Question for you goat hunters

[PGKris]

Specifically, two questions:

1) Is a 243 enough gun for a goat?

2) What calibre have you taken goats with and what was the performance like?

I'm getting another gun before next fall that I want to use on deer, goats and coyotes. I was thinking 243 but I think it's kinda small. Even though I am a good shot, I'm not an expert on energy or ballistics.
I'm also leaning to the 270. Both have good long range ballistics, which is why I'm going to get one or the other. The 270 is a bigger calibre though. To me, it's a bit overkill for coyotes, but definitely enough for goats and deer.
I want to be able to shoot 400 meters without too much drop. Anything you can suggest about guns for gaost will be appreciatted.
Note: I don't want a calibre debate. I want only opinions of people who have actually shot goats.
Thanks
Kris

[ryanb]

Well I've never personally shot a goat. However all the firsthand experience I've heard, and everything I've read seems to say you want to use enough gun on a goat, and 243 is probably not enough. There are 2 reasons I've heard: 1-Goats are very tough animals and can absorb a lot of lead before they go down. 2-you want to put the goat down quickly before it can launch itself off a cliff or get to where you can't get it.

I'm using a 7mmWSM for my goat hunt this year.

[black 'n blue]

I'm sure a 243 would be fine with good 100 gr bullets.Bullet placement is paramount, and don't shoot one where you can't get to it or when its sitting on a sheer cliff with a 1000 ft drop underneath it. :lol:
I've seen mule deer and blacktail shot with a 243 and there was quite a bit of tissue damage. I've shot goats with 7 rem mag and a 358 win and both worked well. I've seen a couple shot with a 308 Norma, which was pretty convincing with 180 factory loads.Good hunting!

[Marc]

243 or the 270...I'd have to say the 270 for longer range and more nockdown energy. If I was going to take a 300 yard shot on a goat I'd prefer using a 270 win with a 130 gr bullet then say a 243 with a 100 gr bullet. Just my opininon.

Marc.

[blacktailslayer]

I would get a .270,.270 WSM, 7mm Rem, or .280.

[todbartell]

Ive never seen a goat outside of Jasper, but I know that I wouldnt go hunting for them with anything less than a 25-06, loaded with a X bullet

[partsman]

My late brother used a 243 at about 400 yards, and it did the job.
It was the only caliber he could use while recovering from a serious dirt bike accident.
The recoil plus the weight of it was tolerable for him, I had to do the hike down the bank and ford the river and climb the otherside of the mountain to get it back for him.
It was proven to me that in the hands of a good shot, and he practised a lot plus shot in the B.C. games and such, that it is fine.
I used a 25/06 for my goat, and was toting a 270 for back up on his hunt, but when that goat was hit, it went down.
So within reason it will work.

[PGKris]

Well I got votes for both. Keep em coming guys. I'm starting too lean more to the 270 just because it is a little bit bigger and I'd really hate to be under-gunned.
What is the weight diff like? Not much I suppose eh?

[Kirby]

I want to be able to shoot 400 meters without too much drop. Anything you can suggest about guns for gaost will be appreciatted.

400 meters with little drop? right there the .243 is out of the running. I am a HUGE fan of the .243, its my main rifle and I have taken mulies at good distances, and coyotes at stupid distances. However I would never recomend it for a goat rifle, EXPECIALLY if your talking about long range. The .243 just doesn't have that punch, go with a .270.

Kirby

[PGKris]

Well, reasonable drop.

Either way unless someone convinces me fast that the 243 is the way to go, I'm going with the 270.
Now I'm faced with the hopeless task of picking a model that's not going to break me (less than $700), weigh a ton or malfunction at the wrong time. I have no idea on this score. I've been looking. Browning is out, too much money, Remington is almost out. I'm partial to them but man, not cheap either. Mossberg? Weatherby? Savage? (can I even get a savage without an accutrigger? I hate them) Oh man. At least I got a while.
Advice?
Kris

[Stone Sheep Steve]

If your price limit is as you mentioned, go with a good quality used rifle.
I'd definitely stick with the larger caliber.

SSS

[rocksteady]

Personally, PG, I plan to sight ina and take my brand new .243 on a goat hunt later this fall..

I have shot and killed several goats with my 06 and have never had a problem with them not going down or jumping off cliffs....HOWEVER, I have never shot a large billy, I have always filled my tag on a dry nanny, which by the way is very good eating...

.243 with solid reloads or top quality factory, in the 100 grain weight, should be pleanty of ooomph, if you put it in the boiler room....


I went with a guy who shot one with his .300 Winnie and if he could shoot it would have been a one shot deal, instead he hit it just above the knee on a front leg.....It was not a long hard shot, about 250 yards but the guy was so scared of recoil that he couldnt hit decent....It was a perfect broadside shot, steep slope mind you, but I had used my range finder and was bang on with the distance....

Theres my opinion...


OH, and I don't think you will be able to beat the ballistics of the .243 for coyotes....

[Gateholio]

As anyone hat knows me, knows..I am not a fan of the 243 at all.

If you want a decent longe range coyote gun, sure, it will work fine.

Its not a long range big game cartridge, though. Get a 7-08 or a 270....

[partsman]

The reason I would go with Clarkes choices is the fact it covers more area, I am lucky enough not to be stuck with one choice when it comes to rifles or calibers, but if I was to buy one I would go the 270 to give me more flexibility.
You then can hunt a broader range of animals.
I do not have a 7-08, but would like one too.

[todbartell]

remington 700 sps stainless in 270, $640 or less before tax

[PGKris]

Thanks guys. I'm goin with the 270 I think.
Rocksteady, I'm not going to be buying it until the spring or summer so let me know how you make out using the 243 on goats.
FB I was looking at the Remington 700 Mountain LSS. $849 at wholesale sports. I will spend that much to lose the pounds.
I've also narrowed it down to two others.....Mossberg 100 ATR Blue/MO Breakup. $ 382 on their site and $399 at wholesale.
And...Tikka T3 Lite. $698 at wholesale.

The mossberg is the heaviest at 7 lbs. I favour the Remmy because they are top notch guns. I have heard good things about the Tikka as well. That might be my best option price and weight wise. Not sure yet.
Kris

[GoatGuy]

I'm a little late - seen a couple of these things killed.

calibers off the top of my head:
.270
7mag
7-08
300 wm
300 rum
338 wm
338-378 weath

Two issues with goats

1) They suck up lead really well. I've seen them take a serious pounding and keep on going.

2) Lots of times they're hanging out right on the edge of a cliff, so when you shoot them you don't want them going anywhere.

I'm a BIG fan of the shoulder shot - you want as much umphhh as you can get IMHO. More lead - more energy and a good bullet= better.

Big billies aren't little critters!:razz:

[todbartell]

Ive owned two 700 LSS mtn rifles, they're awesome, but due to the laminated stock, about the same weight as a SPS, maybe 1/4 lighter

the Mossberg ATR, feels like crap. Id go with a Stevens 200 before the ATR, and they have no accutrigger

if lightweight is your goal, Id save up for a 700 Titanium, about $1200-1300 and worth every cent. I got one in 30-06, wicked rifle, 6 lbs 3 oz scoped with a 3-9x40 leupold in talley mounts

[PGKris]

No sir. I will not pay that much for a rifle. If I go with remington, I'll get the 700 Mtn LSS. Does the Mossberg have an accutrigger? I hate them.

[Gus]

When did you decide to start looking for a gun anyway. Aren't you saving for something else?;)

[PGKris]

Shhhhhhhhh!

[Schmaus]

When did you decide to start looking for a gun anyway. Aren't you saving for something else?;)

God please don't let it be for a ring:lol:

[PGKris]

Gus is just leading you on. I need a gun.

[todbartell]

I wouldnt pay $300 for a trashy rifle like a Mossberg (btw accutriggers are only on Savage rifles), but would gladly pay $1200 for something that is super high quality and will last me a lifetime +

anything Rem 700 is good, and I could live with it

[PGKris]

Ya but you probably make more then $8.75/hr, eh? Anything over $900 is out of the price range. Totally. The only reason I'll consider the remmy is because they are such a great gun. And, after I buy it, I still have to scope it.

[Gateholio]

Check gunnutz for a used, quality rifle:lol:

[PGKris]

OK guys, I'm buying new. Simple enough?

[Gateholio]

You shoudl try the used gun rack....



8-) :lol:

[PGKris]

C'mere a minute...I got a present for ya....it's a slap upside the head..... :lol:

[mapguy]

you need to think about the terrain more than the gun . your going to be taking shots at 300 to 400 yard so a fifle with as little drop at 400 would be good but it still needs good punch you dont want him going over a ridge on you 300wm would do nicely and you can use it for moose or bear .

[rollingrock]

Go with 270 or 30-06. If your budget is limited, go with savage. You can check it out on SIRMAIL.

[nykoma]

i used my 06 savage with my first goat it only took one round to put it on its butt:lol:

[Fisher-Dude]

OK guys, I'm buying new. Simple enough?

Not really the best choice. Some (most) of the new guns are pure crappola. My go-to gun was built in 1972 (Husqvarna 300WM) and I wouldn't trade it for anything new off the shelf, and I can afford whatever I want off the shelf. Look for a good quality used rifle. I saw a 30/06 lightweight Husky at the Kamloops gun show with less than a box of shells through it for $650. That gun would last you a lifetime, kill anything you come across, and will be accurate and smooth always. Don't blow your money on junk just to say you have a "new" gun.

The same goes for your optics. A good quality used Leupold scope is way better than a similarly priced Bushnell or Trashco.

[RiverOtter]

I'll bite........I bought my first Model 700 in .270 (second hand) at 14 years of age and literally shot the barrel off it......It now patiently awaits a Gallord. I have lost count of the deer, bear and varmints it has put to sleep as well as a 900# Elk and a goat. I am 32 now and still have tons of faith in it, with the right bullet and good shot placement.

Having chased goats around once or three times, I will say that a new rifle will likely look quite used after a good goat hunt. Assuming that you are going to put a scope on it, a good second hand rifle would allow a better budget for quality optics. If you are set on a new rifle though I would definately go with a M700 or a Tikka(good rifle for the money. IME). Mossberg, Stevens and Savage are better left sitting on the shelf in the gun shop. IMHO.

Lastly, get out with a range finder and start popping rocks in some goat type terrain. No such thing as shooting too good.:)

RO

[PGKris]

Thanks guys keep it coming.
The 270 is the cal of choice. Anything bigger is pointless to me. Any big game animal can fall to the .303 so I'm really only looking for something flatter and lighter, that won't tear a coyote in half.

[ryanb]

My savage goes bang every time I pull the trigger and shoots more accurately than most other rifles. Sure it's nor purdy or smooth like some of the more exepensive rifles, but there's nothing "wrong" with savage.

[todbartell]

new isnt always better

sold a 700 SPS today that came back after three rounds with a broken extractor. easily fixed, but just an example that new doesnt mean the best

if you're willing to shell out 700-800$ for a rifle, that buys you a hell of a used gun in great shape. or a good used gun and enough leftover $ to mount an Elite 3200 scope or Leupold RIfleman

food for thought

[goathead]

You will be fine with the 270. I like the 7 mag in A mountain rifle.They can be tough to anchor so dont be shy.Where there are goats there are grizz.Practice shooting with no wind in your lungs it can be A serious workout good luck on your rifle search you can never have to many

[tooty]

Have a look at a 7mm mag.Lots poop.Sometimes you have to shoot far and they shoot nice at 300 yds or so .

[Hank Hunter]

Have you considered the 270wsm, I have both and the wsm does offer advantages over the 270 for longrange energy

[tooty]

Oh,I like the 270wsm also but,7mm mag you know the rest ....

[Ltbullken]

I'd go for a 270 and up, standard or magnum calibres. Long range shots are a real possibility and you want to drop them where they stand. Further, as someone pointed out below, goat country is likely griz country, too. I'll be using my 300 WSM with 165 grn TSX for my upcoming goat hunt. :-P

A Tikka T3 might be in your price range for a new quality firearm. Rems should be in the price range too. Weatherby Vanguards are close to it as well. Nice dilemma. :wink:

[Triggerman]

If you buy a 7mm you won't really ever need another rifle. I've shot a ton of North American and African game with it out to 400yds and it's a great calibre and lots of ammo available and not much kick. I use the Fed Premium w/160 grain Noslers.

If you can't afford say a SAKO, buy the Tikka. It's made at the same factory and is an excellent shooter for small cash.

You buy a good rifle once and you don't need to go shopping every year or two.

P.S. Suggest a good Kahles or other 30mm scope in a high variable so you can take advantage of the ballistics. The lower Leopolds work well too as a lower cost option.

[tooty]

I have a SAKO finnbear deluxe,It shoots in the same spot every year ,maybe if I am being real anul I might give it one click here or there.If rounds go inside the last hole at 200 yds, why mess it up?