Best Guns & Caliber to Hunt Red Stag
When choosing a gun for any particular type of hunting, it is important to consider the body mass of the game and the distance you will be shooting from. On average, an adult red stag usually weighs around 440 pounds. Their antlers make up for an average of 12-14 pounds of their total weight.
Selecting the Right Gun for Red Stag Hunting
Hunters typically shoot red stags from a distance of 50 to 200 yards. The NRA considers 800 to 1,000 yards to be long range shooting, 600 yards to be mid-range, and 200 yards or less to be short range. Stags are hunted at close range so hunters can first assess if it is of ideal quality for trophy hunting. There are numerous different guns and calibers that are compatible with this type of hunting, read on to learn about a few favorites.
7mm Remington Magnum
Price: $1,100
One of the most popular calibers for red stag hunting is the 7mm Remington Magnum. Rifles with 7mm Remington Magnum will be sufficient for a range of up to 400 to 650 yards. As stags are typically shot at a significantly closer range than this, this caliber will be more than enough power. The prices of a 7mm Rem Mag rifle average about $1,100 new and $800 used. 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 is difficult.
.308 Winchester
Price: $950
The .308 Winchester is a cartridge even more popular than the 7mm as it offers a greater frontal diameter and has a high availability of compatible ammunition. It is known for being very reliable and great for medium game hunting. A .308 can easily kill a red stag at 300 yards, which is over 100 yards farther out than they are typically shot anyway. Although it has enough energy to reach stags up to 500 feet out, it is unethical for the average hunter to take a shot at this distance with this caliber due to the bell-shaped trajectory and the risk of only wounding the stag. A .308 Winchester rifle is on average worth about $950 new and $820 used. Reviews say the .308 Winchester is the best cartridge for hunting red stag out of any other caliber for standard-issue rifles. A .308 rifle is also considered to have a lighter recoil than many other comparable rifles.
6.5 Creedmoor
Price: $1,180
The 6.5 Creedmoor is preferred by many hunters for anything from small to large game, especially deer. It was first made in 2007, which is a lot more recent than other rifle cartridges such as the .308 that was made in 1952. It was designed for improved long range accuracy. Its recoil is 30% less than the .308. It has enough power to kill a red stag at 1,000 yards, but the shot would have to be perfect. Because of this, it would only be ethical to shoot a stag with a 6.5 Creedmoor at no more than 500 yards, and up to 600 yards if you use a scope. A 6.5 Creedmoor rifle on average has a value of $1,180 new and $1,080 used. Reviews say the 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is versatile and has a light recoil, making it perfect for young or beginner hunters and any hunter in general that wants greater control.
30-06 Springfield
Price: $845
A 30-06 Springfield caliber is another good choice for red stag hunting. In comparison to the 6.5 Creedmoor, this caliber carries a greater amount of energy passed 200 yards. The range for accurate shots for a 30-06 Springfield is about 500 yards, but shots can range up to 1,000 yards with compromised accuracy. Deer over 500 yards away should not be attempted using a 30-06 caliber. On average, a 30-06 Springfield rifle is worth $845 new and $515 used. So, in comparison to some of the other calibers that can get the same job done, this one is more cost effective. Reviews say with 150 grain bullets, a 30-06 Springfield is flat shooting and easy to control. It is similar to a .308 in performance, but the .308 is said to be 15% better in velocity, trajectory, and energy.
.270 Winchester
Price: $720
The .270 Winchester cartridge is suitable for red stag hunting in the 300 to 500 yard range. It is great for all-around hunting including big game hunting. It is especially effective and popular for deer hunting. Passed 500 yards, a .270 Winchester has higher velocity than some of the comparable cartridges such as a 6.5 Creedmoor. It also has a higher velocity, flatter trajectory, and less recoil than a 30-06 Springfield. A .270 Winchester rifle costs an average of $720 new and $665 used. This makes it on the more affordable end of the spectrum. Reviews say that a .270 Winchester is really good for longer range hunting like deer. It is also lightweight, so experts recommend bringing a .270 rifle on hunting trips in hilly or mountainous terrains.
.300 Win Mag
Price: $900
The .300 Magnum is a dependable choice for red stag hunting. This caliber is usually paired with a 180 to 195 grain bullet. This combo delivers a flat trajectory, downrange energy, and plenty of penetration force. It also gives hunters flexibility across uneven terrain. One of the only drawbacks is its recoil, but this can be helped with the use of a suppressor. It’s important to note a higher caliber won’t do much good if you can’t shoot it accurately and comfortably.
Red Stag Guns & Caliber Compared
When it comes to body size, Red Stag falls between a Whitetail and a Moose but they’re compared closely to an elk. Many familiar calibers will work for a red stag hunt but the best choice comes down to distance, terrain and what you can comfortably shoot.
Red Stag vs. Whitetail
A mature stag is larger than the average whitetail so a higher caliber is usually recommended if you want more power and penetration. The .270 and .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor are usually used for deer but can also handle a red stag with the right grain and shot placement. The 30-06 Springfield and 7mm Remington come with a little more power, especially for shots that stretch across open country.
Red Stag vs. Elk
If you have an elk rifle you trust, it will work just fine for a red stag. Common calibers for both animals are the 30-06, 7mm and .308. The .270 and 6.5 can work as well but there’s less room for error. Regardless of the caliber you choose, accuracy matters more than choosing the hardest kicking rifle.
Red Stag vs. Moose
Moose are quite a bit bigger than red stag so hunters tend to lean towards the 7mm, 3.08 or 30-06. Moose are often hunted with more emphasis on penetration. For stag alone, you don't necessarily need to overdo it. A well placed shot will beat extra recoil each time.
Book Your Red Stag Hunt with South American Adventure Safari
Each of these caliber rifles have something great to offer and much of deciding which is best comes from personal preference, so why choose when you can try them all? South American Adventure Safari has a variety of the best guns and calibers available to rent on your red stag hunting trip. Your SAAS trip is a great time to try out a few and find which one is your favorite. Book your red stag hunt with South American Adventure Safari today for an experience of a lifetime!
Frequently Asked Questions