hunting rifle advice for smallish person

[Catalyst81]

I'm looking at picking up my first hunting rifle. I've settled on either the Tikka T3 Lite or a Weatherby Vanguard. I am a small person with short arms - about 5'6" 155 lbs. I think just about every standard rifle I've shouldered has not fit me unless it was a youth model or short barrel model, which is fine. I'm seriously considering the T3 compact which has an adjustable LOP and possibly the Vanguard Carbine or Youth version - these just limit the calibers I have available.

I'm not set on a particular caliber yet, but I am interested in taking mostly deer and pig and would like to be able to take an Elk as I may be able to tag along on some trips with family out of state. I would estimate distances up to around 300 yrds. Most shots will probably be shorter though. With that being the case, it seems that my choice would most likely be best limited to the .308 compact or maybe 7mm-08 of the available calibers with the Tikka compact.

It seems my other option would be to buy a standard model giving me options with larger calibers and chopping the stock. Would this mess with the balance of the gun too much? I'd appreciate any advice.

[Divernhunter]

A Tikka in 7mm-08 would be my choice with a direct replacement Limbsaver recoil pad, Leupold 3X9X40 duplex reticle(or 3>5X10X40 non-AO) and a Claw sling. Oh wait That is the rifle and set up I have! Also the same in 6.5X55. Both are excellent.
You could also get the above in 308Win and it would be nice.

I had a Vanguard but it was in a mag cartridge. For a 308 or 7mm-08 or 260/6.5X55 I would(and did) get a Tikka. For a mag or even a 30-06 I would get the Varguard. My Vanguard was in 257Weatherby and was great. I plan to replace it with a Mark V.....Do not ask why.

Not sure were French valley is but if you get close to Modesto you can shoot any of my rifles and I have the above as well as a custom compact 308/300win mag/264win mag/338win mag(probably a bit big for what you are looking for)/30-06/25-06/257Roberts/223/204ruger and maybe some I forgot about.

[Bldrinker]

I have the fullsize weatherby vs2 great gun. Im sure the carbine is also..

[ElvenSoul]

Ummm you may want a Savage Youth Rifle

[Catalyst81]

A Tikka in 7mm-08 would be my choice with a direct replacement Limbsaver recoil pad, Leupold 3X9X40 duplex reticle(or 3>5X10X40 non-AO) and a Claw sling. Oh wait That is the rifle and set up I have! Also the same in 6.5X55. Both are excellent.
You could also get the above in 308Win and it would be nice.

I had a Vanguard but it was in a mag cartridge. For a 308 or 7mm-08 or 260/6.5X55 I would(and did) get a Tikka. For a mag or even a 30-06 I would get the Varguard. My Vanguard was in 257Weatherby and was great. I plan to replace it with a Mark V.....Do not ask why.

Not sure were French valley is but if you get close to Modesto you can shoot any of my rifles and I have the above as well as a custom compact 308/300win mag/264win mag/338win mag(probably a bit big for what you are looking for)/30-06/25-06/257Roberts/223/204ruger and maybe some I forgot about.

Thanks for the advice and offer - unfortunately I'm pretty far south a bit east of Orange County and just north of San Diego.

[PNOY]

Take a look at the browning micro midas model .12 1/2 length of pull. lots of caliber to choose from. I do have the old discontinued A bolt micro hunter in 270WSM and fits perfect for small hunters and no need cutting the stock. shot pig, antelope, deer and Elk with it year after year.

[FISHNFRANK]

I'm 5'7" and have short arms and need a lesser length of pull. I have had to shorten 2 Sako's from 14" LOP to 13.5" (both .30-06) a Weatherby Vanguard fits me and has a 13.5" LOP in .243 which is a short action. I have 2 in 7mm-08 which is my favorite caliber, Sako hunter with a 13.75 LOP and a Browning which is supposedly 13.5" but feels more like 14. 7mm-08 is hands down my favorite caliber - easy to shoot low-recoil and it just flattens deer. Tikka in 7mm-08 or 6.5x55 would be great choices. Keep the recoil down and you'll be a better shooter. Don't waste the money or the shoulder pain on a magnum

Frank

[Divernhunter]

Well if you ever get up this way the offer stands. You can shoot my 50bmg rifles also.

[faris1984]

Ruger American rifle and not expensive.

[Dagostino480]

Tikka t3! I love mine in the left handed .308 model. Took my first deer with it and now is in a xlr chassis shooting 800+ yards

[cocorador]

Whatever you decide to buy, a gun shop with a gunsmith can size you up properly with the LOP tool and cut your stock to fit you better. You will have to buy a new recoil pad and labor, but it will be worth it. When my friend bought a standard 700, they sized him up and a limbsaver installed, $55 extra. He's 5'4" and 125 lbs.

[advocatusdiaboli]

I have the Tikka T3 Light stainless in .270 LH with a Leopold Patrol scope and I am very pleased with it. I did add a Limbsaver recoil pad.

I plan on acquiring a 7mm-08 one day rather than a .308 and I'd buy a Tikka again in a heartbeat. Great rifle for the price point.

[GunDog]

Consider the H&R Handi-Rifle. They are safe, compact, and very easy to handle in the woods. Calibers available from .22 Hornet all the way up to .45-70. The single-shot, break-open actions are easily operated by small statured hunters and have taken plenty of big game all throughout North America.

[Cowboy T]

Ruger American rifle and not expensive.

Actually, there's a "Compact" model of that rifle now, featuring a shorter length of pull, as well as a slightly shorter barrel.

Believe it or not, a Mosin would also be a good choice, given that it, too, has a relatively short length of pull. This was because it was designed to be used by troops with many layers of clothing to survive combat when Gen. Winter came along. Yes, Mosins shoot just fine for hunting. Given your smaller physical size, I would suggest the carbine, the M91/44 or the M91/59.

[Catalyst81]

Is there a generally established way of measuring LOP? At the last gun store I was at the guy said to measure from the inside of my elbow to trigger finger. I've seen others say a better way is to measure the distance between eyebrow and thumb when shouldering the gun and others who say measure the distance to the scope. Would it be best to try and speak to an actual gunsmith who fits guns, rather than store employees? It seems most the local stores send business out to a gunsmith rather than having one in the store. On my .22 I went to a guy's shop and we kept slowly chopping the stock and shouldering the gun until it felt right. I think it could still use a little taken off it, but it works.