Thread: Calibre for goats and occasional deer?

Originally Posted by Tahr

I have 2 loads. With the Barnes so long as its in the kill zone (hilar I think its called), they work. The max range I've used them is about 250 yards. But as the range increases the more I tend to move back from the bony shoulder to the lungs with my point of aim. The Barnes bullets are so effective I don't tend to fiddle so much with head and neck shots now.
I also use 69 grn Targex and the new 69 grn Sierra plastic tip. Have used them out to 300 yards and am more careful about making lung shots in the crease behind the shoulder.

The only reason I don't use my .223 a lot more is that you do need to limit your range to under 300, and where I tend to hunt that's not always possible. Plus I like the variation of using different calibers and rifles.

This is the exit from the ribs into the back of the off shoulder with a 69 grn Sierra plastic tip at 288 yards. Red spiker. It a bit yucky I'm sorry.

Those Barnes 55gr look awesome but are kinda pricey @ around $1.40 just for projectile? Are the 69gr Seirras you refer to TMKs? Look a better option for pushing range with 223 with better bc.
Have you tried 75gr Hornady BTHP on game by chance?

Originally Posted by jackson21

Those Barnes 55gr look awesome but are kinda pricey @ around $1.40 just for projectile? Are the 69gr Seirras you refer to TMKs? Look a better option for pushing range with 223 with better bc.
Have you tried 75gr Hornady BTHP on game by chance?

Yes, TMK. I haven't tried anything heavier than 69 grns. Only a 20" barrel. Yes. the Barnes are pricey but if you are using them on deer you don't use many. The TMK shoot to the same point as the Barnes from my rifle so I use the cheaper TMK on rabbits and for mucking around. I would be happy enough only using the TMK on deer if cost is an issue.

For shooting goats I would choose a .223 any day. Also .223 is a good calibre for deer as well. I have shot many deer using a .223

Originally Posted by MightyBoosh

My simple question has generated lots of answers, thanks! I didn't consider metric calibres out of sheer ignorance, so some more to think about.

Just out of interest, .270 doesn't seem very popular at all. Is it just about cost and availability of ammo, or is there something else?

your splitting hairs mate.

God Tier:
6.5x55
.260
7remmag
.308

Top Tier
.270
30.06
.223

Mid tier
7.62x39

Why would you even bother Tier
7mm08

You are a closet gay Tier
25.06

Everything else is not worth mentioning.










Only good for shooting Rats in the ear Tier
.243

Originally Posted by deer243

Are you for real? Don't you work it in sports/hunting shop??(correct me if im wrong) What a load of nonscense. Firstly, for what he wants to use it for the most suitable Cal would be the 243, or 223 .Its for goats for and a once in a blue moon hunt for deer...243 is ideal, or a 223. Secondly, you suggesting a 243 or 270 isn't as common for availability for ammo etc...of cause they are, what planet are you on.
Without a doubt, for a first rifle for what you want and next to no recoil, the 243 is perfect, as it gives some room for error and gives you some distance over the next best choice a 223.
Go to a 6.5 ? 308 ?270 when you decide to hunt deer full time if you wish but if you shooting 0-250m the 243 will be perfect for that too.

I agree. Nothing wrong with a 243. Many hunters use the 243 primarily for red deer with continuous great success. For what he wants, it would be the ideal calibre.

Originally Posted by MightyBoosh

As per title. It'll primarily be a goat gun, with the very occasional deer stalking trip, maybe once a year. Just started doing some reading and trying to decide between .243 and .270. Any thoughts?

get a semiauto 7.62x39 great for quick shooting of goats and a good bush rifle for deer.

Don't muck around. Just get a .338 or a 7mm ultra mag variant. Job done.

Originally Posted by Nathan F

Don't muck around. Just get a .338 or a 7mm ultra mag variant. Job done.

If he wanted to split goats in half he could just use an axe!

Originally Posted by Allizdog

I agree. Nothing wrong with a 243. Many hunters use the 243 primarily for red deer with continuous great success. For what he wants, it would be the ideal calibre.

As mentioned, Yes, there is plenty of 243, and 270 ammo about and they are not uncommon calibres. Yes I said all those calibres will do what he wants. Yes I did suggest lighter recoiling calibres for goats and I did not say that 243 or 223 were not capable of killing deer.



To be very clear if choosing between 270 and 243, yes the 243 would be a far better choice than the 270. Ideal even. But for a newer shooter, I usually start them with my 223 then my 308 and give them plenty of Barnaul to get them used to the gun. If recoil becomes something they struggle with then I drop back to something like 243 or 6.5x55 which has lighter recoil but still effective on what they are using it for. For big reds and a newer shooter 243 would not be my first choice simply because I think there are better options available. But would not be my last choice either.

the main selling point for either the .223 or the 7.62x39mm or even the mighty .308 is the cheaper ammo that is availiable for them. shooting goats or wallabies is great fun if you arent having to limit yourself as its $2+ each time you squeeze of a shot.....once upon a time the .270 was my only centrefire and it was common to use 40-60 rounds chasing wallabies for the weekend..it got plurry expensive when buying factory fodder for her.
hornady 50 packs have made the first 2 very good and barnaul caters for all 3.

My 260 is great on goats, shot one at 30 meters, dropped on the spot dead as a dead thing.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

My 260 is great on goats, shot one at 30 meters, dropped on the spot dead as a dead thing.

Funny that.

Have you made a decision yet ? I have a lovely .243 with a leupold vx2 3-9 dies and brass for sale.

Originally Posted by nor-west

Have you made a decision yet ? I have a lovely .243 with a leupold vx2 3-9 dies and brass for sale.

Probably has...the thread started 15 months ago

Best calibre I've ever used on goats was my .284; please don't disrespect them, they're just another big game animal/pest.