I want a new rifle for hunting antelope this fall in Wyoming. Cost is not an issue, but it must be a factory-produced rifle. What rifle and caliber should I purchase ? Thanks.

weatherby accumark in .257 weatherby.

240 wby mag, 25-06, 270 win, or wsm.

.260 Remington, BDL!

BRNO CZ 550 in 6.5x55, loaded to modern pressures. The 260 has practically the same performance, but the CZ 550 isn't chambered in that round.

I have taken over 30 antelope in my time and I don't think there is a better factory rig than a Ruger M-77 in the good ol' .270

That Ruger 77 in .257 Roberts would get the job done nicely.

Quite a bit of overkill in some of the other posts and for what (probably alot of damaged meat......)? The .243Win (any hunting, NOT varmint bullet) is perfect and if the state you are hunting allows it, the .22-250Remington or 220Swift w/premium bullets (Partions or X bullets) are perfect for kids or other recoil sensitive shooters. These animals on the large side are 120lbs (most likely closer to 90lbs). This year at 190yrds my 7mm-08 (slightly overkill) broke the upper leg bone, raked through the brisket bones, broke the neck bone, then exited, that was alot of bone and with Hornady 139gr SST's (not a real tough bullet).

Deke.

I would second the Weatherby Accumark .257. I shoot this rifle and coupled with a 115 or 120 grain Nosler Partition it is very lethal at 3500 fps. My grandson has taken 6-8 deer each year for the last three years with it. A 6 X 24 Burris Signature scope makes a good combo. Good shooting.

Dakota model 10 single shot in 25-06(you did say cost doesn't matter)

What rifles do you have now? Any future plans?

In general if you have a 30-06 you would not need to buy another rifle. This would be the same answer for almost any big game.

In my opinion, any rifle over .223 that you can shoot comfortably and accurately at longer ranges. The caliber, over .22, doesn't really matter one wit, as long as it has a good tragectory.

.243 and .270 are tough to beat

I think a 25.06 has antelope written all over it. Pick your configuration or rifle that you feel comfy with, find what it likes and have a great hunt. I would however have to say that a 257 weatherby would be my second choice. i would however not buy one in a weatherby, but have one built on a remington action. cheers!

Having taken only one antelope I'm no expert, but.... If I could hunt antelope every year I think I'd set up something in 7mm, say a .284win. Since I only plan on hunting antelope 1 or 2 more times I'll just use my 30-06

I found an older Weatherby Vanguard VGX with nice wood in .338 WM. I'm having it rebarreled in .257 Wby for Wyoming this year.

To be legal in Wyoming I think it has to be .23 caliber or larger and the cartridge has to be over 2" in length.

If money was no object I'd have Hill Country Rifles build me a 257 Weatherby Magnum on a stainless Winchester Model 70 action with a 26" # 5 contour Hart barrel on their Earl Bridges classic McMillen stock. I'd top it with a Leupold 4.5x14 Vari X II scope. My current "goat" gun is a Weatherby stainless Mk V in 257 Weatherby with the same scope described above sitting on it!

Well, I am going on an antelope hunt this fall as well. I will take as my primary rifle my custom made 25-06. It has several speed goats to its credit already.

However, if I did not have a suitable rifle and was going to buy a new one I know exactly what I would buy. I would, without hesitation, buy a new Winchester Model 70 Classic Camo Ultimate Shadow chambered for the 270 WSM.

I know I will get a lot of flack for the cartridge selection, but it is chosen for the flatness of the trajectory not the amount of power needed to kill an antelope. However, I have shot them with a 7mm Weatherby Magnum and it only killed them once, they just died, not a lot of meat damage, either.

Anyway, that rifle topped with a good 3.5 X 10 or 4.5 X 14 scope and you should be all set.

Two good buddies bought those guns in the 7mmWSM and they are very pleased with them. One of them is my dad and he has killed a truck load of wild hogs with his already. Great bullet performance and the rifle is very nice to carry. It is reasonable in weight and that "Dura-Touch" stock has a sort of sticky feel to it.

Just my opinion, R F

Frank,

I personally have not shot a bunch of pronghorns. They are not indigenous to Alaska but I have gone to Montana to hunt them and the 270 with 130 Nosler partition seemed to work very well.

After you get your rifle you should give me a call. I have a hunt in Wyoming that is producing some very high quality bucks in the 15 inch range. The price is $2000 and it is all private land so the antelope are not running out of the country at the sight of a vehicle.

Good Hunting,

Mark

Gentlemen

I have never hunted pronghorn. I think a 6,5X55, 6,5X64, 270 or 7mm wby would be almost ideal. Suitable scope would be a 3-12X50 or simular. Practise shooting at different ranges as much as possible before the hunt

Cheers
/ JOHAN

My Remington BDL in 270 killed my antelope pretty dead.

I'm heading for Montana this fall for a speed goat and I'm taking my 7mmMag just because it needs to be blooded. Usually I shoot a 243 though, I'll be bringing it anyway for a varmint shoot while we're there.

I have shot a lot of Antelope.I've used .223,.243,25-06,.270,7mm Rem Mag,.300 Win. Mag and a .338 Win Mag.My all time favorite has been the 25-06 with 100 grain Hornady flatbase bullets.It kills way better than the paper ballistics indicate.I have shot them from 80 yds. to 406yds. with this combo,still haven't recovered a bullet.Bang,flop,Grin!!

I would recommend any rifle you would normally use for deer. If I was going to buy something just for antelope I would lean towards something that used a 100-140 grain bullet weight. These anmimals are not hard to take down. The caliber choices are numerousand and they will all work.
243 25-06 308 7mm-08 260 ect.

Its not a question of overkill while Hunting Antelope its a question of "is the wind going to be howling all week"?
I have hunted Antelope since the late 1960's and have harvested them with many different calibers including 300 Winchester Magnum, 30/06, 308 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, 280 Remington, 270 Winchester, 25/06, 257 Roberts, 6mm Remington, 6mm Ackley Improved, 243 Winchester, 240 Weatherby, 220 Swift and 22-250. Again the wind can just play hell with your 243! I know from first hand experience.
At one time I was sure my long barreled pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in 300 Winchester Magnum was the wind beater Antelope harvester supreme! The recoil in field situations I eventually decided was just not worth the wind bucking ability of this fine cartridge.
I am now of the mind that more scope power, a range finder, extremely flat trajectory and into the wind stalking (approach) are the answers to succesful Antelope Hunting!
My all time favorite Antelope caliber is the 240 Weatherby using sharp pointed bullets (Nosler Ballistic Tips) and near maximum loads! My custom 240 Weatherby with Hart 27 1/2" barrel and Leupold 6.5X20 scope is the epitome of Antelope Rifles. I aim for the lungs on broadside shots with this (and all other) calibers and meat wastage is no problem.
Good luck on your upcoming Hunt. By the way the 240 Weatherby also does extremely well on high plains Mule Deer, Coyotes and Badgers. And do not believe the old wives tale about radiused shoulder cartridges not being capable of fine accuracy. My 240 is quite accurate indeed.
Good luck on your upcoming Hunt!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

considering the 6.5's ability to really buck the wind, penetrate deep, and kill game, i would have to recommend it. onwing a cz m550 and finding it to be very satisfactory and a great shooter, i would have to recommend that as well. put the two together and you should have yourself a very fine antelope rifle.

Well living here(WY) and hunting them all my life I have a few suggestions.

My #1 pick would be the .257 Weatherby Mag. Hands down without a doubt!!! Mine will shoot 3/4 MOA all day long in a Mark V Deluxe. The Accumark in this load or the .240WBY would be absolute choice. The 100 gr bullet is premium for the .257. It does a number on Elk too, yes I said Elk.

My next pick would be the 270WSM In a Tikka T3 or Sako 75. Followed by the 25-06 by same manufacturer which very well could be the best goat/deer gun ever if it wasnt for the .257 WBY.

If you dont want any recoil, the ever popular .243 Win or the like would be excellent choice as well. For this gun I would highly recomend the 79gr Groove Bullet that is soon to be released to the public. Shoots .65" outta my plain old 700 BDL. The 100 gr Groove is outstanding in either of the .25's.

The secret to a good goat gun is flat shooting and most of all, get the best glass you can afford period. You may shoot 40 yards or you may shoot 600 yards, with speedgoats you never know so practice up as far out as you can. A really good Spotting Scope with a window mount is beyond valueable as well if you really want to go for a big one.

A quick tip, go for the heaviest horned goat you can find with really promenant prongs, dont be fooled by height, I have seen 18" bucks all day long but the horns are twiggs and WILL NOT score as high as a heavy 15" nor do they look as impressive mounted.

I agree on the horn choice. My first 'Lope only went 14 1/4" long but had bases I can't encircle with XL hands and boat paddles for prongs. It maked a pretty mount especially from the side view.

VarmintGuy,

I assume you hunted with that .22-250 in Montana. I am trying to get the Colorado regs changed to allow .22-250's and .220Swift's for antelope. I believe that with premium hunting bullets it would be an excellent antelope rifle (especially for young or recoil sensitive hunters). Did you kill any antelope with the .22-250 and how did it do?

Deke.

Anything around 243 and up will knock them down easy enough. The hard part is drawing the tag.

I'd second (or whatever it's up to) the Weatherby Accumark in .257 Wby Mag.
I have a .257 Roberts, love it, and think it's more than minimal.

243 win in a sako 75 or tikka T3 is my choice, Stainless Synthetic. Light, accurate, durable and low recoil while being effective at quite a distance depending on your bullet and load.

Meat damage is more a result of poor bullet selection than velocity or calibre. And just about anything you'd shoot at a goat is gonna go thru him. I'd opt for a .260 in one of the new CDL Remington rifles. Actually, I'd probably use a 8x57 in the 2004 classic since I just got mine.

Deke: Yes on the 22 centerfire calibers in Montana for Antelope. I have also seen the 22-250 and 223 in action in Wyoming on Antelope. They are splendid killers of Antleope! Wyoming last I heard does not allow for 22 caliber centerfires on Antelope.
My friend here in SW Montana along with his wife and his daughters have killed numerous Antelope and Whitetails with their 223 Remington Model 700! One of his daughters also killed a Mt. Goat last year (2,002) with the 223! That Goat was killed with one shot using Remington 55 gr. factory bullets! That Goat is now full size mounted and adourns their living room wall! I have seen them kill Whitetails at ranges in excess of 200 yards with that little Rifle! I am certain they have killed 40+ head of Big Game with that 223! The vast majority are one shot kills!
I would not hesitate to use a 22-250 or 220 Swift again on Antelope! A good bullet and a broadside lung shot (of course avoid the shoulder) and that creature will be in the bag!
I was using 55 grain Sierra handloads and my Remington 40XB when I shot an Antelope with the 22-250.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

How about a Kimber 8400 in 270 WSM? You get about 200 fps over a regular .270 out of a factory rifle that just screams "Classic". That will be my purchase for antelope/sheep hunting once I get my Africa/Alaska DGR bought.

VarmintGuy,

Like I mentioned I am proposing a change to Colorado regs to allow the .22-250Rem and .220Swift for Antelope with hunting (not varmint) bullets such as the Partition, X, TBBC, etc. This would be for the 2005 season (too late for 2004). I have the reg folks with the CDOW agreeing with me, but may need some testimonial from folks like your friends that have done the job 40+ times w/even less powerful cartridges like the .223Rem. Would you mind asking your friends if they would be amenable to writing a letter supporting this. I would be happy to contact them directly if it is okay.

Deke.

deke -

a .22 centerfire WILL do the job, especially on antelope and small deer; if this were the only rifle a person had, and he used heavy-for-caliber bullets, i see no problems.

having said that, there are so many choices out there that are much better, i would never buy one AS a hunting rifle.

TasunkaWitko,

Yes, there are better rifles. All things considered, the .243Win would be my first choice (IMHO, anything more powerful is just destroying more meat). I personally use a 7mm-08 since it doubles as my Deer rifle and I don't have the $ to buy everything that I want. However, for kids (and/or recoil sensitive hunters) and we are all trying to get them hunting, the .22-250Rem and .220Swift with proper bullets are serious considerations.

Deke.

I'm sorry Deke, but you are dreaming. Yes, the right bullet in a swift, 223, or 22-250 would work fine with an expert shooter, I think hell will freeze over before Colorado changes their laws to allow them. You wouldn't be able to count on everyone using "good" bullets, and it would be an enforcement nightmare. Not all wardens are experts on specific bullets, especially Colorado wardens.

Frank, I suggest a Sako or Tikka in .270 winchester.