Thread: Looking for a good all around rifle

Gidday @HindmarshLM07
Your initial list of cartridges is all military
243 is often favoured by people from the UK where most deer are smaller species than we have here. Ive seen a few times hunters starti g out in NZ get a 243 and within a year are trading up.
Deer and chamois cartridges used here start around 308 case size and 6.5 like the Creedmore (7mm08 has been very popular the last decade) but 3006 size is more of an allrounder for the South Island. So, thats 270 and 280 or if you’re bigger built 300WSM and 7mmRem Mag. ( my mates have got these and they outperform my 7m08 but they are 90 kg plus and strong). You need enough power to put down a big red stag or a bull tahr (similar size to a beef bull) at 300m . Check out the remaining ft.lb energy out there. A lot of advice says 1000 ft.lb but that is for 20m shots at sika or red hinds inNorth Island bush.

Unless youve done a fair amount of shooting a dial up scope will be as much hindrance as help. 3-9x40 or 3.5-10 will be ideal.

Package deals can be good but dont accept the scope unless the model is also for sale separately and worth over say $700.