Thinking of a new rifle....

[Dr G]

I am currently thinking of getting a new rifle, mainly for hunting rather than varminting. It will replace the old 303 as the camel rifle and in this role the min calibre is 308 (with 150gn pills).

The area where i shoot is mainly flat and open stoney desert country and so i was after a fairly flat shooting rifle.

I dont do very much reloading (read none in the last 5 years) so i wouldnt be after anything to exotic, i was initially hoping to go the 7mm-08 but this falls under the 308 calibre limit. 30-06 is an option as is a 308.

I would appreciate any input as except for the 303 i have limited experience in calibres bigger than .243

thanks

Dr G

[Rinso]

Dr G,

A friend of mine has an 8 x 68 that is a very nice shooter .. It will knock down just about anything ... I don't know how hard factory ammo is to get but certainly worth a look.

He might even sell it as he doesn't get to deer hunt much these days.

cheers
Rinso

[kjd]

30-06 will do the job well I reckon Dr G!

[dave]

.338 winchester magnum might be worth a look, hard to go past 30-06 for avaliability etc if u want something a little different could go the 338 federal too

[bushchook]

Since when have there been regulations about what you can use for shooting camels ? The various 7mm Magnums are considerably more powerful than a .308 and can use projectiles heavier than 150 gns that penetrate better due to higher sectional density . Kind of makes the "rules" look a little silly doesn't it ? Perhaps the guy that wrote the regulations wasn't up with such things ?
Flat shooting .308 plus = .300 Win Magnum , .300 Win Short Magnum , .325 Win Short Magnum , .300 (or .338) Remington Ultra Magnum , .338 Win Magnum , .340 Weatherby Magnum , 9.3 x 62 and at least a dozen less common rounds .
.30/06 and .338 Federal would work but are not really flat shooting (by my definition at least) .

[Simpson]

buy kjd's 30-06

[kjd]

buy kjd's 30-06

LMAO. I wasn't getting at that but yeah why not hehe

[Simpson]

buy kjd's 30-06

LMAO. I wasn't getting at that but yeah why not hehe

hahah thought i would do some upselling for you....would you like fries with that?

[kjd]

buy kjd's 30-06

LMAO. I wasn't getting at that but yeah why not hehe

hahah thought i would do some upselling for you....would you like fries with that?

LoL sure!!!

[Dr G]

Since when have there been regulations about what you can use for shooting camels ?

this is the DEH specification for camels in SA. I am not sure if it applys off park but it does for on park. At present all on park shooting is done via helicopter with semi auto 308's but their is the potential for authorised officers to shoot from the ground opportunistically if it is safe and away from public access areas. My job puts me in the frame to be authorised as one of these shooters.

This may or maynot happen but i dont want to invest the hard earns on a rifle to find out that i cant use it because a piece of bueracracy says that the min caliber is 308. Its a lot easier for me to just get something that meets this criteria

So far the 30-06 looks good so does the 300 win mag but i dont have time to reload so it may be expensive in ammo, the 8x68 sounds interesting Rinso but up here we have trouble getting 223 ammo so the chance of getting a good supply would be slim.

thanks for the info

Dr G

[kjd]

You should find 30-06 ammo easy to get!

[ogre6br]

if .223 anmmo is hard to get you should stick to something like a 308 or 30/06 as it will be easier for the shop to get something that common.
The 8x68 would be magic to use and more powerfull than either of the .30 cals. And the action is one of the best maoder mauser versions avail and it will be an energizer bunny of actions up in your area.

It wouldn't be to hard for another member here to do some loading for you and send it up to you on regular occasions.

Roxsby will have plenty of DG cartage goin in and out so it shouldn't be to hard to get it to you.

I'll do it, if you want and we can organsie it easily.
Rinso does the 8x68 come with dies and cases etc??

Using a 4 inch PBR with a common 8mm 150 grain projectile you have a 350 yards point and shoot range.

later
p

[Dr G]

thanks ogre now i really do have something to think about

i am not joking about the ammo situation. the last time i attempted to purchase 223 ammo up here i was told that we have nothing like that in stock, is that a common round and would 22wmr do????

"Duh, er maybe but only if it came with fries"

admittedly the only company licenced to sell ammo here is a roadhouse and the girl behind the counter was not much older than my daughter, but bloody hell

i get all of my ammo 260km away in Pt Augusta where there is a very reliable and fair priced dealer who is more often than not cheaper than anyone in Adelaide.

I will have a word with him and see what the go is for 8x68 ammo, because as you say it would probably kick arse

[Drew Jaeger]

The 30-06 loaded with Nosler Ballistic Tips and AccuBonds is a relatively flat shooting hard hitting large game round.

[Drew Jaeger]

if .223 anmmo is hard to get you should stick to The 8x68 would be magic to use and more powerfull than either of the .30 cals. And the action is one of the best maoder mauser versions avail and it will be an energizer bunny of actions up in your area.

My vote would go to the 9.3x62mm Mauser over the 8x68mm.