Which rifle to take on an Antelope hunt - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

chrisk · 12-07-2017, 08:58 PM

Good chance that I may go on an Antelope hunt in New Mexico next year. I have a few options on which rifle to take but I don’t know which option I should go with.
Option one, Howa .308 20” heavy barrel with 150 grain bullet and SWFA 10x42 scope.
Option two, Weatherby Vanguard S2 in .257 Wby Mag and 100 grain bullet and Simmon (midway exclusive)6.5-20x50 scope.
Option three, Weatherby Mark V in 6.5-300 with 127 grain Barnes and Nikon 4-12 Buckmaster II scope.
I think any will be fine just wanting opinions.

Ironman · 12-07-2017, 09:02 PM

The one that you can accurately shot the furthest.

brokeno · 12-07-2017, 09:05 PM

Which ever one you are the most confrontable with shooting. They will all kill a goat

sendit · 12-07-2017, 09:09 PM

Thinking a 6.5 Creedmor is betterer, you need one.

chrisk · 12-07-2017, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sendit

Thinking a 6.5 Creedmor is betterer, you need one.

I already have a 6.5-300 wby mag.

Jared.King · 12-07-2017, 09:17 PM

I would use the one you shoot best, but I’d prefer one of the weatherbys. I’d go with the .257

sendit · 12-07-2017, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisk

I already have a 6.5-300 wby mag.

But the CM is the schnizzle macdizzle currently, it's a marketing death ray to anything with 4 legs.

Gherkin05 · 12-07-2017, 09:27 PM

I grew up chasing speed goats in NM and 257 Weatherby was a preferred clambering of many hunters. Close to perfect for that application.

Shane · 12-07-2017, 09:28 PM

Either one of those Weatherbys would be my pick.

Sleepy · 12-07-2017, 09:28 PM

.257

Redbeard31 · 12-07-2017, 09:30 PM

I would go with the .257 and an upgraded scope. Speedgoats are not hard to kill, but you need something that shoots flat for the possible long-range shot. IMO, nothing beats the .257 for flat shooting, but I don't know anything about the 6.5-300.

cuttingedge · 12-07-2017, 09:57 PM

6.5-300. Why? Because you have one ��

Mike D · 12-07-2017, 10:10 PM

I would take the 257. If you have time you might consider relighting with some HSM Ammo with the 115 grain Berger bullets.

The 6.5 is a beast but not needed for antelope.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

xman59 · 12-07-2017, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisk

Good chance that I may go on an Antelope hunt in New Mexico next year. I have a few options on which rifle to take but I don’t know which option I should go with.
Option one, Howa .308 20” heavy barrel with 150 grain bullet and SWFA 10x42 scope.
Option two, Weatherby Vanguard S2 in .257 Wby Mag and 100 grain bullet and Simmon (midway exclusive)6.5-20x50 scope.
Option three, Weatherby Mark V in 6.5-300 with 127 grain Barnes and Nikon 4-12 Buckmaster II scope.
I think any will be fine just wanting opinions.

257 weatherby,, more than enough

Bowyer · 12-08-2017, 06:39 AM

257 is my vote as well.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

twosixteens · 12-08-2017, 06:42 AM

The lightest one

sbushee · 12-08-2017, 07:05 AM

I’d go with the limits accurate first and then the lightest second. Seems as if you just want to list some rifles you have.

chrisk · 12-08-2017, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbushee

I’d go with the limits accurate first and then the lightest second. Seems as if you just want to list some rifles you have.

Sounds like you are suggesting that I am bragging or something. I have never been Antelope hunting before so I didn’t think I would get any crap on which rifle I should use.

texas shag · 12-08-2017, 07:54 AM

257 bee is the perfect poison for your application

chrisk · 12-08-2017, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbushee

I’d go with the limits accurate first and then the lightest second. Seems as if you just want to list some rifles you have.

Sounds like you are suggesting that I am bragging or something. I have never been Antelope hunting before so I didn’t think I would get any crap on which rifle I should use.

wdtorque · 12-08-2017, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisk

Sounds like you are suggesting that I am bragging or something. I have never been Antelope hunting before so I didn’t think I would get any crap on which rifle I should use.

All are plenty IMHO. Your favorite one. :-) I've got a forty (40) year old Remington 788 that still gets to go on trips. :-)

kmon · 12-08-2017, 10:18 AM

Which ever you shot best. As someone said Antelope are not that hard to kill. Of those 3 either of the Bees are great as long as ou are comfortable with them.

DuramaxDude · 12-08-2017, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironman

The one that you can accurately shot the furthest.

^^ This, whichever one is the most accurate out at further distances. Any of those calibers is more than capable of taking out an Antelope. If you have to spot stalk and walk a long ways the weight may come into play there also.

mzurovec · 12-08-2017, 10:46 AM

.257

sierracharlie338 · 12-08-2017, 11:02 AM

Im a fan of the quarter bore, even the weatherby version!

RifleBowPistol · 12-08-2017, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisk

Good chance that I may go on an Antelope hunt in New Mexico next year. I have a few options on which rifle to take but I don’t know which option I should go with.
Option one, Howa .308 20” heavy barrel with 150 grain bullet and SWFA 10x42 scope.
Option two, Weatherby Vanguard S2 in .257 Wby Mag and 100 grain bullet and Simmon (midway exclusive)6.5-20x50 scope.
Option three, Weatherby Mark V in 6.5-300 with 127 grain Barnes and Nikon 4-12 Buckmaster II scope.
I think any will be fine just wanting opinions.

I am assuming, that 6.5-300, is a 300 Weatherby necked down to 6.5mm? If so. ****! That has to be one seriously fast *******. I am guessing it makes a mess of most everything it hits out to about 800 yards or so and barrels probably don't last long? But I sure would love to have something like that.

The 257 Weatherby would be a great choice for what you area wanting to do. The 6.5-300, would be a great choice for shooting speed goats in the next county.

Arrowsmith · 12-09-2017, 08:46 AM

I used to hunt antelope in Wyoming quite a bit.

We shot .264 Win Mag and .240 Weatherby

RifleBowPistol · 12-09-2017, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrowsmith

I used to hunt antelope in Wyoming quite a bit.

We shot .264 Win Mag and .240 Weatherby

I am pretty sure when they designed the 264 Win. Mag., they did so for the purpose of hunting speed goats.

7m STW · 12-09-2017, 10:07 AM

Any of your rifles can handle it but you may want to reevaluate the glass that’s on them

Balcones_Walker · 12-09-2017, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7m STW

Any of your rifles can handle it but you may want to reevaluate the glass that’s on them

That SWFA is a great scope; can't speak for the others

RJH1 · 12-09-2017, 06:27 PM

I would go buy a 270

jefandaward · 12-09-2017, 06:50 PM

25-06 would be fine as well

chrisk · 12-09-2017, 08:40 PM

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...-reticle-matte
https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Buck-Ma.../dp/B00SMX9CS8
They all seem to review well? I wasn’t sure about using my fixed 10x42 but if everything is beyond 75 yards does it really matter that its a fixed?

Mike D · 12-09-2017, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisk

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...-reticle-matte
https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Buck-Ma.../dp/B00SMX9CS8
They all seem to review well? I wasn’t sure about using my fixed 10x42 but if everything is beyond 75 yards does it really matter that its a fixed?

That all look great in the middle of the day. Premium glass comes into play trying pi pick out details a long way off and at dusk/dawn.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

billfromtx · 12-09-2017, 09:32 PM

The one you are the most accurate with. I used a Ruger #1 in 270 for my antelope hunts!

12-07-2017, 10:10 PM	#13
Mike D Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: North Texas Hunt In: Haskell County, TX	Which rifle to take on an Antelope hunt I would take the 257. If you have time you might consider relighting with some HSM Ammo with the 115 grain Berger bullets. The 6.5 is a beast but not needed for antelope. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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12-07-2017, 08:58 PM	#1
chrisk Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rockville,In.	Which rifle to take on an Antelope hunt Good chance that I may go on an Antelope hunt in New Mexico next year. I have a few options on which rifle to take but I don’t know which option I should go with. Option one, Howa .308 20” heavy barrel with 150 grain bullet and SWFA 10x42 scope. Option two, Weatherby Vanguard S2 in .257 Wby Mag and 100 grain bullet and Simmon (midway exclusive)6.5-20x50 scope. Option three, Weatherby Mark V in 6.5-300 with 127 grain Barnes and Nikon 4-12 Buckmaster II scope. I think any will be fine just wanting opinions.

12-07-2017, 09:02 PM	#2
Ironman Pope & Young Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Wise County Hunt In: Anywhere	The one that you can accurately shot the furthest.

12-07-2017, 09:05 PM	#3
brokeno Eight Point Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Smiley, Texas Hunt In: Gonzales & Young Co and anywhere	Which ever one you are the most confrontable with shooting. They will all kill a goat

12-07-2017, 09:09 PM	#4
sendit Ten Point Join Date: May 2016	Thinking a 6.5 Creedmor is betterer, you need one.

12-07-2017, 09:17 PM	#6
Jared.King Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Denver City, TX Hunt In: Eden, TX and Yoakum County	I would use the one you shoot best, but I’d prefer one of the weatherbys. I’d go with the .257

12-07-2017, 09:27 PM	#8
Gherkin05 Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Blanco Co. Hunt In: NM,CO,TX	I grew up chasing speed goats in NM and 257 Weatherby was a preferred clambering of many hunters. Close to perfect for that application.

12-07-2017, 09:28 PM	#9
Shane Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Abilene, TX Hunt In: Mismatched camo	Either one of those Weatherbys would be my pick.

12-07-2017, 09:28 PM	#10
Sleepy Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tyler, TX Hunt In: Camp County, Rusk County, Smith County, Kansas	.257

12-07-2017, 09:30 PM	#11
Redbeard31 Four Point Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Conroe Hunt In: Del Rio, The West, Canada, Africa	I would go with the .257 and an upgraded scope. Speedgoats are not hard to kill, but you need something that shoots flat for the possible long-range shot. IMO, nothing beats the .257 for flat shooting, but I don't know anything about the 6.5-300.

12-07-2017, 09:57 PM	#12
cuttingedge Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Colorado Springs - sadness Hunt In: hardly at all here	6.5-300. Why? Because you have one ��

12-08-2017, 06:39 AM	#15
Bowyer Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Barry Tx. Hunt In: Texas & Oklahoma	257 is my vote as well. Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

12-08-2017, 06:42 AM	#16
twosixteens Ten Point Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: North Texas Hunt In: Young County Mostly	The lightest one

12-08-2017, 07:05 AM	#17
sbushee Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2016 Hunt In: Schleicher County	I’d go with the limits accurate first and then the lightest second. Seems as if you just want to list some rifles you have.

12-08-2017, 07:54 AM	#19
texas shag Ten Point Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Argyle Hunt In: Anderson County, Old Mexico	257 bee is the perfect poison for your application

12-08-2017, 10:18 AM	#22
kmon Eight Point Join Date: Sep 2015 Hunt In: Texas and Mississippi mostly	Which ever you shot best. As someone said Antelope are not that hard to kill. Of those 3 either of the Bees are great as long as ou are comfortable with them.

12-08-2017, 10:46 AM	#24
mzurovec Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Liberty Hill Hunt In: Blanco, Burnet	.257

12-08-2017, 11:02 AM	#25
sierracharlie338 Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: The Republic of Texas (Houston) Hunt In: Anywhere I can.... seems to be pretty limited these days	Im a fan of the quarter bore, even the weatherby version!

12-09-2017, 08:46 AM	#27
Arrowsmith OTD - Older than Dirt Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arlington, Texas Hunt In: Erath County and Davis County Iowa	I used to hunt antelope in Wyoming quite a bit. We shot .264 Win Mag and .240 Weatherby

12-09-2017, 10:07 AM	#29
7m STW Six Point Join Date: May 2015 Location: Midland Hunt In: Webb Co.	Any of your rifles can handle it but you may want to reevaluate the glass that’s on them

12-09-2017, 06:27 PM	#31
RJH1 Eight Point Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Abilene Hunt In: Abilene area	I would go buy a 270

12-09-2017, 06:50 PM	#32
jefandaward Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Steuben, Michigan Hunt In: Hiawatha National Forest	25-06 would be fine as well

12-09-2017, 08:40 PM	#33
chrisk Ten Point Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rockville,In.	https://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...-reticle-matte https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Buck-Ma.../dp/B00SMX9CS8 They all seem to review well? I wasn’t sure about using my fixed 10x42 but if everything is beyond 75 yards does it really matter that its a fixed?

12-09-2017, 09:32 PM	#35
billfromtx Pope & Young Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nueces County	The one you are the most accurate with. I used a Ruger #1 in 270 for my antelope hunts!