Bigger Gun

[lgray88 4]

right so i have made up my mind its either a tikka t3 or remington 700 for me new gun unsure about the choice of caliber but when ive made that decision il send the variation away and see how it goes hopefully be ok. but just wondering what the pros and cons of the two rifle models i have stated , and what about savage arms no one seems to have mentioned them when i asked about what gun i should go for.

 

liam

[dafmla 1]

hi i have a tikka t3 varmint in 223 rem and its never let me down

[lgray88 4]

what about accuracy in that caliber, what size of groups at 150yards had a ruger m77 whihc is a friends had a 2 inch group at rouglyt 200 yards dont have a rangefinder so not sure i was jsut working with paces , ill be looking at something thats legal on deer , i did consider a .22-250 which is ok for roe in scotland and should be legal for my work needs.

 

liam

[SportingShooter 0]

You have changed your mind on calibre then.

 

Those animals are very big as you know and will need an awful lot of stopping power so I would not recommend a varmint calibre. Also, there is more of a risk of wounding with the smaller calibres on a larger animal, the shot placement needs to be exact. And seen as you're not going to eat them then why would a larger calibre matter, it just means a more efficient kill.

 

I would still recommend the .308 , and you will still need a variation for Deer and the others.

You'll lose all your firearms if you are found to be breaking the conditions on your FAC.

 

As for make, Tikka and Sako seem to be topping the poll so I would consider looking at both, the Remington 700 is also a fine weapon, they will all shoot straight so you just need to browse around for the ones which appeal to you and the weight is not too bad.

 

Regards

SS

[lgray88 4]

its just too much to think about SS haha , i wonder if they would let me get a variation for 2 centrefires , the .22.250 and a .308 . i telphoned the licencing department and they said the minimum for seals is .22hornet which surprised me , i am totally with you on the better killing power of the .308 , but id like the .22-250 for some lighter shooting also , do you think they would let me put that on my licence or not we have no foxes up here just rabbits, hares, geese , moorhen and grouse but before you mention it the .22-250 would be a bit serious of a caliber to use on those species but its the flat trajectory that has drawn me towards this gun, i use a sako quad at the moment great gun but i dont think i could afford a sako centrefire at the moment , tikka seem ok though they are made by sako so surely cant be too bad finisheings are maybe not so good as the sako but thats not a problem

 

liam

[SportingShooter 0]

A Hornet for Seals, that is pretty shocking to me too. My FEO told me they will issue .308 minimum.

 

Your HMR is more than enough gun for any of those you have mentioned, really you dont need a centrefire for them you are just spending money you dont have too with the expense of C/F ammunition.

 

I would still go for a powerful Deer calibre for Seals, there is too much that can go wrong with a smaller calibre on a big animal. A .308 is pretty easy to live with, the .22-250 I agree is very flat but only because you are pushing light bullets at very fast velocities. A .308 throws a heavier bullet at a slower velocity about 2700 fps but you get used to the drop with practice, have a look at the 7mm calibres if you want too, they are also good and flatter.

 

I dont think they would give you a centrefire for the smaller things specifically, they should issue you with small vermin and ground game on your centrefire though. So if you insist on shooting them with a centrefire you are covered

 

Tikka and Sako are both from the Beretta stable and will shoot perfectly well, Remington are the same, all factory rifles will shoot well off the shelf pretty much.

 

Have a look at the 7mm Mag and 7mm-08 see what you think.

 

Regards

SS

[Mr_Logic 5]

HMR on geese... I'd use something bigger. I have taken canada geese with HMR but it's not very humane, the buggers take several to knock them over, they have a habit of moving slightly so what started as a great shot clips a wing. 223 works, but again isn't that quick. I'm using 243 now, but have yet to get one because they've wised up a lot!

[SportingShooter 0]

Don't think i'd use a rifle on Geese to be honest unless they were a real pest and then a headshot would be my preference, Shotguns are my weapon of choice, decoying Geese can be good fun if you dont shoot silly amounts but then if they are a pest shoot as many as come in. Whether that would work as well for Canadas on normal grassland im not sure.

 

I doubt they would give a centrefire purely for shooting Geese but if he had for example a .308 for Seals and Small Vermin and Ground Game then problem solved.

 

My main point in this thread really is that only one rifle is really needed. If you had a larger Rifle then you could have Seals, Deer and Vermin and Ground game.

 

Regards

SS

[Mr_Logic 5]

Headshots on geese are bloody hard, they move constantly. Certainly HMR needs to be in the head really.

 

I agree with you though that a bigger calibre is the solution to the chap's problems.

[SportingShooter 0]

I can see how that could be a problem Mr L

 

One Rifle, one Calibre, All jobs is what you need really.

 

Regards

SS

[CharlieT 32]

It is some years now since I have had anything to do with culling seals but when I was doing so the hornet was the most common caliber granted and used.

 

FAC grants for seals as the primary use was a hornet and many fishermen had them and used them to great effect.

 

I would have thought that in your case where you want one do all caliber your choice of 22.250 is ideal. If you are not sure if you will get granted one why don't you get some permission for fox/vermin and perhaps roe on the mainland to add a bit of weight to your application. You will then have shown need and should get it granted,they should then add seals no problem.

 

I forgot to say I used a 22.250 on seals

Edited June 22, 2008 by CharlieT

[SportingShooter 0]

I agree with that in some ways.

 

There are no foxes on Shetland so thats out, I would still go for a calibre that is legal for all Deer in the UK as there are so many Reds on the mainland.

 

A .243 will kill Reds no problem but you have to have your shot in the right place. That was my main reason for recommending the .308 for everything as it will give you the punch for Reds and along with it a better chance of Clean kills, which in turn boosts your confidence.

 

I am still flabbergasted that Hornets are used for Seals, I know the professional Deer Stalkers back in the day used them to great effect but they certainly wouldn't be my first choice for something the size of a seal!

 

Regards

SS

[CharlieT 32]

SS

 

You are of course quite correct, 308 must be one of the best if not the best all round deer caliber for use in the UK. However, what concerns me is weather Liam would be granted one for predominantly small vermin and seal with the occasional deer. I suppose only his licensing manager can give a definative answer to that one. The final choice depends on what he is actually going to shoot.

 

If the powers that be are a little iffy about a 308 a 6.5x55 might be the answer..........the choices are endless, which is what keeps us all looking for that elusive caliber !!!

[lgray88 4]

what about the 6.8mm cartridges i would really prefer something that will fly flat as possible yet still have the hitting power , what about some of these WSM or WSSM cartridges ive heard that if using these type of rounds can burn out the barrel as there travelling at such a speed so barrel changes are necessary after so many rounds

 

liam

[CharlieT 32]

I'm afraid those big boys are out of my league, I've never seen one let alone tried one. Sorry.