Thread: New to NZ, Keen on getting into hunting!

Originally Posted by Scottishkiwi

Thanks and Glasgow
Nope it is totally legal if it is on private land and over 45 pounds in draw weight(I only ever took rabbits with judo heads on my friends uncles farm). Almost impossible to get a firearm unless you are a farmer, Even for hunting purposes. Most people generally go for clay discs unless they live in the highlands where it is easier to get access to legal bird hunting, Even then it has to be private land.
I'm after the SKS because money is a little tight for me right now, It was either that or a mosin nagant, But I thought because of the length and weight it wouldn't make a very good firearm for hunting. The SKS has an effective range of about 450 yards which I'd imagine would be enough in general.. But i'm certainly no expert when it comes to firearms!

I think that effective range would be ability to wound a human at least once with a full mag.
I very much doubt you will find that is its real effective range as a hunting weapon on big game or small game.

Keep an eye out on here for a cheap sporting rifle second hand,they come up all the time. If you intend actually shooting Game at 450y you owe it to the animal to use a rifle and calibre that will do the job humanly and that your skills are up to scratch also.
Any of the popular NZ hunting calibers 6mm and up are capable of humane killing at those ranges if you do your part well tho it is at the extreme end of range for some without specialised loading.