Looking to buy a rifle for a special lady, everything I have is to heavy or to hard hitting. I want to take her hunting this fall and am probably going to try and find a .243. I am thinking I just want something inexpensive, bottom shelf inexpensive. I have no idea what is even out there in the lower price range or how it holds up and shoots, want something simple and bolt action, lightweight is also important.

Any recommendations on the best bang for the Buck?

Savage axis 243

If she's really special, she deserves a decent rifle.

Jim

Ruger American. Go 7mm-08. Not much difference in recoil and still a better round.

Fair enough. But make it clear... If she decides to go, the rifle stays.

Mike

She has shown a strong interest in hunting but has never gone. If she enjoys it and it appears to be something she will continue to do I will get her something very decent and this gun will be regulated to the "Can I borrow a rifle" spot in the gun case.

X2. I got my wife an American Compact in 7mm-08 and she loves it. Short, light, inexpensive, quite accurate, not bad recoil, and very efficient round.

The Axis it appears can come with a 3x9 Weaver scope, anyone tried one of these with the Weaver?

Either one recommended by raggs or. S&Rusty would be a good choice.

Seeing the 7mm-08 has about 20% more recoil than .243, maybe just go with whatever I can find ammo for.

My wife shoots a Browning 3006 with a break. It does not kick at all.

I'm going to be right beside her while hunting, don't want a break and really don't want the expense of one on this rifle. Just want a inexpensive rifle to shoot deer within 200 yards with.

My opinion would be if your thinking of a 243 why not a .308. Pretty much the same casing. Get a rifle that fits her.

Ruger american .243

CVA scout 350 legend.

both shoot MOA and I HIGHLY reccomend both!

Take her shopping and have her try them on. Nothing worse than a rifle that doesn’t fit in some way. They’re pretty universal but you never know. Get it set up at the same time, scope, scope height and eye relief before a bore sighting.

If you want cheap, look at used racks and hock shops. Might find a jewel in the rough.



Owl

To hunt what? Likely a .243 with a heavy enough bullet for Minn. Deer, will kick the crap out of her far more than a .308 with a lighter load. Don't know Minn conditions, but howzabout a .257 Roberts, or the classic .30-30?

Get a youth or compact rifle. That will fit her much better, unless she is one of them corn fed, 6' 2" and 275lb gals. When you buy a gun that is chambered in a youth cartridge it may as well have the youth stock to go along with it. My wife shoots the youth savage axis in 243. No complaints at all.

Go with a ruger m77 in 7x57 if you don't mind showing her your love, if not, get a ruger american in 270, 7mm-08, or 243. Will like eight of them rifles

Is she smaller framed? If so, I would loan you a very nice youth model Remington 700 .243 that is all set up for the season. If she hates it, you ain't out anything.

How about a Howa in 6.5 Grendel. Good quality rifle in a cartridge with mild recoil but enough power for deer, antelope, and smaller size game. Short action, light, and a perfect fit for a woman.