What's your pick?

All around rifle/cartridge nominations.

Either my Remington 700 Classic .280 or my 700 Classic .250 Sav.

Savage 110 in 7mm Mauser.

22-250, 22 creed, 243, 6mm, anything light.they're small light boned critters.

270 130grain bullets or 6.5 creed with 139s....

Although a fast .22 would wreck their day - they are not tough to kill....

Here are 2 that work very well.
M95 Winchester in 270
IMG_20190918_192827625 by .com/photos/156296479@N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep]
1903 Mannlicher in 6.5X54
2018 #1 Ant. Buck by .com/photos/156296479@N08/]Steve Zihn, on [bleep]

Awesome pics with some great old rifles!

I've only killed one, so I dont have much experience. All I can say is dont hit them high with a light, fast bullet... like a 100 TTSX from a 257 wby.
Although the video is pretty impressive.

I have killed antelope with .270 Winchester, 6.5x55, .243 Win and a .257 DGR wildcat. For the next one it will be a .250 AI.

After 8-10 antelope killed with it, I have zero reason to not endorse a .223 Rem in a Kimber 84M.

I've only used Speer 120s in a Ruger 25-06. I've shot about 16.

T: What bullet do.you use? Thanks

Any relatively flat shooting cartridge used for deer hunting or larger game.....will work nicely! No reason to overthink it! memtb

I've got an antelope hunt planned for October in Unit 3----up by Craig, Colorado. I'll be using my 30/06 again just like the in past 6 or 7 hunts. The 30/06 is never a bad choice.

.264 Win Mag with 125 gr Nosler Partitions has worked on a bunch of them for me.

Lately the 62 TSX but I have used the 69 Sierra Matchking (not recommended) and the 63 SMP (highly recommend). The 62 TSX has worked fine thus far on both deer and antelope, though I did have a few bad experiences with it at first.

I've killed plenty in Montana with a .22-250 and with cheap Wally World special 55 grain soft point factory ammo. I saw no issues there so I couldn't imagine those wouldn't work just as well out of a .223. I've only shot antelope with a .223 in Wyoming, which requires at least a 60 grain bullet so I have not had a chance to try the 55 grainers out and haven't had an antelope tag in any other state since getting into the .223 game.

Anything will work, but in my mind, the .257 Wby is the quintessential antelope round. I'm a fan of the 80 grain TTSX pushing the 4k mark. Seems to be pretty perfect antelope medicine.

I have not had many rifle antelope permits, but for the last 2 hunts in WY and AZ, I have used a Winchester 70 Super Grade rebarreled to a 6.5 WSM.

(note: blaze was changed out for photos.)

Like T Inman, I have seen several killed with 223s (deer too)
With 60 grain Hornadys and 65 grain Sierras the results were mixed. Mostly good, but both bullets break up and sometimes don'rt penetrate well. However with 60 grain Nosler Partitions and 62 grain Barnes the results were excellent in every case.
I have about 40 rounds loaded with 60 grain partitions myself, but as of now I personally have not killed any deer of antelope with my 223s. Not that I wouldn't. I expect I will sometime in the not-too-distant future. But I seldom leave Wyoming anymore for hunting, so I only kill 6-8 deer or antelope a year now, and for the guns I want to use, and the bullets I want to try I have set my 223s in that list, but I probably won't get to them for 2-3 more years.

I have witnessed about 10 kills with this bullet however, so I am 100% confident in it's abilities for deer and antelope hunting and any shots out to about 350 yards.

257 bee

Hawk1: Many years ago (28?) I brought online a full custom pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in caliber 240 Weatherby Magnum - especially for Hunting Antelope and long range Coyotes with.
It has a 27" Hart heavy stainless barrel - it is deadly accurate and incredibly efficient ballistically with my chosen Antelope bullet.
I have a Leupold 6.5x20 variable scope on it and what a perfect caliber/set-up for Antelope Hunting it is/turned out to be.
In fact I am going to be verifying zero with it here in the next couple of weeks as I was lucky enough to be drawn for an Antelope tag this season.
Good luck in your search/inquiry.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I have shot them with a 6mm Rem(3), 25-06 Rem(1), 257 Wby, 260 Rem(1), 7x64(1), 300 WSM(1) and 308 Norma Mag.

The 257 and 308 NM were my main goat rifles for several years and accounted for the majority of them, the remaining balance of about 2 dozen. At one time I knew which round accounted for more, but cant remember anymore.

260 was the first and 25-06 was the last.

This year I am using a Rem. 788 in 243 Win shooting 43gr. IMR-4831 and a 92gr. Cavity Back bullet @3200fps.

In the past I killed a few with a 257Wthby using 100gr TTSX bullets.

Pretty much anything will kill an antelope, They aren't tough to get on the ground.

Elk Country

as far as bullets go, most everything that has been mentioned should work with a good hit. here if fla, the deer are a little smaller on average and many are killed
with 223s. most don't use the excellent win 64 gr bullet though.

lots of gun porn on this thread.

I've killed a bunch with my .243 shooting 95 grain Fusion ammo, always has worked well for me.

I've killed all of mine with a 243 Win using the 85gr. Barnes TSX. But, I just picked up a 257 WBY!

RedRabbit - Did you grin that thing to death? Not a mark on it! Nice looking buck!

I been hunting antelope since 1974,have used a lot of different cartridges to do so. Take care of the meat and they are good eating and 1st rule of taking care of the meat is to not shoot them in the meat. Allways sideways thru the ribs about 1" low and 1.5" behind the white corner on their side ,gets both lungs and no eating meat. I've used the 223 to the 50-140 Sharps over 70 head now. Perfect gun is what you want it to be and for me I could use the 243 ,6mm ,257 or 25-06 for the rest of time and not want better. Magnums aren't needed but suspect the various 6.5's would be very fine. Good binos, rangefinder, bipod or crossticks your good to go. I use a 2 wheel cart like Oregunmuley has or a pack frame to get them out. MB

.243

7mm STW.

I'm partial to 25 cal and down for pronghorn. Personal favorite is the 243.

240 Weatherby, just to be different.

I shot. My first 4 antelope with a Mauser 98 in 6 mm Rem using factory Remington 100 gr Core-Lokts. Shot two more with a Browning A-Bolt in my 300 Win mag using Federal 150 gr soft points. Shot several more with a Remington 700 or 722 in 300 Savage using various factory 150 gr bullets and another handful with a Savage 16 in 7mm/08 with 140 gr Remington Core-Lokts and 139 gr Hornady Interlocks.

I've seen a number of animals wounded with various 22 centerfires by others to leave a bad taste in my mouth for the practice. Given a bit of time, experience and knowledge I've come to realize it was a shooter problem rather than cartridge. I still have some reservations but it is a mental block on my part not based on reason.

I like the 6mm-284 or 243 with 90 gr noslers or scirocco 11s.

Mine is a Sako AV .25-06 topped with Leupold 3.5-10. Got a tag for Saskatchewan antelope this year so I'm looking forward to using it. Will probably load some 100 gr. TSX

I have personally killed multiple pronghorns in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming. The cartridges have included the .22-250 Remington, .243 Win., .257 Roberts, .257 Roberts Ackley Improved, .25-06, .257 Weatherby, 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Remington, 6.5x55, 6.5-06, .270 Win., 7x57 Mauser, .280 Remington Ackley Improved, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm STW, .308 Winchester, .30-06 and .300 WSM. Probably have killed more with the .257 Roberts than any other round—at ranges out to 550 yards, though that was finishing off one somebody else wounded, back when I was guiding.

Eileen has taken them with the .22-250 (with a 40-grain Cutting Edge Raptor at 4300 fps), .243 Winchester, .240 Weatherby, .250 Savage, .257 Roberts, .257 Weatherby Magnum and .270 Winchester. She has also probably killed more with the .257 Roberts than any other round.

Have guided hunters who used the .220 Swift (my rifle, because the guy flinched even with a .25-06, because of too much shooting with a .338 Winchester Magnum), along with the usual suspects from the .243 Winchester to 7mm magnums. My hunting partners other than Eileen have also used various other rounds, including the 6.5-.284 and .280 Remington.

Will also include springbok in Africa, since they are essentially the same animal—just about exactly the same size, coloration, length of “trophy” horns, plus open country habitat and hunting techniques. Have personally used rounds from the .22-250 (out to 500 yards) to .30-06 (on my largest-horned springbok), but due to most safari hunters bring rifles in larger chamberings, have also seen them taken with such rounds as various .300 magnums from the WSM up, the wildcat .338 WSM, and .338 Winchester Magnum.

They have all killed pronghorns (and springbok) quite well.

My vote, based on purely sentimental, and multi-generational reasons, would be the .257 Roberts.

I've taken them with .257 Roberts, .264 Win Mag., 270 Win., .243 Win., .338 Win Mag., but of those the one I take most is my .264 Win Mag in a Ruger #1B. I always think of the long range shot that I might get in the open country antelope live in. The longest shot I can remember is a 250 yarder on a doe with my .338. Most have been well under 200, because I used to have the most fun trying to sneak as close to the herd before taking the shot. Old age might be creeping up on me, but I still like to try it. My last buck (2 years ago) was at 90 yards with the .270.

Brain isn't always working. Just remembered the farthest shot I have killed an antelope with was 360 yards (ranged) with my 270 Win and 130 SGK

I've killed 9 antelope with:.270 win, 30'06, 6.5 CM. I have a newly rebarreled .243 that I'm sure would work well. I guess if I had to pick one it would be my 6.5 CM. They are all built on pre 64 M70 actions/fwt barrels so there isn't much difference when it comes to the rifle.

I haven't had the pleasure of an antelope hunt yet, but if I had the opportunity I would probably, out of force of habit and my confidence in it, grab my ratty old 1966 made Winchester Model 70 push feed .270 Win. and go kill one. I'm not sure whether I've grown into the rifle or it has just worn to fit me, but I can shoot that rifle and have total confidence in the .270 for about any game. If Bell could kill a thousand elephants with a 7x57, I know damn well he could have done it 7 days a week and twice on Saturday with a .270 with a 150 grain Partition. That's probably not the bullet I'd use on a speed goat. I'd probably use a 130 grain SGK. I have about 12 rifles I know would work as well but there's no substitute for a rifle you shoot well and have confidence in.

I've been perfectly happy with the 260 Rem and 139/136gr Scenars on pronghorn. I've used 30-06, 338 Win Mag and 223AI. The 260 Rem does everything I need it to do and well.

I’ve only killed two.... one with my old .270 and a very nice buck in WY with a 6.5 CM.
I can’t help but feel that the Creed is just about perfect for antelope.
Very light recoil, great bullet selection.

Thanks T for bullet info.

I think between my son and I we have killed 7 pronghorn, and all of them were killed with a 7-08/140 BT combo. No issues.

I use whatever elk rifle I'll be using later in the season, so as a result I've used a variety from the 270 up through the 338 WM.

If just picking a rifle specifically for antelope I'd use my Kimber MT 243, or for good weather a wood stocked Kimber 84M 257 Rob.

Really, any cartridge will do from the 223 up.

Something in the .243" to .257" range in a sporter style rifle with a 3-9x or 3.5-10 scope.

I have used a handgun on all my antelope. Calibers 7x30 waters, 6.5 Bullberry and .357 Max.

All good advice here, cant disagree with any. I personally went from a .25-06 to a 7 Mag 15 years ago because I didnt like the way the wind pushed my 100 gr. Hornady spirepoints around. I changed from the 7 Mag to a 6.5 Creed last year because of boredom--the 7 Mag was just too good at its job. The 6.5 Creed shoots a longer 140 gr. bullet at a much slower muzzle velocity with less weight, less recoil, and better wind bucking ability, and has just the right amount of energy--not too much. Most of my 7 Mag kills went through and through. That said, I think mirage and wind are the two biggest factors in antelope shooting. 300 yards is about the practical limit for me, because holding over 27 inches and into the wind 22 inches at 400 yards in a 20 knot crosswind is fine for paper, but I dont feel confident enough to risk wounding an antelope with that kind of shot. Bottom line is its all personal preference. Use whatever makes you feel good. They all work.

Custom 257 Bob fed with 110 gr. AB handloads is my dedicated pronghorn setup.

A hunting buddy's 25 Souper 'aint too shabby either...

Mulling using my 6.5 CM with 120 gr. GMX next season...

My 89 year old father just gave me several of his rifles so I think this year I'll hunt this Hi-Wall in 225.

My wife and I have been hunting Pronghorns for the past (25) years. We get 4-6 tags per year in CO & WY, both on private land. We estimate we have taken about 125 Antelope over the years, averaging (5) tags a year.

We have used 25-06, 6.5x55, 275 Rigby, 280 Rem., and 338WM.

Our favorite (both) is 25.06.

I’ve shot somewhere between 20 to 30 antelope with a 30-06. There’s about an even split between 165 and 180 grain Hornady boat tails, as well as a few 180 grain partitions. I’ve also shot a couple with the 243, and one with a 338 Winchester. They all work.

My 12-year-old will be hunting them with me this year and he will shoot a 243. I will probably take my 30-06 again, though one of these years I’d like to use my 375 H&H just because. I am currently working up a load with 150 grain SST‘s, specifically for antelope hunting, and though I have 30 rounds loaded and ready to test, I have yet to do the range work. Perhaps towards the end of the month I’ll get to that. If push comes to shove, I’ll probably just load up 165 grain Hornady boat tails over 56 grains of Winchester 760 and call it good.

There is a huge list of good antelope cartridges but if one is headed to the gun store to specifically purchase a rifle solely for hunting antelope it should be chambered for the 6mm Creedmoor or you're doing antelope rifles wrong.

Now if sentiment or other nonlogical emotions are involved then all bets are off.

I say this having never killed an antelope with the 6mm CM but I have slayed a trailer truck or 2 and seen a lot more taken with the .243 Win/105gr VLD/3050fps.

Being able to buy decent factory ammo loaded with high BC bullets and factory rifles that shoot like customs is not a bad thing.

Whichever one you can place the bullet where it needs to go.

I have use 22-250, 243, 270 Win, and 338WM.

If I draw a tag, I might use a 222 or 6.5x55 this year.

I would too....

Good luck CB! All of mine have been with a 30/06 too.

Especially if that's all you have, way more cartridge than needed. Antelope hunt is the perfect place for the 243/25 cal cartridges. MB

What's that old saying----"Beware of the man with 1 rifle"--------Ingwe made me turn in my rifle loonie card at the hog hunt.

No flies on a classic 25-06. 100 grain ballistic tips work too.

Colorado bob no problem, I'm a 30-06 fan myself have shot antelope with it but sure like smaller cartridges for this hunting. MB

Ranger1, 130 Bergers were used, so the offside was not as pretty. Sorry, but I did not take any pics of the wounds. By the time I got up to the antelope, the bastard crows were already pecking at the eyeballs.

I have only killed 4 antelope. Hardly an expert, but they are not hard to kill with a well placed bullet. The three rifles I used were .257 Weatherby, .270 Winchester, and 7x57 Mauser, twice. All worked fine.
Today there are so many good cartridges to pick from it would be hard to go wrong with any of them. My sentimental choice is my #1, 7x57 with 150 gr BT.
My favorite game animal, fun to hunt and the weather can be pretty nice.

Rem Model 700 Classic in 6.5x55 Swedish.

About 20 years ago, I was hunting more Coues whitetails and pronghorns than everything else combined. I asked my friend (and gunsmith) Roy Bedeaux (now retired) to build me a lightweight rifle on a Mexican Mauser action. I decided to have it chambered in .257 Ackley Improved. Roy used a 550 featherweight Krieger barrel (1 in 10 twist), finished at 24 inches, bedded in a light-weight Rimrock stock. The action was fully spruced up with a new bolt handle, relieved cocking knob, side swing safety and a re-contoured trigger guard and bottom metal.

Since receiving the finished rifle from Roy, I have used nothing else for any of my whitetail, mule deer or pronghorn hunts. It's a joy to carry and is deadly accurate.

Our antelope killing has been with .243, 6mm-06, .257AI, and 7mm-08. All work for the purpose. In my mind something in the 6mm class shooting a bullet with a decent BC is hard to beat if purpose building/selecting an "antelope" rifle.





One nice thing about antelope is they tend to be a fair weather adventure in open country so if you are partial to fancy wood and deep blue finishes you can probably use that type of rifle fairly regular.

257 Roberts for me.

Montana in 7-08 throwing 120 gr TTSXs and wearing VX2 2-7x33 glass.

I have taken Antelope with a 223, a 6MM Remington, a 270 and a 30-06. One with a 30-30 14 inch Contender. The 270 and 30-06 are very effective and somewhat destructive. The 270 with 130 gr. Partitions were not so bad. I used the 6MM Remington back in the early 80's. I used the 105 Speer HotCore on top of various 4831's out of a Remington 788. Today I would take another 6MM Remington, a 257 Roberts, 260 Remington or a 6.5 Creed. To me as hard as it is to judge the wind in south central Wyoming those cartridges provide everything you need out to as far as you should be shooting. The longest shot I took was around 450 yards. With a 30-06 and a 150 gr. Speer Hotcor, hit him right in the neck. Most shots I have taken at Antelope Were inside 300 yards.

Most of my 2 dozen or so have been with a .25-06, 100gr. Barnes X or TTSX, from a B-78. I've also used 100gr. ballistic tips, .257Wby with 110 Interbond, .260/120 TSX or Ballistic Tip, 7mmRM/150TSX, .32Rem/170Speer, and 8mmRM/200TSX. All worked well, and I see no reason any reasonable bullet in a 6mm wouldn't do just as well. Hunting on the open prairie seems a good match for an accurate single shot and fast cartridge.

.257 AI, .257 Rob, & 6mm-250 have all proven effective for me.

.22-250, .223, .243 Win, 6mm Rem, .25-06, .270, .280, 7-08, 7x57, .308, .30-06, 8x57... can’t think of many cartridges I wouldn’t think were solid choices for pronghorn!



Totally agree with that; a 6mm-06 with fastest twist you can find would be a tough one to beat. 6mm Creedmoor for factory.

T/C Venture 25-06, Sierra Game Kings 117 grain BTSP

Add one more mid sized antelope to my .223 Rem's tally. The 62 TSX at about 200 yards entered the left shoulder as he faced me, traveled lengthwise down his left side, cutting over half of the left side ribs in half, just below the backstrap without hitting anything vital. First time I had seen that happen and it was a bad shot on my part. He ran about 2-300 yards out of sight and bedded down. I found him again and snuck up and put another round in him, this time as he was broadside. He didn't go anywhere after that, but kicked and took 2-3 minutes to die, which I wasn't too keen on watching.

That first bullet may still be in the ham, as I didn't see an exit, but also didn't look too hard as I wanted to get him cooled down ASAP. I'll look for it when I cut him up. I won't totally blame the bullet here, as I didn't make the best shot ever, but I have to wonder if a more fragmenting bullet would have sent shards into the lungs on that first shot, killing him faster. As it was, he was awake and totally conscious when I got closer and shot again 10 minutes after the first shot. Despite this, I still think the .223 Rem is the quintessential antelope round. The bullet? Maybe. Maybe not.

Same thing happened to me at 240yds 2 years ago on the first shot with 60 gr Hornady 's with some frags in the lungs. Hit high on the second shot in the neck down she went. Half way out to the doe she started to get up and I had to shoot her again. The same shot as the first with a 243 would have put her down and out on the spot. I don't use the 223 on antelope anymore anyone else can do as they like. MB

May I ask how you're so sure about this?

way old school love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

T_Inman botched his shot and said so. You botched your shot and blamed the cartridge. That's ridiculous. You should have brought a 20mm something. That would have solved your poor shooting.

Tikka T3 in 7mm-08, 150 eldx handloads in case you need to shoot a ways.



P

Haven’t shot one yet. Got long ways to go to draw one here in Oregon.
But when the time comes. T3x SL in 6.5CM with 130 game changers

Anything accurate, from .243 on up. What a bunch of anal crap.

TinC**k,

Explanations on not doing the 69 ShameKing agin'.

Danke.

I have killed speedgoats with .270 Win, 25-06, .243, and .22-250. I prefer the .243 and that is all I carry anymore.

You can will address me as TinCOCK.

I insist.

I had inconsistent expansion with the 69 Sierra at .223 Rem velocities, from 50 yards up to about 200 yards. Sometimes it would act like a varmint bullet, other times it wouldn't. Everything died, but in one instance a doe antelope shot at about 75 yards tight behind the shoulder ran close to 1/2 mile before bedding down. She was still awake and very much alive and needed another round. She had chunks of lung blowing out of the entrance hole (no exit) the whole way so I an not sure one can draw a conclusion there.....she may just have been a tough 'ol broad.

6x6.8, 90g SGKT bullet, 243, 90g NHBT bullet, nothing else needed

TinCOCK,

Thanks.

Someone who used to post here hyped them up at one time.

I got the idea he liked to fancy himself as a pro-jock, the Lamma. Then he got serious about 9mms and nasty bears...turned out to be a semi-pro gel shooter.

Only four antelope here as well. Two with the 25-06 Rem 700 CDL, 6x Leupold, 115 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip & Retumbo. Two with the 30-06 Rem 700 CDL, 6x Leupold, 165 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip & H4350.

Of mine I'd say the 25-06 seems like the better antelope rifle, but the good ol' 30-06 sure didn't disappoint. The rifles are near twins, deliberately. I do most of my hunting with those two. The 25-06 kills might have been a tad quicker, but... with only four kills, who knows? I go to Wyoming with the 25-06 in mind as the primary antelope rifle, and the 30-06 as the primary mule deer rifle, but those two get swapped around now and then.

2012, 25-06:


2014, 25-06:


2016, 30-06:


2018, 30-06:


I dearly love stalking the antelope. And the backstrap steaks...

goats are fun to hunt i even killed them with a 17 Remington but my favorite cartridge is still a 257 Weatherby Mag. hope you all have a great fall hunting. Pete53 p.s. don`t forget to vote TRUMP 2020

Sure you can ask, I've shot them at the same angle with the 243 and 6mm rem the bullets don't deflect they go right thru into the chest cavity. 5 years ago I hit a 14" buck in the same spot with my 280 and found that 140gr solid base Nosler in the hindquarter ,full front to rear penetration . It is why the best shot is a perpendicular dbl lung shot if you can get it, they just don't allways cooperate though. MB

Cascade------Is that the same old push feed Remington 30/06 that you used on your Grizzly Hunt? Bob

Cascade------Is that the same old push feed Remington 30/06 that you used on your Grizzly Hunt? Bob

/quote] huntshoot
T_Inman botched his shot and said so. You botched your shot and blamed the cartridge. That's ridiculous. You should have brought a 20mm something. That would have solved your poor shooting.[/quote]
Well I don't recall seeing you there, so as a first hand witness as to whether I botched the shot you have no credibility. I have shot over 70 head of antelope. Lot of different angles with more than a few different cartridges and bullets over the last 46 years. I know the difference between a botched shot and a ineffective bullet performance. Use what you like I'll stick with works everytime. Mb

Bob,

You missed the vitals. Again, you are blaming a cartridge because you missed the vitals.

I suspect the bullet I hit the buck with 2 days ago didn't deflect either. I just hit further right than I wanted to, and it missed anything immediately vital. I still fail to see how an identical hit with a .243" bullet would have made a difference, unless that bullet broke up and sent pieces (or even bone pieces) into the lungs. If that's the case, then wouldn't the same principle apply if I had used a more frangible bullet out of my .223 two days ago?

I would probably stick with what you have faith with in your shoes. Myself I won't using the 60 gr Hornady in the 223 again for anything bigger than coyotes and p dogs. The 6's and 100gr bullets have served me well on antelope I'll stick with them. Mb

And this is how we get to "I kept losing deer with the 270, so I got this 7mm RM", or "Anything smaller than a 30 cal is marginal on deer", or "You need a 338 Mag for elk".

Bullets of all makes sometimes do weird stuff. And there's really no telling for sure what sorts of errors in aiming we make when we shoot at animals. Blaming a cartridge when a bullet doesn't strike the vitals causes all sorts of BS decisions, and fuels all sorts of BS discussions.

Huntsshoot your mouth off, not being there witnessing the shot seeing the damage and results just makes you another keyboard expert running off at the mouth about a situation you have NO personal knowledge of. Only thing your really missing here is a good chance to just shut the fuc up. Yeah that's what you need to hear, so read it 3-4 times till you get it. GOT IT?

Bob, I got it. You are wrong, can't admit it, and are getting defensive. Again, why people end up having irrational opinions, and carrying on irrational discussions.

Look, I don't care what you use, or why, but on a public forum, when you claim a cartridge is at fault because YOU MISSED THE VITALS, someone is going to call bullschitt on your bullschitt. Today, that someone is me. Your enemy is reality. And your weapon is your pride. You're gonna lose every time.

The only bs here is you, you weren't there and don't have any firsthand knowledge of the shot and resulting damage yet you insist on knowing more about it than anyone else. You just keeping telling yourself how smart you are and you may come to believe it yet. Mb

You keep making this about me, Bob, yet like you keep saying, I wasn't there. You were there. Your rifle was there, your miss of the vitals was there, and your ability to shoot again, and claim the animal what there. I am only reacting to your writing of the experience, and calling out your faulty logic in claiming the cartridge caused the miss of the vitals. Your own description is what I used to make this critique, along with my own experiences with various projectiles out of a 223 on deer, and all of the rest of my hunting experiences as well. When vitals are successfully hit using proper aim, "weak" cartridges and "fragile" bullets kill just fine. I have never seen a single example to the contrary. I have seen bullets do some wonky things, but follow-up shots proved again that well-placed hits kill quickly.

That you blamed a cartridge because you missed the vitals is very telling. I will keep saying that as long as you want to argue that a cartridge has anything to do with a successful hunt.

I had about the same happen with a 260 & 120 BT.

I’ve used the 260 120BT combo on 3, and 270 with 140 AB, 140 Berger, and 135 MK once each. This year I’ll be using the 6.5 CM. Haven’t decided on bullet yet, maybe the 130 AB or the 139 Scenar.

I’ve used 243 Win (3), 25-06 (2), 270 (3) and 338 Federal (1). 95 gr BT, 115gr BT, 140 AB, and 185TSX. All worked great. Logically the 243 is about ideal but if I could only use 1 it would probably be the 270, just because.

Yup.

Antelope, elk, mule deer, black bear, wolf, grizzly... It's done real well for me.

Regards, Guy

Are you implying the .30-06 might be an okay hunting cartridge?

LOL! I guess the jury is still out on that one eh?

Ya, it works for me!

Regards, Guy

Guy,

I'm thinking of using you Grizzly load next year. I've got a hunt scheduled for 6/2021. LOL--I'll be using my Remington 700--push feed. I know you survived---hope I do also.

Actually a 416 Bee did pretty well on a doe at 452 yards. 330 GS Custom HV at 3100 fps.

Overkill, I know but she did not complain.

When I built my 256 Newton on a Model 54 action, it was antelope I had in mind. My first and second antelope were killed with a 303 British. GD

If I manage to draw another tag I plan on using a .223 with a bullet that does well in the wind. Used a 7x57 in the past.

Maybe next year.

I’ll be using a fast twist 22-250 on my hunt this year.

I hunted pronghorns in Wyoming for many years. My rifle of choice was, and is, my Wby. Mk.V, in .257 Weatherby, pushing 100 gr. Barnes TSX or TTSX bullets at 3700 fps. IMO, the .257 Wby. is a near ideal antelope cartridge, and with the Barnes projectiles, meat damage is a lot less than what I used to see with more conventional bullets.

I have used 6mm Rem, .270 Win and .264 Win Mag most bagged with handloads. But when I took my Son hunting I told him if he bagged one that measured 15 inches I would buy him a Rifle well he did and I bought him a new Remington 700 CDL. 25-06 Rem.
Winchester envisioned the .264 Win Mag as the Ultimate Deer & Antelope round and it has performed well in this roll. In truth all four have performed very well on Antelope.

.243 Win, .257 Roberts, 6.5-06AI, .280 Rem, 7mm RM, .30-06 and .375 Win - I've used them all. The favorite is the .257 Roberts, which has been used by daughters, nephews and myself.

25-06 with 115 grain Partitions and IMR 7828 work for me on antelope and mule deer.

257 weatherby is by far my 1st choice. I have taken north of 45 lopes between wyoming and AZ and they have mostly been with the 257 or 25-06. 100 gr tsx and rock on.

25-06. 120gr Hornady Interlock, Ruger MkII. Seemed to work rather well.

I’ve never been yet, building some Wyoming points so far. When I do go I’ll take my Browning Medallion .243 wssm . It was gifted to me by a very close friend before he passed. Very accurate

Big Pine -

Very Nice & I understand that feeling.

GOOD hunting.

Jerry

Hawk I enjoyed this thread.

Never had the privilege of hunting Antelope. I have been thru areas where they hang.
Wide open and see almost forever. The closest I’ve seen Antelope is around Santa
Rosa N M. Have been in Co., Wyo., & Montana ....

So I understand the 25-06 getting quite a few selections.
If I get to hunt them, which is possible, I’d want a flat shooter as well.
From my arsenal I’d choose a 270 W or 7 RM. Yes I know they aren’t tough
to kill but those 2 are my flattest shooting.

Thanks for the thread.

Jerry

Thats a good cartridge for the purpose in a nice handling rifle.
A friend of mine used it on his goat in 06.
It gets there quick with about any bullet weight.

The 25-06 is definitely a good round. Never used one on antelope but deer, pigs and coyotes.
Antelope arent tough until they are.
A guy (again in 06) shot one with a 280 Ackley and IIRC, a 140 BT. It literally blew a volleyball sized patch on its shoulder.
It was laying at the locker. I commented to the guy "that shot didnt kill it, did it"?
He was a bit startled but said yes and how did I know?
I pointed out the wound stopped on the visible bone and another hole through the lungs.
He said it discoed for a hundred yards before round two hit home.
I took a 338 last time. It worked!

The cartridge Im taking this year hasnt been mentioned yet, but I really thought about the 257 Roberts!

Best of luck to everyone this year!

Second one 2017 New Mexico with a 257 Bee 120 grain partitions. A bit over kill at 30 and 75 yards.



First one 2005 N. Nevada with a 30-06 and a 150 grain fusion.

Jerry: What are you thinking?? The correct conclusion is that you need to purchase a new 25/06.. Have you lost you loony card??

270 Winchester is my preference for them

Wow! The one in the top pic is a dandy! Congrats!

Well I have the 25-06 well bracketed and

I'm trying to maintain 'some' sanity.


Jerry

Thanks. That one was guided by campfire member Elkhunterguide and he got me to within 15 yards when he busted me and stood in front of his does. No shot, no tags for the does behind so it was a New Mexican stand off. Fuggers are quick off the line.

The hole offside is from the first shot hit the opposite shoulder in the same place but two exits. Two 120 grain Partitions under 80 yards is overkill. But dead is dead and he was delicious .

280 with a 140 or 308 with a 130

Way more cartridge for antelope than one needs either one. Mb

Rem. 700 25/06 100gr Ballistic Tip

smallest cartridge i ever killed an antelope with was a 17 Remington with my bolt action Sako rifle kinda mis Loper hunting. thanks for the great pictures and all the posts 24hr campfire guys have done ,sure good to see Pete53

I don’t disagree. But, It’s all I had when I hunted Antelope. Wasn’t gonna buy another rifle just to be cartridge specific.

What bullet did you use, Pete, and at what velocity/range?

I have used a 308 for everything from coyotes to elk. Do you use a specific rifle for each species you hunt?
I will admit that a 308 does make an antelope too dead.

mike r

These were taken with an old Ruger m77 in .300wm. Overkill for sure, but what I carried back in the day. Killed a couple with a .257 wby too. That may be the quintessential antelope cartridge. They are awesome to hunt no matter the club you use.

Have shot many speed goats over the years, These are all from central northern Montana, just below the border. Have used 17 Rem., 22-250, 243 Win. and 270 Wby. I favor 22 or 243 cartridges, due to likely running into coyotes and badgers while hunting. We'll be after them again Oct. 10th. Got lucky in the draw with a either sex tag. It's always a great time over on the east side and we get plenty of shooting in, especially if the weather is nice and the gophers are still out.

https://postimg.cc/gallery/CDpnhmg

If I was going to hunt with a rifle I have it would be my 25-06 with a 117gr Hornady inter lock.

I don't think you could in good faith say a .270 is a bad choice for much of anything except big bears maybe. I'm no authority on anything bigger than a deer or boar hog mind you, but having seen what they do to them I'd say they'd be plenty good for anything in the lower 48. I've got a number of rifles in every cartridge from .223 to 9.3x62 but when it's time to go a huntin' guess what I grab 90% of the time. Ol' reliable. I've got prettier rifles, I've even got a couple more accurate, but when it comes to having confidence in what I'm using, I usually default to the .270 Winchester with a 130 grain bullet. Oh, and it's an early push feed Model 70 and it's got a Leupold on top. Let the hate flow!

Beautiful!

And as far as overkill with what you used, "Ain't no such thing as too dead."

After shooting over 70 antelope since 1974 I definetly know what is needed and what is excessive. You see I like to eat them, very seldom do I take any other shot than thru the ribs side to side. Yeah I think this is the perfect niche for 243- 257" rifles. I've used from 223 to 50-140 Sharps they all work, not saying they don't but it is damn hard to beat a 243, 6mm Rem, 257, or 25-06 for their low recoil, flat trajectory and accuracy. No I don't think before you go antelope hunting you need to buy a new gun. Use what you have but place the bullet right for minimal meat loss and the rewards are all yours to enjoy. Good luck MB

abilene, great mounts there, very impressive. Especially like the middle one. Tell us about it.

Probably my highest scoring head, but I hunt them for their great tasting wheat fed meat! That one has honest 6" prongs. If I remember 16 3/4" with ivory tips. I love hunting them and as many of you guys know their eyesight is phenomenal. I have heard it is like us looking through a 10x power scope! One wrong move and their eyes are on you!

I'm afraid my use of the 270 with 130 gr bullets is overkill. It might have worked several times.

I'd like to know the particulars of those who have used 17 cal rifles to kill antelope. I've got theories, but I've never done it, so I'd like to hear from those who have.

I suspect that you are writing about pronghorn, not African antelope.

I've used 22-250, 6mm, 7x57, 280, 30-06, 25-06, 270, 308, 264, 7mm RM and perhaps others. Except for a bullet failure with a 6mm back when bullet selection for the 6mm was very poor, they all worked fine.

This year I will likely be using a 6mm, I'm not sure which cartridge yet. But my 6mm Remington 700 shoots 95 grain Partitions in less than 1/2 MOA and pronghorn is not a tough animal (except it's bones can be). But maybe a 257 Roberts... If I take the Roberts the bullet will be a 85 grain CT.

My choice would be a flat shooting cartridge with a bullet that can expand easily and hold together if a bone is hit - partitions will do that in every cartridge I've used them in.

A 243, 6mm Remington, 240, 6mm-06 are all excellent pronghorn cartridges. So is the 25 cartridges from 250 to 257 Weatherby. And then there's bigger calibers...

I have most of the above named cartridge rifles. While I suspect that many of the pronghorn I've shot are under 100 yard shots, many were 200-300 yard shots. One was maybe 600+ yards (foolish youth).

If I eliminated that long shot, any of the above will work fabulously. The last time someone asked what my favorite pronghorn cartridge was, I said 25-06. After this year, it might be a 6mm.

In 2006 I used my Cooper 17 Rem. with a Leupold 3.5-10 scope and shot a buck goat. I did not want too far of a shot and was hoping for around 100 yds or so. If a good shot did not present itself I was not going to shoot. I always take a backup rifle with on distant trips. Going up over a hill there was a young buck about 110 to 120 yards away broadside. Offhand I placed one Hornady 25 gr hp in the lungs. It ran hard for about 50 to 60 yds and tipped over dead. Maybe not the best caliber to use, but it can be done. No exit hole. This year I will be using Win 243's. If I had to pick what I think is the perfect goat caliber it would be 6mm. Also great on the occasional coyote or badger we run into. It is great fun hunting these speedsters. Their eyesight is just phenomenal. I have read that it is equal to a human looking through a 10x scope. Load was 20.5 gr H332, CCI 400, 2.235" COAL, @ 3814 fps. Safe in my rifle, but may not be in yours.

Belgian commercial 98/ .257 Roberts/ 100 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip

257R, pre64 M70 with 100gr BTips/IMR4350 worked great for me...

Why did you leave the .260?