Thread: Good caliber to start hunting with?

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's nonsense. As you pointed out, good shot placement with a .243 is sufficient. The problem can arise when a new hunter and some not so new too, get buck fever and may not place the shot in the best spot, especially on a big Red stag like we get here in our local pine forests. Some of these stags can go over 170kgs dressed and you don't want them running 50m. A heavier cartridge such as the .308 30/06 etc with a suitable bullet gives a little more leeway as regards shot placement.

And projectile selection, projectile selection for the calibre and intended use is far more important than the actual chambering or calibre of bore.

His best to hit bone may be true of factory 100gr rounds but not of many others.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

And projectile selection, projectile selection for the calibre and intended use is far more important than the actual chambering or calibre of bore.

His best to hit bone may be true of factory 100gr rounds but not of many others.

Yes, you quite right there veitnamcam. Projectile selection is very important for the intended range and the animal you after. Some are crap out at longer ranges. Some arent flash at closer ranges, bit like horses for courses. I use factory 100gr powershoks and they are awesome with it comes to knockdown power. Cant see any reason why i would change due to the fact they work so well. I have used other ammo in the past and some of them struggled to bowl a goat over so a bad projectile choice can change the view on how good you view the calibre. Re loading prob is a good way to go but 99 pcent of my hunting is bush stalking or within 250m so factory ammo that works does me fine. Mate swears by the 95gr ssts for the longer range with a 243 when it comes to factory rounds. Lots use 87gr or 80gr with the 243, esp people that reload. I wonder if the lighter pill is a factor on big stags in its knock down power? I have no idea, as always used 100gr and they do the job(nearlyoverkill on fallow). My second back up rifle is a 308, be no differnt, good projectile choice and shot placement will make the difference in the end on how sucessful it will be (and my shooting lol)

Originally Posted by hawkfish

I use a 243 in the UK and shoot Foxes, muntjac, Roe and Fallow with it and it does the job well, But Im not sure Id want to shoot a big Red stag in the roar with it. If I were in your shoes I think Id go 308...

It's still good for a 2 year old spika, my freezer tells me that but some big raring bull, nah thanks.... Nice calibre and one i am looking at

Originally Posted by hawkfish

I use a 243 in the UK and shoot Foxes, muntjac, Roe and Fallow with it and it does the job well, But Im not sure Id want to shoot a big Red stag in the roar with it. If I were in your shoes I think Id go 308...

Yep, I did it. I'd do it again. the 243 is a machine.

Shooting 308 indicates he won't be shooting at extreme ranges.
My Sako 75 308 has a Weaver V9 sitting on top. Works fine and proven in the bush from 8m (deer was a bit blurry at 3m so waited for a better picture) to my longest shot 137m across a gulley.
Quality of optics for sure but don't need to spend $kazillion to put food on the table. Unless the Weaver breaks it won't be coming off

Originally Posted by sako75

Shooting 308 indicates he won't be shooting at extreme ranges.
My Sako 75 308 has a Weaver V9 sitting on top. Works fine and proven in the bush from 8m (deer was a bit blurry at 3m so waited for a better picture) to my longest shot 137m across a gulley.

Nothing wrong with the Weavers IMO, I have a v9 on my 308 and have shot wallabies out to 300+ with it.

I think some people tend to exaggerate how much you need to spend on gear for normal hunting, nothing wrong with spending the extra if you want something nicer but a $1000 scope won't necessarily get you any more animals than a $400 scope! (unless you're shooting longer range, in which case you probably have enough experience that you don't need to ask about it on a forum).

And that is what it is all about - shot placement
I have seen a mate drop a 12pt with a 223. When we put it on the hook it weighed 76kg. A heavy carry

I didn't mean that all $400 scopes were rubbish....but there's definitely some that are. All I am saying is that he's bought a nice rifle...A7's aren't at the low end, so why put a cheap scope on it and limit it? If I was him I would try my best to put a nice scope on it to make it useable at various ranges. And you pay for scopes with large multipliers (2-10x or 2-12x or 3-18x, etc).

Otherwise he will be here in 6 months or a year asking what calibre/scope for longer range, or for closer range. That's part of the fun....I realize that. But for my first centerfire I wanted something I could use from a few meters to a few hundred meters. Will end up saving him $$ in the long run.

I bought a world class 2-7 x32 tasco 25 years ago when I built my Mauser.
It was the best I could afford and the small objective allowed me too keep the scope low and retain the iron sights.
I went for grunty weaver rings and too this day Ive never regretted it.
Its a fantastic bush scope , but I still prefer the little rossi when im exploreing .

Exactly MattyP

Bang for buck - Nikon Monarch, you will not buy a better scope for less. They pop up second Han in mint condition on tard me all the time for a steal too, I paid $250 for the last one I got.

The blue box federal or rem cor loc in 150 will suit your hunting with the 308

The rem corlokts work well on deer, mushroom out well and go right through to produce exit wound. Used them in my 308 with great success

I killed a fecking big red the other day with a 55gr bullet 100 seems overkill??! :p

Sorry, just had to skyte. Pics of the new gun when it arrives, OP!!

Originally Posted by Dougie

I killed a fecking big red the other day with a 55gr bullet 100 seems overkill??! :p

Sorry, just had to skyte. Pics of the new gun when it arrives, OP!!

Seen big reds run away from a 55gr as well just saying


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