Thread: What calibre

Sorry, I know this has probably been asked before but I couldnt find anything using the search facility.

I currently live in the UK but have family in NZ and we plan to be living there by June (sorry!). I currently use a 243 as I am only hunting deer upto the size of Fallow, and it does the job perfectly but Id like to get something with a little more grunt to use on Reds and Sika.

I dont want to open a can of worms and have every man and his dog telling me what they use, but whats the most popular all round calibre used in NZ?

Thanks in advance for your help

A 243 would work for reds here. Or if you want to go bigger, 308 or 30-06 would work.
Pretty much anything would work. Depends on what sort of money you want to spend

I personally use a .270 but is a bit of a step up in terms of kick from a nice 243. I would just stick with 308. It will kill anything out to 500 in NZ. Ammo is readily available and there is a large variety. You could see if the 150gr hornady superformance works, then you basically have one hell of a flat, accurate, lowish recoil all rounder.

I think 308 and 270 are probably still the most common, with 7mm08 catching up.

Would be interesting to hear from the gun shop owners/workers on here what they sell most of, I might be wrong.

Ive used a whole host of calibres and Im not worried about a bit more recoil. The 30-06 ticks all the boxes as far as being a good alrounder is concerned but I just wondered what was the most popular calibre out there? Or isnt there one and its just a case of pick one out of the usual suspects? 308, 270, 30-06, 6.5 etc

Although pretty much anything works, I reckon .308.

Originally Posted by hawkfish

Ive used a whole host of calibres and Im not worried about a bit more recoil. The 30-06 ticks all the boxes as far as being a good alrounder is concerned but I just wondered what was the most popular calibre out there? Or isnt there one and its just a case of pick one out of the usual suspects? 308, 270, 30-06, 6.5 etc

Get one of each . NZ has a wide variety of game and terrain that 1 calibre isnt enough to cover all your hunting needs.

Yeah Im sure the wife will be fine with that idea! Ha ha maybe not!

243 will do the lot ! ( except sambar )
Of course you could just tell the wife you need multiple calibres.
Worked for me !

Carefully placed sharp rock will kill all but the smallest rabbit

Originally Posted by Toby

Although pretty much anything works, I reckon .308.

What happened to you mate?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by BRADS

What happened to you mate?

I've gone back to a simpler time

Id rather something with a bit more grunt for the larger species, and Im not one for having loads of guns, Id rather have a couple that I know inside out than 6 I cant hit anything with.

.308 is a good all rounder. You won't be under gunned.

I am taking my 270 with me, be there for March , have some hunting arranged for April , but need to find a job , so all could change.