Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Varminting and vertebrate pest control. Small game, hunting feral goats, foxes, dogs, cats, rabbits etc.

Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by Steven » 04 Jan 2018, 6:24 pm

Hey there, I currently own a 308 and a 12 gauge. Ive currently ordered a .22lr and am looking to get another new rifle, preferably for hunting. I was wondering what recommendations you guys would have as to what I am missing, and your opinion on a great all around calibre.


Thanks,
Steven.
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by in2anity » 04 Jan 2018, 9:35 pm

easy, 223. Nice and flat so a sinch to use. Very popular so cheap to run, even cheaper to handload. It bridges the gap between your 22 and 308. Also don’t neglect considering a carbine length barrel - especially if you’re about ergonomics and practically (and your not into long range f-class style stuff). I’ve had my eye on one of these https://www.winchesteraustralia.com.au/ ... s/CZ223CAR that’d be a great little hunter and plinker. A quality trigger is paramount, PARAMOUNT! for acurate fire.
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by Stix » 04 Jan 2018, 10:08 pm

Yea .223 mate...
Many will say .243...
But do the .222/.223 thing...

For a general purpose all rounder i think the .243 is way too loud for an average night on the bunnies...!.
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by hazza3006 » 04 Jan 2018, 10:12 pm

The caliber you choose depends entirely what you want to hunt. e.g. there are state laws that dictate minimium caliber for deer, and then there's the general preference which for example many would say a 270 is undergunned for samber deer etc. I agree with this view.

Or perhaps you want to hunt buffalo, now this an interesting topic, even experienced guides will say even a 458 lott still undergunned. And i can understand that point of view too having been buff hunting myself.

So first we need to know what it is you want to hunt, im sure you dont want to tackle deer or buff with a 223 for example.
Last edited by hazza3006 on 04 Jan 2018, 10:23 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by in2anity » 04 Jan 2018, 10:14 pm

Stix wrote:Yea .223 mate...
Many will say .243...
But do the .222/.223 thing...

For a general purpose all rounder i think the .243 is way too loud for an average night on the bunnies...!.


The way I see it, the 243 is kind of like a cross between a varmint cartridge and a heavy hitter, it ticks both boxes. Bit of an all rounder. If he has a 308 then he should be leaning more towards a fast, light, flat shooting projectile.

Anyways OP what you gonna use it for mostly?
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by brett1868 » 04 Jan 2018, 10:25 pm

I'm with in2anity, a 243 is reasonably placed centre of the 22LR & 308. If you want to plink then .22LR all day and night but the .243 will reach out and smack with some authority whereas a .223 won't hit as hard though still a capable little cartridge :)
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by bladeracer » 04 Jan 2018, 10:37 pm

Steven wrote:Hey there, I currently own a 308 and a 12 gauge. Ive currently ordered a .22lr and am looking to get another new rifle, preferably for hunting. I was wondering what recommendations you guys would have as to what I am missing, and your opinion on a great all around calibre.


Thanks,
Steven.


I like the versatility of the .243 if you load yourself. If you're stuck with factory ammo I'd probably go .223 instead.
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by juststarting » 04 Jan 2018, 10:38 pm

Have you considered a 45-70? :D
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by in2anity » 04 Jan 2018, 10:56 pm

juststarting wrote:Have you considered a 45-70? :D


Except steer clear of them baikals, real piece of work they are... ;)
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by brett1868 » 05 Jan 2018, 6:53 am

bentaz wrote:.204, .222 or .223.
I recently discovered that the 416 Barrett is a surprisingly nice round to shoot!
But seriously any one of the first three should see you in good company!


The .416 is lethal on tail light lenses and bulb filaments though :(
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by AusTac » 05 Jan 2018, 7:08 am

What do you want to hunt with it?
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by tom604 » 05 Jan 2018, 8:28 am

i have a 223 and want a 243 so my suggestion would be,,,223 plus a 243 plus a 270,,just to make sure that you have all the bases covered :thumbsup:
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by AusTac » 05 Jan 2018, 10:11 am

bentaz wrote:
brett1868 wrote:
bentaz wrote:.204, .222 or .223.
I recently discovered that the 416 Barrett is a surprisingly nice round to shoot!
But seriously any one of the first three should see you in good company!


The .416 is lethal on tail light lenses and bulb filaments though :(

And transit vans and toilet bowls and those pesky blue drums!


That lippy blue drum will never hearl an offensive slur again! ;)
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by Oldbloke » 05 Jan 2018, 12:02 pm

You have 22lr and 308. So I'd go 223/222/204 and later a 243 or 7-08.
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by Corn » 05 Jan 2018, 9:52 pm

Oldbloke wrote:You have 22lr and 308. So I'd go 223/222/204 and later a 243 or 7-08.


I tend to agree (although it all depends on hunting species). I like the 223 & 7mm-08 for no reason other than I own one & want the other!
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 05 Jan 2018, 10:04 pm

Personally i think i have a rather good balance of calibres to hunt with however. Two that always come to mind are the 204 and the 270 both due to the fact that they are flat shooters. I love the 243 anything out to 500 but as many other people have said very loud and id have to agree. I think if i am to get anything else it would be a 204 or a 270. Just my 2 cents
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by Baronvonrort » 06 Jan 2018, 11:43 pm

Steven wrote:Hey there, I currently own a 308 and a 12 gauge. Ive currently ordered a .22lr and am looking to get another new rifle, preferably for hunting. I was wondering what recommendations you guys would have as to what I am missing, and your opinion on a great all around calibre.


A .243 W or .243AI, you can shoot the 55-70 grain stuff with minimum loads a few hundred feet per second quicker than the .223 also shoots up to 105 gr to enable a great range of ferals.

Then you could look at getting a .223 or .204 Ruger if you need something smaller.
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by Stix » 07 Jan 2018, 5:45 am

bentaz wrote:My next centre fire will most likely be a 222rimmed in a cadet.


Now people think im crazy...but i Bluddy luv-em'...!!!

Spotlight'n with the ol' .222r single shot sorts the men from the wanna-be's...


Sounded like a cricket bat hittin a wet sack'a wheat...
Last edited by Stix on 01 Mar 2018, 8:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by Stix » 07 Jan 2018, 3:37 pm

Yes...have to...dont know that you can buy 222 rimmed factory ammo anymore.
Even if you could, id still load em...!
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by bigfellascott » 07 Jan 2018, 4:20 pm

204!
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by Col » 07 Jan 2018, 4:55 pm

FWIW I am with Azza, a 243 is a great calibre in that it will hit with authority and be not too hard on the purse. Especially if you reload, you can load light projectiles or heavy for the bigger critters.

I have shot a 243 for the last 35 years and only recently got a 223 and a 308 (in the last 2 years). I shoot mainly roos, foxes and the odd pig when I see them. What I have found is that I still tend to reach for the 243 as it will drop a roo on the spot (chest shot) out to 300m no problems. The 223 with chest shots tend not to be as effective. The 308 kills them no problems, but they just dont realise they are dead and hop a few yards off.

On pigs with a 243 if you get at least 1 shot into them they will stop or die pretty quickly unless they are huge. The 308 is perfect here. The 223 is a bit light, but as you know the gun you have with is the only one there at the time, so it has to do and this is why I love the 243 calibre.

Hope this helps.
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Re: Suggestions on new rifle calibre

Post by scoobs » 07 Jan 2018, 5:37 pm

22-250?
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