Thread: Minimum calibre for Red Deer?

hi all, this year will be my first 'roar', i have two choices .223 & 7.62 cal rifles, i know all about shot placement, but would it be more of an advantage to use the 7.62 on reds?
but i should be quite close, so will the .223 suffice? DILEMA....and im not humping both in!!!!!!

cheers guys

Its your first roar - 7.62. No mucking about.

+1. Take the 7.62. You don't want some 12 point stag bending you over and giving you one just because you pissed him off.

17 Mach 2

Originally Posted by Rushy

+1. Take the 7.62. You don't want some 12 point stag bending you over and giving you one just because you pissed him off.

Jeese Rushy......ill take that advice for sure, shall i go 'extra safe' and get a .50 cal so there is no doubt?

big thanks guys, i was in the 7.62 frame of mind, but a mate kept going on about .223 as its 'close'

You will end up disapointed with the 223. Very little room for error.

scouser, are you talking 7.62x39 or 7.62x51 (308) ?

either way I would still choose 7.62, the 39 round is limited to around 200m, but should be fine for most bush hunting in NZ

Originally Posted by Scouser

Jeese Rushy......ill take that advice for sure, shall i go 'extra safe' and get a .50 cal so there is no doubt?

Good on ya Scouser otherwise it could have been you doing the roaring for all the wrong reasons. You are clearly a quick learner.

Originally Posted by ebf

scouser, are you talking 7.62x39 or 7.62x51 (308) ?

either way I would still choose 7.62, the 39 round is limited to around 200m, but should be fine for most bush hunting in NZ

ebf, 7.62 x 39, should have enough 'push' for under 100 mts, eh !

yup, that's what I bought

no recoil, cheap ammo, and good for goats & deer

This year will be my first roar too, and I'd feel under gunned with a 223 for sure. Go for the 7.62 if you're only in close range. I'm shooting with 7mm08. Happy roar.

I have gutted goats and turkeys with the x39 I would say under 100m that stag wont be walking far after a nice solid hit. Just remember just cause its bigger rifle doesnt mean aim poorly

Originally Posted by Toby

I have gutted goats and turkeys with the x39 I would say under 100m that stag wont be walking far after a nice solid hit. Just remember just cause its bigger rifle doesnt mean aim poorly

Cheers guys, will (always) concentrate on shot placement and try to not get too excited.....try!

You can only try. Shit happend to the best of us

Scouser

As everyone has said above.

7.62 wins hands down.

Don't even consider the .223.

Good Luck with your Roar.

Cheers
Pete