Introduction

[alexjoneill]

Howdy folks,
Very new to stalking but have wanted to get into it for years & decided that this year would be the year!
Based in Andover Hampshire & here is a brief intro!

I currently shoot 22lr at the local gun range - really enjoying it but feel ready for the next chapter in my shooting journey!
Have started going out stalking & foxing with more experienced friends and feel eager to keep learning and improving my skills
Currently waiting for my FAC application to progress so while I am learning, I need to try find the calibre for me (love reading all the threads on this page about this also)
Thanks for letting me join

If there is anyone local who wouldn't mind me tagging along sometime to watch and build experience that would be amazing

 

[Ajax]

Hi and welcome from Norfolk

 

[bullet chucker]

Welcome to the site.

BC.

 

[old 30-06]

Welcome to the site from sunny Sittingbourne in Kent.

 

[T.eddie]

Welcome from Essex

 

[roebuckboy]

Welcome to the site and good luck in finding the calibre for you !

 

[alexjoneill]

Welcome to the site and good luck in finding the calibre for you !

Many thanks, so many pros and cons and similarities between them!
Kinda leaning towards a 270 or 308
(Won't be home loading any time soon) but a 6.5 is also a potential...
We will see

 

[roebuckboy]

Many thanks, so many pros and cons and similarities between them!
Kinda leaning towards a 270 or 308
(Won't be home loading any time soon) but a 6.5 is also a potential...
We will see

Honestly they all will kill deer easily within the ranges we shoot in the UK.
We all have been there trying to work out the best option and every person you ask you will get a different answer
In my opinion I would worry more about availability of ammo To guide your choice.
Good luck and enjoy

 

[MattW]

Welcome,
Loads of different ideas and different opinions on this site all have their own unique ideas, but you have the best idea to get out there with people who have experience and learn then you can make an individual decision based on what you have learned.
BASC has some good advice and are always helpful maybe give them a call?
Best of luck if you were more local I would happily show you the basics…..

 

[alexjoneill]

Honestly they all will kill deer easily within the ranges we shoot in the UK.
We all have been there trying to work out the best option and every person you ask you will get a different answer
In my opinion I would worry more about availability of ammo To guide your choice.
Good luck and enjoy

Very useful advice, I will contact local shops to see what they stock - 308 world have more variation on options from what I gave read but will do some more digging

 

[alexjoneill]

Welcome,
Loads of different ideas and different opinions on this site all have their own unique ideas, but you have the best idea to get out there with people who have experience and learn then you can make an individual decision based on what you have learned.
BASC has some good advice and are always helpful maybe give them a call?
Best of luck if you were more local I would happily show you the basics…..

Many thanks, getting some hands on experience with different calibers I think will be beneficial to decision making...
I have joined BASC as a member but haven't contacted them yet, I will look into this for sure!

 

[roebuckboy]

Very useful advice, I will contact local shops to see what they stock - 308 world have more variation on options from what I gave read but will do some more digging

I started with a 6.5x55 shot everything from muntjac to reds with it was a fantastic calibre.
But each time I went to get ammo, never had what I was zeroed in stock so had to keep swapping /zeroing not the end of the world just takes Limited time I have going to zero gun instead of out stalking.
I now shoot a 243 and a 308 again not saying they are the best just find i can get what ammo I am using easily.

 

[alexjoneill]

I started with a 6.5x55 shot everything from muntjac to reds with it was a fantastic calibre.
But each time I went to get ammo, never had what I was zeroed in stock so had to keep swapping /zeroing not the end of the world just takes Limited time I have going to zero gun instead of out stalking.
I now shoot a 243 and a 308 again not saying they are the best just find i can get what ammo I am using easily.

Very useful to know thanks, I will ask that as a follow up question when I call around to see what brands they have regularly rather than just asking about the ammunition they hold for the calibre in general
I know asking about calibre is a can of worms and everyone will have there opinion but it's certainly a tricky subject!
Unfortunately with finances at the moment I am looking for a good all rounder rather than multiple rifles - 243 ticks pretty much all the boxes but some posts suggest it can be slightly under powered for deer....? 308 seems a solid all rounder but more research needed for sure!
So much to learn and try but we all need to start somewhere & I am eager to learn!

 

[roebuckboy]

Depends what you are shooting, i happily shoot Fallow regularly with 243 i prefer to shoot it over my 308 but I know alot of people that shoot sika and reds with a 243 no problems.
but if you are shooting alot of bigger deer the 308 does get the job done very well and as a beginner gives you a bit more confidence when stood in front of a big deer.
I myself go round in circles what calibre I should shoot lol
243 also makes a fantastic foxing gun.

 

[User00043]

Welcome from Rutland

Paul