Thread: Deer Caliber + Ammo Cost

Hey Matt,

Where are you in the country, mate?

It's exciting looking into a deer rifle, good on you for researching. My advice would be to just get into it mate. I'm loving my .260 but would definitely not recommend it if you are after cheap off the shelf.

In saying that though, I was talking to a good honest (I hope!) guy in the know the other day and he made a good point - how many times will you be shooting deer each year? Realistically, maybe four times? (FYI bambi that'd be great, four times a year, you're not holding up your end of the deal!) so in comparison to the money you might dump into a hunt like time off work, gas, accommodation, clothing, gear...your ammo isn't really looking too expensive now is it! And wouldn't you want the most effective bullet doing the job for you?

That's how I'm justifying my calibre anyway

There are a lot of good buggers on here and you might just find someone in your area that will teach and show you some reloading stuff. If you're anything like me, getting in there and carrying out your own reloading is the way to learn it, not just reading it off a computer screen.

Also - what do you like? Have you had the opportunity to test out and shoot some of those calibres? What about makes, have you held and shot a make that you really loved?

Good luck, I can't wait to see your new big gun safe and all the new rifles!!!!!

Originally Posted by Dougie

Hey Matt,

Where are you in the country, mate?

Also - what do you like? Have you had the opportunity to test out and shoot some of those calibres? What about makes, have you held and shot a make that you really loved?

Good luck, I can't wait to see your new big gun safe and all the new rifles!!!!!

Hey Dougie. Live in Christchurch. Spend most of my time working in Aus. Back about 10 days a mth for my R&R.

Most I've shot is a 223. Only just gotten into shooting a month ago and got a 10/22. Love it.

I'm one to research a lot and crunch all the numbers. Then after I'm set on a caliber it'll be whatever feels right in the shop as long as all the reviews, etc, of whatever it is are good!

I know what you're saying about usage but reason I consider cost is that I just love shooting. Would like to be able to practice heaps and just go out and shoot hundred or so shots at paper without it costing an arm and a leg, haha. Although I guess that's what .22's are for!

What sort of range could I expect from a .270 Win?

Mikee, what'd you like about the 25/06 over the .270?

7mm08 seems to be damn popular in NZ, can someone run me through why?

Cheers all for the responses.

Originally Posted by mposkitt

7mm08 seems to be damn popular in NZ, can someone run me through why?
Cheers all for the responses.

Cause theres lots of Aucklanders in New Zealand.

I loved the 25/06 cause

a) didn't boot too much
b) was flat shooting
c) shot my very first chamois with it at over 500 yards (I have the video to prove it, so there)
d) everything I pointed it at stayed dead
e) It was a good all rounder for me when I was living in Canterbury.
f) It was the only gun I owned at the time and most likely this is the reason why it gave me confidence, I simply used it fro everything from possums to ..........................

Originally Posted by mposkitt

7mm08 seems to be damn popular in NZ, can someone run me through why?

Cheers all for the responses.

7mm08 and .270 are close enough to the same thing (.270 slightly faster/harder/flatter) only differences comes in when reloading. The 7mm08 has better pill selection. You can't go wrong with either, using these cartridges really the weakest link is going to be the shooter for hunting in NZ.

All the common cartridges will do more than you can unless you get out and practice a lot , so to start with work on ammo price more than anything else , . Go to gun City and see what they have in bulk for a reasonable price , then look at good rifles and top of the line scopes then get back to the forum with your ideas .
I'd recommend 308 , cheap ammo is available , it is mild recoiling even in a light rifle , works well in short barrels if you are going to fit a suppressor , it is a highly developed round that can kill deer further than most people can see them .