Best Caliber for Antelope Hunting | Full Guide

Published on June 8, 2023
Duration: 9:27

This guide from American Outlaw provides expert advice on the best calibers for antelope hunting, drawing on extensive personal experience. The instructor emphasizes that magnum calibers are generally unnecessary for pronghorn, recommending lighter, faster bullets for optimal performance. The .257 Weatherby is highlighted as a top choice due to its velocity and energy transfer, particularly with 100-grain bullets, making it effective for the typical distances involved in antelope hunting.

Quick Summary

The .257 Weatherby is an excellent caliber for antelope hunting, offering the ideal combination of light weight and high velocity. It excels with 100-grain bullets fired at speeds around 3500-3600 fps, providing sufficient energy transfer for ethical harvests at typical hunting distances.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Antelope Hunting Success
  2. 00:46Instructor's Antelope Hunting Experience
  3. 01:20Why Magnum Calibers Aren't Needed
  4. 01:57Common Antelope Hunting Distances
  5. 02:08No Single 'Wrong' Caliber for Antelope
  6. 02:26Antelope Behavior and Shot Placement
  7. 02:34The Ideal Caliber: Light and Fast
  8. 02:58Dad's 7mm Remington Magnum Example
  9. 04:21Instructor's Favorite: .257 Weatherby
  10. 04:53History and Appeal of .257 Weatherby
  11. 05:26Bullet Weight vs. Velocity for Antelope
  12. 05:47The Trend Towards Heavy Bullets
  13. 06:04Purpose of .257 Weatherby: Speed and Energy
  14. 06:34.257 Weatherby: The Antelope King
  15. 06:48Alternative: .28 Nosler
  16. 07:07Myth: Heaviest Bullet is Always Best
  17. 07:30Original Design Intent of Calibers
  18. 08:13Antelope Hunting: Time is Critical
  19. 08:33.257 Weatherby: Excellent for Quick Shots
  20. 08:51Why This Video Didn't Go Viral
  21. 09:09Antelope Hunting as an Intro to Western Hunting
  22. 09:30Conclusion: .257 Weatherby Recommendation
  23. 09:53Call to Action: Like, Subscribe, Share

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best caliber for antelope hunting?

The best caliber for antelope hunting is often a lighter, faster cartridge rather than a magnum. The .257 Weatherby is highly recommended for its velocity and energy transfer with 100-grain bullets, making it ideal for typical hunting distances.

Are magnum calibers necessary for antelope?

No, magnum calibers like the 7mm Remington Magnum, .300 Win Mag, or .338 are generally considered overkill for antelope. They are not necessary and can be less effective than lighter, faster rounds for this type of game.

What bullet weight is best for antelope with a .257 Weatherby?

For the .257 Weatherby, the instructor recommends using lighter bullets, specifically around 100 grains. These bullets, when fired at high velocities, provide excellent energy transfer crucial for ethical harvesting of antelope.

Why is speed important in an antelope hunting caliber?

Antelope are fast and can bolt quickly. A fast, flat-shooting caliber allows hunters to make decisive shots with less time for the animal to react or for external factors like wind to significantly affect the bullet's trajectory.

More Hunting & Outdoors Videos You Might Like

More from American Outlaw

View all →