Thread: Good caliber to start hunting with?

Exactly MattyP

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's nonsense. As you pointed out, good shot placement with a .243 is sufficient. The problem can arise when a new hunter and some not so new too, get buck fever and may not place the shot in the best spot, especially on a big Red stag like we get here in our local pine forests. Some of these stags can go over 170kgs dressed and you don't want them running 50m. A heavier cartridge such as the .308 30/06 etc with a suitable bullet gives a little more leeway as regards shot placement.

And projectile selection, projectile selection for the calibre and intended use is far more important than the actual chambering or calibre of bore.

His best to hit bone may be true of factory 100gr rounds but not of many others.

I bought a world class 2-7 x32 tasco 25 years ago when I built my Mauser.
It was the best I could afford and the small objective allowed me too keep the scope low and retain the iron sights.
I went for grunty weaver rings and too this day Ive never regretted it.
Its a fantastic bush scope , but I still prefer the little rossi when im exploreing .

Bang for buck - Nikon Monarch, you will not buy a better scope for less. They pop up second Han in mint condition on tard me all the time for a steal too, I paid $250 for the last one I got.

Originally Posted by hawkfish

I use a 243 in the UK and shoot Foxes, muntjac, Roe and Fallow with it and it does the job well, But Im not sure Id want to shoot a big Red stag in the roar with it. If I were in your shoes I think Id go 308...

It's still good for a 2 year old spika, my freezer tells me that but some big raring bull, nah thanks.... Nice calibre and one i am looking at

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

And projectile selection, projectile selection for the calibre and intended use is far more important than the actual chambering or calibre of bore.

His best to hit bone may be true of factory 100gr rounds but not of many others.

Yes, you quite right there veitnamcam. Projectile selection is very important for the intended range and the animal you after. Some are crap out at longer ranges. Some arent flash at closer ranges, bit like horses for courses. I use factory 100gr powershoks and they are awesome with it comes to knockdown power. Cant see any reason why i would change due to the fact they work so well. I have used other ammo in the past and some of them struggled to bowl a goat over so a bad projectile choice can change the view on how good you view the calibre. Re loading prob is a good way to go but 99 pcent of my hunting is bush stalking or within 250m so factory ammo that works does me fine. Mate swears by the 95gr ssts for the longer range with a 243 when it comes to factory rounds. Lots use 87gr or 80gr with the 243, esp people that reload. I wonder if the lighter pill is a factor on big stags in its knock down power? I have no idea, as always used 100gr and they do the job(nearlyoverkill on fallow). My second back up rifle is a 308, be no differnt, good projectile choice and shot placement will make the difference in the end on how sucessful it will be (and my shooting lol)

The blue box federal or rem cor loc in 150 will suit your hunting with the 308

The rem corlokts work well on deer, mushroom out well and go right through to produce exit wound. Used them in my 308 with great success

I killed a fecking big red the other day with a 55gr bullet 100 seems overkill??! :p

Sorry, just had to skyte. Pics of the new gun when it arrives, OP!!

Originally Posted by Dougie

I killed a fecking big red the other day with a 55gr bullet 100 seems overkill??! :p

Sorry, just had to skyte. Pics of the new gun when it arrives, OP!!

Seen big reds run away from a 55gr as well just saying


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Dougie

I killed a fecking big red the other day with a 55gr bullet 100 seems overkill??! :p

Sorry, just had to skyte. Pics of the new gun when it arrives, OP!!

Nice lol. Was just saying on the few fallow i have shot i shot one in the middle of the shoulder with the 100gr feds and it totally fu ked it lol. Not only did it totally smash the shoulder to bits but it went though and hit the top of the leg on the otherside and blew the leg of just hanging by the skin. Was a real mess so the next two i shot just behind the shoulder and that worked fine but one did run 50 odd metres.At the same time i was sold on the Fed powershoks after that as i was looking for knockdown power esp on reds and havnt looked back with the stuff. Still yet to lose any animal with it after any hit so thats all you can ask.
Cheers for the advice Veitnamcam and others on 308 choice. I have gone with the REM corelolts, not only have i heard good things about them(esp 0-300m) but seems right using they with a Rememinton 700. Seems to shoot ok, i see how it goes but still wouldnt mind trying something else for grouping comparsing but cant see buying adifferent packs just for that at the moment as the rems should be ok

Originally Posted by BRADS

Seen big reds run away from a 55gr as well just saying


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Seen a few reds run away from a plethora of other cals too, just sayin; practice makes perfect and I have learned to not squeeze the trigger unless I am 100% sure that in a second, that deer in the crosshairs is going to be dead.

Originally Posted by Dougie

Seen a few reds run away from a plethora of other cals too, just sayin; practice makes perfect and I have learned to not squeeze the trigger unless I am 100% sure that in a second, that deer in the crosshairs is going to be dead.

My point was its not a good cal to start with hunting imo.
When you've had a few years under your belt and lots of animals then yeah if that's your thing using a bunny gun and you no its limitations then go hard.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by BRADS

My point was its not a good cal to start with hunting imo.
When you've had a few years under your belt and lots of animals then yeah if that's your thing using a bunny gun and you no its limitations then go hard.

I completely agree, but don't put it on the projectile - put it on the shooter!!

Originally Posted by Dougie

I completely agree, but don't put it on the projectile - put it on the shooter!!

One day you'll shoot a red in the neck with your 223.......it will run away. You'll be like maybe that's what he was talking about


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk