Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Create Account now to join.
  • Login:

Welcome to the NZ Hunting and Shooting Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.

DPT Terminator


User Tag List

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 58
Like Tree66Likes

Thread: What rifle calibre do you shoot a whale with?

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    590

    What rifle calibre do you shoot a whale with?

    I see DOC has put down the Humpback Whale up on the Westcoast. What calibre do they use? An old .303 with military FMJ would do the job I suppose.

  2. #2
    Member 300CALMAN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    NZISTAN
    Posts
    5,215
    @40mm

  3. #3
    Almost literate. veitnamcam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Nelson
    Posts
    24,745
    This was being discussed at the smoko table yesterday, the propersition was put forth they used a bloody big needle and a drum pump on a 44gallon of some chemical to put it to sleep
    "Hunting and fishing" fucking over licenced firearms owners since ages ago.

    308Win One chambering to rule them all.

  4. #4
    Purveyor of Fine Cutlery terryf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    702
    Actually I doubt it, the whales brain is very small compared to the head size and shooting it is actually asking for trouble in terms of humane killing. If I had to use a rifle I would want as big a calibre as possible to ensure maximum temporary cavity.
    Explosives is the preferred method of instantaneous euthanasia with whales.
    Regards
    Terry

    https://www.knives4africa.co.nz/
    Custom knife dealer

    Authorised Nitecore Torch Retailer
    NZ Distributor of Nano-Oil

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Hawkes Bay
    Posts
    2,393
    From the TV news report, sounds like they just shot it. " ..heard several gunshots.."

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Stewart Island Rakiura
    Posts
    200
    An old boy used to get this job back in the day. He was a Napier resident.
    He used a .303 with solids for the big ones and a steel lance for the smaller ones.

    I was at a whale rescue here on Stewart Island years ago.
    About 20 to 30 pilot whales had stranded or were trying to.

    At the end of the day one of the DOC team had to shoot a few that were beyond hope.

    On the last one as the chap pulled the trigger [.303] a small wave rolled up and over the whale and obviously filled part of the barrel just as the shot went off.

    The rifle barrel split like a banana peel and said chap looked rather red in the face.
    headcase and 40mm like this.

  7. #7
    Member Tommy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    W-BOP
    Posts
    6,447
    I heard they used a borrowed 416 of some description
    Identify your target beyond all doubt

  8. #8
    Member BRADS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Central Hawkes Bay
    Posts
    9,229
    45/70

    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
    rossi.45 likes this.

  9. #9
    Member 199p's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Palmerston North
    Posts
    4,074
    Quote Originally Posted by BRADS View Post
    45/70

    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
    There really is no other viable option

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
    Konus binoculars " The power to imagine"

  10. #10
    Member 300_BLK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    3,590
    My mate does it for doc. Uses a short barreled 14.5x114, same Calibre they shoot tanks with in WW2.

    His 50 BMG wasn't getting it done.

    Apparently whale skulls are really thick.
    40mm and terryf like this.
    Warm Barrels!

  11. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Christchuch New Zealand
    Posts
    5,844
    Quote Originally Posted by veitnamcam View Post
    This was being discussed at the smoko table yesterday, the propersition was put forth they used a bloody big needle and a drum pump on a 44gallon of some chemical to put it to sleep
    Naaa. They do a blood test and take their sweet time looking fora vein. That will sort it.....
    outdoorlad, cambo, 199p and 1 others like this.

  12. #12
    Purveyor of Fine Cutlery terryf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    702
    Quote Originally Posted by 300_BLK View Post
    My mate does it for doc. Uses a short barreled 14.5x114, same Calibre they shoot tanks with in WW2.

    His 50 BMG wasn't getting it done.

    Apparently whale skulls are really thick.
    That sounds like the business!
    Regards
    Terry

    https://www.knives4africa.co.nz/
    Custom knife dealer

    Authorised Nitecore Torch Retailer
    NZ Distributor of Nano-Oil

  13. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Middle Earth
    Posts
    4,030
    The 14.5x114 was what I heard off, as I have a mate who is one of the lucky few to own one as well and I believe he knows the Whale culler.

  14. #14
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    BOP
    Posts
    20,760
    I know you light a fire in them if they swallow you and you want out!
    WallyR likes this.
    Boom, cough,cough,cough

  15. #15
    Member 199p's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Palmerston North
    Posts
    4,074
    Quote Originally Posted by Maca49 View Post
    I know you light a fire in them if they swallow you and you want out!
    Just take some dry firewood with ya

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
    Maca49 likes this.
    Konus binoculars " The power to imagine"

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 5
    Last Post: 30-12-2014, 01:01 PM
  2. New rifle calibre options: 6.5x55 vs 7/08
    By Garret in forum Firearms, Optics and Accessories
    Replies: 49
    Last Post: 18-03-2013, 10:29 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Welcome to NZ Hunting and Shooting Forums! We see you're new here, or arn't logged in. Create an account, and Login for full access including our FREE BUY and SELL section Register NOW!!