Best Guns & Caliber to Hunt Blackbuck
Selecting the Right Gun for Blackbuck Hunting
When choosing a gun and caliber ideal for blackbuck hunting, it is important to consider the size, habitat, and nature of these animals. Blackbucks are considered moderate sized antelope and small to medium sized game in general, averaging 84 pounds. They are about 4 feet long and 2.5 feet tall. Being thin skinned animals built for speed, a lower or mid-range caliber will be sufficient. Blackbucks inhabit plains or thinly forested areas where they can graze on grass and are not far from a water source. They roam in herds of 15 to 20 animals. The Blackbuck falls within the top 10 fastest animals on land, with a speed of 50 mph. They are typically hunted at long range using the spot and stalk method. The goal of this method is to spot the animal before it sees you, which is key with hunting blackbuck as their speed can make things very difficult once they get startled. With this method, it is recommended that hunters use a gun with a long range shot. Rifles such as the 243 Winchester, 270 Winchester, 300 Winchester Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, and the 240 Weatherby Magnum are all good options.
.243 Winchester
Price: $655
The .243 is a very popular rifle cartridge for small to medium game. It can be accurate for a distance of over 300 yards. With increased distance of a shot comes decreased energy that the bullet carries, but luckily blackbuck are light framed enough game where accuracy matters more than power. For successful blackbuck hunting, where you hit them is a lot more important than how hard you hit them. Therefore, the .243 will work just fine on your blackbuck hunt. A .243 Winchester rifle averages a cost of $655. This is a less expensive option than many other comparable guns and calibers. 243 Win. guns have around an 8 pounds of recoil energy which is significantly less than the 270 Winchester. This is a plus for many hunters.
.270 Winchester
Price: $1,165
The recoil energy in .270 Winchesters is about 16 pounds. This does have quite a bit of a kick, but this may not bother you as recoil is a matter of the specific hunters stature and comfort level. The tradeoff for the high recoil this gun has is its added power. The 270 Win. has a range effective for blackbuck hunting of over 600 yards. This caliber can accommodate medium game as well as larger game. The 270 Winchester is lightweight and great for long range hunting. This all makes it an overall versatile rifle caliber. 270 Winchester rifles are going for an average of $1,165.
.300 Winchester Magnum
Price: $955
The .300 Winchester Magnum is another top choice for blackbuck hunting. This caliber is also used for big game hunting, so at first glance it can seem like an overkill for antelope, but at long range it is perfect. It is capable of excellent accuracy at 1,000 yards and beyond. This is a great gun for spot and stalk hunting, as it is typically long range. 300 Winchester Magnum rifles are valued at an average of $955. They have light bullets, a high initial velocity, a manageable recoil, and a flat trajectory, which are all desirable features to many hunters.
7mm Remington Magnum
Price: $1,100
7mm Remington Magnum rifles are sufficient for blackbuck hunting at a range of up to 650 yards. The prices of a 7mm Rem Mag rifle average about $1,100. Reviews say it is flat shooting and has a fairly mild recoil, so the 7mm Remington Magnum is ideal for hunting in the plains of South America. However, finding quality ammo for them can be difficult.
.240 Weatherby Magnum
Price: $1,500
The .240 Weatherby magnum is the fastest 6mm on the market. Its muzzle velocity is higher than the .243 Winchester. It is a very powerful gun, but the heavy recoil and loud noise is enough to scare off many hunters. On average, a .240 Weatherby mag rifle sells for $1,500. The 240 Weatherby magnum can handle large game up to the size of an elk, but is also used for lighter medium game hunting, making blackbuck no challenge for this caliber. With a .240 Weatherby rifle, you can be confident in the gun's power and accuracy.
Book Your Blackbuck Hunt with South American Adventure Safari
It is blackbuck hunting season in Argentina 9 months out of the year, so there are plenty of amazing opportunities to go. We have packages available that not only include blackbuck hunting, but you will also get the chance to hunt several other species during that same trip. Also, with our convenient gun rentals, you will get the chance to try some of these different caliber options out for yourself and pick a favorite. Come see the unreal landscapes and animals of South America for yourself with SAAS!
