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Seeing as how versatile the 2 calibers are, it'd be stupid of me to limit its use to goats only, how's much worse is the 30 cals recoil in comparison to the 223? And if the two calibers are chambered in the same make of rifle, are they the same weight empty?
With weight- probably not enough difference to notice.Quote:
Originally Posted by WaikatoBushman
Both calibres have their advantages over the other...223 is flatter shooting and the 7.62x39 is probably a bit harder hitting on bigger / heavier goats. Both should do fine. I had the same choice a number of years back and went the 7.62x39 as there was a chance of pigs which I could knock over with it where the 223 was a little under gunned....But the 223 will probably be more accurate out past 100m.
I wrote an article for the deceased guns and hunting magazine comparing both 7.62x39 and 223 in bolt actions, a Ruger ranch and Howa mini. The x39 is a clear winner in the energy stakes at all practical ranges and it's flat enough shooting out to around 175 -200 yds . Recoil is naturally a bit more but not significant. Accuracy wise there wasn't anything in it using either barnal or Norinco ammo versus Belmont 223 .
It comes down to personal choice and ammunition availability as to which you decide on. Neither is the wrong choice.
Back in the semi auto days I looked into this and decided 7.62x39 was the clear winner, having significantly more energy and a far better ability to knock through lightweight leaves etc when bush hunting. Barnaul had HP and SP options at under 50c per round, it was an easy decision. It's changed now, I have a suspicion that x39 ammo will be less available and no longer low cost in future while cheaper .223 options will remain for a while, which is the reason my old SKK was replaced with a .223, not x39. Ammo cost becomes an issue when hitting large numbers of pest animals, not so much an issue for hunting of course where one shot can return you $1000 of meat.
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.
this thread is also the comparison of semi vs bolt. could try 17wsm semi, way more effective than 22 mag or 223 bolt in a close range.
Im using a Ruger American Predator in .223
Takes 10 shot P Mags that drop out with the press of a button which is handy for shooting mobs, quite accurate and cheap enough so the knocks dont matter.