Thread: Which 4 guns do I need in NZ?

Given you’ve got 7mmRM and 308 that covers just about all scenarios. As an alternative to 223 I’d think about 243 or a 6.5 like 260, CM or 6.5Swede

Originally Posted by Bill999

Where in nz?
North or South Island hunting?

Hoping for South Island. Nelson or Christchurch areas...in general.

Originally Posted by 7mm Rem Mag

7mm Rem mag, 223, 22 and shot gun

Something makes me think you may be bias towards the 7...

Originally Posted by Joe Schmo

Hoping for South Island. Nelson or Christchurch areas...in general.


Something makes me think you may be bias towards the 7...

nothing down here worth shooting better off taking up knitting

308, 223. 22 and a shotgun is all
you NEED.
WANT is another story
A nice 30 30 lever gun, a long range 30 cal.
A 243. Everyone wants one of those.

What's this limit of 4 business. Bloody ridiculous ��

If you will be shooting in the Christchurch/Canterbury area then 22LR, 12 guage and 223. 223 ideal round for long range bunnies, fallow, wallabies etc in this region, and 223 ammo is much cheaper than 243, 22-250, 6.5 etc. All our long-standing team have these 3 calibers - the basics here.

For the fourth - 308, 30-06, 7mm Rem Mag as advised. Pick the one you want - all of them excellent for this terrain.

.30/06 .223 .22lr .12ga you can do everything with the .30/06 you would ever need... the .223 covers smaller stuff,plus for family to use,will do the job on deer if needed and rabbits not too expensive.... every man needs a .22lr....and your 870 is a sound choice.

I have a 12ga, .22lr, .308 and in my opinion there is a hole in the collection for a .223 -mainly for smallish critters that are bigger than possums and smaller than red deer. I can use the .308 to kill almost anything, but in many cases it would just be overkill. Just need to get the minister of finance across the line on that one...

Edit: it's a bit like having just one fly rod in 11 weight...

Greetings again @Joe Schmo.
Just some observations. Your kids are probably thrashing the 10-22 right now but soon they will want to move up. That won't be to a 7mm Rem Mag and shouldn't be to a .308 either. Too much recoil on their still growing bodies. You have a 7mm Rem Mag that you like so bring that to NZ along with the .22 and shotgun. It will do for your hunting at first at least. Getting a .223 now will keep the kids happy and can be used on just about anything in NZ. Once you are here you can suss out the hunting, it is quite different to the US, and make an informed choice on anything more that you need. I see that you are a fisherman so this might be a single shot that you can break down and put in your pack while you fish. There are closed seasons for trout fishing but none for deer so any deer spotted are fair game as long as you have a hunting permit or permission.
Regards Grandpamac.

I’d be interested in knowing if you have researched what is involved in exporting/importing your firearms and what that will cost etc .
Also I’d be surprised if you get off the plane and get your firearms license the next day , so they will have to be stored somewhere for a period of time .
I’ve imported and exported firearms between NZ and Australia in the past and to be honest I’ll never do it again , it’s a heap easier to sell in your old country and buy in the new one once your license has been organised.
Bring all the associated gear and equipment with you that you already own Scopes etc because they aren’t a problem to bring in with the rest of your belongings, but the firearms in my opinion are a costly pain in the arse .
Just my opinion of course

Originally Posted by Ground Control

I’d be interested in knowing if you have researched what is involved in exporting/importing your firearms and what that will cost etc .
Also I’d be surprised if you get off the plane and get your firearms license the next day , so they will have to be stored somewhere for a period of time .
I’ve imported and exported firearms between NZ and Australia in the past and to be honest I’ll never do it again , it’s a heap easier to sell in your old country and buy in the new one once your license has been organised.
Bring all the associated gear and equipment with you that you already own Scopes etc because they aren’t a problem to bring in with the rest of your belongings, but the firearms in my opinion are a costly pain in the arse .
Just my opinion of course

Fair point raised by GC.
I moved over almost 20 years ago and found it easier to leave my guns in the old country and get licences/security sorted here before flying back and bringing them over with me in person as sporting equipment - soooo much easier than trying to find someone to ship.
Import permits were needed for entry but these were easy enough as long as the gun in question was 'on the list'.

Only four?

Good point @Ground Control and the OP also says he has ammo for the 7mm Rem Mag which would also be hard to get into the country I would have thought.

Yup, if you are keeping 7mm mag (and great choice) then a surpressed 223 is the wat to go.

Ìf you reload, bring your gear. Especially projectiles if staying with the Rem Mag.
Sell the rifles and shottie.
Buy new/used firearms when you have FAL sorted.
Stick with the 7mm as you know how that works.
Pick up another 870 here easy as well.
Same for the 10/22

Unless your pieces hold personal memories etc they are readily replaced here.
Good luck with the move.