Thread: First rifle advice

Where do you intend to go hunting from Hamilton? King Country, South Waikato and Pureora?

When I was living in Hamilton and hunting those areas, average shooting distance would have been 30m, if not less. My go to rifle was a 223, which I found to be plenty adequate. A 270 will no doubt do the job, but can you justify burning so much powder at such close range? IMO a short action (243, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm08, etc) is a more suitable choice. Less recoil, less noise, easier to shoot, and does the job just as well.

However if you plan to drive all the way down to the Kaimanawa and Ruahine to hunt the open tops, it might be a different story. I'm sure those that are more experienced at long range sniping can offer some good advice.