Thread: Which 4 guns do I need in NZ?

Thanks again all. Yes, I have a message in to NZ Police regarding applying for a firearms license and the plan visit in December and move there in a year or so. As far as ammo, I find it hard to believe that all these US TV/instatube "famous" people travel to NZ to hunt and don't bring their own ammo? I'll let you all know how it all progresses.
I did look at your firearms prices the other day and there's quite the difference in price between NZ/US even with the exchange rate. I was thinking that selling a couple and buying what I would really need now would save me some money as we'll be broke as shit when we get there...but we will be there

Originally Posted by Joe Schmo

Thanks again all. Yes, I have a message in to NZ Police regarding applying for a firearms license and the plan visit in December and move there in a year or so. As far as ammo, I find it hard to believe that all these US TV/instatube "famous" people travel to NZ to hunt and don't bring their own ammo? I'll let you all know how it all progresses.
I did look at your firearms prices the other day and there's quite the difference in price between NZ/US even with the exchange rate. I was thinking that selling a couple and buying what I would really need now would save me some money as we'll be broke as shit when we get there...but we will be there

What visa or classification of residency do you have in regards to immigrating to NZ ?
That will play a part in the importation of your firearms and your firearms license.

You can bring your firearms with you when you come over, apply for a Visitors license, and I think it lasts for 6 months. After that you will need to have either your firearms stored with a full license holder, or have obtained your full NZ license - good luck with doing that in the 6 months.
Most overseas hunters coming over for a hunt bring their own rifles and ammo and do it on a visitors license.

Quickly make a friend with an FAL and they can look after your guns if you have to wait for your own FAL after the visitors licence expires. Alternatively, I'm sure someone trustworthy on the forum will help out.

22lr, 223,12 gauge and 3006/308 will sort you out.
big question is whyt do you want to move to the south pacific version of venezuela !!??

Originally Posted by gonetropo

22lr, 223,12 gauge and 3006/308 will sort you out.
big question is whyt do you want to move to the south pacific version of venezuela !!??

Because NZ is a great place to bring up kids. Safe with top education. I have lived in many different countries and realize how lucky we are here. Apart from the natural beauty and low population and freedom to hunt all year around for deer, fly fishing that is some of best in the world. Freedom to know that you don't need a firearm for self defense.

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

Because NZ is a great place to bring up kids. Safe with top education. I have lived in many different countries and realize how lucky we are here. Apart from the natural beauty and low population and freedom to hunt all year around for deer, fly fishing that is some of best in the world. Freedom to know that you don't need a firearm for self defense.

This.
Or maybe I'm just following my wife and kids.

Originally Posted by Joe Schmo

This.
Or maybe I'm just following my wife and kids.

There is also 4 weeks annual leave which you are strongly encouraged to take. Pregnant women are looked after and get paid maternity leave once you have NZ permanent residency, childbirth is free. Pharmacy prescriptions are free for young kids and are $5 for adults.

Family life is encouraged all the way. It's not work, work till you're burnt out. If you want to be an entrepreneur, then you'll get help for that too.

I am sorry I cant agree with Jakewire and his 6.5 calibers - some of those are extremely rare in NZ and will need to be handloaded -especially 6.5 Grendell 6.5- 06 6.5 PRC will not be available in country sports stores -given current ammo shortages is one going to be able to get even components at all - no stick to either 7mm Mag or 30-06 , a .223 . a .22 and a shotgun do everything and ammo available all over nz

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

I am sorry I cant agree with Jakewire and his 6.5 calibers - some of those are extremely rare in NZ and will need to be handloaded -especially 6.5 Grendell 6.5- 06 6.5 PRC will not be available in country sports stores -given current aemmo shortages is one going to be able to get even components at all - no stick to either 7mm Mag or 30-06 , a .223 . a .22 and a shotgun do everything and ammo available all over nz

Have to agree. KISS principle.

If you think guns are expensive in NZ, you should see the price of fresh tomatoes!

Seriously, NZ is very expensive across the board.

I'd have a hard think about the type of hunting and shooting you'll be doing and then go from there.
I'd also focus on rifle type more than calibre; not much point having a Tikka in 308 and 7 Mag if they are both set up the same way with bipods, big scopes, etc. Cut the barrel on one (308) and set it up as more compact rifle with a smaller and suddenly you have two quite different rifles.

If you end up living in town and only shoot on DOC land and big farms then a .22lr probably won't get much use, your likely to take something bigger so you have more shooting opportunities.
If you spend all your hunting time In tight bush country then a 7 mag won't be ideal, a short barrel .308 works well here.

Me personally in an ideal four gun set up.

12ga semi or pump shotgun

Long range hunting rifle, 7mm or 30 cal magnum with 20-25 (top end) power scope, stock with vertical pistol grip and bipod, 24-26 inch barrel with possibly a muzzle brake.

Bush/short range hunting rifle, 6.5mm or 7mm short action (308,etc I just prefer the above) 18-20" barrel with suppressor, 9-15ish power scope. I'd make it a 4-500m capable all-rounder more so than a true bushpig (carbine).

223
I'd go suppressed with a 18"-20" barrel 1:8 twist and a 12-15ish power scope. Set up a longer range load with a heavier pointy projectile and a plinking/volume shooting load with something cheap cheap like a 55gr sp you can buy in bulk. Could do deer and varmint specific loads also if you want.

3006,223,22,12g

"I'm leaning towards .223 from .308 after all your comments. As long as .223 is an acceptable round there for most game...that would be my only concern as the .308 can deliver a heck of a lot more grains/energy."

No it's not. All you'll do is get frustrated, and leave wounded animals to die in the bush, especially if you're used to the knock down power of a 7mm mag or 30-06. A .308 will be suitable for most NZ game animals. Maybe look elsewhere on this forum for debates about the suitability of a .223 to bring down deer like reds, sika and whitetail. A .223 will be great for fallow and goats, but unless you're a good headshot specialist, don't give the anti-hunting lobby any reason to start crying "cruel hunters" by letting deer run away with your little pills.

Personally I would only ever buy a 7mmRM if I had access to a place with regular 300m+ shots on large deer.
Other than that, it's an extravagant expensive calibre that as a reloader I am glad I don't own. It does its best to murder its own brass at all times! I do have a mate that I help to keep his brass running but that includes ind. annealing and custom dies.

For the big hitter category I chose the 45-70 for several reasons. I now cast and load for it but there are guys who sell cast projectiles on trademe. So projectiles are almost guaranteed UNLIKE all other projectiles here. You can use a wide variety of powder (it isn't fussy). You can dial it back to mild recoil or all the way up to ludicrous.

End of the day there are alternatives. Im curious about the 9.3x62 myself. Who said you can only have 4!!!