Thread: Desirable features of an all round NZ hunting rifle

Also just have picatinny rails so I can attach 3 torches a bayonet and anything else imaginable under the sun

This , Ugly but very practical. Interestingly this is the 5 th T3 I have brought since 2004 . Im not a fan of them but they are just so damm practical and shoot so well. Plus I can treat it like shit without having to worry about scratch's and blueing etc like I do with some of my other rifles.

Tikka T3x 7mm08
Sortened to 18" with a Hardy can
Weighs 3487 gms with 3 in the mag. Lighter now ive changed the bolt handle . Weighs nothing.
Extremely accurate - sub moa , SHoots 140 gn ballistic tips at 2680 fps
Vx3 4.5x14.50 with a leupold custom turret. Ideal from 20 yds to 550 yds. Carry a detachable bipod 300 gms in my bumbag when hunting. Sacks deer.

Originally Posted by Nathan F

This , Ugly but very practical. Interestingly this is the 5 th T3 I have brought since 2004 . Im not a fan of them but they are just so damm practical and shoot so well. Plus I can treat it like shit without having to worry about scratch's and blueing etc like I do with some of my other rifles.

Tikka T3x 7mm08
Sortened to 18" with a Hardy can
Weighs 3487 gms with 3 in the mag. Lighter now ive changed the bolt handle . Weighs nothing.
Extremely accurate - sub moa , SHoots 140 gn ballistic tips at 2680 fps
Vx3 4.5x14.50 with a leupold custom turret. Ideal from 20 yds to 550 yds. Carry a detachable bipod 300 gms in my bumbag when hunting. Sacks deer.
Attachment 164172
Attachment 164173
Attachment 164174

Top load mag and it would be perfect aye

Sako 85, 308W, full length barrel Ken Henderson stock, Swarovski Z5 3.5 – 18 Scope, DPS Can with stainless baffle, shoots half moa, heavy high BC projectile at moderate speed, 5 in the mag. Total weight a hair over 8lbs.

Hunting rifle

Sako Finn
A-Tec suppressor
NIghtforce 2.5-10x42
Optilock ringmounts
Previously 140gr Amax@ 2750 Currently 120GR Bt's at 2950.
6.5x55.

Shooting rifle

1990 Remington BDL action.
Bartlein 26" 3B barrel
Nightforce Rail
Bell and Carlson Alaskan 11 stock
DPT suppressor .
Schmidt and Bender PM11 scope with P4 Fein reticle
Current load 140gr amax
6.5 06.

The best rifle is the one that you know well, fits you properly, accurate and one that you enjoy using and are proud to own.

Lots of time with a rifle that is an old friend, is likely to make you more successful than the shiny new one that’s 15g lighter or sends bullets 27fps faster.....

And as for accuracy? Whatever MOA is required for your hunting type, minus a little for error in the field. For me that’s deer out to 300yds so in reality 1.5moa is good enough.

My favourite all-rounder.

300 saum (could well be a 300wsm), 20" barrel, Sako A7 (they top load). Stug stock. 165 grn at 3k.
Decent 3-15 'scope.

30 cals make big holes.

Is the thread for the supressor cut into the fluting?

Originally Posted by kano308

Is the thread for the supressor cut into the fluting?

Mine? No. Its a Hardy barrel that was fluted after it was cut to length. Fluting ends a couple of inches from the muzzle. Excellent barrel.

Originally Posted by flock

Sako 85, 308W, full length barrel Ken Henderson stock, Swarovski Z5 3.5 – 18 Scope, DPS Can with stainless baffle, shoots half moa, heavy high BC projectile at moderate speed, 5 in the mag. Total weight a hair over 8lbs.

Nice setup, very similar to what I have but with a 19in barrel and a VX-6, shooting 178 eldx

BSA Majestic 7x57 20inch barrel suppressed, 4.5x14 VX3 Boone and Crockett. Good for everything in NZ out to 500yds, I still haven’t found one but when I do I will be a happy man.

@WireWorking have a look at what just popped up in for sale section.....its neither a majestic of 7x57 buts its plurry close on both counts and is a thing of beauty. just dont cut barrel off to suppress or this semi old man will cry......

The focus is on Red deer, pigs and dare I say it goats.
And it will be carried for typically 4-10 hr a day off track, in forest at least and often scrub, usually in rain.
The rifle has to be 110% capable on 20m snap shots in the bush, plus shots onto slips and closer ones on tussock tops and farmland ie up to 200m. So this directs us to the 308 and 3006 size cases and 120-180gr projectiles, doing 2600 fps or more.
Then, it needs to be satisfactory if pressed into service on smaller animals like Hares and the South Island (Bennetts) wallaby or the more testing species like tahr or wapiti if the opportunity arises. These need a bit more flat shooting and a bit more accuracy.
The optic needs to be easily useable under canopy and cloud and for practical purposes able to see anything you can see with the naked eye. So, this is 40mm objective and 3x at lower end for bush shots, with 9x at upper for those 200m shots, preferably 12x. The reticle needs to be thick enough to se in low light, possibly illuminated.

Surely an unmolested .222 L461 Sako Vixen with period correct Leupold or Euro low power premium scope is the correct answer?

Your crosshairs and bullets will be guided by the force, of the old NZFS Deer cullers, both living and departed.

i agree, the wimmin folk in our family use the 270