Hi everyone,
I am in the process of trying to figure out what calibre to get for an all round hunting outfit... Some background, I will mostly be hunting Fallow deer in my local area but would like to be able to target Sambar/Reds etc. when the opportunity arises. I am in the mind of spending on one good rifle/scope etc. rather than having to split the funds between two possibly lesser/heavier outfits.
I am also mindful of meat damage, I don't want to destroy a Fallow doe, meat recovery is important but also need to put the brakes on a Sambar stag. I realise there is compromises with any choice and shot placement etc. will all play a role. I guess I am trying to find what calibre ticks most of the boxes, i.e.one calibre to rule them all for Aussie hunting.
I am open minded and happy to learn from others, currently I am leaning towards a 30-06. The reason being that it is versatile - Many people say with heavier loads at slower velocity the 30-06 causes less damage on small deer compared to a faster moving projectile, like from a 243... The 30-06 also undoubtedly will have no issues stopping pretty much anything else in Australia at typical hunting ranges.
Help me convince myself this is a good calibre choice or open my mind to other good options? Any opinions/advise would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers