Companions for my .308

[kimberman 0]

Hi all

 

I am new to this forum.

 

I have been shooting shotguns since I was 14 which was over 50 years ago.

 

I have just taken up deer shooting and have a .308 Kimber Longmaster Classic which fits the bill for this type of hunting. This is my first rifle and I am very happy with it and with rifle shooting in general. I am now considering increasing my rifle battery by one or two more.

 

I am interested in doing some target shooting at a range, hunting for rabbits, foxes and wallaby (small kangaroo).

 

To go along with my .308 I am thinking of the following options:

 

1. .22 LR

 

2. .22 LR and .223

 

3. .17 HMR

 

4. .17 HMR and .223

 

5. .22 Mag

 

6. .22 Mag and .223

 

7. .223

 

What option do you guys think would go with my .308 the best? - first the best single rifle, and then the best two rifles.

 

I will be keen to read your suggestions.

 

 

Regards

 

kimberman

Edited May 7, 2008 by kimberman

[Mr_Logic 5]

Not that I know a huge amount about wallabies, but I would think you would need 223 for them. Unless you just use the 308...

 

Foxes - 223 is best out of those you mention.

 

Rabbits - well, anything stops a rabbit...

 

Targets - what sort of range?

 

I would likely go with 22 Mag and 223, depending on availability of ammof for 22 Mag, and also if you can put a moderator on it.

[kimberman 0]

Not that I know a huge amount about wallabies, but I would think you would need 223 for them. Unless you just use the 308...

 

Foxes - 223 is best out of those you mention.

 

Rabbits - well, anything stops a rabbit...

 

Targets - what sort of range?

 

I would likely go with 22 Mag and 223, depending on availability of ammof for 22 Mag, and also if you can put a moderator on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the response - targets are 50 Metres ( yards) up

[dwighet 1]

Personally i have a 17hmr and a,223 and 6.5x55. The 17hmr is a great little rifle for smalll vermin.when zeroed at 100yrds you will get head shots on bunnies to 150yrds with very little hold over..The wind moves the small round a bit though..

The 223 i use for foxes.deadly round out to 300yds.Even 400yrds if your confident enough to stretch its legs out that far and would have no hassle knocking down a wallaby.Im oridinally from Oz and we used to take roos out to 200yds with the 223...

[kimberman 0]

Personally i have a 17hmr and a,223 and 6.5x55. The 17hmr is a great little rifle for smalll vermin.when zeroed at 100yrds you will get head shots on bunnies to 150yrds with very little hold over..The wind moves the small round a bit though..

The 223 i use for foxes.deadly round out to 300yds.Even 400yrds if your confident enough to stretch its legs out that far and would have no hassle knocking down a wallaby.Im oridinally from Oz and we used to take roos out to 200yds with the 223...

 

 

Thanks dwighet - I reckon I will go with the .223 for one of them but 'still undecided on the rimfire and also which rifle to buy first

[Guest JohnGalway]

HMR and .223 or .22-250

[kimberman 0]

HMR and .223 or .22-250

 

 

Thanks John - I prefer the .223 to the .22-250 but probably for no other reason than its a military round and very popular - I'm tending towards the HMR but have not discounted the 22 LR or the 22 Mag to go with the .223.

Edited May 7, 2008 by kimberman

[Mr_Logic 5]

I think probably 17HMR and 223 are the way to go. What are your HMR prices now?

 

I was shocked to find that it's £19/100 now...

[kimberman 0]

I think probably 17HMR and 223 are the way to go. What are your HMR prices now?

 

I was shocked to find that it's £19/100 now...

 

'Have just phoned my friendly gun shop here in Tasmania and they tell me that the average HMR price is $A20/50, 22mag $A15/50 and 22LR $5.50/50

 

At the current exchange rate of about 0.48 UK pounds to the Aust $:

 

HMR UKStlg 9.60/50

22mag 7.20/50

22LR 2.64/50

Edited May 8, 2008 by kimberman

[SportingShooter 0]

I think probably 17HMR and 223 are the way to go. What are your HMR prices now?

 

I was shocked to find that it's £19/100 now...

I just paid £20/100 for Winchester Supreme but the rifle seems to like them the best, so I will keep on buying them.

What brands are you using?

SS

[Mr_Logic 5]

I'm not now, I have Hornet instead (although I am switching - a 223 and a 17HMR instead of the Hornet). I am bored of trying to find ammo and then paying a fortune. 223 is cheap, 17HMR equally so. Both have their uses and each does its job better than Hornet, which is a jack of all trades.

 

Now, if someone would just get hold of the Hornady 35gr Vmax ammo, that would be different!

[stillair1 16]

A tricky one, if you are target shooting at 50yds then the .22lr is the one for that, hmr and .223 are wasted at that range, not to mention expensive to run.

As I believe you are not allowed mods without major paperwork, then the quietness of a .22lr is negated on rabbits.

Yep no option go for all three :thumbs-up:

[kimberman 0]

A tricky one, if you are target shooting at 50yds then the .22lr is the one for that, hmr and .223 are wasted at that range, not to mention expensive to run.

As I believe you are not allowed mods without major paperwork, then the quietness of a .22lr is negated on rabbits.

Yep no option go for all three :thumbs-up:

 

Thanks stillair1 but the wife says I can only have two .

[SNAP SHOT 194]

.223 for fox work, as for targets you will have fun with the .22lr and cheap to run but for targets at 100 yards or over .17hmr regardless of price you won't beat the .17hmr on accuracy againest the .22lr.

people say the .17hmr is too much for rabbits but not if they are head shot which should not be a problem out to 100 yards........

 

so for this reason .17hmr for targets and bunnies and the .223 as a dedicated fox gun and long range target work............

[Mr_Logic 5]

.223 for fox work, as for targets you will have fun with the .22lr and cheap to run but for targets at 100 yards or over .17hmr regardless of price you won't beat the .17hmr on accuracy againest the .22lr.

people say the .17hmr is too much for rabbits but not if they are head shot which should not be a problem out to 100 yards........

 

so for this reason .17hmr for targets and bunnies and the .223 as a dedicated fox gun and long range target work............

Who have you found that said HMR is too much for rabbits? They're mad - it's a long range small vermin/game round - which basically means long range bunny gun!!