With recoil needing to be a consideration, the .243 may be a good choice for you.
It is mild in recoil, but can certainly take down hogs and Whitetail.
What is your budget for the rifle, scope and thumbhole stock?

rifle, scope and thumbstock need to come in as close to 600-650 as possible. my wife is really doing a lot to get me this gun so I can start hunting. this is my Christmas present this year.

never shot a 7mm-08 but same case as a 308 so my guess is pretty similiar.

stevens? never heard of them

Why are you looking to go with a thumbhole stock? You could get an Axiom stock for a Remington, Weatherby or Howa for less than $200 and not have to worry about recoil regardless of the calibur. I put my 10yr old grandson with a 30-06 and his 9yr old bother in a 308 and neither are bothered by recoil with the managed recoil ammunition. Guns can grow with them in terms of length of pull and a higher grain bullet for any animal in North America.

I'd be weary about shooting hogs behind the shoulder with a .243. It works most of the time, but it only takes once for it to turn into the last time..

the reason behind the thumbhole is the muscle disease I have, I dont always have a great grip and the angle of a regular stock puts more strain. I lose strength randomly so having that stock I can put my hand into it will help me not loose an animal because my bs disease acts up.

Basscowboy where abouts are you located?

Definitely better consider used then.
I would think a gunsmith would charge a fair amount to inlet a barreled action into a wooden thumbhole stock.
Maybe you can find a synthetic one already inletted for common models.

yeah, I wouldnt be able to handle that anymore. last time I shot a 308 like round was a 7.62 in iraq.

HornedFrog, I live in watauga tx, near keller, north richland hills, hurst and haltom city. west of fort worth. about 10 miles or so from the fort worth cabelas if that helps.

diver, most models, savage especially I can get a thumbhole stock from boydsgunstocks for about 100 bucks.

243, 7-08, or 260

you can't go wrong with any of the rifle mfgs today.. mgr tolerances are so much better today then they where 10years ago. Really comes down to fit , finish and options

Personally I'm a bigger fan of used rifles...

Doesn't seem like a bad setup at all

If what little recoil there is bothere you, get a muzzle brake installed

I think I will be ok with the .243, bad days I will just stay away.

You will like the .243 or a 25-06 or a .270 all good WT rounds and easy to find ammo for

I think I am going to stick with the .243

7mm-08 and 243 are both based on the 308 cartridge. If your considering a 243, the kick from a 7-08 should'nt bother you. Lots of this one does this and so does that one but this one is better than that one with these 2 rounds. Gotta decide which one you prefer.

never shot a 25-06, my father in law says the .270 would most likely be too much for me on all but the best days.

why do u say that prone?

The .25-06 is one of my favorite rounds. My 10 year old daughter shoots mine with no ill effects. I have killed 200# pigs and deer with it. Flat, fast, and dead nuts accurate.

weatherby vanguards are around 399.90 get a boyds stock for 99.00 and your at 500.

that is definately an option

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBO4La3w2Uo


That's just a .22, but I've shot them with a .260 and didn't draw blood.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=312851650

Here is the Stevens 200. Older Savage 10 without the accutrigger.