I have a hunt booked with Michael McCrave for 17-24 Sept. 06. I have never seen a Red Stag outside of pictures. Is their hide and bone structure especially heavy or thick ?

Will a 6.5x55 Swede with a 140 gn Nosler get the job done ?

I will be the first to admit I know nothing about this animal. Thanks for any imput..................JJ

JJ,
I don't need to tell you, it's all about shot placement. Under most hunting conditions in the UK a 6.5 especially with partitions should be fine. Some stalkers prefer to go heavier and use a .300 Mag. A good friend of mine uses a 30.06 and Barnes X 125 grains, I have personally witnessed a 400 yard shot from him ( almost considered extreme here ) and the stag dropped instantly.

Red stags are big but not in my opinion particularly tough. I shot my last one in 2002 at around 110 yards straight through the lungs with a .243 Hornady RNSP which exited nicely. The stag took one step forward and keeled over, he was dead by the time I got to him. He was a 14 pointer and the old herd stag that had gone lame, a big old boy!.

I guess you are stalking in the highlands on the open hill so it might be best to ask your guide what he recommends. It can get pretty windy up there. If you know your rifle and load, I can't see that you would be undergunned at all with a 6.5.

A Scottish red is about the size of a big muley - or a spike elk. The 6.5x55 with a 140 grs Nosler will definitely get the job done. There are a lot of reds shot every year with calibers such as: .270 Win, .25-06, .308 - even down to the .243 (although some stalkers are not too keen on that round). As you can see, these are your run-of-the-mill deer rounds, so your 6.5x55 will fit right in.

Reds vary quite a bit in size - typically the western species are smaller, and they increase in size as you move further east in Europe. On top of that, reds grow larger the milder the climate is. Our mountain reds are considerably smaller than the reds found in the lowlands of Hungary, say.

The biggest red I personally saw came from the Caucasian Mountains. His skull is bigger than two elk skulls I have, so he was a big beast - although probably not quite as big as a bull elk.

- mike

JJ, as the guys have said, anything between a 25/06 and a 300mag is perfect for Reds.

Highland stags are not huge, a 200 pound live weight stag is a pretty good one. A well fed lowland beast can go double that.

6.5x55 will be fine. It is unlikely that the stalker will allow an unknown client to shoot much over 200 yards. He will be happier to get you in to half that distance.

JJ,

Before anything else just want to wish you an enjoyable hunt in Scotland this fall.

The advice you've received already from our staunch European AR members is spot-on.

I've hunted Scotland alot and have always had a fantastic time. I've shot and participated in the taking of a good number of Scottish Red Deer, Stags, Hinds & Calves. We all use either .308 Win's, .30/06 Sprg. or .270 Winchesters and the .270's are by far more numerous than the other catridges combined.

I normally use a .30/06 Sprg. with 165 gr. Nosler Partitions, simply because I consider it the best tool for the task at hand. If someone handed me a 6.5x55 w/140 gr. Noslers I wouldn't blink an eye.

You will not be confronted with difficult shooting because that is what the Ghillie is paid to avoid. He'll get you within reasonable range of potentially alert, although standing beasts, so the 6.5 will get the job done just fine, IMO.

You ought to be able to hear the Stags bugling during that time also.

I for one wouldn't worry so much about the "perfect" Stag cartridge. the 6.5 will handle this task admirably - I would worry about having the proper clothing. Scotland in September you can have the most wonderful, mild Indian summer weather or you can be on the hill with rain coming at you sideways!

As an aside and a bit of humor, after obtaining, silent, breathable, waterproof boots, pants and a jacket. Practice walking on a 1 foot thick, soaking wet sponge for a while and occaisionally sink one leg up to your groin; because that's about similar to a Highland heather walk-about!

Have a GREAT time! We ALWAYS do!

Thanks for all the info guys. In regards to the clothing, is camo Gor-Tex OK ? I don't want to shock the locals showing up dressed like a tactical ninja idiot. I am really looking forward to this hunt as I have traced my dads family back to the Highland area. They came over to the US around 1720............JJ

JJ,

Camo is fine for Scotland.

I use Cabela's MTM50 set - with all the bell's & whistles, primary factor though is silent and waterproof.

You'd be surpised at how far across the Highlands the rustling and scraping of synthetic materials can carry, needs to be silent - that's why the locals all are dressed in quiet, silent WOOL.

You'd even be fine with the 125gr partition which worked very well indeed on my highland stag. Your stalker will be quietly impressed with a client turning up with a 6.5x55.

Practice with some sort of rest such as a rucksac.

There is the chance of quite warm weather at that time there is also a likelihood of heavy rain. Take lots of mossy repellent and try to be fit.

JJ
During my hunt in "05" I was on my belly all day in wet grass and i found Cabela's MtM50 to be a must.. Gerry is right here..
As for chambering I used a 7mm Mag with Failsafe bullets..I think the Big 7 is to much gun for Scottish Red Deer.. 2 of my 4 Stags were shot a 150+ yrds but could have been harvested with a 308 Win,6.5 Swede,270 Win etc..
The stalker prefer lower Vel.rounds {308 Win}with soft points{Corelocks} for their Hunting rifles..
When I go again the 35 Whelen will get the nod..
AK

The 6.5 will be perfect.

John

I think the 6.5 Sweedish would be my calibre of choice for hill stags. Good flat shooting round with a wide range of avaiable bullet sizes.... sounds like a marriage made in Heaver...

good luck on the hunt and be sureto remember the digital camera as we'll be looking forward to some photo's!!

FB