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Goat hunter · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Youngstown,NY

I will be going to British Columbia this fall to hunt Mt. goats for the first time.I have a .25-06 and a .300 weatherby and I am trying to decide which to bring.I prefer the.25-06 and have more confidence with it out to 500 yards but I do not want to be "under gunned".The .300 is quite a bit heavier and could get cumbersome after 10 days. My only other concern is that the Grizzlies are plentiful so some extra knock down power may be nice to have along. Any advice ?

hellomcfly · Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 99 Location: Denver Colorado

i would bring whatever gun you feel the most comfortable with, which sounds like the 25-06. you might have to make a long shot at a goat, and you probably don't wanna miss. if you're sure you can hit a goat at 500 yards with the 25-06 then that's the gun i'd bring. just my thoughts. ::-k

Hiker · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 1237 Location: Colorado

Goat hunter wrote: I will be going to British Columbia this fall to hunt Mt. goats for the first time.I have a .25-06 and a .300 weatherby and I am trying to decide which to bring.I prefer the.25-06 and have more confidence with it out to 500 yards but I do not want to be "under gunned".The .300 is quite a bit heavier and could get cumbersome after 10 days. My only other concern is that the Grizzlies are plentiful so some extra knock down power may be nice to have along. Any advice ?

Quote: i would bring whatever gun you feel the most comfortable with, which sounds like the 25-06. you might have to make a long shot at a goat, and you probably don't wanna miss. if you're sure you can hit a goat at 500 yards with the 25-06 then that's the gun i'd bring. just my thoughts.

I would agree with hellomcfly if it weren't for the Grizzlies.......Have you ever thought of putting a muzzlebreak on your .300, it really reduces the kick? I would and then practice all summer long and get comfortable with it. By the end of the summer you might be tack driving with it out to 500 yards.

Goat hunter · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 9 Location: Youngstown,NY

I have tamed the beast with a muzzle brake ,but I can't get it to group as well as the 25.I am experimenting with loads now.some outfitters don't care for muzzle brakes as they are extremely loud to the side.Oh well ,cover your ears!

Makwa · Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

The .25-06 would not be my pick for goat, but if you are going to use it pick a bullet at the heavier end of the spectrum (115-120 gr) that is stoutly constructed and will hold together when you hit bone. Try to break one or both front shoulders and anchor your billy. Big billies can weigh over 300 pounds and they are phlegmatic, stoic creatures that routinely travel far enough after a typical broadside lung shot to cast themselves off of a nearby cliff and bounce down the side of the mountain ........breaking their horns and in more severe cases, being completely destroyed with nothing tangible to recover.

This happens to hunters every year. It is a long way to travel and a lot of money to spend for a magnificent trophy. So, study mountain goat anatomy, use a good bullet and practice.

Serious Hunter · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 924 Location: Idaho

If you are going on a guided hunt - let the guide worry about the grizzlies, and take the gun you will feel most comfortable climbing with and shooting. My 2 cents.

Whelland · Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 406 Location: Kingston, MI

I agree with everyone else. If you're more comfortable with the .25-06, then that's what you should go with. Bullet placement is of utmost importance.

CVC · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 938 Location: Kansas

The answer is obvious - go with the .25-06 and use this as an opportunity to buy another gun. Get a .500 S&W to carry on your side for grizzlies :D

tim · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 313 Location: north idaho

I agree with serious hunter.

I was part of a goat hunt, when i lived in alaska. My buddie killed the goat with one shot. The goat got into an avalanche chute and slid 2,000 vertical feet. We downed climbed after it and we got lucky. The goat slid, didn't fall, so only minor horn damage. That was one tough eating sob though. lol

Makwa · Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 248 Location: Canada

CVC.......British Columbia....that's Canada....packing the .500 Smith is not an option.

BCmuleyhunter · Joined: 22 May 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Kamloops BC

CVC where you going for goats? I'm going into an area for a DIY archery goat hunt, should be in the bush on the 15th chasing them

Oh ya and goats are TOUGH and notorious for going suicidal and running off cliffs... if you are able to get comfortable with it I'd say 300.

RemmyTim · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Offutt AFB, NE

Yes Goats are tough but the 25-06 still packs enough punch to kill one humanely. A good bullet and good shot placement are all that are needed. I will be chasing them this fall again in Alaska with my .308. Had a blast doing it the last time and will definitely have fun again this time. Just remember to judge where the animal can go after the shot,nothing like repelling down a cliff to recover an animal (learned that the hard way). Sometimes you have to pass on the shot if the animal is in a un-recoverable place. Just move on to the next one and hope it is on the side of a gentle sloping mountain side :D

Tim