New Antelope Rifle

Garion33 · Jun 27, 2005

Hello all. I have a T/C Encore that I have only used for MLing. Since I drew an Antelope tag for NM, this gives me a good excuse to buy a new barrel for it. I'm not firm on what to buy, just looking for a good, accurate Antelope cartridge. At the moment, I am considering the .243, 25-06, .280, or maybe something a bit smaller. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Garion

sagebrush · Jun 27, 2005

I don't know what calibers you can get Encore barrels for, but of the three you listed, I would go with the 25-06. You can't get a flat enough shooting rifle when it comes to antelope. Whatever you choose, practice out to 425 or 450, then those 350 to 400 yard shots won't seem so tough. And good luck on your hunt!

Lien2 · Jun 28, 2005

I have to agree with sagebrush on the 25/06, the .243 would be a close 2nd though.

Lien2

thatcherwyo1 · Jun 28, 2005

Garion,
I have used my .270 to kill all of my antelope (11 and counting). It will reach out to 400 yards if needed. I use 130 or 150 grain depending on whats available. Never been disappointed. Plus it is a fairly cheap gun to shoot. Hope this helps.

Good Hunting!!

thatcherwyo1

studpile · Jun 28, 2005

I'd have to say any of the .24 or .25 calibers would be plenty of gun for a speedgoat. They're not that big and don't require a lot of bullet. 25-06, great choice.
I just bought an old .250-3000 Savage I'm itching to test drive on something like that, as soon as I work up a decent load.

Happyhunting · Jun 28, 2005

Out of those you mentioned, I would choose the 243. Winchester.

Garion33 · Jun 29, 2005

All, I appreciate the info.

Good luck,
Garion

Bura Nut · Jun 29, 2005

I shoot a .257 wby mag and agree with the others, a .243 or .25 caliber is great for goats......... Sure wish I had that Savage Studpile just got, that is a great round for Jack O'Connor nostalgics like me........... Thanks, Allen Taylor......

scottyboy · Jun 29, 2005

Here is the goat I shot last year with an Encore w/a 25-06 barrel. Took him at about 150 yards and after the shot, he crow hopped for about 10 feet and then fell over stone dead. Good luck with the new goat barrel. Smoke a big one this year with it. They sure make good goat guns....

---Scottyboy---

Garion33 · Jun 30, 2005

Scottyboy, that's a beautiful buck! Where did you take him?

Garion

scottyboy · Jun 30, 2005

Thanks.. I took him in Hartley county in the TX panhandle. The closest towns were the small towns of Channing, and Nara Visa, NM. The ranch was close to the state line.
This year though, we'll be out in Hudspeth county,TX which is just south of that hunt you drew on the McGregor Range. There are gaggers everywhere in that country. You should get a nice one on that hunt.
Gross 82"
Net 81"

---Scottyboy---