Caliber selection for small frame hunter

[Taylor Self]

I am looking into getting either a bolt gun or lever action rifle for hunting deer that my daughters and wife could use easily. The shots would be under 200 yards and there is a fair amount of tall grass and hip high brush. The options I’m considering are a 30-30, 243 or a 6.5 creedmoor. I Have AR’s in 223, 7.62 x 39, 6.5 Grendel and 308 but I’m really looking for something in either bolt, single shot or lever action

 

[herrwalther]

There are some ultra light very low recoil builds you could put together in an AR like a short barrel 300 Blackout. But if you are particularly budget conscious, I would find a Ruger or Savage budget bolt gun in 243. That is probably the lightest weight cheapest package you are going to get straight out of the factory. Some even come with scopes already.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I personally think 7mm-08 is a perfect forever cartridge for a good variety of game for smaller framed hunters.

That said, you are not giving up much with 6.5 CM.

My opinion based on your wants, is if you want a lever action then 30-30 (or 360 Buckhammer) and 6.5 CM for the bolt action.

 

[T.R.]

Every hunter within my family started out with a Glenfield (Marlin built) 30-30 carbine fitted with a Weaver 4X scope. We zero the rifle so that bullets impact two inches higher than point of aim at 100 yards. This results in a 150 yard bullseye strike and about 3 inches lower at 200 yards. With this set up, many deer have been downed. 30-30 carbines do not produce much recoil, but the bullets hit very hard within reasonable distances. Take a look at ROSSI model 95 for a good deal for a new 30-30 carbine. Hoping this is helpful. TR

 

[troy fairweather]

Most anything between 243 and the 7-08 will do fine, how tall are they length of pull maybe a problem but there are some compact models with 12" to 12.5" lop.

 

[rayatphonix]

Why not a bolt action 6.5 Grendel? It’s very capable at those ranges.

 

[Wolfshead]

I second the 7mm-08.
I’ll add in a bolt action.

 

[Sawdust1]

I would say either 243 or 7-08. Both are low recoil and easy to handle

 

[dieselchief]

this year i am 70. i dont like recoil at all. cast lead loads and reduced loads with 5744 has me still shooting. dont scare off new hunters with cannons and macho talk.
...smaller cartridges like 300 blackout, 6mm arc both bolt and ar, grendel in a bolt make fine deer rifles. 250 sav does too. factory loads in 7mm 08 are too much. i load reduced in my 7 x 57.
....20 years ago? yea 300 win and weatherby mag, 375 h&h, 50 call armalite, 454 casull were in the toy room. fwiw

 

[Anchorite]

I’ll be the third vote for the 7-08. Bolt gun all the way…far easier to manipulate and operate than either a lever or AR for a small child or female.

 

[FL-NC]

I'm on the smaller size, and I am a big fan of the 243 and 6.5 CM. I have both and the recoil seems about the same (light). I'm not a fan of recoil if I can avoid it. All around the 6.5 will be more versatile due to effective range and terminal effects, which may be a factor if someone may want to use the rifle at some point in the future for something bigger than white tails (people are using it for elk, moose, bear, etc., so it is very capable, and I believe max bullet weight in factory rounds is 143 grains VS 100 for 243). The truth is, once I got my 6.5 CM, my 243 kind of became obsolete for me, but I decided to keep it due to the history I have with that rifle and the amount of deer it put in the freezer for years. Also, it is a great backup if something unexpected happens to the 6.5 or the scope, or it can be used as a loaner.

 

[Ks5shooter]

7mm-08

 

[jmorris]

The options I’m considering are a 30-30, 243 or a 6.5 creedmoor. I Have AR’s in 223, 7.62 x 39, 6.5 Grendel and 308 but I’m really looking for something in either bolt, single shot or lever action

I'd probably let them pick after they shoot them.

 

[Anchorite]

I'm on the smaller size, and I am a big fan of the 243 and 6.5 CM. I have both and the recoil seems about the same (light). I'm not a fan of recoil if I can avoid it. All around the 6.5 will be more versatile due to effective range and terminal effects, which may be a factor if someone may want to use the rifle at some point in the future for something bigger than white tails (people are using it for elk, moose, bear, etc., so it is very capable, and I believe max bullet weight in factory rounds is 143 grains VS 100 for 243). The truth is, once I got my 6.5 CM, my 243 kind of became obsolete for me, but I decided to keep it due to the history I have with that rifle and the amount of deer it put in the freezer for years. Also, it is a great backup if something unexpected happens to the 6.5 or the scope, or it can be used as a loaner.

The CM has made the 243 all but obsolete, IMO.

 

[md7]

My kids use 243 Winchester to good effect on whitetail, and I can recommend that one for deer at the ranges you mentioned in the opening post.

Other good options would include 6.5CM and 7-08 though 7-08 ammo availability seems a little less common in my area compared to 243 and 6.5

 

[FL-NC]

My kids use 243 Winchester to good effect on whitetail, and I can recommend that one for deer at the ranges you mentioned in the opening post.

Not only kids, but adults can also do this. While the 243 may be ideal for kids, ladies, etc., some people for reasons I don't understand think that makes it a "kids/ladies gun". Ridiculous and plain ignorant, and it just annoys me when people parrot this. If it works for them, it will work for anyone, assuming its not a huge man using a rifle with a tiny little youth stock. The kids and ladies are hunting the same deer in the same woods as the 'he-men" with whatever manly caliber they are using. Smaller immature does are not the only deer that venture into the areas where the kids and ladies are sitting, and when a 243 bullet goes through their vitals, the deer doesn't care who put it there. I have also read that most white tails are taken at 100 yards and less (definitely the case for me over many years of hunting in 4 states), which from SOME of the groups on zero targets I have seen at various shooting ranges before hunting season, that is about the limit for that particular hunter anyway, regardless of what gun was being fired.

 

[FL-NC]

I am looking into getting either a bolt gun or lever action rifle for hunting deer that my daughters and wife could use easily. The shots would be under 200 yards and there is a fair amount of tall grass and hip high brush. The options I’m considering are a 30-30, 243 or a 6.5 creedmoor. I Have AR’s in 223, 7.62 x 39, 6.5 Grendel and 308 but I’m really looking for something in either bolt, single shot or lever action

Regarding bolt action rifles, various current models from Savage or the Ruger American are hard to beat in both price and performance. Everyone loves a lever action 30-30 (I have one too) but they just won't perform like a bolt action 243 or 6.5 CM, and lever guns in general have become really pricey over the last few years for some reason.

 

[bangswitch]

I'd also look for a bolt action Grendel. Smallest case of the bunch, least recoil, very accurate and the performance goes way past 200 yards. 300BLK might also be something to look at, but effectiveness decreases past 250 yards for animals the size if deer. These also the only cartridges mentioned short enough for an AR-15.

Otherwise, .243 or 7mm-08. Both are basically .308 cases necked down. .243 has always been a great beginner cartridge for young or small stature hunters and the ammo is easy to find.

If you go the lever route, either 30-30 or 35 Rem, but you won't have the option for longer ranges later.

 

[Legionnaire]

Why not a bolt action 6.5 Grendel? It’s very capable at those ranges.

This. My kids all started with a .243. Today I'd opt for a Howa Mini in 6.5 Grendel.

If not the Grendel, then a 6mm Creed.

 

[JmacD]

I’m prepping for the same thing right now. I’m considering going the barreled action route (bolt gun of course) and then “growing” the rifle with my kiddo. I’m torn between a classic(I love em and I’m a quarterbore fan) or using the 6 arc or 6.5 creed. I may buy a custom action and make a switch barrel that I can use for many things, and have a big barrel budget. I’ve narrowed it to 6 arc, 6.5 creed, or the classic 243; have not entirely ruled out 7-08.

ETA: Anyone else think of the old 250-3000/250 savage at times like this?

 

[MikeInOr]

The CM has made the 243 all but obsolete, IMO.

Very true. When the Creedmore came out .243 bullets started just bouncing off deer, they are no longer lethal anymore.

 

[Show Me]

Borrow rifles and test before buying anything !!!!!!!!!!

Only opinion , 30 30 and 7mm 08 aren't light recoiling
7.62 x 39 , 300 BO and 6.5 Grendel would need some mighty special bullets to open up at 250 yds and not explode at close range.

You do want them to practice plenty , right.

If you must then pickup a savage axis compact in 243. Those are handy in ladder stands for you also. The ruger american is actually a fine shooter also.

Our granddaughters started with .223 and barnes bullets. Both got their first deer in the woods.
Then one day while practicing I switched them to .243. They said .243 was fine but they liked .223 better. Identical rifles , I put away the .223's and they never noticed the switch to this day.
Both have out hunted the grandsons and have good stories for the boys at school.

 

[JmacD]

Very true. When the Creedmore came out .243 bullets started just bouncing off deer, they are no longer lethal anymore.

How true. Better let this one know.

 

[Mk-211]

If you want 7mm-08 in an AR-15 package, have a lower to put an upper on...

The recoil is as light as a .223 upper.

7MM VALKYRIE AR

A site dedicated to the wildcat round 7mm Valkyrie for the AR15

www.7mmvalkyrie.com

 

[.308 Norma]

7mm-08