palmer_mike
Well-Known Member
Unless you buy a .308 as that would do eminently well for all the above (and excel at each of them)
Caliber decision
- Thread starter March Brown
- Start date
.308W, nothing more to add.
Already have a 22lr and intend to set up a wee range to practice the shooting requirements for the DSC1 except the 4” target at 100yds. Going to substitute 2” target at 50yds for that.
You can easily do 100 yards with the .22LR as well!
The DSC1 shooting test used to be 'harder' as there was a longer distance if you were doing the supposed 'Highland' module. All before my time though.
Unfortunately many seem to be married to their bipods or quad sticks, unsurprising as with some rifle setups seen on here it would be extremely difficult to take an offhand shot!
Given Tricky Nicky’s apparent desire to have deer almost seen as vermin and have half of them shot, I don’t think outlawing a large number of stalkers guns due to the ammo being a few grains light or a few foot pounds down on energy would fit with her plans. In fact I’d not be surprised if she said we can use sticks and stones to kill them. Her pal Alison in the Greens might back that change as sticks and stones are a more environmentally friendly option.
Careful what you wish for, the 'green death' (1080) could yet come to our shores.
Unlike NZ, it would truly wipe out most deer in the Highlands and achieve the 'X deer per square KM' insanity.
I suspect potential effects on scavenging birds is the major reason why this option is yet to be explored.
Still, it would be lead free!
Brave Echo Niner
Well-Known Member
I think that depends on how many shots you wish to take offhand - with my 22lb rifle I would bet on hitting the first shot and maybe the second before getting fatigued, quad sticks just allow you to not be rushed in taking a shot and setting up in a natural and comfortable position, they extend your effective range significantly from standing as a bipod does from prone, hence why people like them!
Ben
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
“Those deer are near Dougal and those deer are far!” Excellent stuff.
IMHO 6.5x55SE with 120 Sierra Prohunters over mid-range load of Viht N160 does it all for all UK species and you can see the bullet strike as it hits! Magic round - since buying one I only occasionally lift the .308. Also great to reload.
Good luck whatever your eventual choice.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
When I did my DSC1 20 odd years ago, you could use the equipment you would normally take stalk. The range was in a deep side valley down in the Borders.
One of students asked if he could use a heavy barreled target rifle. The instructor/ examiner said we were welcome to use heavy weight target rifles and a bench rest as well but to check they were normal stalking equipment he would ask us first to carry them to the top of the hill and back down again! And the 200 yard safety stalk was also carried out with all your kit.
On the day of the test every body with stalking rifles and sticks.
AN DU RU FOX
Well-Known Member
oh don,t worry they will screw up first then get some experts opinion over the next twenty years too reverse it!
Try and handle and caress a few diffrent makes and models of rifles. Close your eyes while pulling the trigger look for trigger creep cycle the bolt as well. Then discount the ones your not happy with . I would not dismiss a good 2nd hand custom or semi. Everything is worth a look
If I was starting again .
The stock would have to have a raised cheek piece on it not a bag and also the barrel would have to be a sporter profile
Calibre would be
Any 6.5 then .308 or .270 ask your local dealer what ammo he always has in stock .
Sound moderator.
A lightweight one and shortest
A few decibels is not going to make a difference
To the electronic equipment in a deers ear.
Good luck with your DSC1
If I was starting again .
The stock would have to have a raised cheek piece on it not a bag and also the barrel would have to be a sporter profile
Calibre would be
Any 6.5 then .308 or .270 ask your local dealer what ammo he always has in stock .
Sound moderator.
A lightweight one and shortest
A few decibels is not going to make a difference
To the electronic equipment in a deers ear.
Good luck with your DSC1
Brave Echo Niner
Well-Known Member
I have had this discussion many times with people. I carry a rear bag attached to the butt of my rifle (for prone shots) and a bipod on the rifle, as well as quad sticks. My hill stalking rifle is an 18lb 300WSM.
I also carry both a wind meter, range finding binos and a ballistic calc on my phone...
On a typical stalk up the hill I wouldn't blink at a few kilometres with that kit, hopefully with a few reds in tow on the return journey!
On my DSC 2 not so long ago my assessor was laughing at the amount of kit when we first met, all until he saw me shoot a red stag off a gate in a shot he thought was exceeding difficult - with a bag to rest on and quad sticks to support the butt of the rifle it was a very easy shot. He didn't take the mick out of the kit after that, as he realised it made me very accurate and able to take more difficult shots with ease, it certainly doesn't slow me down either....
Ben
Hi. I would agree that for roe the 243win is the best calibre so long as you use the right legal ammunition and hit it in the right place. You won't get runners. Personally I don't think the 243 is good for sika or reds, and for those I would use 270 or 308. If you use the larger calibers in roe deer there is more meat damage in my opinion. Hope this helps
Malxwal
Well-Known Member
I'm not familiar with the chap, have you a link to his work ?
Grandhubert
Well-Known Member
I see it like this, if a man can shoot a 7-8mm intermediate or short action Carter’s of the order of the 308; that is what he should use to shoot deer.
The advantage is a bigger, heavier bullet that, should circumstances conspire” has the momentum and energy to leave an exit and hopefully a trail.
even something as simple and innocuous as the deer not being quite as broadside as you thought could result in a caught bullet with the smaller cartridges.
In short, don’t pick your equipment for when ever run into goes perfectly, pick it for when things go wrong.
The advantage is a bigger, heavier bullet that, should circumstances conspire” has the momentum and energy to leave an exit and hopefully a trail.
even something as simple and innocuous as the deer not being quite as broadside as you thought could result in a caught bullet with the smaller cartridges.
In short, don’t pick your equipment for when ever run into goes perfectly, pick it for when things go wrong.
This covers it with a non lead bullet available in a 100gr that will stabilise in a standard 1in 10 twist barrel no longer any need to ditch the good old .243
baguio
Well-Known Member
A perfect example to prove that we're all different. I'm always amazed when I read 'you will do this' or 'you will do that' We're all individuals and what fits one may well not fit the next. PS, I'm not saying that I would ever take all of that kit but I wish that I was fit enough to do it!
Sako75Hunter
Well-Known Member
There are no ifs about it IMO, it's just a matter of time.
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Spot on! Just think how boring it would be if we all went for the same rifle, in the same calibre, with the same load, same bullet, same weight, same COAL, same trigger, same sticks, same bipod/tripod, same zero et al.......... The pages of this esteemed site would be totally bereft of sincere input, comment, debate, insults, accusations, rows, death threats (and worse) etc. etc. How utterly boring it would be! Keep the opinions and differences fire lit chaps, I just love it all.A perfect example to prove that we're all different. I'm always amazed when I read 'you will do this' or 'you will do that' We're all individuals and what fits one may well not fit the next. PS, I'm not saying that I would ever take all of that kit but I wish that I was fit enough to do it!
PS
Now about all this Creedmoor nonsense............
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