Well, here we go. I plan on taking two LR pistols to WY this fall. One for sure will be the Lil'Monster (XP 7mm-270WSM)...that one is a "must have" on any hunting trip so there is no debating that one! However, for the other two we need to "talk" it out because I am clearly undecided.

The first of the other two is a XP-100 .243W w/ a 18" Kreiger 1-14" twist. It launches 70gr NBT's at 3178fps and is a typical 1/3 MOA shooter...300yd groups will go under 1". So for plus's it has the accuracy and flat trajectory. But it's wind bucking ability is "ehh", not the greatest and I'm not sure about the 70gr NBT on bigger game. I have used the 75gr VM at 3339fps (from a rifle)on a LOT of whitetail deer (out to 417yds) with good results so I'm not sure why I'm hesitating on the NBT for a thinner skinned, lighter weight antelope. The 14" twist limits the bullet weights but I could bump up and try 75's or 80's if need be.

The second option is the Striker .260R w/ a 17" McGowan 1-9" twist. It shoots 120gr SMK's at just over 2700fps and is a typical 3/4 MOA shooter. This gun is certainly not what I would call a tackdriver but we'll be shooting antelope shoulders, not gnat brains. The 300yd groups are usually in the 2.5-2.75" range with some going smaller but hardly ever any bigger. I've never used the 120gr SMK on game but have used the .257" 100gr SMK (at 2700fps) on quite a few deer with good results to well over 300yds.

Which ever gun I take will pull double duty for antelope and prairie dogs. I'd like it to be easily 400yd capable for antelope. If I need more snot or the wind is screaming across the prarie, well then that is why the WSM will be along! Optics on either can be swapped so that is of no concern now, just pure performance. I'm going to run the number through an excel based ballstics program but if any of my Exbal buddies could plug these numbers into their program with a 200yd zero...well....that would just be great!

...hmmm...

???Take all three???

Wanted to keep the packing down to one rifle case and two bolt action pistols will fit in one case.

I'd use the 7 as your primary because as you probably know conditions on the prairie can change quick and while the 243 would be my choice of the three for prairie dogs your primary game animal is antelope and if the 7 gives you problems you probably should have a backup gun that will do the best at handling the wind that is so common on the prairie. TC may have the best solution though just take all three. I think you should stalk up close on one with the 41 and irons

It will be riding in a smaller pistol case with the Ruger Charger!

The concern for space is being considered because I am trying to get my brother to come along so there may be three of us going. If not, then other guns are coming along but I'd sure like him to go. He's never been hunting out west.

well....you should not need more than one for antelope. so it is easy. you take the 7mm xp as top dog.
you take the .243 xp as the backup. you should not need it, UNLESS something happens. IF it does, the .243 is fully capable of killing things and would be more fun on dogs. then again, not sure why you would not take a .223 class gun for that.

on that last one....the 260 blah blah blah....the accuracy of it is not a worthy discussion when it comes to hunting. if you want to use it, use it. is it's size/weight more or less desirable than the xp's............

Dan,

Not a lot of help with your specific calibers, but some food for thought. You seem to understand that antelope are not big. I would not get so hung up on bullet choice that you drive yourself batty. Any reasonable non-varmint bullet is way more than enough.

The other is that I see from your other thread that you will be on public land. The upside to a guided situation is that they get paid to help you. The upside to doing it yourself is that you get to make your own decisions. The common consensus is that all antelope shots are a country mile in distance. If you use your head, know and use the lay of the land and are willing to do what a majority of other folks are incapable of doing, like hiking, I think you will be surprised at how close you can get. Maybe not that 17 incher that everyone wants, but good decent bucks that you would be proud to put on the wall. This applies to wind as well. It is not always going to be screaming, and staying flexible can help with those full value (90 degree) winds.

So while the caliber and choice of bullet is important, so would be practice crawling with the gun, setting up from low positions, glassing, map reading etc. The last one I took with a "sub'caliber", a 6x45, I was sweating the same things you are. This bullet, that bullet, all the web chatter on bullets. I finally decided to just use a Barnes 85 gr. TSX, knowing that it was not the most accurate in my gun, but it would do the job if placed well. It did, and the shot was about 80 yards. The gun in that case was an AR15 variant, and rather than spending all my time trying to practice 300 yard groups, I spent way more time hiking with, getting my pack and sling/pipod system tweaked, etc.

Craig

Damn you have some nice guns, my pick 7mm, range &n power.

I am well aware that with some work shots can be MUCH closer. In 2009 two of my goats were 200 and 236yds. I just like to be prepared for any occassion.

Dan, take the 7mm for goats, and the 243 for sage rats. Also, take the 45-70 for that extra doe tag you will purchase. You have to see if that round will take a goat. They are large on the Hat Six ranch and might charge. HAH

Mike

Dan

I figured as much. If you think prairie dogs will be on the list, then my vote goes for the the 243. More than enough for antelope, and a blast on dogs. But I suspect that if it is you, your dad and your brother, you might end up "guiding" if you get yours early. The one thing about antelope is that there is not much down time like other morning/evening hunts, so if tags are not filled going after lesser game takes passion.

Mike, my first 4 or so antelope were with a lever in 45-70, and I have one with a 458 Socom, a 45-70 class AR15. The caliber is enough gun ;^) And yes, my buddies thought I was nuts, but it is what I had at the time. First time I ever flipped a critter. A buck at a pretty good walk took a 45-70 behind the shoulder and flipped 180, DRT. Hint Hint, do not shoot for the shoulders ;^)

Craig

Maybe a beauty contest will help.....

This is the XP-100 .243W. I'm going to send it off to Rod for a brake to make using the rifle scope a little more friendly.



This is the Striker .260R.



And of course.....the King!

Wow.

Dan,

OK I like the XP on looks ;^) But, as a Licensed Land Surveyor your bench really caught my eye. I developed what looks to be a similar bench years ago with a simple wood platform attached to a surveying tripod. With a set of heavy wood legs tripod, I could reach my Contenders way out there accurately. I can't tell if your legs get planted like a survey tripod, but your bench looks very stable.

Craig

Dan, excellent rigs, where are you going in WY, ( up by Ernie )? like that tripod rest, They do work really well and esy to take doown and pack around.
Plan on using my 7's this year if I get to WY ( WSM and SAUM)wwith a 270 WSM as an additional weapon just in case.
any of the three will do a great job on those goats.
good luck this year.
nmhunter

You know I got to thinking Dan if your feeling undergunned I can loan you the 458.

I should be getting my donor barrels from Bellm pretty quick and those will chambered in the Lott so it would give you a little more reach, ought to be quite the prairie dog rig too. I don't know how you'd confirm the kill since there wouldn't be anything left but it could be fun anyways.

Heading to the Casper area.....unit 31.

The Hat Six?

That's the plan.

May see you there if I don't draw an early bull tag here in AZ. probably be two or three of us,
nmhunter

Plan is to arrive last day of Sept and hunt the first full week in October.

Dan,
I doubt the Little Monster has the range capabilities for antelope

I'm telling you, you need a 458 Lott, those antelope can be tough and dangerous.

Hey Ernie where ya been, I thought you abandoned us as I hadn't seen any posts from you recently.

In Haiti on a mission trip sometimes I have WIFI acces with my I-Phone

If the elk tag doesn't happen we will be there,
nmhunter

I'm not an antelope expert by any means, but I shot one at less than 200 yards and and my son shot one with a smooth bore shotgun with a slug at about sixty yards (short range weapons hunt) so it is possible to get close. I would just go with the weapon you are the most comfortable shooting.

Hey Dan--i'll be up there too at that time. I'll probably see you there, with Ernie if he can make it. I kinda' know where the antelope go after the 1st couple days of season. I'll just be getting a doe permit or 2 myself.

That will be helpful! Dad is getting a buck tag and a doe or two but I'll just have a few doe tags.