Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds Like to buy a great antelope rifle

25/06 is pretty hard to beat. I killed my only antelope at 300 yards with one shot, a 52 grain HP from a 223 Browning BLR. Not what you call the ideal goat gun, but I wanted to use it dog gone it. I bet you already own an antelope gun, or three.

I'd build a .243.

Ive never had the oppertunity to hunt in Wyoming but I have worked there several times.
There is no shortage of antelope in that beautiful state.
If I were a young man starting over I think I would move there myself.
Im not gonna say anything about the rifle you get, but any that were mentioned will probly work.
Congrats on the move to that state.
Bring you Long Johns.

You dont really need those big ol' centerfire scopesighted loudenboomin supermanglems.




Welcome to Casper.

Well, before I knew any better, I whacked a ton of antelope witha lever action .30-30 that my dad started me off with. When I reached 16, I bought by my first rifle and it was a Savage 99 in .308. It worked well too. I have used my .30-06 for a handfull of Wyomings speed goats as well as my 7.82 Patriot, which has been by favorite for the last few years.

What it boils down to is what kind of shooting makes you happy? You can kill an antelope with about anything. If you like to make the stalk and get sneaky with them, any rifle you can easily carry will work. If you want to sit on a hill, dope the wind, and reach out and touch one, then the .240 or .264 would be tough to beat.

I like to shoot open sights in the woods, but have killed a few deer over pretty big soy bean fields. My favorite rifle is a .450 3.25" black powder express double rifle that I'm shooting 300gr pistol bullets in over 51gr of 4198.

My Dad didn't think much of cartridges under .270 for deer so I grew up with a 30-06 mostly after getting my first centerfire rifle (a 7-08) when I was a kid. I guess for those reasons I've wanted to play with a 240 or 257 a long time.

Truthfully, looking around WY I'm going to be doing a lot of stuff outdoors besides chasing antelope. My visit already has me and my gf thinking about snow shoeing, skiing, more bird hunting, more fly fishing...

Here are a couple crummy pics from Mt Casper, and the North Platte along the Grey Reef section. We're blessed to be making this journey to such a beautiful place

Good one!!! Frankly, Savage should be banned based on appearance alone!

My sons & I have taken a couple dozen speed goats with everything from .243-300 ultra mags. My 2cents worth, go with one of the 2 calibers that you stated to begin with. You will probably get the most enjoyment out of those. If I had to choose one rifle only, I would go with a 25-06. Have fun chasing them. Marvin

JMHO, I really love the .260 rem in a 120. Light rifle, low recoil and accurate. But, the 25-06 would suit you well. Cheap ammo and easy to find. I also always wanted a .257 bee. until I really looked at what the gains were. Price of ammo and availability. Besides hard to beat the BC of the .264 bullets... The last few years I started hunting with smaller calibers also. And have come to figure out that deer drop just as easy with a 25-06, .260, .270, .270wsm, 7mm, .300wm. But with the .260 you have a very light easy shooting accurate rifle. Lopes are most likely the same. JMHO........ But, if I were to get a Weatherby it would be a .257.

In 1980 I got my wife a used Remington 722 in .257 Roberts, she has killed I dont know how many pronghorns and several deer with it. Nice light cartridge, no recoil to speak of, can be loaded just about any way you want it.

I know it's not specifically what you're looking for, but that Winchester 300 WSM in the classifieds with the Edge stock is worth a look. It would cover every animal you'd hunt in Wyoming.

Dont overlook the 270WSM in a Tikka T3 Lite. Light weight and all the horse power you need for those speed goats.

love my 260 cooper 54, you could get one w a synthetic stock. light, accurate, fast enough, reload or factory loads

Thanks guys-you've given me a lot of options to think through. I don't remember the last new rifle I bought. I'll keep an eye out on the classifieds and wait for something to pop up. I've gotten a couple of PMs with nice offers, but nothing that grabs me.

8SNAKE, I saw that 300WSM last night and agree that it's a great buy and set up, but just have too many 30 cal rifles...

25-06 is your Huckleberry! powdr

I've got a Browning xbolt stainless stalker in 25-06 I might part with. In great condition with around 80 rounds fired. The gun is a good shooter and I have a load worked up for it. Also have a kimber Montana in 270wsm if that strikes your fancy better. The Kimber has fired about 40 rounds, is in excellent condition, and will shoot sub moa with factory ammo. Send me a pm if interested.

Since no one's mentioned it, I need to stick up for the 6.5x55 or 6.5x284. I've killed antelope, mule deer and elk with both. I like the 6.5 over the 25 cal because you can get heavier bullets yet still be quite flat shooting..
Yet in the end, this is like asking people what is better; Ford, Chevy or Toyota...Everyone will have an opinion. You just need to find one that fits you and you can shoot well. I know people that shoot and quickly kill antelope with a 22-250...

Here is what I would suggest, try the rifle before you buy it if you can. It's great to get a ton of suggestions and to think you want something. The proof is in the pudding. I really thought I wanted a Gen 4 Glock 17 UNTIL I shot it. Maybe there are some guys in the area that would let you try their rifle. Good Luck.

TJ

I went out to Wyoming last year for my first antelope hunt a little north of Casper. I had my first custom gun built in a 280ai shotin a 120gr bt and it did awesome out there. I brought it back to Missouri and shot 2 deer with awesome results. Good luck on your gun choice.

If the BC on the new Accubond LR bullets hold, a 270 Weatherby or WSM might be the ticket. 150 gr .625 could be wishful thinking, but running around 3000 fps would get ugly...

Get it hooked up then Bax and I will come out and you can show us how it works!!!