Hello all - I've been reading the Stalking Directory forum on and off over the last year or two and just signed up a few days ago, in order to download the zeroing targets if the truth be told.
I live in Donegal, NW Ireland. Been shooting 20 something years, .22 rimfire, 22 Hornet, then spent a few years living in the US where I shot a number of different calibres but hunted mostly with a 25-06. When I moved home again a few years ago I brought an old FN Mauser actioned Browning Safari Grade in 270 Winchester with me which I have used since, stalking almost exclusively Reds, with a few Sika in the South East of the country, got my first Fallow just before Christmas.
Although I have great faith in the 270, a year and a half ago I was planning a trip to South Africa (great excuse for a new rifle) and was looking for something with a slightly heavier bullet weight, also suitable for Boar in Europe and that would avoid ex military cartridge restrictions in some countries. Around this time a local dealer got a clean used Styer Mannlicher in 8x68s, which I quickly researched as best I could, then bought. Brought it to South Africa's Northern Cape last August where ranges were generally quite long, no regrets, have taken a number of Reds with it since then, a great all round cartridge.
I live in Donegal, NW Ireland. Been shooting 20 something years, .22 rimfire, 22 Hornet, then spent a few years living in the US where I shot a number of different calibres but hunted mostly with a 25-06. When I moved home again a few years ago I brought an old FN Mauser actioned Browning Safari Grade in 270 Winchester with me which I have used since, stalking almost exclusively Reds, with a few Sika in the South East of the country, got my first Fallow just before Christmas.
Although I have great faith in the 270, a year and a half ago I was planning a trip to South Africa (great excuse for a new rifle) and was looking for something with a slightly heavier bullet weight, also suitable for Boar in Europe and that would avoid ex military cartridge restrictions in some countries. Around this time a local dealer got a clean used Styer Mannlicher in 8x68s, which I quickly researched as best I could, then bought. Brought it to South Africa's Northern Cape last August where ranges were generally quite long, no regrets, have taken a number of Reds with it since then, a great all round cartridge.