Worst Deer Calibers

Sounds like somthing popcorn kernal Craig would write. Usually it's the "What cartridge would I scrap if I were an ammo maker" article. I think I have exactly 3 issues of Peterson's crap in my house somewhere. All 3 looked exactly the same. H:S:
 
The list is pretty silly. If I were to come up with a short list of cartridges poor for deer hunting, it would be with the understanding that any rifle/sight combination that is chosen to hunt deer would be appropriate for deer hunting in the area where it is to be used and that a deer hunting cartridge would be loaded with a bullet suitable for the task. What makes the cartridge inappropriate is not trajectory, rather terminal performance. I might suggest rifle cartridges that include any .22 rimfire, .22 Hornet, .22 Bee, .25/20, or auto pistol cartridges of less power than the .38 Super, and revolver cartridges of less power than the .32/20. But then again, in the right hands . . .
 
Gatehouse said:
Not surprising. I've read lots of hack gun writers over the years.;)

The only Petersens gun magazine worth anything these days is Rifle Shooter, and even then it's hit and miss.

I've got some old copies of G&A, back when Seyfried and a few other quality writers wrote for them. Damn good magazine back then. it's liek People Magazine nowdays...
Click to expand...

+1. I miss Ross Seyfried's writing, too. He was writing for Rifle for a while, but he seems to have dropped off the radar.

Guns & Ammo really took a downward turn at about the time that Primedia bought all of the Petersen's magazines. Gun rags have always been advertising-based, but it used to be that each issue would have at least some good articles.
 
Last edited:
for under 150 yards, the 44 mag is superb in black bear and whitetail- plus you get 2 more rounds than what you do for the 30-30- and bullets some 70 grains heavier to boot- and it's ENHANCED by being in a short , light rifle like a trapper, think 16 inches of barrel as opposed to 10 or 12 or less- guy has his head you know where
 
Well that settles it. I'm taking my pre-64 model 94 in .32 win spl to the local police station for proper disposal. Figures, I just put new fire sights on it for deer season too - damn!
 
I think that has to be one of the stupidest premises for an article I've ever seen.

How the hell do they figure that .303Br is a BAD cartridge for deer?
 
I happen to like my 300 RUM for deer, and moose and bear, and... Sure it might be overkill for the short shot, but if I need to reach a little farther I know it's capable. On the up side my 7 year old daughter did make $300 writing that article. :D
 
I shoot a 30.06 for deer now when in my stand, but can tell you that my marlin 336 - 32 win. spl. has downed lots of deer over the years and never had any walk away, and rarely had to make more than one shot, still one of my bush guns when walking around.
 
I read the actual article (Yes, really.) and it stated right at the outset that it was intended to be a fun, tongue-in-cheek article that probably lots of people would overreact to. Pretty much hit the nail on the head. Lots of my faves in there too. Only thing I objected to is the incorrect info about the .300 Savage failing to meet its goal, but lots of uneducated types swallow that one anyway.
This one was much less serious than Boddington's "Cartridges I'd Do Away With" article from a couple years back.
 
I guess they've run out of good material so they want to stir the pot in an effort to sell some copies/ads. I guess we will have to put up with this kind of bunk until someone introduces the "new, ultimate short/medium/uber-efficient" cartridge that will finally effectively kill game with no recoil and no muzzle blast. Ammo will also be available at every corner store and be virtually free - not to mention that all of the components will be bio-degradable.
 
Petersens Hunting, like all the gun rags, are part of their advertiser's marketing department. Mind you, some of those aren't as readily available in small places, Stateside. The .303 for one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom