The most efficient hunting cartridges

NorthernCX said:
Exactly.... everything changes in the real world. Last calculations I had to do in the field was guesstimating the drop of my '-06 at 400 yards and the only ballistics info I had for that range on me was my buddy's box of .270 WSM... target was a moose, so a bit more drop to compensate. One shot and he buckled, not caring if that bullet was going an extra 100fps or not...
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So what you're saying is you took a pot shot at a living animal without being confident you could make a clean kill? No offense, but I wouldn't hunt with you.

Btw, I NEVER "guesstimate" my drop. I KNOW my drop. At 400 yards my 300 WM is dropping 13.1" or 3.1 MOA with 6.4" of drift in a 10 mph wind (at 7000' elevation).
 
rifleman762 said:
So what you're saying is you took a pot shot at a living animal without being confident you could make a clean kill? No offense, but I wouldn't hunt with you.

Btw, I NEVER "guesstimate" my drop. I KNOW my drop. At 400 yards my 300 WM is dropping 13.1" or 3.1 MOA with 6.4" of drift in a 10 mph wind (at 7000' elevation).
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You must be a hoot around the fire pit with yarns like that.
 
308 will always be first at doing everything well.

But if i have to take one of my rifle to dog for my boys, nothing beat a 44 Mag, almost 50% of my WT and 5 mooses have fallen to the big slug.

All kill were clean kills.
 
I dont know how efficiency became a argument about recoil......

My big issue with large magnums is not recoil, its price of factory ammo and pirate prices for projectile above .338

They are all pretty much reloader only calibers. That also might be the problem with recoil, loading snorter loads that make a 300 recoil like a african caliber.

I agree there is a great deal of training and repetition that can help to handle recoil. There are also people that will deliberately hand a kid a 5lb 12ga single known to make men cry. Same sort that scares women by recklessness when they are afraid of water.

Good to see there are some wise men on the board training kids and newbies.
 
NorthernCX said:
Exactly.... everything changes in the real world. Last calculations I had to do in the field was guesstimating the drop of my '-06 at 400 yards and the only ballistics info I had for that range on me was my buddy's box of .270 WSM... target was a moose, so a bit more drop to compensate. One shot and he buckled, not caring if that bullet was going an extra 100fps or not...
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This is why we shouldn't shoot at game past 400 yds. 400 is an easy shot in prime conditions, on a moose size target, if you are a competent marksmen. You should already know your bullet drop at that range. Its when you get past 400 that bullets really start to drop off. Know the distance to the target and stay within 400yds. There is no guesstimating past 400 yds.
 
pete dobinson said:
This is why we shouldn't shoot at game past 400 yds. 400 is an easy shot in prime conditions, on a moose size target, if you are a competent marksmen. You should already know your bullet drop at that range. Its when you get past 400 that bullets really start to drop off. Know the distance to the target and stay within 400yds. There is no guesstimating past 400 yds.
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I won't argue your point that the longer the distance, the more margin for error. However, with today's technologies and equipment, 600 yards is the new 400 yards. If a hunter makes a commitment to practicing with his firearm, he can be very competent past 400 yards. I still like to get as close as I can, then get ten yards closer
 
todbartell said:
I won't argue your point that the longer the distance, the more margin for error. However, with today's technologies and equipment, 600 yards is the new 400 yards. If a hunter makes a commitment to practicing with his firearm, he can be very competent past 400 yards. I still like to get as close as I can, then get ten yards closer
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I agree, but there are plenty on this form that think they are capable which are not so staying within 400 IMO is good advice. I wasn't referring to someone like yourself or a guy like Dogleg that I know are capable much past that range. It's like I said, there is no room for error past 400 yds.
 
The most mitigating factor in hunting situations is that, by far, most guys have never checked their rifles other than from the bench. Especially at long range, the difference in point of impact between off the bags and field positions can be quite educating.

Ted
 
The more recoil, the lower chance the guy will crawl in behind the rifle laying prone over a pack to check point of impact at 400 yards
 
todbartell said:
The more recoil, the lower chance the guy will crawl in behind the rifle laying prone over a pack to check point of impact at 400 yards
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Without exception, before heading out with a hunter I was guiding, we always checked his rifle sight-in at base camp by shooting prone off a pack or a rolled up jacket. It was amazing how often the rifles were not even close at 200 yards, let alone 400.

Most of them appreciated the checkup and adjustment of the scope. The few who didn't invariably did not do well, and always had an excuse. :rolleyes:

Best part of the exercise was I knew before we headed up a mountain how close we needed to get. Fortunately, because of the terrain they live in, most sheep are taken well within 200 yards. Just takes an hour longer. :)

Ted
 
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