Why do we bother with this same question every few weeks or months? Half the guys who answer ignore the actual question and choose whatever cartridge the one rifle they own is chambered in (even if it is poor choice for anything). The second half also ignore the question, and choose whichever cartridge they feel is perfect for the hunting they do, as though there is nothing else to hunt. The third half (!) consists of guys with broad experience, with both guns and hunting, and they choose the "best" answer to the question asked, based on logic and empirical evidence.
Obviously, the guys in the "third half" come closest to answering the question as asked. And, maybe not as obviously, it's pretty accurate to state that any cartridge on the list will suffice. BUT...by the time a hunter has attained some varied experience, used a bunch of cartridges/rifles, shot a selection of different critters, travelled around a little and generally sampled a bit of variety, the odds are good that he will be making a choice based on some combination of effectiveness, sentimentality, personal preference and just plain "'cuz I just like it!"
...Not that there's anything wrong with that!
No worries for a feller that shoots BPCR matches. Back in the day, they used the .45-70 out to 1200 yds. Took a bit for the boolit to impact the target though. Most folks these days haven't practiced long range shooting with lower velocity big bores, or lower velocity anything for that matter.
The BPCR targets have the decency to hold still at least
Why do we bother with this same question every few weeks or months? Half the guys who answer ignore the actual question and choose whatever cartridge the one rifle they own is chambered in (even if it is poor choice for anything). The second half also ignore the question, and choose whichever cartridge they feel is perfect for the hunting they do, as though there is nothing else to hunt. The third half (!) consists of guys with broad experience, with both guns and hunting, and they choose the "best" answer to the question asked, based on logic and empirical evidence.
Obviously, the guys in the "third half" come closest to answering the question as asked. And, maybe not as obviously, it's pretty accurate to state that any cartridge on the list will suffice. BUT...by the time a hunter has attained some varied experience, used a bunch of cartridges/rifles, shot a selection of different critters, travelled around a little and generally sampled a bit of variety, the odds are good that he will be making a choice based on some combination of effectiveness, sentimentality, personal preference and just plain "'cuz I just like it!"
...Not that there's anything wrong with that!
Lol the issue is guessing which direction the crittur will walk from the time the trigger is pulled until the bullet impacts... three steps is a long ways!
