Well the wife is really considering to start hunting :)

[winger7mm]

Well she is thinking about joining the hunting world (finally) So A few questions, when I send her for her hunters conservation/safety course Would I be able to go with her and just sit in as a bystander?? What would be a good gauge of shotty for her to hunt upland birds with and geese hopefully. And what are your guys thoughts on a well fitting 7mm-08 or 25-06 for a lady? Or would I be better going with a 243 or a 270? I dont have much experience in regards to smaller calibers, Only have shot 30-06, 300win mag and 7mmrem mag, I know that either of those three, she will not be interested in shooting lol

[Mittens]

Congrats! I got my fiance out there with a .243 youth model, which she loves and I'm thinking of getting a .410 in case we encounter some birds together this fall.

[H380]

Go easy with her winger .. a gopher hunt session would probably get her hooked for sure . Everybody can handle a 22 and it makes a good place to start . Larger firearms can be added after as you find out what she's interested in hunting . Most instructors won't mind you in the class as long as you stay quiet and don't start trying to teach it .. lol.

[Jordan Smith]

For big game, I'd start her with a .243 and some good bullets like the 80gr TTSX, or else a PT, AB, or ~100gr C&C bullet. The last thing you want, is to set her up with something like a light 75-80gr C&C bullet and have her hit bone and potentially have a long tracking job, etc. The .243 is plenty of gun for any WT or MD, but you need to use good bullets to ensure adequate penetration and tissue damage. The 80gr C&C's can kill deer, and I've killed and seen kill my fair share with them, but you don't want to take chances when you're trying to make a good first impression on your wife

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by H380

Go easy with her winger .. a gopher hunt session would probably get her hooked for sure . Everybody can handle a 22 and it makes a good place to start . Larger firearms can be added after as you find out what she's interested in hunting . Most instructors won't mind you in the class as long as you stay quiet and don't start trying to teach it .. lol.

Gophers are a no go with her, shes not into killing things, just to kill em know what I mean, she will if we take em home and make a stir fry

[H380]

Originally Posted by winger7mm

Gophers are a no go with her, shes not into killing things, just to kill em know what I mean, she will if we take em home and make a stir fry

Use garlic .. LOTS OF GARLIC .. LOL .

[bigbuck19]

Start her off with something smaller until she's familiar and comfortable shooting. Personally I love the 12 gauge for birds, but a .410 might be better suited to her if she's new to shooting. I used the 25-06 for my first hunt and the .22 for fun target shooting. Have myself a .303 and plan on buying a 7mm or even .300 next. Once she's used to shooting the recoil won't be a big issue in my opinion...

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by winger7mm

Gophers are a no go with her, shes not into killing things, just to kill em know what I mean, she will if we take em home and make a stir fry

I was about to say that. Mine is the same. If I shoot it I better be prepared to eat it.... except coyotes and bears. She hates coyotes and bears. LOL

[Big Daddy Badger]

Originally Posted by winger7mm

Well she is thinking about joining the hunting world (finally) So A few questions, when I send her for her hunters conservation/safety course Would I be able to go with her and just sit in as a bystander?? What would be a good gauge of shotty for her to hunt upland birds with and geese hopefully. And what are your guys thoughts on a well fitting 7mm-08 or 25-06 for a lady? Or would I be better going with a 243 or a 270? I dont have much experience in regards to smaller calibers, Only have shot 30-06, 300win mag and 7mmrem mag, I know that either of those three, she will not be interested in shooting lol

Went through this a few years ago.

Started slow with a 22 and popping gophers.
She had fun doing that so...I just kept exposing her to more guns...a variety of calibres.
In the end...she isn't recoil shy but does have a weak grip from carpel tunnel so it came down to what wasn't too heavy for her to carry and what she could hold well off hand shooting.

She is now carrying an entry level 7-08 most of the time.

Of the choices you mentioned.

I'd stick to that or maybe the 270 or 06.
25-06 is a bit pricey... has just as much recoil as the others and the ammo isn't as common.

Might as well just go 12 gauge on the shotty unless you want something like a 410 for grouse.
The 12 will be cheaper to shoot though...and more general purpose...

I would also recommend that you consider how much you want to spend....and whether it is worth it.

Will she stick to hunting?
Is this something she'll do even if you aren't around?

I know my wife will probably never hunt on her own... or hunt again period if I drop dead tomarrow.

So...do you buy the gun that you want to inherit if she quits or the one that is more affordable and not really expected to see heavy life time use?

I inherited her first centre fire because her hands got worse...1500 dollars worth of very nice magnum rifle that I don't really need.

The replacement is a Marlin XL with an Elite 3200 scope... which is probably going to last her a lifetime and rang it at about 600 bucks total cost.

[joeya]

Just got my wife into it this year, I got her a 25-06 and she has been shooting it with no problems. This will be her first season hunting, and she is very exited.

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by pesky672

Went through this a few years ago.

Started slow with a 22 and popping gophers.
She had fun doing that so...I just kept exposing her to more guns...a variety of calibres.
In the end...she isn't recoil shy but does have a weak grip from carpel tunnel so it came down to what wasn't too heavy for her to carry and what she could hold well off hand shooting.

She is now carrying an entry level 7-08 most of the time.

Of the choices you mentioned.

I'd stick to that or maybe the 270 or 06.
25-06 is a bit pricey... has just as much recoil as the others and the ammo isn't as common.

Might as well just go 12 gauge on the shotty unless you want something like a 410 for grouse.
The 12 will be cheaper to shoot though...and more general purpose...

I would also recommend that you consider how much you want to spend....and whether it is worth it.

Will she stick to hunting?
Is this something she'll do even if you aren't around?

I know my wife will probably never hunt on her own... or hunt again period if I drop dead tomarrow.

So...do you buy the gun that you want to inherit if she quits or the one that is more affordable and not really expected to see heavy life time use?

I inherited her first centre fire because her hands got worse...1500 dollars worth of very nice magnum rifle that I don't really need.

The replacement is a Marlin XL with an Elite 3200 scope... which is probably going to last her a lifetime and rang it at about 600 bucks total cost.

Well one can never have to many guns Since I have a 887nitromag, an sks, a cooey600 and my S&L 60DL rechambered to 7mmremmag. I HAVE ALOT of room to go before I have to many I was thinking the mossberg 4X4, but after I played with one at the store the bolt was real sloppy and I was not interested in it anymore, athough the savage Axis did peak my interest. I will definatly top of what ever rifle with a nice vortex though

[sheepgirl]

I would absolutely recommend a 7mm-08! Light weight but accurate, a perfect fit for ladies...Great rifle for big game, and I use it especially for the mountains since it's so nice to carry! The ol' man's always complaining that he wants to trade rifles when it comes to carrying them. Many animals agree it's deadly!

[jimbo1]

x2 on 7mm 08 its a great calibre and will drop anything with good shot placement

[Rackmastr]

Originally Posted by sheepgirl

I would absolutely recommend a 7mm-08! Light weight but accurate, a perfect fit for ladies...Great rifle for big game, and I use it especially for the mountains since it's so nice to carry! The ol' man's always complaining that he wants to trade rifles when it comes to carrying them. Many animals agree it's deadly!

x2....the 7-08 is a tough one to beat for recoil, on game performance, and versatility IMO.

Start out doing some shooting with a 22LR and possibly a 223 or a 243, but my advice would be get a nice FITTING 7-08 (or similar) and get out and do some shooting.

As for sitting in on a Hunter's Ed course, I wouldnt see a reason why you wouldnt be able to sit in. My suggestion is see if she has any friends interested and have them go together. I think they'd have a good time learning together and could come out further ahead. My wife actually never took the course, but she studied and came out with us a few times and passed the test after challenging it. I think she'll most likely take the CORE course here in BC just to see what its all about and get some good knowledge.

Good luck out there!!!

[elkhunter1234]

Good for Miss Winger... I got my wife into hunting with me about 30 years ago after we got married. She had a lot of fun and shot some great animals. That was before she got attacked by a couger while bow hunting elk with me, put an end to her hunting, thank god for kids or I would still be hunting alone.
7mm 08 would be a great caliber for her... Don't burn her out of hunting thought if you know what I mean..

Jim...

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by Rackmastr

x2....the 7-08 is a tough one to beat for recoil, on game performance, and versatility IMO.

Start out doing some shooting with a 22LR and possibly a 223 or a 243, but my advice would be get a nice FITTING 7-08 (or similar) and get out and do some shooting.

As for sitting in on a Hunter's Ed course, I wouldnt see a reason why you wouldnt be able to sit in. My suggestion is see if she has any friends interested and have them go together. I think they'd have a good time learning together and could come out further ahead. My wife actually never took the course, but she studied and came out with us a few times and passed the test after challenging it. I think she'll most likely take the CORE course here in BC just to see what its all about and get some good knowledge.

Good luck out there!!!

RM she has shot guns before, .22's my old 410, and a couple handguns, nothing in rifle form with any power lol. I am thinking im gonna go with the 7-08. I love the 7mm caliber and then I can convince her a little further to get into reloading But I have wanted to add a smaller rifle to the collection and I think that the 08 would be a welcome addition to the house hold. Now to find a spot for a reloading bench bahaha

[mulie4x4]

Originally Posted by winger7mm

Well she is thinking about joining the hunting world (finally) So A few questions, when I send her for her hunters conservation/safety course Would I be able to go with her and just sit in as a bystander?? What would be a good gauge of shotty for her to hunt upland birds with and geese hopefully. And what are your guys thoughts on a well fitting 7mm-08 or 25-06 for a lady? Or would I be better going with a 243 or a 270? I dont have much experience in regards to smaller calibers, Only have shot 30-06, 300win mag and 7mmrem mag, I know that either of those three, she will not be interested in shooting lol

If you go see Cheryl at Lane Archery for the course I think she well let you sit in, when my son took it I sat in with him for a few lessons until he was comfortable with everyone, Cheryl said I could stay for all of them if I wanted to. I highly recommend her she is a very good teacher and knows her stuff inside and out.

[ksteed17]

It can be done online as well.

[gneigum]

Hunter safety course here is only offered Feb/Mar. I am enrolling my wife for the next one. She says she will never go hunting but I still want her to take the course just so she is trained & will know how to handle firearms