Best Antelope rifle???
 

Headin out for antelope for the first time this year. I have a .243, 30'06, and .338. Using this as an excuse for a new gun. Want the "best" thing for antelope that falls b/w the .243 and the '06. Will probably go pretty light weight in that recoil doesn't bother me but luggin extra pounds does.

Caliber?

Rifle?

Scope?

Don't want to spend Sako kinda cash, I don't want to have to reload, have no preference re PF or CRF for this gun, I have a Browning, Ruger and S+W1500 to date. All present scopes are Leupolds. I want speed/trajectory plus downrange performance (energy and wind bucking). Not asking for much now am I. Oh yeah, most of my hunting is whitetail and like to use all my guns from time to time in such pursuit.

Thanks

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

Caliber :25.06


Rifle : Personal Preference( Model 70 Win.Classic or Remington 700 BDL)


scope : 3.5 X 10 X 50 Leupold Vari X III

JMHO

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

Just as Swampdog stated or maybe a 257 weatherby but nothing wrong with your 243 either .

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

I'll second swampdog with the 25-06. I would say to look at another Browning or Tikka. Scope of either Lepould or Burris.

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

Here's another vote for the .25-06. I would also look into the 257 Roberts, 260 Remington or 6.5 x 55 also.

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

25-06 is great, but since you want to stay light short action may be the way to go. I would go with .260 to satisfy the between .243 and 30-06 requirement. But if you want to be on the edge you could try the 25 WSSM. Looks like it would meet you needs well, but your not going to find ammo at the counter store, and in my opinion probly never will. Just don't see it catching on.

I like the mod. 70 featherweight. The 25 WSSM only weighs 6 lbs. There long actions weight 1.25 lbs more.

The REM 700 mnt. comes in .260 weights 6.5 lbs.

Another good choose budget pending is the Sako finnlight their 25.06 weights 6.5 lbs. I have a 75 hunter in 7mm-08 (very sweet) opps. just read you didn't want to spend sako money.

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

Very hard to beat the .25-06.....get it in a M-70 or M700 rifle with a good 3 X 9 scope and have at it.

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

I wish I could offer an original thought, but a 25-06 with a 3.5 x 10 Leupold is pretty tough to beat. Not to mention it will make a great praire dog gun the rest of the year. Use your regular hunting load to shoot praire dogs all summer at 300-500 yards and that antelope will look huge in the scope.:eek:

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

Can't go wrong with a 25-06 for antelope, but if you want a light weight rifle also take a
look at the Remington 700 LSS Mtn. rifle (laminated stock with stainless barrel/action).
It's available in .270 Win. which is never wrong out west for antelope or mule deer.
Rifle weight is just 6-5/8 lbs. I'd put a good 2-7x or 3-9x Leupold on it.

Of course, if you really want to have fun take a 30-30, and try stalking within about
50-75yds of 'em. It can be done, I know because I did it many a time when I lived out
in Wyoming. Or, you can lure them in too. Pronghorns are some of the most curious animals around. Your .243 is all you really need, but then again we all need an excuse now & then for a new rifle.
Good luck.

ps: If you try crawling around thru the sage brush to get close be sure to watch out
for the rattlesnakes. Other than that, have fun!

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

7mm STW, or .257 Wby. Mag. Good Shooting!!

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

I've never gone antelope hunting but I always thought a Remington 700 mnt rifle in .260 or .280 would be a good choice. I'd go with a good 3x9 scope.

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

I was able to go after pronghorn in 1991 and have taken only 9 since then, along with 10 mule deer. The .270Win with 130gr Hornady bullets has never failed to drop pronghorns or muleys on the first shot. Now, I have to admit, I am close, when I shoot, usually from 200 to 300 yds. The longest shot that I have made on pronghorns was a 325 yd shot. Hit a tad high over the heart, but he dropped without taking a step.
.270Win has been around since 1935, so the cartridge is not new or sexy, but it simply keeps on performing, year after year....AND you can buy ammo in any little country store or gas station that carries ammo.

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

25-06 is what I used to take my "goat"...;)

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

I took one in CO with an 06', but I have repeatedly read the classic lope' gun is a M70 Win (The Rifleman's Rifle) in 270 win. Of course, any other rifle would do just as well.

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

Short actions - 243,6mm,250savage,257roberts, 260 rem, 7mm-08, long action - 25-06,264win,270, 280,284, all 7mm mags. There are TONS more, flat trajectory is the key.

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

I don't think you can go wrong with the 270-Winchester. I still use my 270 about 50% of the time. The rest of the time I use my 7mm-STW. The 7mm-STW is a great round, if you handload for it.

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

You can't go wrong with the 25-06 Rem great gun for lopes to coyotes,to deer.I shoot 100 gr Barnes-x and that works good,or the 115 gr Hornady.

If I had a choice of guns in the 25-06 I would choose the Winchester Classic Sporter LT.
Choice of scope would be the 2.5-10x40 mm Scheeles outfitter scope.

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

well you can get a new 257 wby mag and top it with a 3.5-10 luapy or you could buy a Zeiss Conquest 1" scope with a 3-12x56 and put it on your 243......either way you go you will be happy. me i would put the zeiss on the 243 and use 95 barnes x bullets or 100 grain noslers

RE: Best Antelope rifle???
 

lapdog, these guys are right on with the .25-06 or .260. The .243 is Ok but I watched more than one antelope take an 80 gr .243 in the chest and take off to another county. Oh, it killed him but not real quick. I really like the .243 and killed alot of deer with one but I wouldn't use anything less than 100 gr bullets.
I think the .25-06 would be a fantastic choice as would the .260 or .257 Roberts. Get one of these and you will never have to buy another rifle again as you got one to take just about anything that walks (yeah right).
My favorite all round cartridge for deer and antelope is the .270. It shoots plenty flat enough and packs enough punch.
As for scope, your Leupolds are good. If you like em, stick with em. I would get the ballistic plex though. I like the one on my Burris fullfield II.
As for rifles, sthick with what your most comfortable with and fit you. You might want to try out one of the new Savage rifles with the accutrigger. These are pretty neat.
My friend got one an few months ago and we can't in .30-06 and it shoots everything good, and really likes Sierra 180 gr boattails.