I know this can be a very contentious subject and there isn't a right or wrong answer, but it's something that's been playing on my mind as I fill out the FAC... Which calibre should I be asking for.
I'm very new to stalking, just doing the DSC 1, have been on a couple of guided stalks and been dry stalking (not sure that's a phrase, basically going out alone, no gun watching deer), was going to wait until after the DSC 1 one to start doing the FAC but given the lengthy delays I thought I'd do it now.
I'm incredibally lucky to be very close to a farmer with a 1200 acre farm and we have the argreement that I can have premission to shoot game on his land if I help with the foxes especially round lambing time. I had also planned to have a 17hmr for the bunnies, 12g for the feathers (already own) and a deer rifle of some discription for the deer. The 17HMR is no issue, there are plenty secondhand setups in good enough for me. However, the deer rifle is something I want to spend the money on and get new and keep forever, looking at Mauser M12 or Tikka T3x - not relevant for this chat unless people have had some real issues with either of these!
To summerise the totally unnecessary long-winded brief to my questions, if you fitted into the following which calibre would you have on your first FAC application?
- Only have the land if I can help with the fox population
- Only want to buy one full bore rifle
- Nearly exclusively Roe Deer on permission, but will do the once or twice a year trip with brother for Red
I've always heard that the .243 is the better all rounder, but the ammo is more expensive and might struggle with the real big boys. But the 308 with it's trajectory/bullet drop isn't the greatest for the old foxes, but will handle the big boys and cheaper ammo.
Anyway, what are your thoughts on this?
Cheers,
DT
