Thread: Make me a recommendation

Need to buy a rifle. First one locally. But just before everyone thinks this is an easy question and the usual calibre war, it's slightly complicated by firearms I own abroad that I'm trying to import (probably worthy of another thread, another time, seems the logistics to do this has become all sorts of interesting with Qantas suspending flights, we'll see).

So the rifle I buy needs to not overlap directly with anything I own that might (or might not) be arriving yet still be a bit of an all-rounder that can tide me over until I have the importation question answered one way or another.

Rifles coming over as follows:

1. My custom .404 Jeffery with a Leupold VX3 1.5-5x20. I love this rifle and will probably press it into service where I can get away with something much, much smaller. The .423" 400gr is overkill for all critters here although the low muzzle velocity means meat damage isn't as bad as one would expect. (I've hunted Impala with it several times, just because I could)

2. 7x57 Mauser, got a Swaro Z3 3-9 on it. Probably my most "suitable" rifle for NZ. Although the calibre is slightly odd-ball here, it'll do the same job at short to medium ranges than a 7mm-08 or 308 would. The rifle, although beautiful, is from first part of 20th century so not a long range candidate. Not that the calibre is either. Might become my go-to sub 150m range rifle if it gets here.

3. .30-06 Brno ZKK600. Not much to be said. Has a suppressor fitted, needs a new scope after I fell from a horse with the rifle.

My thinking on the rifle to be bought here:

1. Howa or Remington 700 of some sort in 6.5 Creedmoor. Probably in heavy barrel profile to facilitate me pushing it into dedicated long range service down the track. Not the ideal bush rifle but can work. But what scope to fit on this now and in future? Also, see the Tikkas are all the rage here. Really worth the extra dough?

2. Marlin 336 in .30-30. Pretty serviceable bush rifle perhaps, plugging a gap in the low recoil, short and handy end not covered by my others. Allure is also that I have never owned a lever action before. I've rarely come across one too, lever actions are not really a thing in South Africa for whatever reason. Mount some 2-7x or similar lower end magnification scope on it?

3. Anything else, motivated appropriately.

Other considerations:

Given I've mostly hunted bushveld conditions in South Africa, most of my shooting experience is of the closer range variety. I'll likely stick to a similar sort of shooting range until I'm more proficient in longer range shooting and know the local hunting scene better. Given I'm based in Auckland and the likely hunting options around probably feeds into that but I might be wrong. Also, given wife is looking at a redundancy at work, I probably have limited funds to work with now. A .22LR will be a mandatory addition at some point, priority now is to have something that allows hunting of the fridge-filling variety.

So, please help me decide how I spend money.

45/70 lever...if you are a big bore fan and don't expect any long range shooting.
(Note.... I am a big fan of 45/70 so could be considered a bias opinion....)
A 308 bushpig is also a popular choice for nz bush hunting.

.223 it covers the lighter end as it seems you have top end more than covered.... goats wallabies fallow and even reds n pigs....sub 150 yards no problem at all....hares n rabbits are just plain old good fun with .223
good for kids or the Mrs to use......cheap as chips to run....pleasant to shoot...even more so suppressed.
a crudemore will be redundant when your others arrive....your dirty 06 can do it all with ease......long range too..... there is no downside to owning a 223

An intriguing option. I'm going to break my rule of saying “back where I come from..." but bear with me here, it is my only point of prior reference after all: Back in South Africa, the 223 was not considered ethical for antelope/warthog. Game farms often had a minimum calibre requirement of 243 for open country (springbok hunting and such). Up north in the thick stuff minimum calibre requirement was often in the 6.5mm+ range. Not sure how far it came to being actual law but there was a push to publish minimum requirements for different animal species that would have made it pretty much illegal to use the 223 for anything outside of paper punching and pest control (Black backed jackal typically).

So I do have a predisposition against the 223 for hunting. How well is it considered here? In other words, will I look like a tool as much as I think I will if I pitch with a 223 when invited along for my first hunt in NZ?

Originally Posted by Nkwe

An intriguing option. I'm going to break my rule of saying “back where I come from..." but bear with me here, it is my only point of prior reference after all: Back in South Africa, the 223 was not considered ethical for antelope/warthog. Game farms often had a minimum calibre requirement of 243 for open country (springbok hunting and such). Up north in the thick stuff minimum calibre requirement was often in the 6.5mm+ range. Not sure how far it came to being actual law but there was a push to publish minimum requirements for different animal species that would have made it pretty much illegal to use the 223 for anything outside of paper punching and pest control (Black backed jackal typically).

So I do have a predisposition against the 223 for hunting. How well is it considered here? In other words, will I look like a tool as much as I think I will if I pitch with a 223 when invited along for my first hunt in NZ?

I remember arriving on my mates farm up in Messina 35 years ago with a Bruno .270 and 150gr bullets and made to look an arse. I had to use the 303 for Kudu. Wat die fok is dit ..?

Schultz and Larsen Classic DL in 308win.These have many easy barrel swap options do you could get 6.5 creed or 6.5*55 or 7.08 et al at will. Lots of bbl profile options too. Call CR Pain LTD in Auckland. (Agents)

Eh, was meant to quote @Micky Duck there.

Originally Posted by Ftx325

45/70 lever...if you are a big bore fan and don't expect any long range shooting.
(Note.... I am a big fan of 45/70 so could be considered a bias opinion....)
A 308 bushpig is also a popular choice for nz bush hunting.

I've considered the 45-70 briefly. Much as I'm addicted to recoil, I have plenty stuff that can kick but few that are light on recoil. Other than recoil therapy, what can the 45-70 offer me locally that the 30-30 can not accomplish? Would the 30-30 be enough gun for local species within, say, 150m?

Originally Posted by Nkwe

I've considered the 45-70 briefly. Much as I'm addicted to recoil, I have plenty stuff that can kick but few that are light on recoil. Other than recoil therapy, what can the 45-70 offer me locally that the 30-30 can not accomplish? Would the 30-30 be enough gun for local species within, say, 150m?

30/30 is reputed to have taken more deer than any other calibre according to our american friends...

Originally Posted by Ftx325

30/30 is reputed to have taken more deer than any other caliber according to our American friends...

Everyone here in North America(Canada) has a 30-30, I have no doubt, to the numbers of game slew with it.
the 30-30 beauty, isn't in the ballistics, but in the handling/portability of the M94,336 if you know how to use a buckhorn sight, its capable to 200m, and surprising accurate.

As for the original poster, I say .243, 2506, 6.5 any kind, take your pick.
Oh, and everyone should own a lever 30-30, at sum point in there life,

Originally Posted by southernman

Everyone here in North America(Canada) has a 30-30, I have no doubt, to the numbers of game slew with it.
the 30-30 beauty, isn't in the ballistics, but in the handling/portability of the M94,336 if you know how to use a buckhorn sight, its capable to 200m, and surprising accurate.

As for the original poster, I say .243, 2506, 6.5 any kind, take your pick.
Oh, and everyone should own a lever 30-30, at sum point in there life,

I don't doubt it either.... I also have a 30/30.
And with the optics and accessories available no need to limit yourself to the buckhorn sights if other systems are preferred

Originally Posted by Ftx325

30/30 is reputed to have taken more deer than any other calibre according to our american friends...

use to be 303s held in the same regard here in nz
times are changing, but a 303 would still do the job just fine

Originally Posted by Nkwe

I've considered the 45-70 briefly. Much as I'm addicted to recoil, I have plenty stuff that can kick but few that are light on recoil. Other than recoil therapy, what can the 45-70 offer me locally that the 30-30 can not accomplish? Would the 30-30 be enough gun for local species within, say, 150m?

Two points.

As far as calbres go, you have pretty good variety already. If you really dont want to get 'another of what you have' then I would suggest different actions rather than calibre. If the ones you own are all bolts, look at a lever or single shot. I did that with a Ruger #1 and never looked back.

As for the gains from 30/30 to 45/70...as one fellow taught me....with the 45, you dont have to look for your deer- its right where you left it. Meaning it goes Boom , flop. Big hole, big drop. It is not 100% but the 45/70 in a lever I think would stand apart from your others.

I like the 6.5x55 but as mentioned, your 7x57 is in their as well. 308 & 30/06 are close enough to the same as well. The only cal choice you do not have covered is the 223. or .222.

Otherwise have a look for a single shot like Baikals that can be broken down into a back pack for ease of carry. Or simply start searching through what is for sale..at some point something will jump out and say "buy me..."

Originally Posted by Nkwe

I've considered the 45-70 briefly. Much as I'm addicted to recoil, I have plenty stuff that can kick but few that are light on recoil. Other than recoil therapy, what can the 45-70 offer me locally that the 30-30 can not accomplish? Would the 30-30 be enough gun for local species within, say, 150m?

A: A really really big hole right where you were aiming. Also the satisfaction that you aren't wishing for more of anything (except range, but that's for other cals)

have a squizz at the 222 controversial one thread.......it will make your mind up
as for will you look like a tool???? not if you can shoot straight you wont....sub 150 yards ,and you did say you like to get close...they are really neat wee rifles to use.