otisthedog
Well-Known Member
Some advice please wise fellows....
Started stalking (shadowing a mate) winter last year, bought first rifle early summer. Second hand Tikka T3 in .243. At the time I saw my shooting as mainly fox and roe, the odd red. Love the rifle - shoot GECO 105gr for everything - and since have had a few foxes, a roe doe and a 10pt red stag. The stag stumbled a few paces and fell, the roe dropped on the spot and the foxes, well, job done . Happy how it's performed (albeit limited use!) so far.
Having got access to more ground since getting my rifle, I reckon my current and future shooting to be 50% roe, 40% red, 10% fox. I am now totally hooked on stalking and this year want to buy a rifle from new to last me for the forseable future.
Just got additional slots for .308 and mod, which I am allowed to use for deer and fox (ie. inc. lamping) and I intend to sell the 243 to fund the new rifle. Do not wish to have more than one centrefire.
My stalking is mainly small fields on woodland boundaries so the sooner they fall the better. The reds come pretty big round here too! As a relative novice I won't take long shots and I like the 'mellowness' of the 243
However, looking at other possible calibres. Have shot (briefly on ranges) .270 (modded but still found it a touch angry... wuss) 6.5X55 (really liked it) and .308 (very nice to shoot, three pals have them).
So in my rambling way I am asking for suggestions. Stick with what I have on my ticket (308) or look to 'one up' from 243, ie 6.5X55 or maybe something like 25.06.
I only use - and only intend to use - factory ammo, sorry - lazy.
Pretty sure my local RFD stocks all of the calibres mentioned above.
Really don't want to know which calibre is 'better', more which you think will suit me (after reading all the waffle!)
Thanks in advance
Tim
Started stalking (shadowing a mate) winter last year, bought first rifle early summer. Second hand Tikka T3 in .243. At the time I saw my shooting as mainly fox and roe, the odd red. Love the rifle - shoot GECO 105gr for everything - and since have had a few foxes, a roe doe and a 10pt red stag. The stag stumbled a few paces and fell, the roe dropped on the spot and the foxes, well, job done . Happy how it's performed (albeit limited use!) so far.
Having got access to more ground since getting my rifle, I reckon my current and future shooting to be 50% roe, 40% red, 10% fox. I am now totally hooked on stalking and this year want to buy a rifle from new to last me for the forseable future.
Just got additional slots for .308 and mod, which I am allowed to use for deer and fox (ie. inc. lamping) and I intend to sell the 243 to fund the new rifle. Do not wish to have more than one centrefire.
My stalking is mainly small fields on woodland boundaries so the sooner they fall the better. The reds come pretty big round here too! As a relative novice I won't take long shots and I like the 'mellowness' of the 243
However, looking at other possible calibres. Have shot (briefly on ranges) .270 (modded but still found it a touch angry... wuss) 6.5X55 (really liked it) and .308 (very nice to shoot, three pals have them).
So in my rambling way I am asking for suggestions. Stick with what I have on my ticket (308) or look to 'one up' from 243, ie 6.5X55 or maybe something like 25.06.
I only use - and only intend to use - factory ammo, sorry - lazy.
Pretty sure my local RFD stocks all of the calibres mentioned above.
Really don't want to know which calibre is 'better', more which you think will suit me (after reading all the waffle!)
Thanks in advance
Tim