Pronghorn / Goat / Sheep gun

[Maligator]

Well, after having those pronghorn kabobs at the 1st Annual Fishstic sanctioned BBQ last weekend I have decided I NEED to go pronghorn hunting   

I have read past posts about antelope (I know they are really called pronghorns) rifle choices and narrowed it down to two calibers listed in the poll. Since I haven't been pronghorn hunting before I am going to NEED a new rifle 

I want this rifle to be used as I described in the poll: a good all around rifle for pronghorn, mountain goat and mountain sheep hunting. I already have a 300WSM for deer, bear & elk so no need to list anything larger.

So what do you think? If you choose the "other option" please explain why.

[huntnphool]

Curious why you would lump sheep in with pronghorn and goat?

Both of these were shot with a .270

[bearpaw]

Since you already have a .30, I would recommend a 257 Weatherby, I've never seen anything walk away, that includes about a dozen bear, 2 moose, and lots of deer and antelope. A friend has killed grizzly and brown bear with his 257 with one shot. One of the flattest and fastest 400 yard production rifles there is and with very little recoil, a pleasure to shoot. This was inventor Roy Weatherby's favorite caliber. Only major consideration is that its a lot cheaper to shoot if you handload.

The 25/06 is pretty close to the 257 and cartridges are very affordable. But, I would probably use the .30 on the sheep and goat.

[carpsniperg2]

I love the 270 wsm. 140g accubonds and it's lights out. Flat shooting and a great pick for your animals. If you want to go a little smaller maybe 6.5x284 or 25-06.

[Maligator]

I lumped sheep in with pronghorns and goats due to animal size & I guess similar possible shot distances. The two caliber choices are both fast & flat shooting.

[huntnphool]

I lumped sheep in with pronghorns and goats due to animal size & I guess similar possible shot distances. The two caliber choices are both fast & flat shooting.

Sheep are bigger than deer. If you justify using a .300 for deer then you better think about using one for sheep, your shots are likely going to be further on sheep than deer as well.

[bearpaw]

An old ram is bigger bodied than most people think... 

[Maligator]

Sheep are bigger than deer. If you justify using a .300 for deer then you better think about using one for sheep, your shots are likely going to be further on sheep than deer as well.
[/quote]

An old ram is bigger bodied than most people think... 

Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate the heads up. I've haven't yet been sheep hunting but its also on my must do list so I guess I should modify the poll to just include pronghorns & goats?

[bearpaw]

The size of an old billy will surprise you too.

[huntnphool]

You might consider 257 Roberts.

[Maligator]

The size of an old billy will surprise you too.

you're killing me Dale!!!    ok ok...so I want to hunt pronghorns and I want an excuse to buy a new rifle...the goat & sheep options were more of an afterthought but I see that I should have put a little more forethought into the animal groupings   

[bearpaw]

The size of an old billy will surprise you too.

you're killing me Dale!!!    ok ok...so I want to hunt pronghorns and I want an excuse to buy a new rifle...the goat & sheep options were more of an afterthought but I see that I should have put a little more forethought into the animal groupings   

 

no worries, any of the guns mentioned will do the job if you put the bullet in the right spot. But these topics are always fun because everyone has their favorites guns.

[wadu1]

So if you want new gun try a 6.5X55 Sweed with 140s it will do the trick

[Maligator]

Btw...beautiful Rams in the pics Huntnphool 

[sled]

  Buy What You Want But You Already Have What You Need.  I Shot 5 Lopes Two Years Ago With My Remington 700 In 30 06.  Shots Were 100 To 386 Yards.  I Don't Think It Was Overkill, And Everything Dropped Where It Stood.