Speed Goat Caliber

[Buck-eye]

I, unlike Nate, will not be bringing my bow on this hunt. 3 days, 4 guys - I am shootin a gun. This is my big out o state hunt this year. I have always wanted a speed goat mount. Nate and I were kicking around what caliber to use on this hunt. He suggested the 7 MM RemMag. I have 3 hutnin rifles (all with VX-II's on top)
.243, .308, 7MM. My .308 is my comfort gun. ALthough the Rem Mag is new, I was pretty consostent with it at the range. only prob, my range only goes to 100 yds, so I am at the mercy of the ballistic charts.
Gimme your opinions on which to use.

Joe

 

[antlrcolectr]

Of those three calibers definately use the .243.
If you are hunting plains like Wyoming, be ready for a at least a 200 yard shot.
I have a .243 WSSM and I love it.

AC

 

[SDHNTR]

Just to beat that dead pony, if you have time to get used to the .243 or 7 mag, use those. If not, use the .308 that you are comfortable with. Antelope are light skinned and have a rather fragile bone structure. They are not hard to kill. The only reason why I recommended the 7mag over the .243 is that wind may be a factor. On a 300+ yard shot with a stiff breeze, I'd rather have a 140 gr pill in the air than a 100.

 

[Coues]

I killed both of my goats with a 7mag / 150 grain Winchester Ballistic Silvertips

BANG!
FLOP!

 

[One Track]

Not to beat a dead horse, but, it doesn't matter. All three will do the job. Take the gun that you're most excited about. If one of them is new to you, take it to the range and shoot it until you're happy. It's all in the head. I have an -06 that has never missed a shot. My confidence with that gun is incredible. My 7mag was the same way. I never missed anything with it. But, the 7mag is another story.

I'm thinking about taking a .270 that has never been fired. I'm looking foward to putting a scope on it, gettting a trigger job, dialing it in, and killin' sumpin wit it.

 

[SDHNTR]

You better get on that trigger job. It will take Duncan's 3-4 weeks to get it done. That don't leave too much time left there bubba.

I kinda agree with taking the rifle that tickles your fancy. I've never killed anything with my .243 so I might bring that along in case I get an extra doe tag or sumptin. If nothing else, I know a bitchin prarie dog town we can hit up after we all tag out.

 

[azbiggame]

I'm partial to the 7 mag,have taken Many "Lopes",with.But the .243 will

also.Just stay away from the Nosler "Ballistic Tips" in the "7",that load will have Your taxidermist "Hating You"

 

[SDHNTR]

Very good point AZ, they do blow a huge hole, especially at 7 mag velocities.

 

[Railguner]

I say bring the .243. But I'm a magnum freak too...so take the 7mm with some 140gr Accubonds or Nosler Partitions. 3110 fps and kick fairly light. More than enough for lopes.

Me, I love my .257 WBY with 120gr Nosler Partitions. Deadliest mushroom in da woods...er plains.

WR

 

[Widux]

I have used my Ruger#1 in 243 for many years on speed goats-I use 100 gr bullets and IMR 4350 to push it.

 

[Huntnup]

If you have no way to practice at longer ranges, just shoot as much as you can at your range and take the gun you feel the most comfortable with. Then when you get out west just take part of a day and shoot at some 200 and 300 yd targets and get the feel for it and you will also confirm up your drop at those ranges.
Most important, get out and have fun!! You should see a few lopes that you can shoot at.

Huntnup

 

[BradCa]

Any of those will do the job. Take the one that you are comfortable with out to 300 yards.

 

[Stryder]

I popped a 'lope a few years ago with my 308 and he never even knew what hit him. I say use the 308 since you're comfortable with it and never look back.