Hunting Northern Otways

[Lemax]

Hi,
I’ve recently started hunting and have a small bush property in the northern otways that backs onto SF. Looking at buying a Deer rifle. Just wondering what sort of game/feral animals might be in the area and recommendations on the best rifle to target them.

Thanks Legends

[JohnV]

They see Fallow deer around Deans Mash so I reckon it's mainly Fallow deer around the Otway area .

[bladeracer]

Hi,
I’ve recently started hunting and have a small bush property in the northern otways that backs onto SF. Looking at buying a Deer rifle. Just wondering what sort of game/feral animals might be in the area and recommendations on the best rifle to target them.

Thanks Legends

Rifle choice will mainly come down to what you prefer to shoot with. Do you like lever-action rifles, do you prefer a scope or iron sights? Are you recoil sensitive? Do you want something cheap enough that you can do lots of practice with or do you just want to fire twenty rounds a year at deer? Do you plan to walk for a few kilometers in the bush or just jump the fence when you see them in there? Are you going to load your own ammo?

Virtually any rifle from a .357Mag lever carbine to a .300WinMag will do the job. In Vic you need a minimum .243" diameter bullet of 85gn weight for the small deer, if you think there might be Sambar or Red in there then you need a minimum .270" bullet of 130gn weight.

My preference is 7mm-08, but a Winchester 1894 in .30-30 is hard to beat for a bush rifle.

[Oldbloke]

I assume the OP knows the minimum requirements?

Min Deer Cartridges New.JPG (78.3 KiB) Viewed 2188 times

[Lemax]

Hi,
I’ve recently started hunting and have a small bush property in the northern otways that backs onto SF. Looking at buying a Deer rifle. Just wondering what sort of game/feral animals might be in the area and recommendations on the best rifle to target them.

Thanks Legends

Rifle choice will mainly come down to what you prefer to shoot with. Do you like lever-action rifles, do you prefer a scope or iron sights? Are you recoil sensitive? Do you want something cheap enough that you can do lots of practice with or do you just want to fire twenty rounds a year at deer? Do you plan to walk for a few kilometers in the bush or just jump the fence when you see them in there? Are you going to load your own ammo?

Virtually any rifle from a .357Mag lever carbine to a .300WinMag will do the job. In Vic you need a minimum .243" diameter bullet of 85gn weight for the small deer, if you think there might be Sambar or Red in there then you need a minimum .270" bullet of 130gn weight.

My preference is 7mm-08, but a Winchester 1894 in .30-30 is hard to beat for a bush rifle.

Thanks for your reply.
Probably prefer bolt action, will be covering a lot of ground I’d imagine. After something reliable and versatile.

[bladeracer]

Hi,
I’ve recently started hunting and have a small bush property in the northern otways that backs onto SF. Looking at buying a Deer rifle. Just wondering what sort of game/feral animals might be in the area and recommendations on the best rifle to target them.

Thanks Legends

Rifle choice will mainly come down to what you prefer to shoot with. Do you like lever-action rifles, do you prefer a scope or iron sights? Are you recoil sensitive? Do you want something cheap enough that you can do lots of practice with or do you just want to fire twenty rounds a year at deer? Do you plan to walk for a few kilometers in the bush or just jump the fence when you see them in there? Are you going to load your own ammo?

Virtually any rifle from a .357Mag lever carbine to a .300WinMag will do the job. In Vic you need a minimum .243" diameter bullet of 85gn weight for the small deer, if you think there might be Sambar or Red in there then you need a minimum .270" bullet of 130gn weight.

My preference is 7mm-08, but a Winchester 1894 in .30-30 is hard to beat for a bush rifle.

Thanks for your reply.
Probably prefer bolt action, will be covering a lot of ground I’d imagine. After something reliable and versatile.

Have a look at the Ruger American Predator in 7mm-08, or the Howa 1500 Super Lite or Carbon in .308.

[Oldbloke]

Just go 308 or 270 or 30-06 or 7x57. They are all legal and popular for all deer on Vic.
Scope, 2-7 or 3-9×40 are good options. 4x40 is also an option.

[Oldbloke]

30-30 was the old minimum for reds/sambar. And to me seemed sensible.

But I wouldn't use a 357 mag on one. Be fine for fallow tho.

[Lemax]

Thanks Gents appreciate the feedback

[Mackz]

Had the same predicament last year brought a howa 1500 chambered in .308 taken 4 deer so far! And it shoots great!