We really are different!

Over the last couple of three years since I’ve retired I’ve devoted a great deal more time to all thing’s hunting and firearms related. This included browsing around overseas forums and watching podcasts of which a number of Kiwis contribute to and are mentioned on.
A number of areas that have stood out is our propensity towards suppressed short guns, use of match bullets for hunting and constant drive to tinker and improve or just generally muck about with anything. When you have the likes of the Vortex Nation podcast lads discussing and salivating at the thought of getting their hands on some of the light weight bipods made here, you know we have been noticed. Jim on the Backfire podcast constantly lamenting the fact that manufacturers are not getting onboard enough with 22” barrels and threading for suppressors.

There are quite a number of threads on this forum devoted to or related to these very subjects.

Perhaps it’s because we don’t have hundreds of years of tradition holding us back and a wide variety of hunting opportunities in a small country so while we very much appreciate,enjoy, and participate in classic firearms and their uses, we’re not held back by them and are more than willing to push the envelope and adapt to our own unique style and environment.

Case in point, while now regretting in a small way selling my Ruger M77, I never thought twice about it at the time. A light weight Remington Mountain rifle in plastic and stainless was the perfect solution to hunting in Fiordland and that was decades ago now. There were certainly a lot of wood/blued steel purists around at the time but not overly so. Nowadays I’m messing about with stocks, chopping and suppressing barrels to my hearts content and reloading with match projectile’s. Whatever suits the intended purpose but not overly specialising. It’s fun just tinkering with shit!!

Now in australia and usa one needs a permit and lots of dollars and a fkn long wait time to be able to use suppressors.

I think the using match bullets and going heavy for cal, especially with shorter barrels and lower impact speeds all tie into each other.

Not uncommon to see for example 7remmag use 140g bullets in the USA where its always been 162grn+ for us

Also, look at factory ammo like 28 Nosler only using 160grn ect not the big 180s we would use

That’s a very interesting observation, being isolated ( couple of far flung islands) lends itself to adapting to your environment, just like it does in nature. We also enjoy the ability to hunt year round. That’s not the case in most other countries

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Originally Posted by SmokeyJason

Now in australia and usa one needs a permit and lots of dollars and a fkn long wait time to be able to use suppressors.

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And register the suppressor in the US - and pay an annual fee for it too!

But they still have their semi auto centerfires

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Originally Posted by 199p

I think the using match bullets and going heavy for cal, especially with shorter barrels and lower impact speeds all tie into each other.

Not uncommon to see for example 7remmag use 140g bullets in the USA where its always been 162grn+ for us

Also, look at factory ammo like 28 Nosler only using 160grn ect not the big 180s we would use

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I think the unavailability of the likes of speers wonderful btsp in heavy weights has contributed to the match bullets being used... so many folks have never seen how good a decent heavy soft old school projectile really is.... they have drunk from the coolaid fountain and are now sold on sleak plastic tips or nothing..... funny as hell when they spook n shoot using them too....

Theres a culture of 'how can i make something to do that?' here, whereas i think the overseas, particularly the USA thought process is more only 'what can i buy?'

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Originally Posted by Finnwolf

And register the suppressor in the US - and pay an annual fee for it too!

But they still have their semi auto centerfires

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and fullauto belt fed if the pig shootemup videos are to be believed!!!

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

That’s a very interesting observation, being isolated ( couple of far flung islands) lends itself to adapting to your environment, just like it does in nature. We also enjoy the ability to hunt year round. That’s not the case in most other countries

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I think this is the key element.

The more you do of any given thing,the more likely you are to reach the limits of the gear you are using. If like in many states in the USA,you sit in your tree stand with your 30/30 Marlin lever action and shoot a couple of white tails each season your not reaching the limit of your set up. If suddenly you had almost unlimited hunting opportunities your rifle and gear would have to change dramatically as it has done back home in NZ.

I think it's also inpart that the old line of thinking of needing long barrels to shoot long distance has been largely minimized.

Imagine 30y ago saying to people; see this 16" 7mm08 here, it'll slot a redskins at 400y. Most people would've laughed their arses off at you.

I think on that note is people are more educated(can't speak for everyone) on ballistics and bullet construction combined with the advances in powders, cartridge design and projectiles. I mean look at the 6.5 Creedmore for example.

After Friday's outing I'm seriously contemplating shortening my 308 by 4" as I just love 16" barrels.

Which on that note anything 16" or shorter is considered a SBR in the US which requires a tax stamp from the ATF similar to the tax stamp for a suppressor which explains why the factory carbines are 16.5" from the US.

Couldn’t agree more. For most purposes, appropriate twist rates and the right marriage of powder and projectiles has pretty much negated the argument for long barrels. There are always caveats but it’s pretty hard to argue a case for them as the growing amount of real world evidence shows.

I think there's also a case of what's the current fashion at the moment as well....

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Originally Posted by Sidetrack

Couldn’t agree more. For most purposes, appropriate twist rates and the right marriage of powder and projectiles has pretty much negated the argument for long barrels. There are always caveats but it’s pretty hard to argue a case for them as the growing amount of real world evidence shows.

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I mean sure I understand if we are talking the likes of 28 Nosler, 300 RUM and 338 Lapua then by all means they and various other calibres need the longer barrels.

But for jo blogs wanting to put meat on the table and shoot the odd stag, why have a barrel 6" longer and heavier than is needed?

But cheers for that. I remember starting out with a 24" suppressed 25-06.

Oh how times have changed. I do also fully agree with the flavour of the month sentiment too. 12 years ago 7mm08 was the best thing out and was the death of the 308 and 270. Yet see how many 7mm08's went on the shelves second hand during covid vs 308s and 270s.... That to me was really telling.

It’s a pretty cool thing we have here in good old NZ where hunting is available 24/7 and the options are endless. To that extent the terrain and styles of hunting we can participate in have so much variation from alpine to bush to farm etc all at our doorstep. Combine this with our 24/7 access and we get increased growth of ideas and development in the sport unlike restricted seasons as already mentioned above.