Daughter wants a new (smaller and lighter) rifle....

[yorke-1]

Yep, the little 6.5 Grendel still has plenty of power to drop a deer at that distance.

Holy crap, I actually agree with you! LOL

The Grendel is great for this kind of application. I had a CZ 527 built in 6.5 Grendel for my kids a couple years ago and it's been a great gun. It comes in right at 7# scoped with a loaded mag. Now there are a couple companies like CZ and Howa offering the 6.5 Grendel in reasonably priced guns using the mini actions, so it's really a great option. Load it up with some of the 100-123gr bullets and it's 100% capable of taking deer out to 200+ yards.

In my experience, the difference in recoil between a 6.5 Grendel and the 6.5x47 Lapua, Creedmoor or any of the 308 based cases is very significant when you compare guns in the same weight class. Plus the little mini actions just work really well with smaller shooters. Heck, I use my little CZ 527 Grendel as my all purpose walk about rifle when I'm in the woods just because it carries so well. It's perfect for the occasional target of opportunity like coyotes, bobcats and cougars out to 400 yards.

 

[WildRose]

It doesn't matter in this situation since the farthest shot available will only be 200 yrds.

Unless and until she goes hunting somewhere else.

 

[WildRose]

Holy crap, I actually agree with you! LOL

The Grendel is great for this kind of application. I had a CZ 527 built in 6.5 Grendel for my kids a couple years ago and it's been a great gun. It comes in right at 7# scoped with a loaded mag. Now there are a couple companies like CZ and Howa offering the 6.5 Grendel in reasonably priced guns using the mini actions, so it's really a great option. Load it up with some of the 100-123gr bullets and it's 100% capable of taking deer out to 200+ yards.

In my experience, the difference in recoil between a 6.5 Grendel and the 6.5x47 Lapua, Creedmoor or any of the 308 based cases is very significant when you compare guns in the same weight class. Plus the little mini actions just work really well with smaller shooters. Heck, I use my little CZ 527 Grendel as my all purpose walk about rifle when I'm in the woods just because it carries so well. It's perfect for the occasional target of opportunity like coyotes, bobcats and cougars out to 400 yards.

The 527 and 550 actions don't get the credit they deserve especially with the single set trigger.

Three of the most accurate rifles I have ever touched are one 527 and two 550's both of which were just factory guns. One of these days I'd like to build a medium or larger bore custom with a 550 just to see what is possible.

Oh, I also shot one of their "Ultimate Hunting Rifle" combo's many years back and that thing shot so well with cheap factory ammo it was embarrassing to everyone else shooting that day. We were banging softball sized rocks at 650-800yds with it all afternoon. The guy who owned the rifle had never made a shot over 150yds in his life with anything else but after a little instruction and practice that day he was shooting as well or better than anyone else present.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Holy crap, I actually agree with you! LOL

The Grendel is great for this kind of application. I had a CZ 527 built in 6.5 Grendel for my kids a couple years ago and it's been a great gun. It comes in right at 7# scoped with a loaded mag. Now there are a couple companies like CZ and Howa offering the 6.5 Grendel in reasonably priced guns using the mini actions, so it's really a great option. Load it up with some of the 100-123gr bullets and it's 100% capable of taking deer out to 200+ yards.

In my experience, the difference in recoil between a 6.5 Grendel and the 6.5x47 Lapua, Creedmoor or any of the 308 based cases is very significant when you compare guns in the same weight class. Plus the little mini actions just work really well with smaller shooters. Heck, I use my little CZ 527 Grendel as my all purpose walk about rifle when I'm in the woods just because it carries so well. It's perfect for the occasional target of opportunity like coyotes, bobcats and cougars out to 400 yards.

Don't forget the new Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Grendel that takes AR mags... And it's only around $400-450. 22" mid-weight barrel with 5/8x24 threads... Kind of hard to beat. Been wanting one since they first showed them at SHOT.

 

[WildRose]

Don't forget the new Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Grendel that takes AR mags... And it's only around $400-450. 22" mid-weight barrel with 5/8x24 threads... Kind of hard to beat. Been wanting one since they first showed them at SHOT.

Is the Ruger American the one everyone is complaining about due to the bolt not locking and working open as they carry it?

 

[xsn10s]

And there's the option to rebarrel the Savage but I'm not leaning in that direction because when I buy her a new rifle, Pops gets the Savage.

So what do you guys think? Thanks.

I think I'd stick with the 308 win since you reload and adjust the load if needed. I don't think she'll have much trouble with the new rifle especially if the stock fits her well and it has a good recoil pad. I know Weatherby has the Camilla which is designed for women. But most manufacturers have a lighter rifle in their line up.

 

[Vortex!]

Unless and until she goes hunting somewhere else.

. You never give up do ya?

 

[TX Badger]

I guess I'll never understand people constantly trying to justify the minimum. I'm sure if you limit your shots to perfect broadside, <200 yds the grendel can get it done. But this isn't a frail little kid. She seems to be capable of handling moderate recoil in her current rig. I ran some numbers here:
http://www.shooterscalculator.com/recoil-calculator.php
And there are a lot of loads for a 260 rem or CM that will do a great job on deer and hogs, recoil less than what she has been shooting even in a rig that is 2lbs lighter, and not limit performance like the grendel does. I'm sure the grendel is a fine little round, its just not the best recommendation for this shooter. Remember she didn't complain about recoil, just the right of her current set up.

Use the link above, use her current rig and your current loads to establish a baseline of recoil that she can handle, find a new gun that fits her and feels good in her hands. Then go back to the recoil calculator and run numbers for the potential new set up. I don't think you'll need to go a small as a grendel to find a good option.

 

[e1harris]

Frankly, I don't think you're gonna get much lighter than that 7.3lb hog hunter that you already have, unless you want something without a threaded barrel.

If you can live without the threaded barrel, I'd say a 6.6lb Tikka Compact in .243, 260, 6.5cm, 7mm-08, or stay 308 since you already reload (my vote is the creedmoor).

You are saving 11oz.

 

[xsn10s]

The "extra" weight at the end of the barrel probably makes a big difference. The farther away from the body the heavier that weight feels.

 

[TX Badger]

Frankly, I don't think you're gonna get much lighter than that 7.3lb hog hunter that you already have, unless you want something without a threaded barrel.

If you can live without the threaded barrel, I'd say a 6.6lb Tikka Compact in .243, 260, 6.5cm, 7mm-08, or stay 308 since you already reload (my vote is the creedmoor).

You are saving 11oz.

Very good point. What I failed to consider is that you need a decent size muzzle diameter to thread and shoulder the brake/ can against. You may be limited to buying something with a heavier barrel then having it cut down to a short stubby set up. This would still feel lighter as well bc it wouldn't balance as far from her shoulder.

 

[ncwg2boatguy]

TC Compass is on sale at Sportsmanswarehouse.com in 223, 308, 6.5CM, 243 and 22-250.
great budget shooters and weigh 7.25lbs.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Is the Ruger American the one everyone is complaining about due to the bolt not locking and working open as they carry it?

Not that I recall, but that doesn't mean it's not an issue. If it is, I don't remember hearing about it.

 

[dougduey]

Have you considered a 450 Busmaster? Ruger makes a bolt action in this cartridge. All of my friends in the "shotgun zone" of Michigan switched over to these when the state changed the rules and allowed them. It dumps big Midwest whitetails in their tracks. Effective range is probably to 350 yards. It's a great hog round, too. I know some guys are using them very effectively on elk when hunting them at short distances in the hardwoods.