Thread: What calibre?

Im Emigrating to NZ at some point in August, Im selling my guns before I leave the UK and Im going to buy new when I get there (its a load less hassle). Im probably going to buy a Sako 85 stainless in a laminate stock (I dont like the rubbery bits on the synthetic), but Im un decided on what calibre. I will eventually buy more calibres, but it wont be for a while so just wanted something nice in a fairly good alround calibre.

I appreciate there is no perfect calibre and everyone has their favourite, but Im just interested in what you guys would get if you were in my shoes? What ever I get it needs to be something that I can buy a good selection of ammo for off the shelf as I wont be re loading. I guess 308, 270 and 30-06 are all contenders and I have shot all of them, but I just keep going round in circles

So what do you recon??.

Where you are going to live? North or South will make a difference, that's to my way of thinking.
The area you live will be your main hunting? that's in most cases with the odd trip away.
What about water fowl? small game? large game? this has a direction as well to what you mite buy.
I see the calibres you have made note of, which indeed are all find for hunting large game. The list of calibres is long for large game.
Myself I like short action rifles and light, reason my build mainly and it used to be along day in the hills.
What works for me, isn't bling to someone else, we all have our thing when it comes to rifles.
Cost comes to mind I don't need to spend 3000 or 5000+ but to other it's not about cost.
So I have given you the ball again. Answer some the questions to yourself then you will start to make head way.
Join the NZDA when you get here that's a good start.
There will be oh here we go again! with all there favourites rifles.
What are you shooting with at the moment? if it works for you stick with that.
Rabbits with a 3006 is just what we would call over kill, but hay it works
KH

Well over here I mainly shoot the smaller deer species and foxes with a 243, and once I am over Id like to have a crack everything but deer will be my main target species. I know a well placed shot from a 243 will do everything I need it too but Id like something a bit bigger.

I will be mainly based on the north island and heading over to the south as much as possible. I have mates with 308's, 270's, 30-06's and 6.5x55's and they all have their merits, but just wanted some opinions from over there really....

A 50 cal & a hand grenade will pretty much sort you for everything.

Or any of the calibres you mention if you want to be boring.

im a 6.5 man myself but you wouldn't go wrong with a 308

I love the .243 but have recently gone to 7mm08 in a sako 85. I notice the difference in recoil. Anywhere from 6mm to 308 will serve you well.

Northdude is onto it. Simple and concise. May as well lock this thread now before it turns to a shitfight

Originally Posted by sako75

Northdude is onto it. Simple and concise. May as well lock this thread now before it turns to a shitfight

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Originally Posted by hawkfish

Im Emigrating to NZ at some point in August, Im selling my guns before I leave the UK and Im going to buy new when I get there (its a load less hassle). Im probably going to buy a Sako 85 stainless in a laminate stock (I dont like the rubbery bits on the synthetic), but Im un decided on what calibre. I will eventually buy more calibres, but it wont be for a while so just wanted something nice in a fairly good alround calibre.

I appreciate there is no perfect calibre and everyone has their favourite, but Im just interested in what you guys would get if you were in my shoes? What ever I get it needs to be something that I can buy a good selection of ammo for off the shelf as I wont be re loading. I guess 308, 270 and 30-06 are all contenders and I have shot all of them, but I just keep going round in circles

So what do you recon??.

308 or 30/06 either one you can buy cheap or expensive ammo with good bullet weight range, the animal wont tell the difference.

Sorry I didnt want to open a can of worms, I was just after a few opinions that was all.

Dont forget 7mm

8x57

Originally Posted by hawkfish

Sorry I didnt want to open a can of worms, I was just after a few opinions that was all.

You asked over 4000 people

You will be spending most of your time wondering where to go unless you have contacts and caliber will be the least of your worries. I would go 6.5 or .30 cal.
If you do enough hunting you will run into plenty of people with the same interests and through those encounters most likely settle on something that suits your needs.
Both islands have their attractions.
You will need to pass through emigration everytime you come south as we have strict rules down here.
Guys like Gibo just hang around the body search areas and don't actually venture south.😆
I love hunting the sika and pheasants of the north bit so it is worth the scrutiny when I come back home.

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Originally Posted by hawkfish

Sorry I didnt want to open a can of worms, I was just after a few opinions that was all.

if you were keen to reload i would suggest 6.5/06 but out of the three you listed either of the 30cals would be mint.