Thread: Semi Auto 22 WMR vs Bolt action 223 for goats

The old man has a culling business and have grown up culling mobs of goats my whole life with all manner methods from buckshot to 45-70 subsonics.

Culling mobs of animals is a very different skill than general hunting where you are usually only after one or two animals. The first two or three shots you get the opportunity to place optimum shots but after that when the mob is on the move/scattering its pretty much a free for all. You don't have the time to wait for the perfect presentation to get the shot off and are usually trying to pretty much get a bullet into the front half of the animal. Obviously you try your best to hit vitals. After the initial actions all over you have to go do a bit of clean up, a good dog comes in handy. Not pretty but its a reality.

For this reason I've found 7.62x39 to be a better caliber for goats at the range you mostly encounter mobs. I'm often surprised how a larger bodied goat or billy will soak up a .223 hit and keep going. 7.62x39 provides just that little bit of extra oomph that makes all the difference.

In the end there is a balance between ammo price and how many rounds you need to use to get the job done. Obviously skill comes into play as well both in marksmanship and how you ambush mobs and limit their escape and know what they are likely to do when they are in a panic.

Once you start getting out to longer ranges in more open country .308 and other bigger calibers can also have a place. Cost vs reward, if you can cull a small mob from across the valley rather than having to spend time to sneak up closer then its worth the extra cost in ammo.

Howa mini is a good option, they have short bolt throw so can cycle pretty quick. Get a couple of spare 10 shot mags in your pocket too.

As an aside I used to carry a 22 magnum little badger single shot in my pack when doing trap lines, was good for dealing with feral cats. I often encountered small mobs of goats and could actually make a dent by sneaking up and head/ neck shooting a couple then lung shooting a couple more with sub sonics. Again not pretty but effective.