Graduation rifle for Daughter

daughter

I know you are set on the .243 but consider a Contender in 7-30 Waters with a 22-inch bbl. More powerful cartridge and less recoil than .243 and extremely accurate.

Good dad-lucky girl!
 
I'm casting my vote for a Stevens 200 in .243 4+1.

It'll cost you around $350 and will fit most all aftermarket Savage parts (stocks, triggers, etc...). They've got a nice short action and a great stock buttpad.

They also come with a composite stock that I have few gripes about. You can still feel some of the injection molding lines from production, but a little time with some fine-grit sandpaper will take care of this. A little tape and a can of dura-coat, and you can have whatever color rifle stock you want.

All in all, I think the Stevens 200 is a fantastic rifle that you can either keep right out of the box, or dress up however you'd like with minimal effort. Makes a great project gun if doing that sort of thing with your daughter interests you.

You can also get it in all kinds of tasty calibers if you decide to waver from the .234 Winchester.

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~LT
 
Let her graduate in caliber as well. 7mm-08: same (.308-based short action) family as the .243 but at .284" more versatile as to range and game size, for not terribly more kick. For instance if she ever took up big mulies out west or even close-in (<200 yd) elk, I'd certainly feel more comfortable with an '08. Essentially it's a .270/.280 "junior"--but mostly in action/length as out to 300 yds it has basically the same "real world" ballistics....and does great with shorter (20-22") barrels such as Remington Model 7's 20" bbl. In CDL (satin walnut and blued) trim the 7's a goregous rifle for smaller-statured folk, especially for a grad gift. (Also a good choice for .243). Other choices in larger size (but lightweight) for 7mm-08/.243: find a LNIB Rem 700 Mt Rifle DM (detach mag). Discontinued but they're out there. One of the nicest rifles they've made. It's also low gloss walnut and blued, with 22" barrel. Another in this same size-category: Win 70 Featherweight--also 22". These last two, being "regular" sized (but still short-actioned) rifles would be a bit less kick than the compact Rem Model 7, so there are tradeoffs.

Summary: unless she is of particularly small stature, get her the Win 70 Featherweight in either caliber and it'll be a life-long rifle.
Good luck and congrats on the graduation!
 
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I'd say go with an AR platform in .243 that way she can always adjust and adapt it to future needs, and unlike other types she can do it without tools and at any time reassemble it into any number of configurations. It really is the one rifle for everything.
 
Clifford L. Hughes

Dear Hooligan1:

There are so many choices for your daughter. One question you must ask yourself is how dexterious that she is and if she is frail or stout. Several good rifles are Winchester M70, Remington Modle 7, and the Ruger 77 in the light weights. Match her ability to handle both weight and recoil in her selection. Good calibers are .257 Roberts, .243 Winchester and the 7/08. I have killed two deer and one antelope with the .243. Let me know what she chooses.

Semper Fi.

Gunny Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
Well let's just say that Mary could handle just about any rifle, but she's killed with her .243, so let's say that for a "confidence" thing let's stay with .243.;) (maybe I'll do a special thread for my next rifle):) Cliff she's half banshee, half Einstein, and some part Annie Oakley!!:D
 
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Hooligan,

Your Daughtor is a very atractive young lady, i know your proud of her.
Im glad she is a hunter and enjoys hunting with you.
Congratulations on her graduation, she is about to step out into a big world, I know there is alot of worry on your part, but its up to her now, to remember the lessons you gave her, Im sure she will do just fine.
I think it would mean alot to her, if you let her go with you to the gun shop and pick out her own rifle.
And with that rifle she would remember the trip.
It would be special.
Good luck sir.
 
Buy the full sized stock for it,,,

I had the youth version of an H&R Handi rifle,,,
All I had to do was spend 23.95 and buy the full length stock.

Just a suggestion as you stated she loves her rifle.

Aarond
 
Let her pick it out - don't know what you mean by "long pasture" shots - is that 100, 200, 300 or more? - you start getting above 200, then you might want to think about the 260, 7-08, 308 family (the big brothers of the 243) - they can be loaded down easily enough, or upwards more easily than you can upload a 243
 
We hunt in an open pasture with brushy fingers coursing through it, bordered by timber to the north and to the south. An easterly shot could be as far as 350-500 yds, but we don't shoot that far. I hear you Aaron, but I would like her to graduate to a bolt-action. The whole "take her with me to the gun-shop and look thing" is probably the best, as far as budget we'll have to keep it toned down a little, because wer'e definately not wealthy. I'm totally open to a used rifle with little "wear" on it for cheaper, but what I'd like is to see it really invigorate her desire to keep deer-hunting with her daddy!:);)
 
Candidate Found!

It's kind of a fixer-upper! Could not pass it up. It's a Mark X .243win, it has less than 100 rnds put through it, according to the young gentleman I bought it from:) He had purchased it at a gun-show when he was 16 years old and hunted whitetails with it for three years, and then opted for bigger calibers. With some special caressing I think it can be a beautiful rifle again. 370.00 cash! Needs cleaning terribly, but I like that kind of stuff. I say BRAVO DUDE!!;)
 
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There is not much wrong with the .243 if that is what she has faith in. If you want one of the best and best looking you might look at the Winchester M 70 Featherweight. If practical,smooth and very well built is the call try Tikka T3.
She will still be using either one to go hunting with her daughter.
TGR
 
You've done well, father! She'll be very proud to carry that fine rifle and will take special pride in getting her next deer with it!!!!!

I just hope she wasn't expecting a new car!
 
Hi Hooligan
Is that a Interarms Mark X Mauser? If so they were made by Zastava in Serbia, they make a very nice proper mauser actioned rifle and have a very long history that goes back to the mid 1800's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zastava_Arms

Have a look at there website they make some really nice rifles and IMO build quality is on par and they remind me alot of CZ (Brno). Every Zastava I have seen and shot has had exceptional fit and finish and has been very accurate to boot.
http://www.zastava-arms.rs/

Also I couldn't help but notice in your pics, do you like a bit of Rod Building or Fly Tying or both? I like tying flies and have been building rods pretty much full time for about the last 6 or 7 years. Anyway you have got your girl a very nice rifle and I think she will be very happy with it.
 
I do not make my own rods, (because I have no time for it) yet but yes we do make our own baits like jigs an spinnerbaits and such. thanks for the website for the rifle Man they produce some beautiful rifles! :)
 
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