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Thread: Rifle for NZ

  1. #1
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    Rifle for NZ

    I am in the market for a new synthetic stocked rifle. Will be used for deerstalking in the UK and hope to use it at least once in NZ. What would be a close to perfect rifle/calibre/scope combination for NZ use ? I like light rifles ( 2.8 to 3.1 kg). Could be used for goats, boar, red, fallow, ...... I notice that you seem to shoot a lot at very long range. The browning A bolt is still available but only in 223,243,30-06 and 300 win mag. Would a 30-06 be flat shooting enough for NZ use? But there is also the T3, the Howa, ....... I still have an unused Zeiss 6x42 in my cabinet. I would like to hear your advice.

  2. #2
    OPCz Rushy's Avatar
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    HS what you have observed on this forum is that there are basically two distinctly different types of hunting in New Zealand and although it is a generalisation and not entirely correct to do so, you could group them in to short range hunting (which is predominent in the North Island where the hunting areas are mostly forested) and long range hunting (which is predominent in the South Island which is alpine). 30-06 would be fine for NZ. In my view your Zeiss would be over powered for bush hunting and would likely be underpowered for truly long range, however I will defer to other members to give you guidance on that.

    In the end, a good comfortable (to you) rifle that will cleanly kill the animals you mentioned in Europe, will also cleanly kill the same animals in New Zealand so go with your gut on this.
    It takes 43 muscle's to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger pull.
    What more do we need? If we are above ground and breathing the rest is up to us!
    Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded
    Rule 2: Always point firearms in a safe direction
    Rule 3: Load a firearm only when ready to fire
    Rule 4: Identify your target beyond all doubt
    Rule 5: Check your firing zone
    Rule 6: Store firearms and ammunition safely
    Rule 7: Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms

  3. #3
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    Rifle for NZ

    Sako 85 Finnlight
    7mm rem mag.

    Great bush rifle and excellent on the long shots.
    veitnamcam and kokako like this.
    A big fast bullet beats a little fast bullet every time

  4. #4
    Almost literate. veitnamcam's Avatar
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    +1 on the 7mmrem mag,would have to be the best "allround NZ cal" in a factory round with ammo in every shop.

    Anything on the 3006 case or 308 case will do just fine as well but it depends how far you want to be able to shoot.
    Matt2308 likes this.
    "Hunting and fishing" fucking over licenced firearms owners since ages ago.

    308Win One chambering to rule them all.

  5. #5
    Village Idjit Barefoot's Avatar
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    Is the rem mag become popular enough to meet the claim of ämmo in every shop"?
    I'm gunna have to take more notice in the shops these days I'm obviously getting out of date.
    Considering the request of a light rifle maybe a .308 with a 3-12 scope, although then the scope may end up quite heavy. The 6x42 is likely to limit you in shooting in NZ to some degree.
    Tentman likes this.
    The Biggest Room is the Room for Improvement

  6. #6
    Member GravelBen's Avatar
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    Depends what you regard as long range! TBH the stories of frequent 400m+ shooting that you read on the forum probably aren't representative of the majority of hunters - at least not the ones I know! Last research I heard about said over 90% of deer are still shot within 200yds.

  7. #7
    Almost literate. veitnamcam's Avatar
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    Re: Rifle for NZ

    Ok almost every shop

    Sent from my GT-S5360T using Tapatalk 2
    "Hunting and fishing" fucking over licenced firearms owners since ages ago.

    308Win One chambering to rule them all.

  8. #8
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    I have used 270 on the south island tops and in the deep bush for the last 12 years with no problems.

  9. #9
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    270, 6.5x55, 7mm-08, 308

    Good quality light 3-9 scope.... good to 400m if you are well set up and practiced..

    General hunting is walk and look.... you will be carrying more than sitting..

    long range gear is specialised, the gear is not particularly carry friendly and getting locations and spots requires time and familiarity. That is unlikely to happen for a tourist/visitor..

    Better a practical general purpose carry rig...
    RimfireNZ and Matt2308 like this.

  10. #10
    OPCz Rushy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gemini View Post
    I have used 270 on the south island tops and in the deep bush for the last 12 years with no problems.
    I like this calibre.
    It takes 43 muscle's to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger pull.
    What more do we need? If we are above ground and breathing the rest is up to us!
    Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded
    Rule 2: Always point firearms in a safe direction
    Rule 3: Load a firearm only when ready to fire
    Rule 4: Identify your target beyond all doubt
    Rule 5: Check your firing zone
    Rule 6: Store firearms and ammunition safely
    Rule 7: Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sidney View Post
    270, 6.5x55, 7mm-08, 308

    Good quality light 3-9 scope.... good to 400m if you are well set up and practiced..

    General hunting is walk and look.... you will be carrying more than sitting..

    long range gear is specialised, the gear is not particularly carry friendly and getting locations and spots requires time and familiarity. That is unlikely to happen for a tourist/visitor..

    Better a practical general purpose carry rig...
    this guy is on to a winner.
    do this. pick one and make it happen

  12. #12
    Member GravelBen's Avatar
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    .260 a good option too IMO.

  13. #13
    Gone But Not Forgotten Toby's Avatar
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    .308 will kill anything and ammo is cheap.
    falconhell and kokako like this.
    VIVA LA HOWA

  14. #14
    Caretaker - Gone But Not Forgotten jakewire's Avatar
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    I'd look at what you'd prefer to use in England caliber wise then we'll see if we think it's suitable here, after all your talking one trip here .
    I'd agree you could be handicaped by a 6x scope however that will depend on where you wish to go here.
    Of the abolts calibers you mentioned , if the aught 6 is right for you in England, it'll certainly do here.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

  15. #15
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    I have used a 6x scope for years and never felt limited by it. It will shoot out to the practical range of a 30-06 and it's usable bush hunting. Stick with what you know I say. Fixed 6 is a better choice than fixed 4 for the south island.

 

 

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