HELP me choose caliber!

[younghunta]

hey there i need some help deciding what caliber rifle i want iv only just started hunting.i need to use it for hunting thar chamios and red deer.
im fairly slim in build but can use a 12g with no problems.thanks alot

 

[gunmn74]

The smallest caliber I would use is .243 but a .270 is what I use.
I once had a 7mm and I always shot it well the first shot but
by the second I had a trigger flinch. I sold the 7mm and got the
.270. Anouther couple too consder would be 25-06 and 6mm.
I would say you seemed to be worried about recoil so I would
stay away from anything that starts with a (3) and you will
be fine.

 

[Sunray]

You should ask on the hunting forum. However, you need to get a copy of your local hunting regulations and read them. There may be calibre requirements in New Zealand.

 

[petr]

My vote is for a .270 or .270wsm. Flat shooting, low recoil, and a large selection of bullets. I have used mine for over 15 years for a reason.

 

[First Shirt]

7mm-08. Nice flat-shooting, very manageable recoil, and a good selection of bullet weights to choose from. My 12 yr old niece shoots one that I got for her last year, and has taken two deer and three or four hogs with it.

JWB

 

[younghunta]

thanks people although are you sure a .270 doesnt have much recoil im pretty sure thats what we use for chamios shooting here? whats the recoil like compared to a 12g anything near?

 

[Dave from Alberta]

You have got a ton of choices for deer. Before you buy, I would suggest you check the availability of ammo in your area. If you pick something exotic, you might find yourself out of luck... especially if you are travelling.

 

[glockman19]

I would and do use a .30-06 round. It's a great all around caliber that can take any game in North America.

 

[Bartkowski]

thanks people although are you sure a .270 doesnt have much recoil im pretty sure thats what we use for chamios shooting here? whats the recoil like compared to a 12g anything near?

I feel a 12ga has more of a push than a sharp kick with all loads. If you have only shot target loads, then I would say that the .270 will kick a little more than those, but if you shoot slugs, then the .270 will not be bad. And if you feel that the .270 may be too much, go with a .25-06 or a .257 roberts they should work fine too.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

.30-06 or .308 you can get ammo almost anywhere and there are a variety of loads tailored to most any north american game animal.

Also, since they are so popular, virtually every production rifle is chambered in one or both. Plenty of good used rifles kicking around too...

 

[timmyb21]

I'll agree with the 30-06. Even the .270 will work. My cousin took a 370 lb. black bear with a .270, and I use the 30-06. both are affordable rounds that are readily available, with lots of choices of brand and grains. Not sure if savage has the same stuff in NZ that we have in the states, but they make some very good rifle/scope combos available up here. Look into it, you'll be happy.