Pronghorn Hunt

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UncleDoc

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Planning a pronghorn hunt for September next year. I generally shoot a 7mm-08 but also own a .243 Winchester. I have long understood the .243 is the ideal pronghorn cartridge. However, I was looking at the 100 grain loads for the .243 and they are a little slower than the 120 grain loads for the 7mm-08. And the 7mm projectiles have a higher BC than the 6mm projectiles. Is it safe to say that the 7mm-08 with 120 Nosler BT bullets would be as effective as the .243 for pronghorn? If so, it is my favored rifle for just about anything, and it will shoot little bitty groups. What say you?
 
I've shot lots of antelope with muzzleloaders to the 338 lapua. Both your calibers are excellent choices, pick the gun you like and shoot best. Your average shot is less then 300 yds on antelope. Good luck!
 
I killed two antelope this year one at 400 and the other at 505 but they were a little skiddish. The 243 or the 7/08 would work just fine, if your going to wyoming or montana remember that wind can play a factor as well
 
I push the 120g NBT at 3000 fps in my 7mm-08 and a 95g nosler HBT at 3100 in my .243. Both will drop a speed goat to 400 yds no issues & are perfect for them.
 
.243 87 VLD 3180fps is what I use has killed 'em from 100 to 550 yds. The kids use .243 105 Amax at 2450 fps, that kills them too.

Your 708 would kill them as well.

Last day of hunting this year took the 7mm mag out. Shot 2 does. I couldn't tell but I think they we're slightly deader.
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You can drop a goat with nothing more than bad language. Pretty much anything legal to hunt with, is overkill. Take what you like most.
 
Originally Posted By: NdIndyYou can drop a goat with nothing more than bad language. Pretty much anything legal to hunt with, is overkill. Take what you like most.

I agree with this, I think a 22-250 would be a good goat gun. In Montana we can use them but wyoming it has to be 24cal or larger
 
My 2010 lope hunt was my first. I used a 7/08 with a 150gr Sierra SBT. At 208yds, It fell over dead where the bullet hit him. My buddy shot his at the same distance (we doubled) with a 25-06 and a nosler 115gr BT. His shot was not ideal, but it was a dead deer running. After the shot it ran 100yd tops and piled up. The blood trail that 115gr bullet caused was incredible. 7/08, 25-06, and 243 are great lope guns IMO.

If you go with a 243, you should take a serious look at the Sierra 100gr SBT.

With the 7/08, the 120gr Spitzer would be a very good choice, but the 140/150gr SBT would give you a better BC. Nosler's BTs in the 120gr has a very good BC also. I do tend to believe Sierra's BCs a little more though.
 
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Ya, the 243 is pretty much the smallest mainstream caliber to be legal for big game. But they dont specify beyond that. So while. 223 is really more than enough for a goat, you cant use it. But you can legally use a 243 to harvest a buffalo. Or at least piss one off.
 
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