Hunting Texas Firearms for Women By: Bob Boswell


Selecting a firearm for a woman is like selecting one for a man, but different. In either case, the shooter must be directly involved in the selection. Most important, the firearm must be suitable for the purpose, whether it is target shooting, hunting, or self-defense. For competitive target shooting, the firearm must meet the rules for that sport. For hunting, the firearm (and the ammunition) must be suitable for the game and the hunting situation. Self- defense requires a blend of portability, ease of handling, and adequate stopping power. Now for the difference. Women tend to be shorter and more slightly built than men, so they may require a shorter, lighter firearm. This is not a hard and fast rule, I know of more than one lady that can handle and shoot African game rifles very well. Women generally are more selective


multipurpose firearm, it must cover the range of uses, possibly varmints to deer or deer to elk, for example. Actually, we should start with the suitable cartridge and bullet combinations, then look at the rifles capable of using them. For varmints to deer, the choices range from the .223 (with proper bullets) to the .30-06. For deer and larger animals, the range is from about the .25-06 on up to the 300 Magnums.


The cartridge should not be excessively powerful, nor should it be hard to find. Excessive recoil has soured many a shooter on hunting. Everyone has a different tolerance for recoil, with much depending on training and experience.


Now we have to look at the suitable firearms. Rifles in both standard size and compact models are made by most manufacturers, including Browning,


Contrary to advertising, turkeys and waterfowl do not require three-inch super magnum heavy shot loads. They have not become bulletproof.


in the appearance of their firearm, preferring ‘pretty’ to ‘ugly,’ but I know one that, from a dozen handguns, chose as her self-defense firearm a 1911 with an epoxy finish that caused her to name it after her pet long-haired dachshund, possibly the world’s ugliest dog. I did not say this selection task would be easy.


The first part of the selection is based on the use of the firearm. In a hunting rifle, we need sufficient power and accuracy for the game. If it is a


32 | TSRA Sportsman


Marlin, Mossberg, Remington, Ruger, Thompson Center, and Winchester. Some of these are available left handed. By looking at the specifications of the firearms, we can sort the most likely candidates.


The next step is a visit to a well- stocked gun shop, like McBride’s in Austin or (insert your favorite shop here). John Barnsness, a writer whose opinion I and others respect (Guns, Handloader, and Rifle Magazines, and about a dozen books) once detailed


his search for a new rifle for his wife. She wanted a lighter rifle with less recoil than her .270, but with the same trajectory and able to take big game. After he did the initial sorting, she was able to handle and shoot the rifles, finally choosing a .257 Roberts which with +P loads met all the requirements and fit her. This last part is extremely important. We have been talking rifles, but the same principle applies to shotguns.


Manufacturers make compact and youth models for people with smaller frames. Contrary to advertising that you see on TV, turkeys and waterfowl do not require those three-inch super magnum heavy shot loads. They have not become bulletproof. How do I know? A very serious hunter, who happens to be a woman, came down to my ranch last spring with her husband for a turkey hunt. One shot later she had a nice gobbler. I noticed that she was shooting a 20 gauge and asked to see her shells. They were three-inch, with one ounce of #4s. This is exactly the same shot load my grandfather was using in his Model 12 Winchester some 60 years ago. Self-defense firearms need to be selected in the same manner. It is a mistake to assume that a handgun that fits you will fit someone else. Too small a handgun is very difficult to grip and can malfunction just due to the


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