the right rifle

[fireman 108]

I'll be going on a wyoming antelope hunt this fall I pulled two tags and want to use a 6mm and a .243 am I under gunning myself or is there a better calibre i should use? .308 .270 .300 mag ? I'll be reloading my own shells and will be using 100gr. BT any replies would be greatly appreciated. Fireman 108

[wackmaster]

I live out hear in the west so iv'e killed lots of antalope and a 6mm - 25 cal will do it just fine.
You wouldn't belive it by looking at them but thay are tough as nails! Shoot straight .I dont know if you have ever hunted anti. before but you are in for a blast Get ready for the long shot. After opening day thay stay way out there.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

108, do you already have a .270??

[fireman 108]

yes I have a .270, reason I'm using the 6mm is in memorium of a friend who passed and his wife gave me the gun. The buddy I'm going with is bringing his 270

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  108, While the 6mm will certainly kill  antelope, as the ranges lengthen, its speed drops of, and its effectiveness as a killer. I shot a doe antelope drinking at a small pond one evening. She was not disturbed, 75 yards away with a solid rest, I put a 100 grain Rem. factory behind her shoulders, though both lungs. She ran for over 200 yards before dropping, for the first 50 - 75 there was little if any blood. (Finding blood in this country is difficult at best.) Had she ran over a hill or down a draw, she could have easily been lost. I have had half a dozen experiences with both the 6 mm's and 25's, that make me feel a larger caliber does a better job. Antelope are not difficult to kill, but can cover alot of ground quickly. In the right country they can be out of sight quickly. You may do fine with the 6mm, but if I were traveling to hunt antelope, I would pack the .270. If you have lots of time on the trip, it will be fine. Many times guys ony have a few days to hunt, wind can make hunting antelope very difficult. I had friends come in for a 3 day hunt, wind howled the whole time. We got 3 very nice bucks, but most were shot at 300+ yards in heavy wind. Here the bigger calibers were the answer.

[fireman 108]

Coyote, good call. I pulled 2 tags so I'll be bringing the 270 also I'll take that big buck with the 270 and wait for that perfect shot so that 6mm 100gr. BT can do it's job. Fireman

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  108, that makes good sense to me. You usually can have 2 rifles in the pickup as you cruise looking for antelope. If the shot looks good, try the 6mm, but if conditions are tough, it is nice to have the heavier rifle. I have been in on the kill of over 200 of these little creatures. They can be very tough or killed with a .223. Wind and distance do the most damage to our shooting. Several times .24' and 25's at longer range failed to deliever the quick kills we all like. None of the animals were lost, but they easily could have been had things gone the other way. Plus, if you come across a record head or a freak head, you might want the power of a bigger rifle to take a less than desireable shot. Good luck. What area did you draw, if I may ask???

[fireman 108]

area 91. whats the best recipe for some good eats Fireman !

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  108, I am not familiar with that area. Will check it out on my map later. The antelope we shoot are often killed on or near hay fields. So they can be fare. It seems one either loves the stuff or opposite. We make jerky with all the antelope we keep. It makes great jerky. I think the key is to keep it in the brine for at least three days. Good luck. I will look the unit up and see what I can find.

[Hodr]

I was up at my sisters house here in Az.  My brother in law runs a tow service and came back from a call on a holiday weekend with an antelope on his tow truck that the highway patrol put down.  Freak accident and only damage to antelope was a broken leg.  my brother in law hung and cleaned it.  When he brought in the meat I ground it course and added Leggs Old Plantation pork sausage seasoning, bag No 25 at about 1/2 half strength, mixed and reground it to fine.  I put it through a patty maker with wax paper between patties and wrapped in plastic wrap then slid into freezer bags and froze.  We got a mild, full flavored sausage so lean we needed to add oil to a skillet to brown it.  For breakfast or two to three patties pressed together for a burger it was the best sausage we have ever had.  Now we do the same trick to wild hog and it works great for biscuits and gravy too.

A C Legg Packing CO, Inc
Birmingham, Ala  35203

I have cooked in quite a few places from restraunts to casinos and this set up with a pork shoulder ( or antelope, venison, elk) has always been better than I could buy, just brown in or wipe on a little extra virgin olive oil when cooking wild game.  They also have a spicier mix that My brother in law likes better but he always eats his fair share of the milder stuff I make for myself and the wife.  I honestly don't know how long it will keep in freezer, we go through it pretty fast.

blindhari

[Empty Quiver]

As far as eating goes, I've heard from several experienced hunters that getting them on ice immedietly is the key to fine venison. Do not wait till the whole party is back and then go to town as that is likely pushing it. Quoting you what Ive been told.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

108, 91 is near Eden/Farson. There is some ag. land there and I would suppose a bunch of blm land. So hunting could be a real mix of desert and ag. country. I suppose you know it is north of Rock Springs and will probably receive a bunch of pressure from that area.

[fireman 108]

recipes and hunting info thanks guys

[Bear Wallow]

I'd take the 6mm Remington.  I haven't check the charts but the winddrift between that and the 270 are close.  You should be good out to 400 yds don't you think. 

I use a 6mm Remington most of the time.  Even for mule deer that weigh twice as much.


I think antelope is the best game to eat.