Elmer Keith and Roy Weatherby had an ongoing argument. Keith said that larger bullets travelling at moderate velocites had more "knock down power". Weatherby said that smaller bullets moving at hyper velocity did the job better. Who was right?
Elmer vs Roy
- Thread starter Win/64
- Start date
Whooya, lots of supports for both camps, seen both theories work in the field, my personal, split the difference, heaviest weight bullets for that caliber goin as fast as the rifle can safley shoot them and pick the right round for the job and load lighter ones for fooling around with little critters
Donny Fenn1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East Kootenays
i thought it was elmer keith and jack o'connor
weatherby was more of a sales guy (judging form his book anyways)...
weatherby was more of a sales guy (judging form his book anyways)...
john-brennan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver Island B.C.
Roy
I think heavier bullets in any particular cal. tavelling at moderate speeds will penetrate deeper in their day, but now with the great bullets we have today you can use lighter bullets at faster speeds with flatter trajectory and deep penetration, so Elmer was right then but Roy would be right now.
I think heavier bullets in any particular cal. tavelling at moderate speeds will penetrate deeper in their day, but now with the great bullets we have today you can use lighter bullets at faster speeds with flatter trajectory and deep penetration, so Elmer was right then but Roy would be right now.
- Location
- Near Coldwater, Ont
I mostly stick to Elmers theory for most of the hunting I do (which is usually under 100yds), but when I am expecting longer range shots, I use a faster, flatter shooting rifle. Prospers suggestion of fast AND heavy has a lot of merit IMHO, provided you can handle the recoil.
It depends on what you are hunting. Is it a 100 pound deer or a 1000 pound moose?
Animals that succumb to shock easily - deer and pronghorn for example - can be easily taken with light-fast bullets. Moose and elk require a good heavy bullet to provide deep penetration and a large wound channel to promote fast bleed-out. As mentioned however the new generation of "wonder-bullets" like the TSX can move light bullet performance up a notch or two but in my experience they still don't equal a heavy for calibre "standard" bullet when it comes to large game.
My own personal favorites are mid-weight bullets for big game when shooting .243 - .30 calibre and heavy for calibre bullets for .338 and up.
Animals that succumb to shock easily - deer and pronghorn for example - can be easily taken with light-fast bullets. Moose and elk require a good heavy bullet to provide deep penetration and a large wound channel to promote fast bleed-out. As mentioned however the new generation of "wonder-bullets" like the TSX can move light bullet performance up a notch or two but in my experience they still don't equal a heavy for calibre "standard" bullet when it comes to large game.
My own personal favorites are mid-weight bullets for big game when shooting .243 - .30 calibre and heavy for calibre bullets for .338 and up.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I've been a Keith fan since I started handgun shooting and once had the privilege of visiting him for a day at his home in Salmon Idaho. For me though, following the 'teachings' of either would depend on a couple of factors. # 1 would be the country and ranges in question. Thicker country & closer range shooting, I'd opt for Elmer's choices, but open country and longer ranges, Roy.The second factor, but to a lesser degree of consideration, would be the game animal being hunted.
Actually I thought it was Elmer & Jack that had the bigger 'differences' of opinion.
Actually I thought it was Elmer & Jack that had the bigger 'differences' of opinion.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
Each have there place. That is why I have both.
