Good reasonably cheap gun model

dieselboy20 · #1 10-24-2012, 09:23 PM

My gf has decided after a few years that she is now up to shooting a deer this year or next year possibly. I want to get her and myself a gun in the appropriate calibre that will not terrify her since shes only 5'2" 120 pounds. I shoot a 300win and she will not like shooting it at all being a new shooter. I myself would like to have a smaller calibre also possibly in any of these calibres .243/25-06/7mm8. Only thing that worries me in a full size rifle is she won't be comfortable shouldering it properly since shes pretty small. Can anyone recommend a rifle model that will fit her besides getting a youth or womans model?

Redneck Renagade · #2 10-24-2012, 09:26 PM

Savage mod 111/11 youth models. Very accurate and quite reasonable prices.

dieselboy20 · #3 10-24-2012, 09:32 PM

Was hoping to not have to go to a youth/ladies model so I can be selfish and use it too haha

Fowl91 · #4 10-24-2012, 09:32 PM

Take her to the gun counter and have her shoulder guns herself. Only way to tell what will fit her the best. Although generally I find Savage synthetic to fit smaller than the other manufacturers.

dieselboy20 · #5 10-24-2012, 09:34 PM

Can anyone tell me if the savage 11/111 model has a better bolt action than the axis series? Had a 22-250 axis and I hated it, traded it for a tikka varmint

graham1 · #6 10-24-2012, 09:35 PM

Marlin 336 would be my choice.

Attilathecanuk · #7 10-24-2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselboy20

Can anyone tell me if the savage 11/111 model has a better bolt action than the axis series? Had a 22-250 axis and I hated it, traded it for a tikka varmint

My 11/111 has a very slick and easy action, I have only shot one axis and it seemed pretty good to me. Try a gun counter and compare...

dieselboy20 · #8 10-24-2012, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graham1

Marlin 336 would be my choice.

I already have a winchester 30-30, its older than the hills. Never really thought about using it to hunt anymore haha, my new guns have made it kind of an after thought

dieselboy20 · #9 10-24-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Attilathecanuk

My 11/111 has a very slick and easy action, I have only shot one axis and it seemed pretty good to me. Try a gun counter and compare...

I was not a fan of the axis bolt, it was kind of stubborn. Then again i'm used to a tikka

graham1 · #10 10-24-2012, 10:08 PM

My son will be packing my 336 this fall. I'm cheap and I had one but I think it's a pretty good choice for a new hunter. Fairly light, short barrel so not to nose heavy, thin forestock for smaller hands. Sure it's only good to 150 yds or so but for a newby I want to keep the shots closer anyways. I put a 6 power scope on mine. ( I had it as well)
Did I mention I was cheap

Good luck with whatever you decide

Hotwheels81 · #11 10-24-2012, 10:18 PM

I find its easier for me to shoot a youth rifle my better half uses then it is for her to use a full size I have.... Compromise...

And yes the 11FCXP rifles are slightly different then the AXIS/Edge packages but both have about as much slop as my 75yr old enfield...

saskpikeman · #12 10-24-2012, 11:08 PM

not quite as cheap as a savage but weatherby vanguards are decent for the price

Mickey · #13 10-24-2012, 11:11 PM

Depending on your price range the Browning Micro Midas are a very nice smaller rifle.

t-hunt-3 · #14 10-24-2012, 11:17 PM

The only problem with that is, because she is so small you may need to compromise the multi purpose and focus on her fit, the 111 youth model is a great fitting rifle for such situations and I would recommend getting her a nice 243 youth or if you want to spend a little more and go with a good quality gun go browning micro, because with quality it only hurts once, don't buy a new rifle everyday so may as well get her something she will love shooting and keep instead of upgrading later on

Twisted Canuck · #15 10-24-2012, 11:34 PM

I'd also look at the Remington model 7 in 7-08. Its compact and light, but still won't beat her with recoil, and a great all round calibre. One of my daughters shot a friends, and really liked it, so now I'm thinking of getting one.

Something like this, although they do make them in a stainless synthetic as well, if you can find one. Bashaw had a used one for sale but it was gone before I saw it on their website...anyway.

http://ca.wholesalesports.com/storef...rod224072.html

jag · #16 10-24-2012, 11:59 PM

Here's an idea that worked for us, get her a rifle that fits her, in a calibe that she's comfortable with, after all it's for her, and she deserves the best. Then get a slip on recoil pad that adds an extra inch or so, so that it fits you "good enough". She went with a 7.08 Savage/111. She is super happy, i'm happy to have another rifle to shoot/reload for, and when we go looking for meat, I can use MY rifles.

Woodbeef · #17 10-25-2012, 09:14 AM

The Marlin XS7 is another good choice in the under $500 price range.

Metalmike123 · #18 10-25-2012, 09:26 AM

Haha you don't ask for much do you? Well she would definitely love the browning x-bolt rifles even in full size as they have slightly shorter lengths of pull than other rifles, but they aren't necessarily cheap. The savage 11/111 rifles are a definite win, but you might have to choose between youth and full size; they are big boy rifles. Same with the Weatherby Vanguard, excellent solid rifles but they are big, heavy rifles. As for caliber, you can't go wrong with .243 or 7mm-08 for deer rifles. The way I see it, 7mm-08 falls into the more acceptable rhelm for harvesting thicker skinned game(heavier grain weight) if you have to, such as moose or elk. 25-06 would be pretty cool too, I've been looking at one myself.

raab · #19 10-25-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jag

Here's an idea that worked for us, get her a rifle that fits her, in a calibe that she's comfortable with, after all it's for her, and she deserves the best. Then get a slip on recoil pad that adds an extra inch or so, so that it fits you "good enough". She went with a 7.08 Savage/111. She is super happy, i'm happy to have another rifle to shoot/reload for, and when we go looking for meat, I can use MY rifles.

Awesome! The Savages are good entry level guns and will be just as good in a hunting application as the more expensive Remington, Tikka, Weatherby's etc... One recommendation I have is to get the Rifle Basix trigger below once you get an extra 100 bucks, and if you feel comfortable doing the trigger job yourself. If not take it in and get it done it'll make a huge difference on the rifle.

Savage Trigger

muleyhunter7 · #20 10-25-2012, 11:32 AM

Gross savages suck! Stupid bolt throw and look get a browing or weatherby

foxhunter540 · #21 10-25-2012, 01:03 PM

savage has new model 11 lady hunter you might check one out i know cabelas has them not sure where else

6.5 shooter · #22 10-25-2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fowl91

Take her to the gun counter (gunshows) and have her shoulder guns herself. Only way to tell what will fit her the best.

X2

Cheap is subjective

A $500 buck rifle she will not like in 3 years = $167 bucks a year which you will most likely have to upgrade every couple of years, and worst case maybe a lost hunting partner?

Or a $1500 dollar rifle (that fits) that she will use and love forever. $1500/25 years = $60 bucks a year

The choice is up to you.

I bought my wife a Rem 700, 7mm-08 with a short Silhouette stock at a gunshow for $650, still her go to rifle, even though she now has several rifles which cost 4x as much or more.

Don't over look the 6.5 calibers either when choosing a rifle.

FlareKing · #23 10-25-2012, 07:57 PM

Rem Model 7 youth in 7mm08. GF loves hers. If you live near RD you are welcome to come over and see it.

Elkhunt · #24 10-25-2012, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redneck Renagade

Savage mod 111/11 youth models. Very accurate and quite reasonable prices.

2x

300wsm3006rem · #25 10-25-2012, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselboy20

Can anyone tell me if the savage 11/111 model has a better bolt action than the axis series? Had a 22-250 axis and I hated it, traded it for a tikka varmint

the axis has a HORRIBLE action in my opinion.. my savage 11/111 ITH has an incredible action.. I find it compares to a tikka easily.. theyre slightly heavier than a tikka (not much, a few ounces) straight out of the box i was shooting 1" groups (im not a crack shot by any means)

theyre a good rifle for the price! you cant go wrong with the 11/111 ITH IMHO

Redneck Renagade · #26 10-25-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300wsm3006rem

the axis has a HORRIBLE action in my opinion.. my savage 11/111 ITH has an incredible action.. I find it compares to a tikka easily.. theyre slightly heavier than a tikka (not much, a few ounces) straight out of the box i was shooting 1" groups (im not a crack shot by any means)

theyre a good rifle for the price! you cant go wrong with the 11/111 ITH IMHO

I have 2 of the 11/111 international trophy hunter pkgs. I love them. Even the scope on the new pkg is one hell of an upgrade from the crappy bushnell or simmons that they used to put on them.

Pincherguy · #27 10-25-2012, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselboy20

My gf has decided after a few years that she is now up to shooting a deer this year or next year possibly. I want to get her and myself a gun in the appropriate calibre that will not terrify her since shes only 5'2" 120 pounds. I shoot a 300win and she will not like shooting it at all being a new shooter. I myself would like to have a smaller calibre also possibly in any of these calibres .243/25-06/7mm8. Only thing that worries me in a full size rifle is she won't be comfortable shouldering it properly since shes pretty small. Can anyone recommend a rifle model that will fit her besides getting a youth or womans model?

I have a Ruger model 77 feather weight in 270 caliber. Nice little rifle, for a smaller person. Has a fixed 4 power weaver scope. Could let you have it at a good price if your interested.

bushnell · #28 10-25-2012, 09:22 PM

I ended up buying a Browning micro-midas for my wife,fit her the best and she has taken her first mulie with it. I agree with 6.5 shooter get a gun that fits well in the end it will work out.

MartyT · #29 10-25-2012, 09:32 PM

Another vote for the Marlin Xs7. I have one in 7-08 and it is quite a shooter with consistent under 1" and a best group of .396. I looked at all the the "low budget" rifles before getting the Marlin and it certainly felt like quite a step up from others in the same price range.

dieselboy20 · #30 10-25-2012, 09:35 PM

Dont know much about the 6.5 calibre other than its smaller the a 7mm haha but seriously. Sounds like a good calibre choice, how broad are the ammunition choices for it? Are we talking the 6.5 creedmoore?