|
|
|
Discussion Forums
Forum Index
> Medium and large game hunting
> Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and Goat
Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and Goat
@ 03:46 pm (GMT) |
Carsten PedersenHi there,I am slowly getting back into a little more hunting and am joining a group with a friend for some pest control, mostly in QLD. I already have a 30-30 for Pigs and Deer at closer ranges but am now gathering information for a smaller bolt acton. I am interested in shooting smaller game (Rabbit, Cat, Fox, Dog & Goat) at up to medium distances what ever that means, probably out to 300-500 meters. Initially I was leaning towards a .223 but am aware that it might shoot a bit small projectiles at distance, especially at Dog/Goat. Do like the small caliber and lovely to reload. Therefore a more realistic choice I am thinking would be either a .243 or a .260. Does anyone have good first hand experience with shooting up to Dog & Goat at distance with a lighter caliber ? Considering above, what is your recommendation on calibers and bullet choices. Thanks for taking time out to help me Regards Carsten Burpengary, QLD |
Replies
@ 08:05 am (GMT) |
Daniel SchindlerRe: Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and GoatGreetings Carsten and Happy New year.There will be others here with more experience than I have, but I am 65 years into this...hunting...reloading...ballistics...owning/shooting endless calibers/cartridges. In my humble opinion, it is much easier to ask a cartridge to do less than more. And why I very carefully chose the .243 Winchester for purposes similar to those you mentioned. Maybe a little more than you'll need for some purposes, but very capable of handling bigger tasks. I reload and shoot the Sierra 70 gr Varmint bullet for all these chores and am very happy with the consistently dependable results. Just my opinion now, while the .260 has it's advantages, I believe the .243 will be much more versatile as you go down the list of your quarry...bullet selections, ballistics, etc. Cheers. Danny Schindler North Carolina, USA |
|
@ 10:33 am (GMT) |
Carsten PedersenRe: Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and GoatThanks Danny,Happy New Year to you too. That's a real valid point, thank you. I never contemplated reloading 2 different sized bullets but of cause that would open up possibilities to use a larger caliber in multiple situations, as long as I dial for it. Regards Carsten |
|
@ 12:01 pm (GMT) |
Carsten PedersenRe: Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and GoatActually Danny if I may ask you a question.In your experience, what do you think about max range for the .243 on goat sized game ? Here I am after ethical stopping power. Do you think a 70-90 grain varmint round would reach out to 400-500 meters or is it a bit much to ask ballistically ? Thank you in advance Carsten |
|
@ 01:35 pm (GMT) |
Daniel SchindlerRe: Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and GoatHi Carsten.Again, just my opinion here. Not sure how big your goats are. The primary game with my .243 is coyotes. For coyotes at longer ranges (400+ yards), many swear by the 80 and 85 gr Varmint bullets. That said, time has shown with tougher bullets, the .243 is very capable on small to medium sized deer. I have a small stockpile of Nosler, 100 gr Partitions for this exact use when my 2 Grandsons (hopefully) decide to accompany me on a hunt. I purposely bought the .243 because it is a splendid dual purpose cartridge. It's a death ray on coyotes. If I'm correct about estimating your goat size/weight (??)...possibly the tougher, Nosler, 85/90 gr Partition or Ballistic Tip would give you the distance, external and terminal ballistics you are looking for on these goats? That's what I'd choose. The lighter 60 gr bullets always seduce with their higher velocities, but, generally speaking now, the slightly heavier aerodynamic bullets like I've suggested will manage wind better - carry excellent terminal ballistics down range - and especially way out there "on lighter game." Yes, I'm prejudiced in favor of the .243 for "these" purposes. It's a proven cartridge. Lighter bullets for some tasks, heavier bullets for bigger tasks. For the game sizes you've listed, I think it's a very versatile and dependable choice. Cheers |
|
@ 01:44 pm (GMT) |
Daniel SchindlerRe: Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and GoatCarsten,Just a thought... If you decide to focus on game larger than rabbit, cat and fox, another option would the the 25-06 with light bullets in the 100 gr range. While a great cartridge, in my humble opinion, it's still the .243 that carries the versatility advantage. Danny |
|
@ 02:04 pm (GMT) |
Carsten PedersenRe: Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and GoatYou are a star Danny, thank you so much for chipping in.Our goats are probably up to around 60Kg/120pounds. I like there is a plethora of bullet sizes and constructions with the .243 and I think you are right that it is a well suited caliber, not forgetting that it will be used for small to medium sized (some what) game. For larger game I have my Marlin 336C in 30-30, I tend to shoot deer at much closer ranges as I am not a big fan on shooting large game on longer ranges. I do enjoy a good stalk too. Thank you ever so much for sharing your knowledge on this great cartridge. I hope you can get your grandsons out in the wild, I think it is ever so important we all know where meat comes from rather than seeing it wrapped in plastic in the supermarkets. Regards Carsten |
|
@ 10:30 am (GMT) |
Daniel SchindlerRe: Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and GoatYou're very welcome Carsten. Those are all just my humble opinions, backed by considerable field experience. Which I why I so greatly respect Nathan's experience/opinions in these matters. His information is a resource you can depend on...and trust. I do...and I'm an old curmudgeon.While I still believe the .243 is your best, most versatile bet to cover to list of quarry you listed, small to large...if over time you discover you are spending more time on 100+ pound goats at longer ranges...300+ yards...stepping up a bit in caliber would have merit. And why I mentioned the 25-06. Down range at longer distances, the 25's can be superior to the 24's. A bit much for rabbits, cats and foxes...but hey...pros and cons, all to be weighed. Take your time and have fun...enjoy your research on this project. No such thing as a stupid question Carsten and hopefully others will chime in with their .02 worth. Happy New Year. Cheers, Danny |
@ 01:14 pm (GMT) |
CBH AustraliaRe: Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and GoatCarsten, I shot plenty of goats with a .222 years ago. I'm 49 now so I'm young enough to be a .223 convert.My wife owns a .243 and has taken pigs. It would be fine on goats, particularly with shot placement. I don't really shoot at 400 but I will be practicing soon with .308 just to learn the skills. I have a .22-250 but it may be a bit light for goats at longer ranges. The .243 would do well and is Popular in Australia making ammo available, actually ADI/outback ammo offer the bulk packs. There may be an advantage in .260 but it's gonna be a reloading proposition. The .25-06 would be a great dog cartridge imho. I've seen so many turn back and look from about 300 , my .223 is about on at 200 so I don't take snap shots and educate them.. I will take them in Range I've shot dogs with rifles up to .308. I'm hoping to Hunt a lot of pests with my latest acquisition a .280ai. A 7mm-08 might fit the bill for what you want, maybe more common than the .260 in Australia too. The 7mm-08 would work well on deer if the mood takes you. Rabbits, anything from .22lr is good but it you are varminting it doesn't matter what you hit them with. I've shot foxes with 7mm-08 and .308 as it's what I was carrying. My Tikka CTR 20" 7mm-08 spent a lot of time in the vehicle when I was working in the bush. Accurate and effective |
@ 12:38 pm (GMT) |
Mike RRe: Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and GoatI’d go 243 with 87gr Vmax using AR2213sc gets me just over 3200 FPSLongest ranged kill is 460 meters so far. With permits for Emu on crops have found 70gr noslers most effective. Get a reasonable good range finder Most of the time I’m using 223 at night though, good for lots of things with practice out to 250. Killed a 64kg boar beginning of the year, one shot just behind the ear |
|
@ 09:59 pm (GMT) |
CBH AustraliaRe: Caliber choice for vermin hunting up to Dog and GoatCarsten, I shot plenty of goats with a .222 years ago. I'm 49 now so I'm young enough to be a .223 convert.My wife owns a .243 and has taken pigs. It would be fine on goats, particularly with shot placement. I don't really shoot at 400 but I will be practicing soon with .308 just to learn the skills. I have a .22-250 but it may be a bit light for goats at longer ranges. The .243 would do well and is Popular in Australia making ammo available, actually ADI/outback ammo offer the bulk packs. There may be an advantage in .260 but it's gonna be a reloading proposition. The .25-06 would be a great dog cartridge imho. I've seen so many turn back and look from about 300 , my .223 is about on at 200 so I don't take snap shots and educate them.. I will take them in Range I've shot dogs with rifles up to .308. I'm hoping to Hunt a lot of pests with my latest acquisition a .280ai. A 7mm-08 might fit the bill for what you want, maybe more common than the .260 in Australia too. The 7mm-08 would work well on deer if the mood takes you. Rabbits, anything from .22lr is good but it you are varminting it doesn't matter what you hit them with. I've shot foxes with 7mm-08 and .308 as it's what I was carrying. My Tikka CTR 20" 7mm-08 spent a lot of time in the vehicle when I was working in the bush. Accurate and effective |
Please wait
ABOUT USWe are a small, family run business, based out of Taranaki, New Zealand, who specialize in cartridge research and testing, and rifle accurizing.
|
KNOWLEDGEBASE |
KNOWLEDGEBASE |