The "Goat Rifle"...

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22-07-2013, 10:28 AM
Pawnee Josh

The "Goat Rifle"...

So with a trip to New Zealand planned for the entire month of December... I thought I'd better get to work on a rifle for the trip. I perused the classifieds on a number of hunting/shooting sites... and ended up with the parts to assemble the following rifle. I'm hoping for input on loads/optics for the trip from members here... we plan to shoot mainly goats... but other targets of opportunity will not be passed up. I'm thinking of shooting the 123 Amax at everything... I've had positive experiences with the Amax on game in several calibers... but would love to hear any experience y'all have had with them on goats.

Rem. 700 Stainless short action
23" Rock Creek #4 Stainless/Fluted .260 Rem. (1/8" twist)
HS Precision ADL Sporter Stock
Talley Lightweight "lows"
Leupold 3-9x40 with Target Turrets
Weighs 8lbs 6oz

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r...psa3587618.jpg

123 Hornady Amax
Lapua Brass
44.0 grains WW760
WLRM Primer
Loaded to Mag. Length (2.80")
2980fps

100 yds...

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps135071e5.jpg

300 yds... right at 2"...

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps9cadc868.jpg

15-shots, random distances from 300-800 yards (12"x18" plate, 6" center circle).... working out the drop chart and had a few low hits... but no misses.

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps73599559.jpg

and..... it can kill stuff too.... like this unfortunate prairie dog at 256 yards...

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps51b0b644.jpg
22-07-2013, 10:33 AM
madjon_

Hey Josh,did you shoot all the trees:D
22-07-2013, 10:46 AM
Bill999

I like that rifle, feel free to leave it behind after your trip
22-07-2013, 11:10 AM
ebf

Quote:

Originally Posted by madjon_

Hey Josh,did you shoot all the trees:D

And the hills ?

You'll need to find some hills to get fit for NZ, we do not have a whole lot of flat country over here :P
22-07-2013, 11:20 AM
veitnamcam

That should serve you well here :thumbup:

Sent from my GT-S5360T using Tapatalk 2
22-07-2013, 02:00 PM
geezejonesy

well that should do just fine and if you plan to leave it behind in nz im sure there is a few members here that would be keen on it :thumbsup:
22-07-2013, 02:20 PM
Pawnee Josh

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebf

And the hills ?

You'll need to find some hills to get fit for NZ, we do not have a whole lot of flat country over here :P

I've done my fair share of hunting in steep, costal, volcano riddled rainforest. I spent 12 years living and hunting in Washington state... terrain quite similar to yours I believe?

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r...ons/Baker2.jpg

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/BigBaker.jpg

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r.../Pasaytan2.jpg

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/Pasaytan.jpg
22-07-2013, 02:35 PM
Bill999

yea thatd do it.

tahr country is similar to the worst of that

goats you can usually shoot from farm tracks off quads haha
22-07-2013, 03:38 PM
Beavis

Man what a beautiful place. Nice rig too.
22-07-2013, 05:36 PM
scottrods

I've just come back from Washington State. I can confirm it's Fjordland mixed with some of Marlborough. Awesome place.
22-07-2013, 05:38 PM
199p

Have you tryed the 140 amax yet?

I know many many have had great success shooting it. You dont seem to find the 123 as popular.

If you do decide to leave it in nz I would be interested at least.
22-07-2013, 06:21 PM
nor-west

Quote:

Originally Posted by 199p

Have you tryed the 140 amax yet?

I know many many have had great success shooting it. You dont seem to find the 123 as popular.

If you do decide to leave it in nz I would be interested at least.

Get in line ;)
22-07-2013, 07:12 PM
dogmatix

Nice rig... hope you are bringing lots of ammo, as this country is crawling with goats... or do you really mean tahr?

I use 155gn AMaxes out of my .308 semi on goats. Certainly does the job... messy too. :D
22-07-2013, 07:22 PM
Normie

The perfect rifle. Just like mine. Well done mate.
22-07-2013, 07:51 PM
Dougie

Beautiful! The view shots aren't that bad either:cool:
22-07-2013, 07:57 PM
kimjon

Yip, that's the ticket - your rifle will do well here in NZ.

Make sure you load up some ammo for all eventualities as we have 7 types of deer, tahr, chamois, wild sheep, goats, pigs, wild cattle and wallaby too. Plus all the small game too....

If you get stuck I can take you for a hunt, but it will be close quarters with bailing dogs.

kj
22-07-2013, 08:53 PM
260hunter

That will be perfect and if you wanted to hunt a big woolly high country boy goat (bull Tahr) you would be able to load a 125gr Partition instead of the Amax and still be on the money. Watch those plastic pointy bits on the end of the Amax, they put holes in your pockets.:D

You just need a suppressor and it will look like a locals rifle.
23-07-2013, 03:29 AM
Colorado

1 Attachment(s)

All of Josh's Colorado pictures were taken facing east. I thought I would throw in one facing west. As you can see we have a few hills here too:thumbsup:.Attachment 12487
23-07-2013, 07:35 AM
Rushy

Yep, I have been in the hills up the back of Denver. Man that is rarified air up there, I was out of breath walking between the car and the house.
23-07-2013, 08:19 AM
ishoot10s

Ah-hem, since Josh and Colorado are meeting me at Denver International in about 5 hours time, I'm hoping I might actually get hands on that sweet looking rig myself... :thumbsup: I suspect it will do the business on our NZ stinkies, and I just hope they've left me a few P-dogs. :omg:
23-07-2013, 08:53 AM
puku

Nice rifle mate, Im not sure where in NZ you are heading but Im in central otago and we have a few goats around the farm. Depending on how busy we are (which is likely to be real busy) I could take you for a look... for some goats or maybe a fallow
23-07-2013, 01:34 PM
Pawnee Josh

199... I've not shot the 140 Amax yet... and don't know that I will. I've a Sendero 7mm Rem Mag running 162s... I'm looking for a little lighter rig in the recoil department. I'm really trying to stay in the 120-130gr range with this rifle, as it will serve mostly as a coyote rifle here on the plains.

Bill, geeze, et all... if I decide to leave it behind.... it's only because I've decided to stay with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 260hunter

That will be perfect and if you wanted to hunt a big woolly high country boy goat (bull Tahr) you would be able to load a 125gr Partition instead of the Amax and still be on the money.

You just need a suppressor and it will look like a locals rifle.

I would like the chance to chance Tahr while I'm there, we'll have to see if time/funds will allow an alpine hunt. I'll bring a box or two of Barnes 127 LRX loads for any larger beasties.... though I've learned the Amax is no slouch in the killin' stuff department.

Note the barrel is threaded for use of a brake or suppressor.

Thanks to all for the invites.... and we're not afraid of a little work around the farm either... if that'll help free up some hunting time.
23-07-2013, 02:22 PM
Bill999

thar are hardy buggers but the 123 amax will deffenitly put them on the ground
80gr soft points and a 243 put them down just fine for me, just gotta practice the up and down hill shots
23-07-2013, 05:39 PM
ishoot10s

1 Attachment(s)

Colorado just tried to set me up with this for Coyotes, :wtfsmilie: personally I think it requires them to be I little too close for comfort...

Attachment 12502
Hey Josh! Get some sleep man, we're up early in the morning!
27-07-2013, 05:38 AM
ishoot10s

1 Attachment(s)

Josh's rifle shoots pretty well... I'm in transit right now but will put together a trip report when I'm home. Suffice is to say, Pawnee Josh and Colorado and their partners looked after me real well, most excellent hosts!

Attachment 12641
27-07-2013, 10:30 AM
Neckshot

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot10s

Josh's rifle shoots pretty well... I'm in transit right now but will put together a trip report when I'm home. Suffice is to say, Pawnee Josh and Colorado and their partners looked after me real well, most excellent hosts!

Attachment 12641

Saaaweeeet rig there pawne josh have you checked your safe to see if this Shady character hasn't misplaced for you? is this that last time you seen this rifle:thumbsup:.Nice one Ray:)
27-07-2013, 01:20 PM
ishoot10s

I couldn't have got it in my bag Jase so I'm gonna let him keep it till he comes down in December. Then I'll nab it when he ain't lookin' :thumbsup:

If any other members can help Josh and Colorado out with their NZ trip bucket list I know you'll be shown a great time on the Pawnee National Grasslands if you manage a reverse visit.
27-07-2013, 01:33 PM
Neckshot

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot10s

I couldn't have got it in my bag Jase so I'm gonna let him keep it till he comes down in December. Then I'll nab it when he ain't lookin' :thumbsup:

If any other members can help Josh and Colorado out with their NZ trip bucket list I know you'll be shown a great time on the Pawnee National Grasslands if you manage a reverse visit.

Ok :thumbsup: is chasing reds in steep bush choked bluffs and tight guts and having to shoot at one using a rotten piece of leatherwood as a rest in 15knot winds on the side of a hill on there bucket list? if so I can help:thumbsup:Im keen if they are.got a great spot in mind.
27-07-2013, 01:42 PM
ishoot10s

On yer Jase, I was telling them about your ninja hunt with Vince. PM them.