Antelope rifle recommendation

[VLD Pilot]

Heading out to Wyoming on an antelope hunt this Sept /Oct. Looking for rifle advice. 243/9twist, 260/8 twist, 6.5-284/8 twist. Those are my 3 options sitting in my safe. I have both smaller and larger options but chose those being what I feel are best. The 95 bergers shoot best in the 243. The 260 and 6.5-284 like the 140 class bullets. Shots are expected from 200-1000. All 3 guns can achieve the range accurately given environmental conditions allow shots. Any help on best choice for bullet weight/ caliber / cartridge would be great. Thanks.

 

[huntaxhunta]

For me anything based on the .308 case works fine. I dont care for the 6mm but the .260, 7mm, .308 all will do the job Get yourself a copy of the October issue of Successful Hunter and read Dave Scovill's colum Along the Oxbow. This Month I think it is called "Long Shots.' good sound advice with realistic thoughts on how far we really shoot at game animals.

 

[Rick Richard]

Wyoming can be very windy so that 6.5 - 284 with the 140 Bergers would be my first choice. Good luck!

 

[VLD Pilot]

For me anything based on the .308 case works fine. I dont care for the 6mm but the .260, 7mm, .308 all will do the job Get yourself a copy of the October issue of Successful Hunter and read Dave Scovill's colum Along the Oxbow. This Month I think it is called "Long Shots.' good sound advice with realistic thoughts on how far we really shoot at game animals.

Appreciate the recommendation on range for game animals. I actually know my limitations on game currently. Never hunted antelope so just looking for caliber advice. I know mine and my guns effective range and limitations in given conditions. I know they are spooky and real cagey critters. I would guess wind will limit my range. Thanks for the advice.

 

[gillettehunter]

Antelope get spooky when hunted hard. Like many animals. Opening day they can be approached pretty readily. I'd use one of the .26 caliber with heavier bullets. Like was mentioned they can buck the wind better.
Good luck.
Bruce

 

[VLD Pilot]

Thanks

 

[FEENIX]

Wyoming can be very windy so that 6.5 - 284 with the 140 Bergers would be my first choice. Good luck!

That would be my pick out the OP's choices too! Antelope is one my favorite game to hunt. Most of my harvests is with the .300 WM but last year I harvested a doe with my .270 AI.

 

[VLD Pilot]

That was kinda my plan. The 260 is almost neck and neck with the 6.5 shooting same ammo. Guess I'll have to see how much walking we'll do. One gun is 17# and the other is 11#. Both fit the bill well tho. Typically drive and spot is the hunt plan. Then walk to a shooting location. Looking forward to it for sure.

 

[FEENIX]

That was kinda my plan. The 260 is almost neck and neck with the 6.5 shooting same ammo. Guess I'll have to see how much walking we'll do. One gun is 17# and the other is 11#. Both fit the bill well tho. Typically drive and spot is the hunt plan. Then walk to a shooting location. Looking forward to it for sure.

MT like WY has some unforgiving winds and the heavy/high BC bullets helps. Here's a sample of MT winds antelope hunting in 2015 ...



Good luck and happy safe hunting.

 

[VLD Pilot]

MT like WY has some unforgiving winds and the heavy/high BC bullets helps. Here's a sample of MT winds antelope hunting in 2015 ...



Good luck and happy safe hunting.

Using the wind to your advantage also helps. Wind like that at full value will make shots nearly impossible at long ranges. Half or quarter value is very doable even in high winds. This is what I've experienced anyway. At the longer ranges even winds blowing at game will not alert them as it disperses rapidly. I've never hunted goats but for deer this seems to apply.

 

[FEENIX]

Using the wind to your advantage also helps. Wind like that at full value will make shots nearly impossible at long ranges. Half or quarter value is very doable even in high winds. This is what I've experienced anyway. At the longer ranges even winds blowing at game will not alert them as it disperses rapidly. I've never hunted goats but for deer this seems to apply.

I had to call it quits early that day as I cannot even steady my aim with bipod. Antelopes has extremely keen eye sights and can cover grounds in no time. They use the open prairie to their advantage and is hard to sneak up on them. I normally set-up on a high vantage point for an ambush near a fence line. They are absolutely fun to hunt. You'll have a blast!

 

[VLD Pilot]

I had to call it quits early that day as I cannot even steady my aim with bipod. Antelopes has extremely keen eye sights and can cover grounds in no time. They use the open prairie to their advantage and is hard to sneak up on them. I normally set-up on a high vantage point for an ambush near a fence line. They are absolutely fun to hunt. You'll have a blast!

Thanks. It's a hunt I've looked forward to for a while.

 

[CLP]

I think there are a lot of calibers out there that will work on antelope. For me it's a lot about bullet selection. If you plan on mounting it after the hunt I'd recommend something other than Bergers or being ultra careful with shot placement. I shot a BC buck in New Mexico with 140 Bergers out of a 6.5x284 and he went down immediately but it knocked a big whole out of his cape and I almost had to find another one.

 

[FEENIX]

I think there are a lot of calibers out there that will work on antelope. For me it's a lot about bullet selection. If you plan on mounting it after the hunt I'd recommend something other than Bergers or being ultra careful with shot placement. I shot a BC buck in New Mexico with 140 Bergers out of a 6.5x284 and he went down immediately but it knocked a big whole out of his cape and I almost had to find another one.

I never have that problem, even with 215 out of my .300 WSM.