What do you Say!!!

Hi Guys

Just needed your suggestion and advice looking at the grouping in picture below. Re-Sighted in my 6.5 x 55 in the weekend. The 2 shots on the left are the the initial shot marks before re-algning the cross hair. I use a BSA 3-9x40 Scope

The 5 shots group in the centre is after alignment at 110-120m approx. The target was on the middle bullet catcher at Hutt Valley Deerstalkers Range. The target used was a darts board. The diameter of the inner black shot area is approx. 3 inches

Now was just wondering if this kind of grouping is good enough for deer hunting. I have done enough time hunting goats and learning the tricks so now have plans to go looking for the deers. Going out to a new spot x to look in places which holds them therefore trying to get as much info as possible from you senior members

Also if I can get advice if 6.5 x 55 is good for deer hunting and what are the range limitations of taking shots with it.

Cheers

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I have always reckoned that if you can consistently hit a target the size of the end of a beer box at 100 metres from a standing position unaided, then you are good-to-go.

While it is not the tightest of groups, you should certainly be confident when aiming at the heart / lung area

I am no expert by a long way, but from what I have seen and heard, your 6.5 is more than adequate to hunt just about any game in NZ

the 6.5 is fine for deer to 400m+

Initiaz, if you can put 5 shots into a 3 inch diameter circle at 100m you should be more than ok for deer.

No problems with 6.5x55 for deer.

What ammo are you using? Assuming you are buying and not reloading...

About distance, I would not worry too much about it, 90% of the deer you are going to find in the bush will be no further than 100 to 200m max, most probably a lot closer ;) Practise to consistently being able to hit a target the size of the kill zone of your intended species at longer distances. For a deer I would go with a circle of about 15cm diameter.

6.5x55 is an awesome caliber and more than capable of dropping a full bodied stag. Nothing wrong with your groupings provided you are going for a shoulder shot (lungs and heart). Leave the headshot heroics for the more experienced shooters
I have found the Federal Power-Shok (blue box) quite reliable and well suited to the older Carl Gustov and Husquvana rifles for accuracy

Initiaz - that sand mound is the 100m mark at HVDA range. If you are happy that you can consistently group at the 3inch mark then you will be good. To maximise your chances go for the HILAR shot. Good luck.Attachment 20550Attachment 20551

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Originally Posted by ebf

Initiaz, if you can put 5 shots into a 3 inch diameter circle at 100m you should be more than ok for deer.

No problems with 6.5x55 for deer.

What ammo are you using? Assuming you are buying and not reloading...

About distance, I would not worry too much about it, 90% of the deer you are going to find in the bush will be no further than 100 to 200m max, most probably a lot closer ;) Practise to consistently being able to hit a target the size of the kill zone of your intended species at longer distances. For a deer I would go with a circle of about 15cm diameter.

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Am using 139gr from hunting & fishing or sometimes from Petone gun shop.

Thanks for the heads up.. just feeling too excited for weekend to come now knowing its just monday today..

will do a solo over nighter this weekend. Deer o no deer is not a problem.. what will be fun is going out there and if luck creeps I should have my first deer certainly..

I have been trying to ask many of my mates (non hunters) to come along but seems non have any interest. I dont have a hunter mate as friend for now so will just go out myself instead of waiting to find 1..

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Originally Posted by 308

Initiaz - that sand mound is the 100m mark at HVDA range. If you are happy that you can consistently group at the 3inch mark then you will be good. To maximise your chances go for the HILAR shot. Good luck.

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Thanks very much for this shot placement image.. this will definitely help placing the shot at the right place..

cheers

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Originally Posted by sako75

6.5x55 is an awesome caliber and more than capable of dropping a full bodied stag. Nothing wrong with your groupings provided you are going for a shoulder shot (lungs and heart). Leave the headshot heroics for the more experienced shooters
I have found the Federal Power-Shok (blue box) quite reliable and well suited to the older Carl Gustov and Husquvana rifles for accuracy

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^+1
6.5x55 has been for many years and still is the calibre of choice in Scandanavia for Moose, so will drop anything we have in NZ to 400m, if your shooting is up to it.

Federal blue has become my most trusted factory ammo in multiple calibres.

The 5shot grouping is adequate for the range, but your are most likely to encounter deer at 20-60m most commonly in the Tararuas, so practise shooting standing with your scope zoom wound right back to 3 or 4. You'll be fine!

Make sure somebody knows where you are heading and time of return all that good stuff, same as solo tramping.

It's not the best to go alone just make sure you have someone to raise the alarm should you get lost, stay safe out there and good luck!

(heaps easier to drag a beast out of the bush with an extra person aswell)

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Originally Posted by EK9132

Make sure somebody knows where you are heading and time of return all that good stuff, same as solo tramping.

It's not the best to go alone just make sure you have someone to raise the alarm should you get lost, stay safe out there and good luck!

(heaps easier to drag a beast out of the bush with an extra person aswell)

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Ya you are right about going with a mate but just because I cant find one to tag along I cant just b cancelling my trip.. after all its my passion n i will have to go out there n do ..

I do take precautions and always make sure I let my family know where I am heading to. when am expected to return etc etc.. I also carry my navigation equipments together with the skills I already have.

I will be happy if someone would like to join me this weekend.. please PM..

Nothing wrong with a Solo hunt, no one to blame for any cockups and only yourself top pat on the back when it all goes to plan.

Leave intentions with someone, sounds like you on to it in that regard anyway, get amongst it an enjoy.

From group above your good to go out to 200M, that's a bloody long way, if I doubt you need to close the gap so hence the stalking bit.

If bush hunting then practice at 50M freehand is great, I use a 10cm target to practice this stuff, about the size of a deer neck as often that's all you have in the bush.

Have fun

Cheers

Dino

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Originally Posted by initiaz

I do take precautions and always make sure I let my family know where I am heading to. when am expected to return etc etc.. I also carry my navigation equipments together with the skills I already have.

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You're probably aware of this already, but you can hire a PLB from Mainly Hunting for extra peace of mind.

Join a Deerstalkers club and go on club hunts

As hunt4life said, be aware of your scope settings. Drop the magnification down when you are going into the bush and up again when hunting more open areas. Be aware of yourself as much as the surroundings.

Hunting with a mate last year and watched from a distance as he brought his rifle up. Then heard the dead mans click. Thought he had one up the spout. fortunately it was a dumb spiker and he managed to load a round and drop it

TGF.. Thank God its friday.. getting more & more excited as time ticks away today.. Have almost packed everything for the Solo hunt.. few of my friends whom I had invited to join (non hunters but meat lovers) were very surprised to know that am making a solo trip.. they said I should take some one.. thats when I told them, that i have asked every1 I know would want to no avail. I cant be ruining my passion coz friends are not willing to join..

Last night while having a kava session at home one of the friends who rejected the offer of joing said "if you manage to shoot a deer just drop me a call and I will come down to where I was to help carry out" bloody greedy buggar".. doesnt want to come on the trip but is ready to come strip the meat.. some cunning Fijians out here.. lol

Anyways I will be posting the trip report come Sunday evening..

Wish me luck

Cheers

All the best
The ones who put their hand out are the ones you give the shitty cuts of meat to. Keep all the good bits for yourself

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Originally Posted by sako75

All the best
The ones who put their hand out are the ones you give the shitty cuts of meat to. Keep all the good bits for yourself

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Cheers Sako

Its time to ditch the free riders..

Where abouts are you intending on going mate? And when?

Not bad shooting initaz. If your shots are all over the place at times, it could be because you are changing your position on the scope slightly, or various other reasons, breathing control etc.
Do you have a cheek rest on it on you butt?, this will bring your eye position to the same place every time, hopefully.
I have a mauser 6.5 x 55 too and just been to the range, if you like check my video out to see bullet drop at different ranges.
Home built Mauser rifle stock in action. - YouTube
By the way....good luck with the hunting.