Now What Do I Do?

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ShawnC

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I bought my wife a new gun, an XDm that she chose over an M&P, and recently took her shooting. She's never been anti-gun, but I think the bug bit her and after firing my Mosin, she told me today that she would like her own rifle. I couldn't have been more surprised if I woke up with my face stapled to the carpet. Then I asked her if she'd go deer hunting with it. I got a very strong and encouraging "Maybe."
At the next gun show we're going to check out a lot of different kinds of rifles to see what she likes. My question is...should I push the envelope and try to gently subtly nudge her toward an AR, or go with something safe like .243 or .270, something more "hunting rifle" like. I have a Garand that's getting some work done that she's never fired, so when that one is done she can try it out to see if she likes the action on that. Ultimately it'll be up to her, but a little encouraging might just get something tacticool in the house. :evil:
 
Let her determine the direction....and you provide input on selections and feedback.

Doh! Responded before finishing your thread.
 
She should shoot a variety before spending money on a rifle. She may find the Mosin to be unpleasant while an M1A is to her liking OR she might prefer a compact AR.
 
Buy her a good used Marlin 336 30-30.

Everybody has a smile on their face when they shoot a 30-30 lever-gun!

rc
 
Whichever you choose, just make sure it's not a cartridge thats going to pound the hell out of her shoulder at the range. Sore shoulder,99 times out of 100, will cause her to lose interest quickly. If you do get her an AR platform type rifle, Id suggest a 6.8SPC. Id prefer for myself, and have ordered it already, an AR10 platform in 7mm.08 but that is a bit on the heavy side and I am a pretty large individual. The 6.8 is set up on the lighter AR15 and would probably suit her needs with very mild recoil and a very good cartridge for deer sized game.

Now, if you go for a traditional bolt style rifle, I would indeed go for the step up to the 7mm.08. VERY mild recoil and will flat snap a deer. .270 can be a bit on the heavy side of recoil at the bench and may in fact discourage her after several shots. She needs to get proficient at the range before entering the woods on a deer hunt (every mans dream is a wife that happily hunts with him) so a lot of range time needs to be logged in.
 
Make sure you comply with Virginia caliber requirements .




Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment


Valid Concealed Handgun Permit Holders May:
•Possess a concealed handgun during archery seasons, muzzleloader seasons, and general firearms seasons.
•Possess a concealed handgun on National Forest and Department lands during the closed season.
•Possess and transport a loaded concealed handgun in or on any vehicle on National Forest and Department lands.
•Possess a concealed handgun while using dogs for tracking wounded or dead bear or deer but no game may be taken.

Special restrictions may apply to specific firearms use in some counties. See Local Firearms Ordinances for details.
•No restrictions on shot size except for spring gobbler season when it is unlawful to have any shot in possession larger than number 2 fine shot while hunting.
•Shotguns must not be larger than 10 gauge.
•Unplugged shotguns are legal for hunting non-migratory game and crows.
•Shotgun barrels must be at least 18 inches long.
•Shotguns with rifled barrels are permitted in areas where slugs may be used.
•All game birds and animals, except deer, may be hunted with shotguns from boats. Hunters must have permission from the landowner to hunt/retrieve game located on private land.
•Rifles used for deer or bear must be .23 caliber or larger.
•Rifles (including air rifles) may be used for taking wild animals and wild birds, except migratory game birds and waterfowl, and where prohibited by local ordinances.
•Rifles (including air rifles), pistols, and revolvers may be used for hunting crows, except where prohibited by local ordinances.
 
She wants to do a monthly range trip, so practice won't be an issue. No hunting until next year. She chooses a gun by how comfortable it is to hold. She didn't mind the Mosin kick so much, being the first rifle she ever shot, but she will probably do better with something a little lighter to carry. She isn't opposed to an AR, I think, as long as she can shoot it comfortably. Never fired a 6.8 SPC, and recoil on almost anything doesn't bother me (I shoot a 10 gauge and a .444 Marlin) so I really don't know what rounds would kick enough to discourage her.
 
Let me add a bit then, whichever SHE chooses, make sure that it fits her properly. A lot of felt recoil has to do with improper fit and form. If it doesn't fit her well, she wont be able to hold it properly and it will knock the pee out of her. As I said earlier, the 6.8 is a very mild recoiling cartridge in any platform. Especially in the AR.
 
Every female I've ever taken to the range has loved the AR. Not from an aesthetics standpoint (usually), but because it's great fun.

I've also found that most women don't tolerate recoil very well, and become bothered when it exceeds the level of a .243 or .25-06 in a bolt action sporter.

She's gonna need to shoot a few centerfire rifles, I think, to make an informed decision. But also don't forget that fit is very important; A .243 with improper LOP or ergonomics that don't agree with her may bother her more than a .270 with a proper fitting stock for her dimensions. Of course, if she could handle your Mosin, most non-magnum cartridges .30 cal. & under shouldn't prove problematic.

As well, many women are cross-eye dominant (much more common than with men, it seems), which means that rifle shooting will present a challenge of using either the weak eye or weak hand. Might be something you wanna check for.
 
Be very very careful what you let her shoot. I have lost too many guns to my wife. The absolute worst aspect of this is one year she decided she wanted to shoot IPSC/USPSA matches with me. She started getting good at it. 2 years later she starts beating me AND all of my buddies. She can mow down plate racks shooting a GP 100 DA faster than I can with a 1911. Be very careful. I do love her though and actually almost feel sorry for any creep that messes with her.
 
I'd imagine the low recoil from an AR would work great. I'm not sure what kind of rifles you have or have access to(aka friends) but it's usually best to let her try a few rifles before committing to one.
 
As mentioned earlier, low recoil from an AR is relative if you want this to be a legal deer gun in VA.

.243 is your main option in AR-15, you would be better off with an AR-10 platform.

Maybe something like a Browning BAR? Soft shooting autoloaders are very nice. Most importantly make sure the gun fits her well. A good stock and a well fitting gun go a long way towards making the gun pleasant to shoot.
 
Enjoy it, give guidance, and stay out of her way.
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This. Come to find out my wife loves the thump of a nice slug through a lightweight shotgun. Don't start making decision for her. Please.
 
This. Come to find out my wife loves the thump of a nice slug through a lightweight shotgun. Don't start making decision for her. Please.
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Your wife is to be commended and quite possibly needs to be COMMITTED! I'm a pretty big guy and not recoil sensitive and I HATE slug recoil!
 
Your wife is to be commended and quite possibly needs to be COMMITTED! I'm a pretty big guy and not recoil sensitive and I HATE slug recoil!
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She says it's an adrenaline rush for her. She says "Yes it hurts like <bad JuJum very polysyllabic>, but it feels good to be able to handle it! And to be able to control it!"
She is going into a three minute rant right now about endorphin, adrenaline, and palpable power.

But yeah, to get back OT ... please don't start making her decisions. Is it good to work your way up? Sure. But don't say "No, little Lady, you can't handle a man's gun" or the more politically correct version thereof when she asks for the big guns. We all managed getting to where we're at, I'm sure our SO types can, too.
 
She has already expressed an opinion that she doesn't care for the look of an AR, although I'll still ask her to try it for fit, I won't push it. If she likes shooting my Garand, I'm thinking of letting her try a Mini 30 for size. Anyone have any experience with that Ruger Scout? Again, I know I can't, nor would I want to, force something on her she doesn't like, but I'll still try to give her some suggestions. I'll see what guys at work have for her to try out. My Garand is pretty heavy, even for a Garand (lead in the buttstock), so getting a sense of what rounds are going to be comfortable for her, in what platform, will be the hard part. I don't have any of experience with anything less than an SKS, except for the M4 for work. I'll have to see how she likes a lever gun, it'd be nice to have a traditional 30-30 in the safe.
 
ShawnC How would gun weight affect your lady. Does she do phisical work and a tough gal or a girly girl. Not try'n to be a smart ass about it. heavy rifles can cut back on fun. Can she handle a mild caliber bolt rifle to she how that works out for here. If all is good CZ has the 527 carbine in 7.62x39. Nice rifle , accurate and still short and light enough to be enjoyable to haul around and still hunt with it. Ammo is cheap for fun time.
 
The AR platform is a good place to start as there are a lot of different calibers avaiable. I would start looking for one in the new 6.5mm range. Let her choose, and try several before you buy. Autos, bolts, even SSs.

My wife has been my hunting partner for 40+years. We don't hunt any more because she is ill, but from my experience, the total package weight (gun and ammo) and recoil are the biggest concern...She absolutely will not shoot my gun (belted magnum), but loves hers.
 
The mantra of the .243 has no recoil, the 7mm-08 is mild is all BS IMHO. The .243 gives me whiplash, and I prefer the recoil of a 30/06 to it. The 7mm-08 is a necked down .308 so how is it going to have a milder recoil? Let her shoot several different calibers, and let her choose the caliber and platform. I would suggest getting a caliber that is readily available so when she decides to shoot it won't break the bank!
ll
 
The mantra of the .243 has no recoil, the 7mm-08 is mild is all BS IMHO. The .243 gives me whiplash, and I prefer the recoil of a 30/06 to it. The 7mm-08 is a necked down .308 so how is it going to have a milder recoil?
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The .243 gives you whiplash? If I don't hear my .243 go off I wouldn't know it even fired! And my .243 is only 8.7 pounds with the scope on it.

As to your question, "The 7mm-08 is a necked down .308 so how is it going to have a milder recoil?" the 7mm.08 utilizes the minimal taper of the case with much greater efficiency than the .308 therefor getting greater burn rate and pressures without the recoil. Also in the equation is the use of 140gr bullets (standard average for big game) verses the 150gr out of the parent .308. Now if you step up to 160gr in the 7mm.08 and .308 you will get a bit more in the recoil, but if you take the exact same weight rifles with the exact same barrel length, you will find that the 7mm.08 will have a significantly less recoil. To quote Hornady "It actually IS rocket science".
 
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