Daughters first deer rifle

[supercorndogs]

6 creed is more than enough for deer.
Shot placement matters….

6.5 and 140 eldm at normal speed drops them in their tracks at ranges past 500

Only issue with the 6BR/Dasher/GT is handloading.
6 creed you can grab ammo anywhere.

I say that as ammo can be forgotten.
I havent done that, yet…..

Here in CO, you have to use .243 or larger bullets for big game (deer, antelope, elk, etc)
Otherwise my kid would love to hunt with a 16” AR

You could be just a barrel, and bolt away from making that a reality.

 

[Ronws]

Ask Yourself this question ; Will your daughter likely continue hunting ( she's in the precarious age bracket ) and if so will she be hunting anything other than deer or larger game ?.
IF yes , then 6.5 or Gas gun .308 will serve a specific purpose . I own several and like 6.5 most anything and in capable hands is even Moose effective . Scandinavian Moose aren't as large as North American Moose ,about 2/3's size . However unless she's gonna hunt Bear or game larger than deer on a regular basis ,I'd not go .308 .

It's also note worthy when folks tell you 6.5 will do Moose and use Scandinavian Countries as reference ,please remember 98 % are taken inside 100 meters . Having been in that part of the world ,a huge clearing might be 200-300 meters across ,otherwise it's FORREST CENTRAL and shots of 40 meters isn't uncommon .

Kind of like northeast Texas, where I hunt. Mostly dense woods and your best kill zone is usually overlooking a creek or some fallen trees at less than 100 yards. Farthest distance I have ranged for line of side was 225 yards.

I agree, others have had success with 6.5 CM and it took a few shots. And sometimes bigger bullets took more than one shot. the general theory is that greater diameter equals more damage but really, from my limited understanding, bullet performance is more important than impact energy. That is why I care about impact velocity being enough for a round to fully petal.

It may also depend on targets. There is a reason some people shoot elk and moose with monolithic copper. Reminiscent of an FMJ, they tend to produce an exit wound. The exit wound helps in lung deflation, exsanguination, and the resultant blood trail that is easier to see.

I have read the big game hunting book written by Elmer Keith. (He was the K in the .333 OKH.) He liked very much the .35 Whelen. His belief was also to make a big hole to ensure lots of damage to heart and lungs. And he has shot in a short distance and knows he hit the animal. And the animal still disappeared, not knowing if it expired or somehow survived.

I think, too, the young lady is growing up and physically more capable of handling bigger and faster bullets. So, the original choices offered, I would try to encourage her to get the 6.5 PRC. But if not limited to those choices, then go with the 7 PRC.

But I might not be one to listen to. I have a .308 that likes Federal Fusion 165 gr. Let the hate begin.

To quote Justin Furstenfeld from Blue October, "hate me today. Hate me tomorrow. Hate me for all things I didn't do for you."