I have used all kinds of rifles from 222 Rem to 9.3 in New Zealand. The weather here can be extremely variable with wet weather lasting for a couple of days. The thick bush & steep broken terrain is very hard on rifles, stocks, knees, boots etc. One spring we had our volcano spewing ash - the worst kind of corrosion you can think of - on metal, wood, eyes & nostrils!

I use the 222 Tikka LSA 55 steel / wood rifle for rabbits, wallabies & goats. I have used it on fallow deer in open country. I now use my new Kimber Montana 7mm08 for all bush hunting with Barnes 150gr TSX. I love my Sako 280 Ackley but don't enjoy carrying it in thick bush with the 24 inch barrel. That will be my choice for Tahr in May. The Simson 9.3X62 with the new English Walnut stock will be used on Sambar here & for my first African PG hunt.