Thread: first time using center fire

12g is very effective when close on cattle.
Just have to stand firm.

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Originally Posted by WaikatoBushman

The practice with a .22 will translate to some degree but its generally better to practice with a centerfire if your aiming to shoot centerfire. What's your aim for this firearm? Im wondering if it could make sense for you to pick up a 243 as a stepping stone in the centerfire learning curve, minimal recoil, minimal noise suppressed and enough punch for majority of animals NZ holds

yeah agree with the bushman -the last thing you need is to start flinching from noise - if its just the noise that's bothering you then when target shooting I use a set of good sonic ear plugs and combine that with a set of grade 5 ear muffs - dont hear much with that combo- get as comfortable as possible - neighbours well look after them - a courtesy call before target session always and reasure them you have safe range with decent backstop

Thank you folks for all the good advice
I'm not in danger or planning to shoot any livestock, anytime soon
Just doing my homework before pulling the trigger,
look like this idea going back to the drawing board.

Maybe will pick up .223 or .243 as someone suggested and practice with it
If only, I could jam another rifle in my gun safe.

To be honest, the .243 is not (in my opinion anyway) going to help in any way here. Similar muzzle bark, slightly less recoil but completely different trajectory and it's another firearm to feed. Plenty of soldiers learnt to shoot going from nothing to .308, so it can be done. It's just a case of researching the techniques and if you can get to a range with someone that's experienced with hunting situational shooting that can coach you a little.

The point about the Peltor noise cancelling is that different to industrial PPE, they only shut off noise past a set threshold so for industrial purposes actually don't comply with H&S requirements. What the point of the exercise is, is to get away from the noise effects of the muzzle gas jetting (it's similar to a high pressure compressed air release and a similar level of potential damage). The suppressor tames the worst of the gas jet expansion noise by reducing the velocity of the gasses leaving the muzzle, but doesn't remove the supersonic crack from the projectile or the gas pressure wave which is the equivalent of the compressed air release.

In your position, you're doing the right things by thinking through and asking the questions but one of the issues with the internet is wading through the multitude of replies which are all correct in their way to find what suits your situation and objectives. My vote such as it is, is to stick with the .308 and make it work for you. Money saved makes for more ammo for practice, and once you've got confidence with that you won't look back. Noise from the gunshot is one major factor, suppressors help and cap it with whatever hearing protection you have on hand that suits and is convenient. If recoil force is still an issue, you can upgrade the recoil pad to a limbsaver or a pachmeyer version or add some weight into the stock which slows down the rearward boot...

Originally Posted by Snap 4T

Thank you for the advice,

Thank you for the info, time to visit that friendly fellow at GC I guess.

right,so now we see the problem....yo uare asking a SALEPERSON working on possibly a commission....what is best for you..... fox in henhouse really.
they will be MORE THAN HAPPY to upgrade whatever you have,at a price.....
dont muck around with a rouge bull.get someone in to do the job who knows what they are doing,better still ask one of big bore guys to come and do it for you..that rigby etc that was bought for African safari will enjoy the exercise and be vasty better for the job...at very least bring that fella along to back you up after you cockup the job..he at least can drop bull before it destroys or kills something.

My advice is, You need to find an experienced shooter to come look at your set up and go over things with you.

Your subsonic loads- you will not get anything quieter and if they are noisy then something is wrong with your setup. All subsonic will produce a similar level of noise and energy is dependant on bullet weight, so changing cartridge case will not effect results.

Originally Posted by Snap 4T

is there a factory bullet (0.308W subsonic) that is not as noisy but powerful enough to take down a rogue bull at 150 yards (if necessary)?

or I better off get a 300blackout setup with subsonic

Thank you for the info and advice

150 yards - plenty of time to retreat

Rogue Bull - shit, you can never have to much gun here, they are big, hard headed and when angry take a lot of stopping. Should be sent to the freezing works long before this stage, first sign of stroppiness and off they go.

Yeah sure - a .22LR was used on the farm to down a cattle beast in the yards - but two different scenarios.

An enraged bull coming at you, will certainly focus the mind and stuff your aim.

Hello Snap 4T, I recognise your username from the fishing forum. I think you may have got the message about 300BLK, subsonic ammo and bulls! Just for interest, since 300BLK rounds utilise the same projectiles as .308, all other things being equal, they are identical in performance at subsonic speeds. At supersonic speeds, .308 is far superior to 300BLK in terms of energy delivery.

MB you forgot the last line
at subsonic speeds they both SUCK BIG TIME if your aim is off by even half an inch.....

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

MB you forgot the last line
at subsonic speeds they both SUCK BIG TIME if your aim is off by even half an inch.....

There is that too!

my advice squire for what its worth would be to hook up with some of the experienced guys on here. you can practise etc under their watchful eyes and youll get a ton of bloody good advice ,if not a few outings to help you gain experience for the task.youll also probably find given a lot are of that rare species "good bastards",youll be joining a group of them,and providing you dont abuse hospitality or display a complete absence of commonsense,the world of hunting could well become your oyster too
.Thats how i learnt my goose shooting and 16yrs later still shoot with the same crowd .Ive just had a very enjoyable weekend away with a well known forum member who pm'd an invitation out of the goodness of his heart.Itook 3rifles i wanted to try and again had a marvellous session shooting and indeed exactly what can upset the accuracy .I also managed to tag my first possum in around 30yrs ,beleive it or not with a rifle donated to me by another forum member. try it -once youre hooke d youll never go back!!

Originally Posted by MB

Hello Snap 4T, I recognise your username from the fishing forum. I think you may have got the message about 300BLK, subsonic ammo and bulls! Just for interest, since 300BLK rounds utilise the same projectiles as .308, all other things being equal, they are identical in performance at subsonic speeds. At supersonic speeds, .308 is far superior to 300BLK in terms of energy delivery.

Hi &, yeah that's me.
Hows live in Northland.

Just picked up my 1st centre fire and asking some dumb questions here
nothing interesting...

Originally Posted by kotuku

my advice squire for what its worth would be to hook up with some of the experienced guys on here. you can practise etc under their watchful eyes and youll get a ton of bloody good advice ,if not a few outings to help you gain experience for the task.youll also probably find given a lot are of that rare species "good bastards",youll be joining a group of them,and providing you dont abuse hospitality or display a complete absence of commonsense,the world of hunting could well become your oyster too
.Thats how i learnt my goose shooting and 16yrs later still shoot with the same crowd .Ive just had a very enjoyable weekend away with a well known forum member who pm'd an invitation out of the goodness of his heart.Itook 3rifles i wanted to try and again had a marvellous session shooting and indeed exactly what can upset the accuracy .I also managed to tag my first possum in around 30yrs ,beleive it or not with a rifle donated to me by another forum member. try it -once youre hooke d youll never go back!!

That is very sound advice,
I was thinking to join AKL gun club last year but work commitment never allowed it.
Ended up learning from Youtube & internet and put it into practice when I have free time.
Unfortunately, I can't get away from a work commitment for now,
maybe later on when the time is right.

Yes, there are rare good species out there
I know MB above from my kayak day, good bugger that guy.

Originally Posted by Doghead

150 yards - plenty of time to retreat

Rogue Bull - shit, you can never have to much gun here, they are big, hard headed and when angry take a lot of stopping. Should be sent to the freezing works long before this stage, first sign of stroppiness and off they go.

Yeah sure - a .22LR was used on the farm to down a cattle beast in the yards - but two different scenarios.

An enraged bull coming at you, will certainly focus the mind and stuff your aim.

Yeah, from all the advice I got here, bull calf is not an option now,
will stick with a heifer or steer at the most.

Originally Posted by Snap 4T

Hi &, yeah that's me.
Hows live in Northland.

Life goes on. Hunting and fishing when parenting, working and weather allow. I'm long retired from kayak fishing, jetski for 7 years; picked up first boat in May 2022 and loving it, although it's been a terrible summer for us, I'm guessing similar in Auckland.

Originally Posted by Snap 4T

Just picked up my 1st centre fire and asking some dumb questions here
nothing interesting...

I was in the same boat 5 years ago, we all were at some point, so ask away.