NEW ZEALAND: Late Winter, Early Spring Hunt

[stug]

I managed to get a free weekend so conned a mate into going back to an area I hadn't been in to in years. Walking in to the hut on Friday night reminded me why I hadn't been back in 5 years! I am definitely not as fit as I use to be.
For some reason I didn't hear my alarm go in the morning so we were a bit late up. We eventually got around to the gully we were aiming for, and as planned a deer was moving across the manuka face. I quickly got the rifle ready and had to take the shot as she was walking slowly through the manuka. I hit her and she ran off. An hour and a half later we hadn't found her or any blood, just some hair. The rocky face didn't leave many footprints either. I was annoyed at myself for losing her.
Later that evening on another clearing I redeemed myself by dropping a red spiker, one shot and it was done.

 

[JPbowhunter]

Nicely done stug

Planning on getting back to nz next year myself. Keen to knock over a chamois and bring the meat home for something different.

 

[Hunting Sailor]

Congratulations! Well done! Beautiful country you live in.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thanks for sharing your hunt.
Some gorgeous countryside.

 

[Shootist43]

Dittos on the gorgeous countryside. What a place to hunt!!

 

[Nyati]

Beautiful area, thanks for sharing !

 

[BenKK]

Nice venison, Stu! What cartridge is the rifle chambered for?

 

[JPbowhunter]

Nice venison, Stu! What cartridge is the rifle chambered for?

I believe its a 7x65r

 

[stug]

Nice venison, Stu! What cartridge is the rifle chambered for?

Yep 7x65R shooting a 162 a-max at 2750fps. It took a while to decide on the calibre, initially I thought about a 6.5x55 or 7x57R but ended up with the 7x65R because of the extra velocity/energy. Really glad I went with it, even though it is not a cheap cartridge, NZ$250ish for 100 brass and similar for the dies.
I'll probably work up a 160 accubond load for closer animals in the bush.

 

[Shootist43]

Stug, if you don't mind sharing, what is your load for the 7 X 65R? I own one in a BRNO Super. It is a combination gun that I've had in the safe for several years but never reloaded for.

 

[stug]

Stug, if you don't mind sharing, what is your load for the 7 X 65R? I own one in a BRNO Super. It is a combination gun that I've had in the safe for several years but never reloaded for.

57.5gr ADI2213sc which I think is identical to H4831, Norma case, Federal LR primer. I've got the seating depth info at home.
When I load up the 160 accubond I'll try 56gr 2213. From experince in a couple of 7mm mags it works best about 1.5-2 gr below the a-max load.