Thread: The "Goat Rifle"...

So with a trip to New Zealand planned for the entire month of December... I thought I'd better get to work on a rifle for the trip. I perused the classifieds on a number of hunting/shooting sites... and ended up with the parts to assemble the following rifle. I'm hoping for input on loads/optics for the trip from members here... we plan to shoot mainly goats... but other targets of opportunity will not be passed up. I'm thinking of shooting the 123 Amax at everything... I've had positive experiences with the Amax on game in several calibers... but would love to hear any experience y'all have had with them on goats.

Rem. 700 Stainless short action
23" Rock Creek #4 Stainless/Fluted .260 Rem. (1/8" twist)
HS Precision ADL Sporter Stock
Talley Lightweight "lows"
Leupold 3-9x40 with Target Turrets
Weighs 8lbs 6oz



123 Hornady Amax
Lapua Brass
44.0 grains WW760
WLRM Primer
Loaded to Mag. Length (2.80")
2980fps

100 yds...



300 yds... right at 2"...



15-shots, random distances from 300-800 yards (12"x18" plate, 6" center circle).... working out the drop chart and had a few low hits... but no misses.



and..... it can kill stuff too.... like this unfortunate prairie dog at 256 yards...

Hey Josh,did you shoot all the trees

I like that rifle, feel free to leave it behind after your trip

Originally Posted by madjon_

Hey Josh,did you shoot all the trees

And the hills ?

You'll need to find some hills to get fit for NZ, we do not have a whole lot of flat country over here

That should serve you well here :thumbup:

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well that should do just fine and if you plan to leave it behind in nz im sure there is a few members here that would be keen on it

Originally Posted by ebf

And the hills ?

You'll need to find some hills to get fit for NZ, we do not have a whole lot of flat country over here

I've done my fair share of hunting in steep, costal, volcano riddled rainforest. I spent 12 years living and hunting in Washington state... terrain quite similar to yours I believe?

yea thatd do it.

tahr country is similar to the worst of that

goats you can usually shoot from farm tracks off quads haha

Man what a beautiful place. Nice rig too.

I've just come back from Washington State. I can confirm it's Fjordland mixed with some of Marlborough. Awesome place.

Have you tryed the 140 amax yet?

I know many many have had great success shooting it. You dont seem to find the 123 as popular.

If you do decide to leave it in nz I would be interested at least.

Originally Posted by 199p

Have you tryed the 140 amax yet?

I know many many have had great success shooting it. You dont seem to find the 123 as popular.

If you do decide to leave it in nz I would be interested at least.

Get in line

Nice rig... hope you are bringing lots of ammo, as this country is crawling with goats... or do you really mean tahr?

I use 155gn AMaxes out of my .308 semi on goats. Certainly does the job... messy too.

The perfect rifle. Just like mine. Well done mate.

Beautiful! The view shots aren't that bad either