low recoil hunting rifle build for the wife. (SOLVED*)

[bjones97]

Hey I am sure this has been brought up a time or two.
I am wanting to build a low recoil riffle for the wife.
She is super recoil sensitive. no issues with 223 but 308 is a bit much for her.

I am wanting to have something light on recoil and enough power for white tail out to 200 yards.
I kind of like the idea of buying a new upper and letting her hunt next season with me using her ar-15.
But we hunt all over different places. this year I got a buck at 30 yards. last year got a doe at 250 yards.
Any advice?

Current considerations.

• 300 blackout (200 yards may be too much) (can get away with just buying an upper)
• 350 legend (200 yards may be too much) (can get away with just buying an upper)
• 6.5 grendel (concerned with having enough energy) (can get away with just buying an upper)
• 224 valk (concerned with having enough energy) (can get away with just buying an upper)
• 243 (probably perfect for the application) (requires new rifle)
• 7mm-08 (not a huge difference between this and 308) (requires new rifle)
• 6.5 cm (probably just fine for application) (requires new rifle)

Please just tell me to just buy one of each lol!
Jokes aside I would prefer 1 gun but if I am better off getting 2 let me know.

PS one concern I have with some of the new fancy stuff like 350 legend and 224 valk / 6.5 grendel is can I still buy ammo in 5 years? what about 10 years? Do those new fangled rounds have staying power?

Thanks!

****I hate leaving forum posts unsolved.****
Based on the sheer amount of votes for the 6.5's over the rest. I have decided to go with a bolt riffle in 6.5 CM and a ar-15 upper in 6.5 Grendel.

Reason behind my choices. 1. If the CM is still a bit much I can put on a muzzle break. 2. I have always wanted to check out Grendel. I think Grendel would be a great choice for white tail and maybe even the occasional hog, or coyote while I'm in the deer stand.

I love the idea of a light and handy do everything rifle and I think I gotta give it to the Grendel. That cartridge is a swiss army knife from what I can see. With that being said I do like the idea of the Creedmoor with a heavier bullet and some more velocity.

 

[Kevin1990]

Ive shot deer at 300 yards with a 6.5 Grendel. And many between 150-200 yards. 6.5G will have plenty of ass at 200. So will a 224 valk.

If you don’t reload I’d probably still go with a 6.5 Grendel. That would be a cheap route to go.

You could check out a 6mm ARC as well if you just want a new upper.

Probably catch some crap for this, but depending on your bullet selection, and velocity, even a .223 rem will have enough energy on target at 200 yards to ethically take a whitetail. It’s all about placement.


Last thing I’ll say, is if you build a quality upper, with quality parts. it’d be the same if not more money than a nice factory rifle, like a tikka.

 

[bjones97]

Ive shot deer at 300 yards with a 6.5 Grendel. And many between 150-200 yards. 6.5G will have plenty of ass at 200. So will a 224 valk.

If you don’t reload I’d probably still go with a 6.5 Grendel. That would be a cheap route to go.

You could check out a 6mm ARC as well if you just want a new upper.

Probably catch some crap for this, but depending on your bullet selection, and velocity, even a .223 rem will have enough energy on target at 200 yards to ethically take a whitetail. It’s all about placement.


Last thing I’ll say, is if you build a quality upper, with quality parts. it’d be the same if not more money than a nice factory rifle, like a tikka.

Thanks for the info! I'm mainly looking for direction. I am comfortable with reloading. I am somewhat leaning towards 6.5 Grendel. I am kind of obsessed with that round right now.
That said being on a somewhat tight budget I would look towards palmetto state armory's prebuilt upper's. or if I were to buy a new gun I am looking at a Ruger American.

I honestly wasn't sure how I felt about using 223 for deer.
Not that I am an expert I was more concerned about what some old timers told me.
"We use tirrty ought 6 I dont want to have to chase down a blood trail".

Now agreed shot placement is key from what I hear deer have been taken with 22lr lol!
But from a typical behind the shoulder shot double lung / heart its going to be a dead deer even with 223.
I'm probably over thinking it.
most of my experience is with a 243 and has been DRT no trail no nothing just fell over.

Thanks again.

 

[Bronsin]

I would recommend the .243. Plenty of factory loads, and low recoil with enough steam to do what you need. You can also reload and make it a really good varmint gun as well.

 

[bjones97]

I would recommend the .243. Plenty of factory loads, and low recoil with enough steam to do what you need. You can also reload and make it a really good varmint gun as well.

Nice name! Mines with a O. Bronson.
I will give it some thought.
I think if the budget allows I would kind of like to get a .243 and a 6.5 Grendel so I can try both.
Biggest mistake I made was selling my .243.

 

[markT]

243. Suppressed / 85 gr Nosler. 100 gr if you feel you need to.

 

[Tommie]

How about a 24 Nosler?

 

[muleystalker]

I would say the 6.5 Ceedmoor or the 6 Creedmoor, you can find factory ammo in a big assortment and it will be around for a long time. The 6 Creedmoor gives you a better choice of heavier bullets than the .243 and the factory rifles are going to be throated correctly for the longer bullets unlike most factory chambered .243 rifles.

Now if you were reloading I would say a 6 Dasher for the 105 class bullets or even a 6x45 AI or a 6x204 Ruger throated for 85-95 gr bullets, you would be surprised by the performance and no recoil.

 

[marchx]

I would not go 223 or 243. It’s a trivial statement, but these bullets produce a very small hole in the game. Even if theoretically kinetic energy is enough these calibers may have not enough stopping power if shot was not prefect. I experienced that a couple times. I would go 6.5 and choose a nosler accubond or other bullet providing good expansion. I shoot a 6.5 with a brake and recoil is very manageable.

 

[CSLR grandpa]

Bjones97, I don’t hunt much but I do know an Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel upper and Geissele two stage trigger and a JP silent capture recoil system will not disappoint with what your looking for. Low recoil, 200 yrds., 115 gr. Barnes factory ammo to start with.
CSL grandpa

 

[dryhumor]

One that I use is a 6mmBr. Accurate, with light recoil. Have an 87 grain Berger load sorted out. This year will be working through both the TGK and Partition bullets, and get a couple more loads sorted.

I had a late uncle, that was a one rifle man. His choice was a 243. He wasn’t a competitive shooter, but a hunter, and could accurately hit at 500 yards. So could his son with the same rifle.

 

[JB10]

My first thought is 6mm creedmoor. Would take a different rifle. If just wanting an upper look at the 6x45

 

[LHSmith]

I have done a 180 on my thinking of the Creedmoor. What changed my perception was how popular it has become in just a few short years and the supply chain issues with gun / ammo related products. I vote the Creedmoor. It's almost a full time job keeping a stock of components for the cartridges I and the family use and I am the only one shooting any competition- they just hunt. I don't see the supply issues improving- only getting worse.

 

[Mark M.]

6.5 Grendel

 

[NorCalMikie]

.223 in a bolt gun should get the job done. Load for it so you know where it shoots. Easy recoil makes for pleasant shooting.
Ever consider how many folks were killed by a .223/5.56?
Ground squirrels out to 200 yards + so the accuracy is there.

 

[lb-ft]

AR? 6.5 Grendel.

Bolt gun? 10 years ago, .243. Today, 6mm Creedmoor.

 

[Bill K]

223 Rem with the 60 grain Nosler partition will drop any deer, very well within the range you want the wife to shoot. Plus loaded with lighter (50-55 grain) bullets it is a great varmint/target shooter for her or you.
If you want something larger a 6mm Creedmoor would also work, but does have a little more recoil.

 

[lawman29]

6 creedmoor/243 in a bolt gun with a stock that fits.
Most importantly she should be making the decision not you. It's her rifle. Take her to some stores in your area with a decent selection of rifles and have her handle them, might not have the right calibers in stock... but you'll get some good answers.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I would not go 223 or 243. It’s a trivial statement, but these bullets produce a very small hole in the game. Even if theoretically kinetic energy is enough these calibers may have not enough stopping power if shot was not prefect. I experienced that a couple times. I would go 6.5 and choose a nosler accubond or other bullet providing good expansion. I shoot a 6.5 with a brake and recoil is very manageable.

These are the thoughts of someone speaking without real lifeexperience on the subject. I have been involved in someway I am sure of 100 plus kills either with a .243 or .223. Most important both mentioned above is proper bullet placement and s stock that fits her with ALL her warm hunting clothes on.

 

[long40shot]

A friend of mine shoot a few mature deer every year with the 224-VALKYRIE. I believe they use hornady 75s. From my personal experience 243 works well. It's not on your list, but a 257 Roberts would be a great round too.