Caliber Recommendations For Handicapped

[codyadams]

In that case, these two would be my suggestion -

Choose your own Tikka rifle from a variety of innovative models

Tikka is able to meet the requirements of modern hunters by combining traditional gunsmith know-how with advanced technology. Choose your own Tikka rifle now!

choose.tikka.fi

X-Bolt Micro Midas - Bolt-Action Rifle - Browning

Shortened stock, sized for smaller shooters, satin finish walnut, matte blued steel, detachable rotary magazine, short throw bolt, adjustable trigger, bolt-action

www.browning.com

I know he is a bigger guy, and at first a shorter LOP seems like it wouldn't work, but in my LE training with patrol carbines and ar-pistols, the short LOP makes them much, much better for maneuverability in and around vehicles, and the 20" barrel of these rifles keep them even more compact. The Browning micro midas x-bolt is just over 38" OAL, and the Tikka t3x compact is about 40" OAL, so very handy packages. In .243, 6.5 cm, or 7mm-08 you will have plenty of power and good factory ammunition choices. For your circumstances, these are what I would look at personally.

 

[orange1948]

Hmmm, shorter rifle, lower recoil… another option would be an AR-10 in 308.

 

[pchri]

I'm seeing a lot of 6.5 Grendel which is what one of my cousins recommended to him as well. I've never shot one but my brother has a 6.5 Creedmore and I have an 30-06 how does a Grendel compare to them? I've been looking at ammo around us and any 6.5 has been hard to find but I've seen a good amount of 7mm-08. I've never shot any 7mm so how does that compare to the others?

 

[codyadams]

The one other consideration if you want even more compact, would be an ar pistol in something like the 6.5 Grendel or even an ar-10 pistol in .243 or 6.5 creed. Here is an example or an ar-10 pistol. Very compact, and even with a 12" barrel, and with a good hammer bullet in a .243 or 6.5cm, would have plenty of juice for sub 300 yards.

 

[AllenRay]

I'm seeing a lot of 6.5 Grendel which is what one of my cousins recommended to him as well. I've never shot one but my brother has a 6.5 Creedmore and I have an 30-06 how does a Grendel compare to them? I've been looking at ammo around us and any 6.5 has been hard to find but I've seen a good amount of 7mm-08. I've never shot any 7mm so how does that compare to the others.

The deer and hogs I have shot were all very impressed. And with less recoil. I like it in a 10.5" ar pistol similar to what Cody was talking about.

 

[snox801]

X 2 on the Grendel.

Another for the Grendel. I use mine in an ar for everything. Deer, hogs, audad, and would certainly use it for bear.
Especially with those distances no need to go to a creedmore or 7mm-08. Grendel will get it done with a 100gr bullet at 2800fps-3k.

 

[snox801]

I'm seeing a lot of 6.5 Grendel which is what one of my cousins recommended to him as well. I've never shot one but my brother has a 6.5 Creedmore and I have an 30-06 how does a Grendel compare to them? I've been looking at ammo around us and any 6.5 has been hard to find but I've seen a good amount of 7mm-08. I've never shot any 7mm so how does that compare to the others?

It recoils much less than a 7mm or creedmore. About 10gr less powder.
Lots less than a 30-06. In fact I use mine in an ar so I can shorten it up and it would be very short and handy out of a truck.
As for ammo Grendel is pretty easy to find but that being said I would look at a company to load ammo for you. Superior ammo has done a bunch for me at a fair price. That way you can get premium bullets like the 99gr hammer or any thing you want. I would recommend the 99 gr hammer the Grendel shines with the 100gr class bullet and those hammers punch above their wait.
If you go that route pm me and I can get you info on ammo.

 

[AllenRay]

6.5 Grendel Deer Hunting Surprise — Ron Spomer Outdoors

Short enough to fit AR-15 rifles, the 6.5 Grendel outperforms the 223 Remington with genuine, game-taking hunting bullets. It a great low recoil option.

www.ronspomeroutdoors.com

 

[jpd676]

My hunting buddy has been a quadriplegic for over 20 years. He has a variety of rifles and he is always looking for something bigger and better. He had a 7mm mag in a Remington Sendero with a brake on it; did very well for him. Now, he has a 28 Nosler, custom build by Alex Wheeler, weighing in around 12 pounds bare rifle. With a brake, it recoils like a .223 and all it has is a brake on it. I wouldn't limit your dad to a short range caliber as he could really get into shooting and want to go longer. My friend has taken an antelope at around 585 yards in one shot in a 14 mph wind! This year, he shot his antelope around 368 yards from his van with the 28 Nosler. It was loud but with hearing protection it was fine. It didn't break any windows and the noise was harder on me than it was on him. He also uses a 308 and a .260 for whitetail. With a brake, I think anything will work.

 

[cohunt]

The one other consideration if you want even more compact, would be an ar pistol in something like the 6.5 Grendel or even an ar-10 pistol in .243 or 6.5 creed. Here is an example or an ar-10 pistol. Very compact, and even with a 12" barrel, and with a good hammer bullet in a .243 or 6.5cm, would have plenty of juice for sub 300 yards.

View attachment 326583

Ar pistols ( especially with braces) aren't legal in all states for hunting so check your regs--- but he may be able to file for an exception due to his medical conditions.

 

[WV338]

I built a Savage in 7mm-08 with a 21" barrel and shooting 140gr bullets the recoil is very light. Definitely less than a 20 gauge shotgun. Try to find someone that has one and have him try it out. I would go just by us members. He has to know if it works for him. Good luck.

 

[big johnson]

look at the 6mm creedmoor , seems to be ammo around and lots of different bullets weights. can't go wrong with the 243 win. either

 

[D2wing]

My dad is getting older and is paralyzed from the waist down and has shoulder issues. He's in a wheelchair and only shotguns hunts with a 20ga from a vehicle as of now. He now wants to get into rifle hunting just to try something new. He'll mainly stick with deer hunting but he's always talks about getting another black bear. He got one with a borrowed .270 when he was younger and still walking and helping him do it again would be great. So I'm looking for recommendations for low recoil calibers that would work for whitetail up to black bear. We'd be hunting mainly in South Dakota and Minnesota. It would also only need to be able to go out to 300yds tops as he's not used to long range yet. Also with hunting out of vehicle I'm not sure how well a muzzle break would work seeing we aren't trying to blow the windows out. But I'm not even sure if a muzzle break could do that I've never used one. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

For those reasons I bought a Tikka T3 in 7-08 with a muzzle brake. You could go 243 but I prefer 7-08. 6.5 Grendel in an AR or braked bolt action. 223 works well on deer with careful placement but I don't know about Blackbear. I hunt in Northern Minnesota. I have a torn rotator. I just had surgery so it will get better.

 

[171farm]

Go with a 243 (6mm creedmoor), 6.5mm creedmoor, 270 or something similar. Throw a quality brake on them and he wont feel it a bit.