Hello,
I am planning a honeymoon trip with my future wife to Montana to hunt elk. I had the idea that we should both purchase new bolt rifles for the trip, as kind of a wedding gift for each other, and something that will last forever. I am struggling to choose an appropriate caliber for each of us to purchase our rifles in. We are both from Upstate / Northern NY and are avid whitetail hunters. The rifles will obviously need to be adequate for elk, but I don't want to purchase anything too large for whitetail. If I am spending a large amount of money on these rifles, I want them to be able to use them predominantly for NY deer hunting, in hardwoods, with shots typically under 200 yards. I have been looking at 30-06, 300 WSM and 300 WIN MAG so far. I would really appreciate any insights you guys (or girls) may have for me. I wouldn't mind a long-action gun for myself, but I am really thinking my future wife would benefit more from a short action. She is of smaller stature, and would be much more likely to use and enjoy the rifle if it was smaller, lighter, with manageable recoil. I don't believe she needs anything too small, she currently uses a 30-06, and can shoot it accurately with the given recoil. Thank you in advance for your advice, I really appreciate it.
I am planning a honeymoon trip with my future wife to Montana to hunt elk. I had the idea that we should both purchase new bolt rifles for the trip, as kind of a wedding gift for each other, and something that will last forever. I am struggling to choose an appropriate caliber for each of us to purchase our rifles in. We are both from Upstate / Northern NY and are avid whitetail hunters. The rifles will obviously need to be adequate for elk, but I don't want to purchase anything too large for whitetail. If I am spending a large amount of money on these rifles, I want them to be able to use them predominantly for NY deer hunting, in hardwoods, with shots typically under 200 yards. I have been looking at 30-06, 300 WSM and 300 WIN MAG so far. I would really appreciate any insights you guys (or girls) may have for me. I wouldn't mind a long-action gun for myself, but I am really thinking my future wife would benefit more from a short action. She is of smaller stature, and would be much more likely to use and enjoy the rifle if it was smaller, lighter, with manageable recoil. I don't believe she needs anything too small, she currently uses a 30-06, and can shoot it accurately with the given recoil. Thank you in advance for your advice, I really appreciate it.