7.62 for stalking

[flash]

i was wandering if anyone on the forum has ever used a 7.62 for stalking, or is the meet damage to big.

secondly i was wandering if anyone on the forum has ever had any experience with Rhino scopes.

 

cheers

 

flash

[Gemini]

With the correct bullet, why would a 7.62 cause more damage than a .308.

G.M.

[Baldrick]

Gemini, not sure whether you're being sarcastic or not, but assuming you are referring to a 7.62 x 51mm round (not a 7.62 x 39mm), it's the same round as a .308 Winchester. I'm sure a few pedants will disagree, and I accept there are some small differences between the militay and civilian rounds.

Edited May 7, 2006 by Baldrick

[rarms]

I intend to use my 7.62x51/.308 for roe and sika.

 

As soon as Sussex send me my ticket back!!

 

However, haven't shot one yet with one so couldn't comment on meat damage etc...

 

I would think that it might be a bit messy, but with the right shot placement should be ok?

[Frank]

I intend to use my 7.62x51/.308 for roe and sika.

 

As soon as Sussex send me my ticket back!!

 

However, haven't shot one yet with one so couldn't comment on meat damage etc...

 

I would think that it might be a bit messy, but with the right shot placement should be ok?

 

One of my freinds who i go stalking with, just got a .308 last January.

He has taken 6 deer with it so far.

The exit wounds were 2 inches across, but they really do knock the fallow deer down.

Compared to the .243 he had before.

He is confident enough to use it on reds next year.

[Gemini]

Gemini, not sure whether you're being sarcastic or not, but assuming you are referring to a 7.62 x 51mm round (not a 7.62 x 39mm), it's the same round as a .308 Winchester. I'm sure a few pedants will disagree, and I accept there are some small differences between the militay and civilian rounds.

No, not being sarcastic at all, and I agree with you that with a few minor differences that wouldn’t be noticeable with 90% of rifles, the 7.62 Nato and the .308 Winchester are virtually one and the same. Which is why I posed the question-

“With the correct bullet, why would a 7.62 cause more damage than a .308”.

I used to own a P17 that had been re-barrelled to 7.62 for target use. This rifle was cut down to 20 inches and re-loaded with my own .308 dies and used for foxes until 1997 when I was suddenly told that it was “Too powerful for foxes”.

I know of one chap who used to use an old .303 for deer and that worked very well.

G.M.

Edited May 7, 2006 by Gemini

[rarms]

>but they really do knock the fallow deer down

 

 

This is what I figured.

 

I am sure in the end I will get another rifle, maybe a 6.5x55 or a .243, or both , any excuse for another gun! :good:

 

But for now while I am still learning the ropes I would rather knock them straight down and have less chance of wounding (which I think I should be ok with with a .308 on deer) than worry about meat damage at this point.

 

I am sure that once I have knocked a couple down with the .308 I will be confident enough to try with a smaller cal. but for now whilst testing the water as it were, I think I am happy with the "insurance" of a larger cal.

[Baldrick]

OK, glad we're in agreement Gemini, I'm not meaning to be inflammatory. There shouldn't be any difference between the two calibres from a stalking perpective.

 

 

 

Incidentally, read Peter Capstick's books about the (deeply inadvisable) use of light-calibre rifles such as the .303 (and smaller) for hunting dangerous game in Africa.

[moeggesit]

I have used the 308 for stalking in South Africa on most species up to and including Kudu size and found it to be an excellent all round caliber for smaler game without too much meat damage.

 

In my opinion when you stick to premium grade bullets (like BarnesX) of around 150gr, meat damage can be a lot less than say a 243 or 270 with conventional bullets.

 

Still prefer the 6.5x55 for general game shooting though.

[WOMBLEHUNTERS]

what did chuck hanks or hawkins or whatever his name is say ; it's not the calibre of the rifle that counts it's the calibre of the man using it. from 222 to a rigby it makes no difference, shot placement and accurate rangefinding are crittical, it's good banter arguing about calibres etc but sometimes you have to get out there and shoot it, if it's a 243 or bigger and you are up to the job then you have no worries.

[kip270]

what did chuck hanks or hawkins or whatever his name is say ; it's not the calibre of the rifle that counts it's the calibre of the man using it. from 222 to a rigby it makes no difference, shot placement and accurate rangefinding are crittical, it's good banter arguing about calibres etc but sometimes you have to get out there and shoot it, if it's a 243 or bigger and you are up to the job then you have no worries.

 

 

Spot on

My mate use's a .308 for Roe/Red and meat damage is not a problem

[Browning]

I would rather knock them straight down and have less chance of wounding (which I think I should be ok with with a .308 on deer) than worry about meat damage at this point.

 

Excellent attitude Rarms

[il cacciatore]

Just curious to how much 1 round of a .308 will cost?

[Frank]

You miss the fundamental point. If you dont damage the Deer, it wont fall over and die!

 

 

makes sense.

[flash]

the rifle in question is a lee enfield L39 with a rhino 3-9x50 mill dot IR. most of the shots will be taken from sticks or from the bipod as it is a beast of a gun when it comes to weight.

Has anyone had any experience with RHINO scopes by the way

 

cheers

 

flash

[flash]

i thought it would have been reliable as i bought it from the NRA pffice at bisley, oh well its done now.

cheers for all the info

 

cheers

 

flash

[Gemini]

Flash, I bought a Rhino spotting scope @ 20 years ago for £67 and still use it today.

It is a basic 22X60 scope but the optics are as good as many more expensive scopes, and there have been times whilst shooting .22 smallbore at 100yds when I was able to see my shot holes through the haze but my mate couldn’t see his.

And he was using a Kowa spotting scope that cost £250.

G.M.

[Holland&Holland]

I use the .308 on all my "big game" like roe, red deer, wild boar, fallow. But also for fox. Works fine to me. The damage to the meat depends also on the bullet and load you use and where the shot is placed. I have had a bullet hitting a bone and end up in the hind quarters doing much damage. Can't do nothing about that. Can happen whit any type of caliber i think.

I use Sako to much satisfaction. Cost 1 euro ( 0.70 pound i think) a round. Value for money because i never lost a animal and most of them are killed instantly.

 

I zero my gun down at100 meters (aiming at bullseye) but bullet hits 3-4 centimeters higher then the bullseye. So i can shoot also easily at 130-150 meters without adjusting. But to be sure look at the ballistics information thats usual provided by the manufacturer.

[Gemini]

Hello Holland. I understand your logic and agree 100% with it as I always used a .308 in the past.

My shooting has changed as I has grown older and I now find that a .243 will do everything I want.

How is the shooting in the Netherlands as I understand that the anti’s have caused quite a few problems over the years. Can you still go wildfowling over there, or has that been stopped?

Can you still use lead whilst shooting shotguns, or has that been banned in favour of non-toxic shot?

Could you tell us how the Dutch shooters have managed with new legislation and what sort of conditions are placed on your shooting.

G.M.

[Dunkield]

Hi chaps on the subject of 308 could any one advise me on what distance to zero to,

how far dose the round travel in a flat trajectory before windage & elivaion is needed

 

 

Have look at this, select the bullet type/weight you are using and then click on the 'ballistics' buttom for more detail

 

Federal

[Holland&Holland]

@ Gemini: In short

I am not sure what wildfowling is but i try to explain what you are allowed to shoot in the Netherlands;

First there are 6 species that are game (of course with a hunting period):

hare

rabbit

pheasant

pigeon

duck

partridge (Of that the partridge is a red list species and therefore currently its closed).

 

Then you will have special licenses required if you want to shoot fox, crow or the other black bird that looks similair to the crow and in some cases geese. Most counties nowadays give you permission to shoot them (they where closed for 4 years mind you, jep no foxes or crows could be shot ) The rest can't be shot, is protected !!! Even geese are protected and can only be shot in certain places (farmers get a compensation but its less then they would get for there destroyed crop)

 

Then there is big game like

red deer, roedeer, wild boar, fallow, moeflon (sheep) etc...

 

Here the county makes every year a culing plan depending on the amount of animals and the food available in the woods and fields (nuts from oaktrees etc..) If you hunt in the area's which has these species you are given a certain amount of culling license depending on the amount of ground you lease or own and the biotoop and the actual number of beasts present. Every year (during the year) we have (try) to count these animals !!!! so whe can have a (rough) idea how many there are.

 

We can't use lead for over 10-12 years now period. So even pigeons have to be shot with steal or bismuth and that is expensive.

How do we manage? Barely i would say. Shooting and hunting is becoming only regulated shoots and hunts, you are not supposed to have fun anymore. That is the problem with a population that is for 90% urban / city people and a well organised antihunt lobby (=left wing parties).

 

Good thing is that because we have to pass 2 theory and 3 practise exams (recognition, law, crops, safety, shooting, diseases etc...) which takes you a minimum of a year, we have safe and responsible hunters who now their stuff.

 

Every year we have to aplly for a new permit. And in most counties they check you at home every year if you store your guns and ammo correctly (be kept in steel safe).

 

Still i think i am still privileged to shoot and hunt and have pleasure in it. We are slightly winning a bit back that the anti's destroyed but will never be the same as in the UK for instance.

 

Became a long story, sorry. If you want more information give me a sign.

[ProteuS]

hi, sorry to derail the thread a little, but i'd just like to ask Holland&Holland if there is any clay pigeon / target shooting over there? i often visit holland and would be interested if there was somewhere to have a pop at a few clays when out there.

[flytie]

Hi chaps on the subject of 308 could any one advise me on what distance to zero to,

how far dose the round travel in a flat trajectory before windage & elivaion is needed

 

 

Have look at this, select the bullet type/weight you are using and then click on the 'ballistics' buttom for more detail

 

Federal

 

Stuart, Neat link thanks

 

Ft