Thread: Rifle for NZ

I am in the market for a new synthetic stocked rifle. Will be used for deerstalking in the UK and hope to use it at least once in NZ. What would be a close to perfect rifle/calibre/scope combination for NZ use ? I like light rifles ( 2.8 to 3.1 kg). Could be used for goats, boar, red, fallow, ...... I notice that you seem to shoot a lot at very long range. The browning A bolt is still available but only in 223,243,30-06 and 300 win mag. Would a 30-06 be flat shooting enough for NZ use? But there is also the T3, the Howa, ....... I still have an unused Zeiss 6x42 in my cabinet. I would like to hear your advice.

HS what you have observed on this forum is that there are basically two distinctly different types of hunting in New Zealand and although it is a generalisation and not entirely correct to do so, you could group them in to short range hunting (which is predominent in the North Island where the hunting areas are mostly forested) and long range hunting (which is predominent in the South Island which is alpine). 30-06 would be fine for NZ. In my view your Zeiss would be over powered for bush hunting and would likely be underpowered for truly long range, however I will defer to other members to give you guidance on that.

In the end, a good comfortable (to you) rifle that will cleanly kill the animals you mentioned in Europe, will also cleanly kill the same animals in New Zealand so go with your gut on this.

Sako 85 Finnlight
7mm rem mag.

Great bush rifle and excellent on the long shots.

+1 on the 7mmrem mag,would have to be the best "allround NZ cal" in a factory round with ammo in every shop.

Anything on the 3006 case or 308 case will do just fine as well but it depends how far you want to be able to shoot.

Is the rem mag become popular enough to meet the claim of ämmo in every shop"?
I'm gunna have to take more notice in the shops these days I'm obviously getting out of date.
Considering the request of a light rifle maybe a .308 with a 3-12 scope, although then the scope may end up quite heavy. The 6x42 is likely to limit you in shooting in NZ to some degree.

Depends what you regard as long range! TBH the stories of frequent 400m+ shooting that you read on the forum probably aren't representative of the majority of hunters - at least not the ones I know! Last research I heard about said over 90% of deer are still shot within 200yds.

Ok almost every shop

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I have used 270 on the south island tops and in the deep bush for the last 12 years with no problems.

270, 6.5x55, 7mm-08, 308

Good quality light 3-9 scope.... good to 400m if you are well set up and practiced..

General hunting is walk and look.... you will be carrying more than sitting..

long range gear is specialised, the gear is not particularly carry friendly and getting locations and spots requires time and familiarity. That is unlikely to happen for a tourist/visitor..

Better a practical general purpose carry rig...

Originally Posted by Gemini

I have used 270 on the south island tops and in the deep bush for the last 12 years with no problems.

I like this calibre.

Originally Posted by Sidney

270, 6.5x55, 7mm-08, 308

Good quality light 3-9 scope.... good to 400m if you are well set up and practiced..

General hunting is walk and look.... you will be carrying more than sitting..

long range gear is specialised, the gear is not particularly carry friendly and getting locations and spots requires time and familiarity. That is unlikely to happen for a tourist/visitor..

Better a practical general purpose carry rig...

this guy is on to a winner.
do this. pick one and make it happen

.260 a good option too IMO.

.308 will kill anything and ammo is cheap.

I'd look at what you'd prefer to use in England caliber wise then we'll see if we think it's suitable here, after all your talking one trip here .
I'd agree you could be handicaped by a 6x scope however that will depend on where you wish to go here.
Of the abolts calibers you mentioned , if the aught 6 is right for you in England, it'll certainly do here.

I have used a 6x scope for years and never felt limited by it. It will shoot out to the practical range of a 30-06 and it's usable bush hunting. Stick with what you know I say. Fixed 6 is a better choice than fixed 4 for the south island.