Hunting in New Zealand

[sniperdude]

2 things when going after the wild cattle, at least my .308 with 150 grain solids, fresh undies, i spoke to a coupla locals and by all accts these beast are tough customers, more than one guy told me that after they become aware of ur presence they proceed to hunt 'the hunter' ............... gulp,sounds like fun ..................while the ammo lasts. heres a piccy

[eljefe]

' dude,
load up with 220 grns.size matters. I have taken DG and wished that 500 grns was 1000!
Best
axx

[sniperdude]

My original plan was to do battle with these bullls with my trusty Browning A5 and solid shot, i have since mended my ideas, i am a complete novice going into this and will take all good advice i cn get, so Elgefe im paying close attention to all u say sir.
Guy shot that bug*3r with a .270 by the way 3-4 shots , i believe was the final tally.

[mehulkamdar]

Sniperdude,

I have an A-5 now and probably will buy two more this year. Have downed a few porkers with a 12 bore and ball but feral cattle might be a little too big unless you can stalk within about 20 or 25 yards of them and get a heart shot I think. This is speculation on my side - don't know as I haven't shot any myself. However, if I were going to buy a rifle for an animal as big as that it would be a bolt action 375 (the biggest bore that I can shoot without worrying too much about recoil) or, if I wanted to spend more money, then a double in 450-400. Considering how much penetration may be required a 12 bore loaded with ball just may not be enough on an animal that big. You do have a 308 and a 30-06 is not much more powerful than that though it does have an edge. The next step up needs to be considerably bigger - try a 375. I am not fond of recoil myself - have no problem admitting it - and I have shot a few 375s and found them nice to shoot. If you want to go full custom, there are fine gunmakers in New Zealand who would do a superb job if you commission one with them.

Good hunting!

[eljefe]

'dude,
5 shots with a 270 means a lot of pucker factor and adrenaline rush.How's your insurance doing??
Take your wife along and show her one of those feral cattle and I'm sure you can go in for M/s Boss best handmade double 577! LOL
I've faced feral cattle on a wild stretch of Orissa mangroves called Bhitarkanika, and didnt know wheteher to jump into the salt water croc infested waters , or cut my carotid myself... a long eyeball later the herd moved off.there's something about free ranging cattle-a couple of generations later, they're converts from 'Indian teacup' cattle to 'Godzilla' variants!
Jokes aside, I would not recommend a 12 with a sabotted slug or a 308 for something that size.Unless you get an oppurtunity to squeeze one off behind the ear, short range rested shot.With this species, rare as teeth in a hen.So get yourself a heavy-if you're planning to dedicate a shoot a year on these brutes.Ask around, see what the old timers have used/suggest.Check out your budget and settle for atleast a 250 grainer.
Keep on doin it!
best
Axx

[Grumpy]

I think that the animal required 3-4 shots from a .270 to put it down speaks volumes. No further comment.
I`d want at least a .375 H&H and would prefer a .416 Rigby.....or even a .450 NE. The .416 would be a lot less expensive to buy as it`s a B/A calibre.

[eljefe]

Sure Grumpy, I'd want a whole load of FPE to go.These cattle seem to be in heavy brush and may have to be stalked- a 416 is a damn sight better than those short bull fighters swords-seville steel or whatever.
80-90 years later, we wax forth eloquently about the african ivory hunters ability to drop jumbos with 6 & 7 mm's and surgical skill- in a once in a year situation, I would like a BIIG bullet and a 10000fpe.

[Grumpy]

10,000 ft lbs ME ? That`s more than a .700 NE ! Better make sure that you`re standing against a tree when you fire that monster.

[Vikram]

Personally, I will not go hunting under-gunned;not just for my own safety, a humane kill is one of the most important duties of a hunter.We owe it to them. My personal aim is to down the game with a single shot.

I would pick a minimum of .375 H&H or above calibres.My favourite is the .416 Rigby, a fantastic cartridge.
Best-
Vikram

[penpusher]

How about the 404 Jeffery.Does any major manufacturer chamber rifles in this caliber?

penpusher

[mehulkamdar]

penpusher,

An excellent choice indeed! CZ and Ruger both chamber for it these days in new rifles and there are many custom guns made for this round all over the world. Hornady, RWS, Norma and several others make ammunition.

Cheers!

[Grumpy]

The .404 Jeffery is a very effective and under-rated calibre. Nowadays it can be loaded to almost .416 Rigby specs.

[eljefe]

Sniperdude,
here's something from your part of the world-in 375Mag, might just be your feral cattle gun-remember to get your finger out of the way while cycling for the second shot!

http://www.hermannsguns.com/Rifles/SoShorty/Hunter.html

Best
Axx

[mehulkamdar]

Asif,

Sommer und Ockenfuss who made the Shorty rifle have gone out of business because of some internal problems. The rifles are probably available with the Australian importer because some may have remained unsold but they are no longer being made as far as I know.

[eljefe]

Never thought I'd see the day when a 375 0r 338 LM comes out in a bullpup!

the 30-06 sounds interesting-now if only I could get one here in India
Best
Axx
PS-up late Mehul, how you doing?