The right load for antelope

[Lunker]

I'll be hunting antelope out in SD for the first time this fall, and was wondering about the load to use for those longer shots. I shoot a .270, and when deer hunting in MN I usually use Remington core-lokt soft point 150 grain. It puts deer down really well, but all of my deer have been within 50 yards of my stand, so just wondering what you all think would be the best load for those longer shots on smaller creatures?

[TUMBLEWEED]

I've shot a lot of lopes with my 270 using
the 130gr. I can't say much about the dakota
hunting situations, but I was raised in
Montana and the ranges you find yourself
shooting there, can be on the long side.
(100-350yds easily,sometimes further yet!!)
I assume you've got a newer gun, so I'd
go with something like the Federal's
Premium 130gr rounds. They are loaded
fairly hot, and will have no problem with
putting the animal down. A good spotting
scope/binocs are also a great tool to
have. You should make sure to hit the
range, and try the 200yd line for awhile.
Good luck...Hope you see some and can
sneak up for a shot!!

[huskminn]

Congrats on the SD goat tag.

Tumbleweed gives good advice. The 130 gr in a premium factory load will do the trick well. I would recommend that over your 150 gr that you use for MN whitetails, as an antelope, even a tall buck, will weigh about a third as much as a larger MN whitetail buck.

You'll need the flatter trajectory of the 130 gr. load. Yes, GO TO THE RANGE and shoot as much as you can handle at 200 yards. Also, memorize your trajectory tables for the effects of wind that you will most likely encounter out there. The only bad thing about going to the lighter load is that is affected a little more by winds over 10 mph.

It's certainly fun to take long shots at resting antelope (especially when you're accustomed to 50 yard shots here in MN), but do everything you can to get as close as possible.

Take great care in keeping hair from the carcass when field dressing--antelope hair seems to be even more damaging to the flavor of meat than deer hair can be. Have plenty of ice for a quick cool-down, too. Temps could be quite warm at that time of year.

Good luck and have a great hunt!

[This message has been edited by huskminn (edited 08-19-2003).]