting a mature Nilga bull is akin to shooting a bull elk. The desire to shoot these beasts requires a hunter's ability to withstand and persevere through recoil. It just comes with the territory.

Side note - the heavier the rifle, the less the recoil.

My .338 didn't get to bark at an elk. I'm thinking about a nilgai hunt. It's short with a manlicher stock, so plenty heavy and the recoil has never bothered me. The rubberized scope has reminded me it's there a time or two though.

Back when oil was better, we took customers to South Texas (HFF) on hunts. They had a minimum caliber you were allowed to use. I’ll ask my buddy what the exact threshold was, but 7Mag was considered too small and we used a 338 Win Mag. You are shooting that off sticks while stalking through South Texas brush.

And like mentioned above, if you draw blood you pay. I’ve seen some lost and I’ve seen some take several shots. They are tough.

This doesn’t sound good

Hmm, maybe we’re just not ready

I definitely don’t want to discourage you, if you think she can “get there” in a year. I have a 14 year old daughter and don’t think she’d be ready. She shoots a 6mm REM, and still let’s the recoil get in her head.

Muzzle brake, and start teaching shooting off sticks. Shooting standing off sticks isn’t as bad as shooting over a bench from the felt recoil perspective.

She's young I know, but I tell ladies to hug that rifle like they do a man. (A widow friend told me that she'd forgotten how. ) It's gonna kick less if they can keep that stock snug and tight in the meat of their shoulder.

A heavy 338 Lapua with good brake

Can’t tell any recoil

My .300 with a brake kicks about like a .243.

No way would I shoot a Nilgai with anything less than a 7mm and that would be my min.


Big animals that live in thick nasty stuff.


I know a lot of guys don’t want to hear it, but there are animals that a 6.8, 6.5 cm or a .243 can’t handle

Before you write off OK, make sure the guide service you choose will let you hunt with the caliber you choose. From the sites I've seen most require a 300 Winchester Magnum.

Also remember the heaver the rifle the less the recoil. I had a Savage 110 in 7mm Rem Mag and thing kicked like a mule. My cousin has the Browning a-bolt stalker with a bigger scope. I barely notice the recoil.
His rifle and scope were around 2lbs more than mine. Plus it had a better recoil pad on the butt of the stock.

You can also look at adding a magbrake added to your rifle - https://magnaport.com/rifle.html

Many are shocked to hear such things. They make mid-bores for a reason. I own a 9.3x62 for such occasions.

Since you have some time you could consider going the suppressor route. It will work better than a brake and make a follow up shot much easier.

A Suppressed rifle kicks more than a muzzle braked unless you have a sorry brake.

My .338 Win Mag with a muzzle brake has about the same amount of recoil as my unbraked 6.5 CM.

.338 federal ar-10? She may have a hard time carrying it around. But once you get her on the sticks I bet she would be good! Thoughts?

Saw saw a video of someone dropping a Nilgai in their tracks with one. I think it was Bill Wilson.

I’ve agreed to a trade w a member for a 6.8 AR tomorrow

If that isn’t enough, we’ll go elsewhere

I’ll call the ranch next week to get their opinion

Maybe Axis but I sure wanted a Nilgai for us

I know my kid, we’re not doing a 7mm, 300 WM, 338 or larger

Brakes, cans, heavy etc...I have a budget and can do what I can do

If the 6.8 won’t do it, maybe later

Thank you for everyone who had replied, I’ve considered your opinions

You can get a Browning BAR in .338 Winchester Magnum, the Mark II Safari, available with the BOSS system barrel tuner/muzzle brake.

That would be my choice

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

IMO, with proper training and field practice, she can very easily be able to handle larger rifles. Muzzle brakes will certainly help. I have personally trained multiple shooters, including both my kids (son is 15 and daughter is 13), and multiple friends kids. The good thing about training kids is they do not have any bad habits formed yet. Training female shooters is even easier.

On a side note, a semi auto will eat up about 100+ fps just to cycle the action, which equals energy. A bolt gun will offer more energy over a semi auto. I would lean towards a premium bullet like a Barnes TTSX or Accubond for better penetration. I would not show up with a 6.8 for that animal. If you are looking at a BAR, don't expect much on accuracy, about 2-3 moa.