Antelope Gun choice....???

[shooter1966]

I know this has been beat to death on here...so I appologize for opnening up this can of worms.

I have been lucky enough to shoot 2 Bulls (Elk) the past 2 yrs in Idaho. A raghorn last year and a 4x4 last week.


Next year we are talking about doing a combo Antelope/Mule deer hunt. I have a T/C Encore and will buy a new barrel and scope setup for this hunt. Thinkin my .300 win mag barrel is a touch too much for this hunt

Which makes the most sense.... .223? .243? 25-06? Other?

Thanks in advance
Scott

[mac266]

Of the choices you listed the any of them would be fine. The .243 or .25-06 would be easier to shoot than the .300 win. mag., though (less recoil). I use a .270 because that's what I have.

[homers brother]

Really, either the .243 or .25-06 would be good choices. The .223 is lighter than I'd prefer, not to mention the WY G&F would cite me for using an "insufficient caliber".

My favorite pronghorn rifles are both .243s.

[Wyoming T/A]

243 would be minimum--270 or 270WSM--flat and fast--i have both and taken deer-antelope,and elk--no problem

[shooter1966]

Nice goat!!! Im excited to hammer one. Being from the midwest its like a poor mans safari to be able to hunt out west. We have had the Idaho guys back here to Whitetail hunt..to them thats a treat like Elk is to us.

My son is 11 and I may bring him out for this hunt. Being as it will be warmer and we will be on 4 wheelers and not horses he should be fine keeping up.

I keep leaning towards .243 because it would make a nice coyote gun as well.

[Big Z]

Can't get much better, than a 25-06 with an 80gr TTSX; though I couldn't argue a 243 or 22-250 either

[rgs1975]

30-06, use 150gr for the Lope and 200 for the Elk.

[Sheridan]

"I keep leaning towards .243 because it would make a nice coyote gun as well."




Yep, .243 is one of the best dual purpose calibers, and plenty flat for speed goats.

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/243.html


The best cartridge using factory ammo anyway, is probably a .270 IMO.


The .270 bucks the wind better.

[dzgolf2]

Amazing that the .257's and .264's get no love, as versatile as the '06 is in the mid to large big game calibers.. is as versatile as the .25-06 is in the small to mid sized big game calibers, find some good bullets for the larger game and you'll be fine, more weight and frontal diameter than the .243, little less umph than the .270, which is still a good option, but light bullets won't perform as well as in the .25. The .25-06 is great for anything below a heavy boned elk (which you have the barrel for already, so play around) and up when properly matched for game to bullet.

[mac266]

Originally Posted by dzgolf2

Amazing that the .257's and .264's get no love...

I understand Remington and Ruger both made a brand new rifles in .257 Roberts only a few years ago. This is #1 on my "Want List," but like most people I can't just run out and buy every gun I want!