Thread: Caliber of choice for under 400m

Hi Team,

The captain has given me signoff to upgrade the old rifle to something new and shiny.

Keen to get some constructive feedback as to the caliber to stick with for upto 400m. 99% shots taken under 200m. We hunt North Island, mostly fallow, sika and some reds.

Have been happy with the 308 and it's ability to hit hard and allow some room for error. Do I stick with the tried and true (and bullet availability) or be open minded to some newer calibers like the 6.5 CM or 6.5 PRC. They maybe overly kill for the distance we generally shoot but sounds like the recoil is a lot less (also keeping in mind my young fella is near graduating off smaller pests)?

Cheers in advance.

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308

308, 20 inch barrel. Dpt. Swarovski Z5 job done.
I prefer a 270 for a bit more velocity using 145 eldx but 308 is logical and efficient and you can't go wrong for your use case.

LE .303....and if you want longer shots the open sights go out to 2,200 yards....someone must have thought back-in-the-day it could be done.

if not reloading then ammo availability will dictate - why not stick to 308 it just does it - I have always liked 25-06 after seeing what a mates rifle in that caliber performed like - recoil is manageable for younger shooter - 243 never been a favourite with me very reliant on choice of projectile but they work with right ammo - 22-250 works on fallow but big red it may show its limitations - 270 tried and true - there will be scorn but for me a .223 is a bit light despite the fact I have shot a lot of deer with a .222- a few odd ones if the rifle was a beauty 7x57 - 6.5x55 all work well - 30-30 no lacks range - now if you are going to reload then a whole new ball game opens up - the choice is huge but I would still like to use a 30cal or 7mm bullet - I just like the idea of a bigger hole and yes again there will be howls of protest that their whizz bang 6mm is best - comes back to factory ammo and availability and reloading and resale of rifle - a lot of oddball stuff simply wont sell

308W

Cheers guys, yes just factory ammo.

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243 or 308

7mm08 or 308

7mm08

308, big choice of ammo. available everywhere

I would of said 6.5x55 but you really need to reload ro get the best out of it

Keep your .308 and get something significantly different .either smaller eg .223 or longer eg 7mm mag. Or go nice .270 suppressed and keep it for the longer shot trips etc. suppressed .270 and suppressed .308 covers just about anything you could want. Years n years ago one of the gurus was asked if had to only have one rifle what would it be. Answer was long barreled .270 for South island something with good strong bolt action. And BLR in .308 for North island. I can't fault the logic.

7mm08 or 308

A 140g or 150g Nosler Ballistic Tip at 2880-2900fps will give you 600 yard capability

Throwing a Wildcard out there
I shoot and will stand by 7.62x39.
Intermediate cartridge so not much recoil.
Heaps of military surplus, purchased all my ammo at around 50c/rd