Goats in the New England
Printed From: Enfield-Rifles.com
Category: Enfields
Forum Name: Hunting with the .303 British cartridge.
Forum Description: Share your hunting stories with the rest of us.
URL: http://www.enfield-rifles.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3851
Printed Date: March 26 2026 at 7:10pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Goats in the New England
Posted By: .303
Subject: Goats in the New England
Date Posted: March 29 2010 at 6:46pm
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I have a good mate that loves guns, like REALLY loves them is getting his dealers licence here in Oz (akin to turning lead to gold!). Anyway we like hunting. ALOT.
He also has another mate that manages a 23 000 acre property. Now don't get me wrong thats big but if we could shake this place out it would be close to 100 000 acres! The property owner has given us standing orders that if its not cattle shoot it (a rule that includes the neighbors sheep if they get onto his land LOL).
Well there are a few pigs getting around this place but they aren't as common here as the goats. WOW when I first went to this property I was amazed by the sheer numbers. We would see mobs of 5-50 on every second hill we looked at. They seem to frequent the same hills too which makes life easier for us. Now most people use .223 .243 or .308 here NOT us we've used everything from .22 Hornet to 303-25, 7.62x54R, 44-40, 300 H&H, 30-30, 12gauge, .275 Rigby and even .450 Nitro Express and my mates .450 wildcat the .450 ASS (more bang than a 458Win). All these get used on the goats as well my ever faithful omni present Lithgow No1 Mk3 as issued of course!
The usual method of hunting involves driving around till we spot a mob and from there we devise a plan of attack, this normally means a flanking manouver and a stalking to 20m before the signal is given to "unleash hell". One hunt in particular comes to mind where 3 of us stalked a mob down onto a spur and crept to 15m before a nanny spied us. The barrage that followed saw 14 goats down and the mob remaining bolting straight down into the gully below. We gathered up the goats for a pic and noticed the goats climbing the hill accross the valley. Now we've got a metallic shilloutte range that goes out to 475m. We figured that the goats were roughly twice that far so I slid my sight to 700m and lined up on a goat accross the valley. My mates were watching for my fall of shot, just low under its belly. I'd already worked the bolt with a quick flick (damn I love the Lee action!) held just a touch higher and WHAM! The 174g pill dropped the goat on the spot my good mate just smiled and said something about me being wasted as an armourer while the other bloke (who hadn't seen me shoot before) was speechless. Yes I love my 303 I love its feel its balance and reliability. Whats more I love proving that this old girl and the cartridge it uses is as good today as when it was introduced over 100 years ago.
Next thing I've got my sights set on here. Water Buffalo, I've been told I NEED at LEAST a 300 Win Mag to hunt them. I say give me my 303 and I'll show you how its done! ------------- Amor patriae |
Replies:
Posted By: Cookie Monster
Date Posted: March 29 2010 at 10:51pm
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It’s all about bullet placement and knowing your rifles abilities at various distances, and the shooters abilities as well. Excellent article there .303 I enjoyed reading it. |
Posted By: badbudgie
Date Posted: March 30 2010 at 8:51am
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Nice work mate , yeah I love nothing more than bombing a herd of goats with my smelly . You have to love that 10 round mag. Brenton ------------- Long live the smelly |
Posted By: Hatchetman
Date Posted: March 30 2010 at 4:20pm
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Bombing mobs of goats, always good for sh*ts and giggles. Sadly I have never taken my 303 hunting, I reserve it for the range. I normally use my T3 in 243 so smash em, with quick mag changes. ------------- But the winters coming, And the snow will cover tracks, And I'll be watching, Because I'm hunting you - Sarah Blasko, The Gardens End |
Posted By: bivvyman
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 1:31am
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sounds a cool spot to shoot, if it managed right, it will keep you going for years , a few $$$$ in the pocket around the meat markets, & ya freezer full ! good on yas. :) ------------- Its our god given right to hunt. Genesis 27:3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. http://www.sweethillshootingsyndicate.co.uk/ |
Posted By: Hatchetman
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 8:38am
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Oh, and I like that you use the 275 rigby. It can kill a much better class of animal compared to the common 7x57mm Mauser round.
------------- But the winters coming, And the snow will cover tracks, And I'll be watching, Because I'm hunting you - Sarah Blasko, The Gardens End |
Posted By: .303
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 4:37pm
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------------- Amor patriae |
Its a WAYYYY better round than the 7x57mm! This is after all a British rifle forum and if I can steer clear of any thing Mauserish I will thankyou very much 
Posted By: .303
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 12:48am
 ------------- Amor patriae |
Posted By: Ed Hill
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 9:41am
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303, that ground looks just like my yard! Are you sure you're not in northern Calif? Ed |
Posted By: .303
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 1:52pm
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LOL nope northern NSW here in Oz ------------- Amor patriae |
Posted By: .303
Date Posted: April 08 2010 at 5:24pm
These 2 were taken with one shot this is how they fell ------------- Amor patriae |
Posted By: Cookie Monster
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 5:34am
| Time to fire up the barbie |
Posted By: .303
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 9:32am
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These are the ones we shot on the spur the rest of the mob bolted accross to the hill in the background ------------- Amor patriae |
Posted By: .303
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 9:35am
Really says it all doesn't it ------------- Amor patriae |
Posted By: Hatchetman
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 3:16pm
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Amazing country, looks like some of the places out in the central west near orange way. You gotta love bombing goats. Is that a bandoleer of chargers on you? ------------- But the winters coming, And the snow will cover tracks, And I'll be watching, Because I'm hunting you - Sarah Blasko, The Gardens End |
Posted By: .303
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 4:36pm
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Yes that is a bandoleer of chargers, I have 2 and preload all my chargers as I load my rounds. I'd say this area is my favourite place in the world to hunt. Its hard work but its worth the effort. ------------- Amor patriae |
Posted By: Hatchetman
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 5:19pm
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Mate, thats rad. Now I feel like I have to do the same.
------------- But the winters coming, And the snow will cover tracks, And I'll be watching, Because I'm hunting you - Sarah Blasko, The Gardens End |