Antelope gun question

J

jerm8352

Member
Jul 24, 2013
144
2
Hello,

I am looking into getting a gun for hunting antelope. I currently use a 30/06 for elk and deer. I was thinking of just reloading using some 150 grain 30/06 loads but then I would have to adjust my scope again for elk and deer with my normal 180s. I also hunt for meat so I am a little worried the 30/06 is a little much for doe antelope. My friend tells me to get a .22-250 for antelope. I am also looking at .243, 25/06, or 7mm-08 as well. I know that everyone will argue a little about this, but I am just looking for some insight and opinions.

Thanks,

Jeremy
 
Musket Man

Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
6,457
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colfax, wa
Your 30-06 would be just fine for antelope. Meat damage is more the result of where you hit them then 30 cal vs say 24. If you want a new gun for antelope any of the calibers you mentioned would work well. I think 22 cal was just recently made legal in WY but Im not sure it is legal to hunt with in any other states. I really like the 22-250 for yotes but to me 22 cal is a bit on the light side for antelope although Im sure it would get the job done. I usually use my 270 win for antelope but last year I used my old 30-30 Winchester just because I wanted to do something different. With that said if I was getting a dedicated antelope gun my personal choice wound be the 243 Winchester.
 
Eberle

Eberle

Veteran member
Oct 2, 2012
1,009
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50
Sasakwa, Oklahoma
A .243 with a 55 grain bullet is a wicked antelope gun. That is what my wife shoots. I shoot a 25-06 with a 85 grain bullet it is pretty wicked as well. I agree with MM, the .22 cal is a little light. If I had to choose between a 30-06 and a 22-250 for antelope ,I'd take the 06 any day. In Wyoming you will fight wind quite regular & the .22 cal will drift! It is all about shot placement, punch it through the lungs broadside! You will not waste any meat!
 
libidilatimmy

libidilatimmy

Veteran member
Oct 22, 2013
1,140
3
Wyoming
I like the 25-06 for this application. Great for antelope and deer sized game. However, placement and bullet choice are more important than the actual cartridge choice.
 
T

Topgun 30-06

Banned
Jun 12, 2013
1,353
1
Allegan, MI
I like my .243 Sako and have killed my last three antelope with it when the wind was insignificant. When the wind starts blowing out there like it can I then put it away and use my heavy barrel 25-06 Ruger M77. It's a very underrated cartridge and I like it for deer too. In the .243 I load 100 grain Hornady BTSPs and in the 25-06 I use their 117 grain BTSPs.
 
Big Sky

Big Sky

Active Member
Apr 6, 2011
151
1
Bozeman Mt.
I love the 22-250 for antelope. We mostly meat hunt and with a 50 grain ballistic tip in the lungs there won't be an once of meat lost. I am yet to see one walk further than 50 feet or stay standing more than 30 seconds.
 
Musket Man

Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
6,457
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colfax, wa
Big Sky said:
I love the 22-250 for antelope. We mostly meat hunt and with a 50 grain ballistic tip in the lungs there won't be an once of meat lost. I am yet to see one walk further than 50 feet or stay standing more than 30 seconds.
Click to expand...
Did they just make the 22-250 legal last year? I thought about taking mine 2 years ago but I looked and 22 cal wasnt legal. Last year I took my old 30-30 and made what I believe was the most well placed shot of my life. Right behind the shoulders through the ribs on both sides, didnt waste any meat at all and that antelope took about 3 steps, stood there for a few seconds and fell over!!!
 
C

canvsbk

Active Member
Apr 8, 2012
176
0
Michigan
The .22 is legal but not the 50 grain bullet.

I've used a number of different rifles and calibers but my "designated" rifle is a .25-06.
 
6

6mm Remington

Very Active Member
Mar 27, 2011
978
49
Western Montana
Your 30-06 using the 180 gr. bullet you are shooting and it is sighted in with will work just fine. It's not a bad excuse to pine for a new rifle though. The 6mm Remington, 257 Roberts, and 25-06 are all excellent antelope rifles if you really want a new rifle.
 
S

shootbrownelk

Veteran member
Apr 11, 2011
1,535
196
Wyoming
Jeremy, I'd use the '06 and use the money you'd spend on an unneeded rifle for the antelope tag & gas for your trip. Not that buying another gun is ever a bad idea, but the truth is that the rifle that you're familiar with is the best choice. Just my take on it.
 
J

jerm8352

Member
Jul 24, 2013
144
2
Thanks for all the advice guys. Still not sure whether I will get a new gun or just stock up on ammo and reloading supplies. I am looking at some 25-06 guns right now though.
 
Elkoholic307

Elkoholic307

Banned
Feb 25, 2011
1,217
1
Base of the Bighorns
They'll all work; just buy whatever interests you most. The 6.5 wasn't on your list but that's what I'd recommend.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person that hunts with a 6.5 and I can't figure out why?
 
Big Sky

Big Sky

Active Member
Apr 6, 2011
151
1
Bozeman Mt.
Musket Man said:
Did they just make the 22-250 legal last year? I thought about taking mine 2 years ago but I looked and 22 cal wasnt legal. Last year I took my old 30-30 and made what I believe was the most well placed shot of my life. Right behind the shoulders through the ribs on both sides, didnt waste any meat at all and that antelope took about 3 steps, stood there for a few seconds and fell over!!!
Click to expand...
As far as I know they have always been legal in Montana.
 
Musket Man

Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
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colfax, wa
The Wy regs say: "Any center fire firearm of atleast 22 cal and having a bullet weight of atleast 60 grains, or a cartridge that generally delivers atleast 500 foot pounds of impact at 100 yards, and using a lead or expanding point bullet"

Does that mean it has to be 22 cal, 60 grains, and 500 energy? It could be taken to mean anything that has atleast 500 of energy at 100 yards would be legal. A 204 ruger with a 24 gr hornady NTX makes 717 of energy at 100 yards. I have no desire to shoot an antelope with that light of a bullet, just saying
 
W

WapitiBob

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,385
58
Bend, Orygun
Any center fire firearm of at least 22 cal and
a) having a bullet weight of atleast 60 grains,
or
b) a cartridge that generally delivers atleast 500 foot pounds of impact at 100 yards,
and using a lead or expanding point bullet
 
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