I'll be hunting red stags in southern Argentina next march and I'm afraid of the shooting distances down there.
I've been told that one can expect something between 250 and 350 metres.
I've a 30-06 with a 19 1/2 inch barrel that for my country it's ok but I'm not used to shoot that long.
The gunsmith charges me U$ 500 for a new longer barrel (24 inches) and that's as much as the total cost of the hunt !!!
What you think about?
Thanks
LG

Lorenzo,

I would not buy another rifle or barrel for one hunt, but I would try to get some practice in shooting out to at least 300m. If the distances average out that long, I would look at zeroing at 250m and using a good 165grn bullet.Maybe try some of the light magnum/high energy loads from Federal if they will group in your rifle.

Failing that, be honest with the people you are hunting with and tell them you want to get within say 200m before tking a shot..its your hunt and they should respect you for that...it may limit your chances, but it might also save wounding a beast and all that implies.

Also, have you considered any shooting aids? For long distance shooting a bipod is a big help, or maybe even cross sticks to help shooting in the sitting position...if you don''t normally use these, again you need to try them before your hunt...

Good luck!

Pete

Thanks Pete
It's a self guide hunt, so I'll hunt alone.
Every year I go down there for flyfishing and I've seen stags much closer than 300 metres while fishing, but last weekend I invited to hunt with me an argentinian outfitter and he told me that shooting distances will be over 200 metres.
I'll follow your advice and I'll start practising 300 metres shots with shooting sticks.
Regards
LG

Lorenzo

I have used my 30-06 for the red stags I have hunted. I use a 150 gr Nosler Partition and it has always worked fine.

When hunting feral game I use a 150 gr Nosler Solid Base HP (all gone now - I had several hundred in stock) or one of those new crap Ballistic Tips ie as they are cheaper than Partitions.

My 30-06 has a 24" barrel and is loaded to about 2900 fps (unchronographed). I could take medium sized game to about 300 yards quite well and with care to 380 yards. My rifle was sighted in for 275 yards. But I never have shot a deer yet beyond 200 yds with it. Most less than 150 yds.

I guess you are hunting in some very open country. I think Pete is right that with some practice your current rifle sounds fine. Plus work out a good "point blank range" for the cartridge. On red deer and a 19 1/2" barrel I would guess it would be at least 250 yards anyway.

Thanks NitroX
I will try 165 gr. nos. partitions. and do some field practice, maybe with foxes and hares
LG