Some advice needed!

I am sure this has been hashed over multiple times before and on this forum but there are alot of threads to go through. So here is my situation. I am going antelope hunting next fall. I am going to get a barrel for my T/C encore endeavour muzzleloader. Question is should I get a .270 or 30-06? I am from Iowa and pretty green with rifle shooting. I will shoot no farhter than 500 yards and will be reloading my own ammo. So specifically for antelope at 500 yards or closer what would u go with or does it even matter?

I just wanna say you guys/gals have been a great source of knowledge and advice on here in the past and I greatly appreciate it all. Thanks

Of the two choices you mentioned I'd go with the .270, Antelope aren't terribly hard to kill. If I might I'd like to suggest considering the 25-06,or 6MM, or 6-284. The 6MM might not get you to 500 yards but since most shot's on Antelope are inside 300 yards it'd probably work. The reason I make the suggestion is I live in Iowa myself and I find the 25-06 much more useable here for coyotes and such as well as 'lopes and mule deer out west. In any case good hunting and Merry Christmas!

I'd also suggest the 25-06 for antelope. I use both a .243 and 25-06 out in Wyoming and move up to my 30-06 for deer and elk.

Of your two choices I would go with the 270 for antelope. Only because it's a little flatter shooting.
But look at a caliber that would benefit you latter on in hunting other big game. It's hard to beat an 30.06 for versatility for any critter. light bullets, to heavy ones if you reload. I would trust the .06 to kill any big game in North America, if loaded properly.

I would go the route of the the 270 or smaller. The 270 is plenty big for an animal the size of a big dog.

Speaking as a guide for antelope hunters, I would have to agree with those who suggest the .270 or something smaller. 25-06 or 243 is even better. Please do not take this the wrong way, because I don't know you or your ability, but it has been my experience that most of the hunters I guide tend to bring way more gun than they need or are capable with.

I would suggest a hunting trip with a rifle that you are very comfortable with for your first time. Learn the intricacies of hunting out here while you are figuring out the things you will need to know in order to have a successful long-range hunt at some point in the future. I'm not saying any of this to be discouraging at all. It's just that there are alot of factors that people tend to overlook when planning a hunt out here.

Wind, elevation and distance are the three main factors that seem to catch people off guard.Even with technology helping them out, hunters will still have trouble at times. Heck, I live here and I will question the range finder, or I will misjudge the different wind currents.

Wind is a big problem for people not used to wide open country. I have literally seen seven different wind currents over a span of a 1000 yards. To see that, you have to be set up in the right spot, but it does give you a good perspective on the difficulties you can face when trying to make a good shot at extended ranges.

Elevation is an absolute butt kicker for some people. I try to cater my hunts to a person's abilities, but even then, 5000 feet to someone who came from 400ft can be pretty strenuous. Don't under estimate the need for being in good physical condition.

To someone who is used to having trees or other reference points around, distances out here can make you question your sanity. You will want to throw your range finder away and go buy a new one, because you will swear the one you have is broke. It isn't. Many times I have told hunters to hold dead on because the animal is only 100 yards away, but they will miss because they think I'm wrong and they end up holding for a 300 yard shot. What you estimate to be 500 yards will usually not be more than 250, but that is just one of those things you will have to see and learn about.

The place I guide antelope hunters on is not a big place, but it is fairly easy hunting and it is rare that any of my clients have ever had to take a shot over 300 yards. Most people have harvested their goats at 250 and less. The only people I have ever had take shots over 500yards were two Navy SEALs and they were shooting 300 WM's. They knew they didn't need that much gun, but they were looking for bragging rights for when the got back to Virginia.

What I am trying to say and have gotten longwinded about explaining is, you really don't need alot of gun to hunt and harvest antelope. Something that shoots flat and that you are comfortable with is all that is needed. There is plenty of government land for a Do-It-Yourself hunt, or there is ranch land available for those who want to pay for trespass rights. People bring all sorts of guns and calibers out here, so don't get too bothered by trying to pick the right one. Just about anything will work.

Good Luck
Tex

yep just like they said 270 will be all and even a lot more then you will need for antelope. be in shape be in shape be in shape . have good shoes to hike in
i took a cpl guys from texas for elk last yr that was 7000-8000 elevation and they live at 900 . to say it killed them is putting it lightly. also if you do plan to shoot out 500yrds you need to be able to hit your target at 500 yrds . please do not take this the wrong way just what i have seen is most guys from back east [ which is anywhere east of the rockies lol ] say they can shoot to 500 yrds and when they need to they really can not. when i say be able to hit your target at 500 yrds i do not mean have a ballistic chart on your iphone telling you how many inches over his back to hold.
what i mean is do a lot of shooting with the rifle you plan to shoot with and with the exact same ammo you plan to use not just some other brand with the same weight bullet. i when i say the rifle you plan to hunt with i mean just that. set up just like you will be set up in the field shooting . so many guys will put hrs behind the trigger on a bench using sand bags or when or those stupid lead sled things and never ever even shoot there rifle off of there bipod . i say bipod as that is what a lot guys like to use out in the wide open areas that the antelopes will be in. most rifles with have a different point of impact from sand bags then it will have off a bipod. not all but a lot of rifles i have tried. and dont shoot with the bipod on the bench shoot with the bipod off the dirt just like you would in the field. this little trick can help in a big way sometimes on those longer shots.gun)

good luck and happy hunting next yr

Those small calibers are fine. I was having hard time with wind on long shots and missing big goats so I went to my elk rifle,338 really simplified that

I'd definitely go with a .270 or '06. Should antelope turn in to elk, you'll be good-to-go.

BTW, 500 yards is a looooooooooong way to shoot at antelope. Try to close distance.

sp6x6 said:

Those small calibers are fine. I was having hard time with wind on long shots and missing big goats so I went to my elk rifle,338 really simplified that

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I hear ya!



I however, settled for .300 WM. gun)

Wouldn't the .06 work with lighter Bullets. Isn't the the .270 just a necked down .06 so wouldn't a lighter bullet in .30cal work.

clemens said:

Wouldn't the .06 work with lighter Bullets. Isn't the the .270 just a necked down .06 so wouldn't a lighter bullet in .30cal work.

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Yes it will work (both are excellent chamberings) but "if" you're looking for BC comparison (I know someone is going to dissect this and further complicate it unnecessarily ... so just chill out ) between the two, the .277" cal has the upper hand over .308" with similar bullet weight.

For instance, a .277" 150 Berger VLD has a BC of .518/.265 while a .308" 155 Berger VLD has a BC of .464/.238. Which one would you rather have?

Having said that, a .308" 175 Berger VLD has the same BC as the .277" 150 Berger VLD.

All bullets noted are hunting VLDs (All Bullets | Berger Bullets)

Cheers!