What's a good deer rifle for a small statue woman?

[Greg Blackburn]

Looking for a good rifle for my rather petite GF/soon-to-be-wife. Thinking something she could take a deer with. TC Seneca? TC Cherokee?

I'm thinking .45 caliber.

 

[bang]

First make sure if there are any caliber restrictions where you will hunt.
Might consider a rifle with a 45 and 50 drop in barrels. Both calibers can shoot similar charges with comfort.

 

[dave951]

White Mountain Carbine in 50.

 

[MIOutdoorsman]

I would consider the mass of the rifle itself, along with the caliber. Lotta folks somehow miss the point that a "heavy" rifle (blackpowder, or otherwise) has the advantage of mass to absorb some of the recoil. A smaller caliber in a lightweight gun can easily have as much felt recoil than a larger caliber in a heavier gun.

Of course, she does have to carry it around too, but just something to think about.

 

[Treestalker]

Here in Arkansas, .40 cal. is legal for deer and small game, making it the 'all around' caliber. It can be made into a light (not front heavy) half stock rifle and beautiful as well. Your Honey will also appreciate a shorter butt stock on her rifle, unless she's kin to me and has knuckle dragging arms like an Orangutan, LOL!

 

[azmntman]

I believe you mentioned a .45 TC? DONE.

Piece of advise....dont ever "let" yer lady out shoot you. She will anyway most likely! CONGRATS of an apparent really nice find in a life partner

 

[Splitear]

I would consider the mass of the rifle itself, along with the caliber. Lotta folks somehow miss the point that a "heavy" rifle (blackpowder, or otherwise) has the advantage of mass to absorb some of the recoil. A smaller caliber in a lightweight gun can easily have as much felt recoil than a larger caliber in a heavier gun.

Of course, she does have to carry it around too, but just something to think about.

This! We use a lot of "youth models" in our shooting sports program, not muzzleloaders, but shotguns especially. They are built for a smaller frame, but a lot of them have no weight to them at all and kick like a freaking mule. I've had youth guns that I won't even give to a kid because I knew it would turn them off of shooting because of the recoil.

 

[nkbj]

The Traditions "Deerhunter".
They are made light weight, 7/8" octagonal x 24" long fifty caliber barrel .
And easy to saw off the butt and refit the butt plate (or leave it off) to the desired length of pull.
I have two of them (2nd hand, one stained wood stock and one my scary black rifle painted at the factory) and like them just fine.

 

[FishDFly]

Looking for a good rifle for my rather petite GF/soon-to-be-wife. Thinking something she could take a deer with. TC Seneca? TC Cherokee?

I'm thinking .45 caliber.

There a lot of questions to consider, your question is very open ended.

1. Budget
2. Style of rifle, it's hers and she needs to pick it out
3. Single trigger or double trigger
4. Way of hunting, stand/blind or walking
5. Weight of rifle (can she hold yours to offhand shoot)
6. Length of barrel, blind or walking in brush
7. State restrictions on caliber
8. Length of pull needed
9. Size of deer, 90 lbs. or 250 lbs.

I would let her handle your rifles to see what she can handle and is comfortable with. You might enlist some of your friends and let her handle their rifles.

If it's going to be hers, she needs to make the decision on what "she" gets, it will mean more to her. I would not rush into the decision.

TC Seneca/TC Cherokee come to mind for a good starting place.

 

[rodwha]

Lyman Deerstalker in .50 cal. At 7.5 lbs it isn’t heavy or light but what I consider good for an all day carry rifle. And it has a recoil pad which has made 320 grn REALs with 70 grns really easy (often read here people complaining about conicals kicking too hard).

The Pedersoli Country Hunter is another rifle I considered, along with the Traditions Deerhunter. My criteria for my first rifle was something I could carry in most any situation so barrel length and weight were the bigger issues.

 

[rodwha]

Just looked again at the Pedersoli rifle and never had realized it’s a faster twisted rifle (1:34”). Maybe this one isn’t ideal.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

Thanks guys, this question is getting a lot of replies.

I believe .40 is lower legal hunting limit where I live. I am quite aware of mass vs. recoil, but thanks for mentioning it anyway. Many hunters are not that experienced and worse, too many guys want to hurt their GF's with recoil. *I never understood that desire. It will cause a new shooter to learn a flinch or turn them off forever.

She is a good shot with air gun. Had a tighter group than I did. She shoots air gun from time-to-time and did so before we met.

I don't have any muzzleloading friends......not nearby.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

I now have 6 muzzleloaders......CVA Bobcat in .50 is the lightest. Trigger is gritty though.

Certainly she is free to try any of mine. I just wondered if a Seneca or Cherokee was a good one for smaller people.

 

[Rifleman1776]

My wife used both a Seneca and H&R Buggy rifle successfully. She has a cabine full of medals to prove they work fine for a lady. Both are in .45. The Seneca killed deer just fine. No tracking. She has a fine .40 cal. rifle built for her by Bob Watts which has been a safe queen for 40+ years. BTW, I am not a proponent of the .40 for deer hunting.

 

[Dale Lilly]

Traditions Tennessee, available percussion or flint. Right size, well made, .50 caliber, several you tube videos with high praise. Take a look. My wife has one in flint. Polecat

 

[gabedard]

Pedersoli .45 scout - take a look
Also there is a site with .45 and .50 carbine investarms barrels if you are interested pm me and I’ll look up the site
I picked up a couple for my “Hawken” makes for a lite handy rifle

 

[Bearkiller]

Traditions Tennessee, available percussion or flint. Right size, well made, .50 caliber, several you tube videos with high praise. Take a look. My wife has one in flint. Polecat

I have two Tennessee's one flint one cap unfortunately they a discontinued. Great little guns if you can find one though.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Looking for a good rifle for my rather petite GF/soon-to-be-wife. Thinking something she could take a deer with. TC Seneca? TC Cherokee?

I'm thinking .45 caliber.

Is she bronze or copper or stone????
small statue woman?
(R)
(LOL, just a misguided thought floating around in my head)

 

[appalichian hunter]

A couple thoughts, first a production rifle as mentioned, 50 cal. percussion,you can adjust the powder charge, type of projectiles and still acquire satisfactory killing power, Now do not everyone jump on me but I would also suggest a plastic stock you can still cut down the butt section and re install the recoil pad note (recoil pad) also to help with recoil you can put weight in the stock even a wood stock can be drilled out and weight put in. Then start shooting with light charges and work your way up, also start at 25 yards target distance, she will tell you when the max. charge is reached do this over several sessions at a range each time adjusting the charge and keep a note book with range results such as yardage and type of loads and the shot targets. Take your time and especially her time let her tell you what works for her.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

"Statue." I am so glad someone caught that. I usually proofread everything I type but that's funny.

And she's bronze, by the way.