Introduction.

[PaddyMac]

Hi folks, quick introduction as instructed after registration. Hooked on shooting from a very young age, my Grandfather let me shoot a plant pot! The old 12gauge fabarm semi auto left me with a black eye and I've been hooked ever since! Keen wildfowler and walked up game shooting over labs was very competitive sporting clay shooter in my youth even winning the 6 man team all Ireland sporting clay competition in 2009 run by the NARGC. I live in on the Border of County Derry & Donegal.

Ive always wanted to get into Deer Stalking but having kids at a young age stopped alot of my spare time, but I have now recently booked my DSC1 that I will sit on the 18th of February, studying hard and really hope I pass...wish me luck

Im genuinely only interested in shooting SIKA for the pot 1 or 2 a year and I'd be over the moon. Recently looking at rifles and alot of researching I tend to be leaning toward .270 or .308 but on the other hand seems overkill, I'm a pure green horn when it comes to big caliber rifles as I only shoot rabbits with a 22LR and foxes with a .22 hornet.

.243 seems very popular and any advice would be very welcome indeed. I'll be woodland stalking more than open hills.

My spend bracket on a new rifle is £1000 and under Recently took a liking to the Haenel Jaeger 10 in wood & Bergara Extreme hunter both in .308 caliber.

I will spend £500 or so on a scope i really like the Vortex Viper 6-24x50.

Thanks for reading.

 

[User00043]

Welcome from Rutland

Paul

 

[T.eddie]

Welcome from Essex

 

[RescueMe0007]

Hi folks, quick introduction as instructed after registration. Hooked on shooting from a very young age, my Grandfather let me shoot a plant pot! The old 12gauge fabarm semi auto left me with a black eye and I've been hooked ever since! Keen wildfowler and walked up game shooting over labs was very competitive sporting clay shooter in my youth even winning the 6 man team all Ireland sporting clay competition in 2009 run by the NARGC. I live in on the Border of County Derry & Donegal.

Ive always wanted to get into Deer Stalking but having kids at a young age stopped alot of my spare time, but I have now recently booked my DSC1 that I will sit on the 18th of February, studying hard and really hope I pass...wish me luck

Im genuinely only interested in shooting SIKA for the pot 1 or 2 a year and I'd be over the moon. Recently looking at rifles and alot of researching I tend to be leaning toward .270 or .308 but on the other hand seems overkill, I'm a pure green horn when it comes to big caliber rifles as I only shoot rabbits with a 22LR and foxes with a .22 hornet.

.243 seems very popular and any advice would be very welcome indeed. I'll be woodland stalking more than open hills.

My spend bracket on a new rifle is £1000 and under Recently took a liking to the Haenel Jaeger 10 in wood & Bergara Extreme hunter both in .308 caliber.

I will spend £500 or so on a scope i really like the Vortex Viper 6-24x50.

Thanks for reading.

As always on this forum choice of calibre is a hotly contested (even sometimes contentious) subject. I'm also shooting Sika (though at the opposite end of the country to yourself) and am using a 6.5X55 SE. Slightly more umph! than the .243 and more than enough gun for Sika ( "incoming!!") . I have never recovered a round and the exit hole is more than enough for a blood trail. Rounds for the calibre are readily available in the RoI though locally they might be scarce (you'd be well advised to check with the gun shops that are local to you).
I was advised years ago to spend the larger amount on the sighting system (scope and mounts) and the smaller sum on the firearm itself, as generally modern firearms are very good. I bought a Heym SR21 over fifteen years ago (second hand), best expenditure ever, a lot of pleasure to use and handles really well. I wish you every success on both the DSC1 and in many rewarding years stalking. Welcome to the site , I believe you'll enjoy it, some very knowledgeable and helpful contributors on here.

 

[PaddyMac]

As always on this forum choice of calibre is a hotly contested (even sometimes contentious) subject. I'm also shooting Sika (though at the opposite end of the country to yourself) and am using a 6.5X55 SE. Slightly more umph! than the .243 and more than enough gun for Sika ( "incoming!!") . I have never recovered a round and the exit hole is more than enough for a blood trail. Rounds for the calibre are readily available in the RoI though locally they might be scarce (you'd be well advised to check with the gun shops that are local to you).
I was advised years ago to spend the larger amount on the sighting system (scope and mounts) and the smaller sum on the firearm itself, as generally modern firearms are very good. I bought a Heym SR21 over fifteen years ago (second hand), best expenditure ever, a lot of pleasure to use and handles really well. I wish you every success on both the DSC1 and in many rewarding years stalking. Welcome to the site , I believe you'll enjoy it, some very knowledgeable and helpful contributors on here.

"Incoming" i knew a man that is now passed away that shot a 6.5x55 Swedish, he shot some of the biggest red stags I've ever seen and shot for over 30 years and would only shoot that caliber. There are alot of good budget rifles for definite it is very much down to preference nowa days isn't it, cheers for the reply man. Take it easy.