Thread: Semi Auto 22 WMR vs Bolt action 223 for goats

Originally Posted by WaikatoBushman

Cheers for all the input gentlemen, I was initially leaning in the direction of the 223 but a mates opinion had me thinking otherwise

* Just a disclaimer, I'm certainly no professional goat culler, Ive been shooting goats free of charge on a private property around Port Waikato for an older mate who recently got his property boundary fenced and have been using my deer rifle to do so which is getting expensive, I'm in no way obligated to finish the task but am not one to leave a job half arsed

Depending on range 7.62x39 could be an option too...WMR would not be my choice on goats - and if you need rapid follow up shots then lever action like a BLR could be the go too. (dearer though)

How many are you expecting to shoot? Ammo is the smallest cost usually. Sure 308 etc might be $3 per round and 223 closer to half that, but to justify $1000 on a rifle is about 600 rounds before you save money....(600 rounds of 308 @$3 would be $1800 and 600 of 223 at $1.50 is 900. You would be spending $1000 to save $900 and the rifle you have is probably better than the 223 too....

Not saying you shouldn't- just saying its not always a simple answer.

Its like spending $12,000 to buy a second hand electric car for a $30km to 60km daily commute when you have a small cheap $3000 hatchback that costs 2 to 4 litres a day to do the same.... (saves you $5 to $10 per day x 4 per week = $20-$40 per week) The extra $9000 will take you nearly 5 years to get your investment back by which time your insurance will have gone up on the dearer car and the battery will be worse.... I use this example as I have recently done just that- looked at electric for what it would be ideal for and figured it still is not worth the money...