What do you use for a "Non-Magnum?"

[ErikT]

Another thread on this board made me think of this, so here goes. I know that I'm likely to get a lot of people saying that there's nothing wrong with big, powerful cartridges, and how they give added insurance for a clean kill, etc., but I just wanted to know what sort of game you've taken with some of the "wimpy" cartridges that are sadly excluded from the Magnumitis crowd. Don't get me wrong, I'm not magnum-bashing here; I own and hunt with a 7mm WSM and a 9.3 x 64mm Brenneke (the old 'Dislocator') from time to time, but I find that the less punishing cartridges do just as well in most conditions. However I have noticed an increasing trend among hunters to say that old standbys like the .30-30, .308 Win, and even the .30-06 and .270 aren't adequate even for deer hunting, which I find to be ludicrous.
I've taken more game with a .303 Brit and a .250 Savage than any other cartridge, and I've only ever lost one deer in my hunting career, which was shot through both lungs with the 7mm Magnum before vanishing (I tracked the damned thing for several kilometres through the bush). I think that if you use the correct bullet weight and type at an adequate velocity, then you can ethically take game with any legal hunting cartridge. Thoughts?

Erik.

 

[Moose Masher]

I've shot deer with 30-30, 303brit, 270 ,30-06 amongst others. My father didn't seem to have too much trouble filling the freezer with moose meat using a Win 94 30-30.

 

[Hagar]

I have used a .30-06 for 25 yearsand ,with a 165 grain Federal Premium load,it has allways given quick,clean ,one shot kills on coyote,deer bear,moose and elk.My longest shot was on a large bull elk at just over 500 yards.Magnuims are fine for those who want them,however I will stick to my .30-06.

 

[powder burner]

I consider the .30-06 to be the original magnum. Over a hundred years old and does everything you need a hunting cartridge to do.

Many "smaller" cartridges need more exposure in hunting magazines. 7mm08, 6.5x55, .270, .260, .257, .243, even .303 or .300 savage for that matter. Im tired of hearing that you need the latest WSM, WSSM, 338, 375 rifle to shoot effectively and cleanly.

I'll get magnum fans bashing this post, but I dont care. Most people would do just fine without a belted magnum and track less wounded animals.

 

[SuperCub]

Last three years I have hunted with a 257Roberts. I like it alot!

 

[kimberman]

I've used a 6.5x55 in the past, this year I may try my .280ai (nearly a magnum, but not quite) or a .257 roberts ai.

 

[blargon]

Mostly .308, but also .270, .243...

A fella could spend his whole life looking for the perfect rifle and the perfect cartridge, only to find that it doesn't exist...

 

[diemaco]

I don't own or even plan on owning a magnum. x57, .308 and .30-06 based rounds are plenty powerful for me. I don't have dreams of going to Africa though...

 

[Levi Garrett]

Yew selfbow, longbow, recurve,Lyman GP 50 cal, 30-30, 38-55, 30-06. 25-06..etc

 

[stubblejumper]

This fall,I will be hunting with a 280AI.It offers very close to magnum performance,but but it burns less powder,and produces less recoil.

 

[Cummins4x4]

25-06AI for everything up to mulies but wouldn't hesitate on a moose/elk with a good shot. 300Win mag is my choice for the biggest game though

 

[martinbns]

308 win.

 

[Gatehouse]

I shot a black bear with a 223 last year. I think i own 2 "magnums" rigth now. 7RM and 300WSM.

 

[JasonYuke]

6.5x55, 308, are my hunting Non mag rifles that get carried.

I do like the 7mm Mag for all around hunting, and is close between that and the 300 wm. Normaly carried, by myself.

 

[Woodbeef]

6.5x55 & 9.3x62 works for me.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

The non-magnums I use for hunting;
- 22 LR
- 219 Donaldson Wasp
- 25-06
- 7x57 Mauser
- 7x57R
- 7x61 S&H
- 30-06
- 303 Br.
- 348 WCF
- 444 Marlin
- 45-70

 

[shortaction]

I started out years ago with a 35 Rem and shot a pile of deer with it.

Started to hunt the open spots more so starting using a 300 Sav with 150 gr bullets because it "really reached out" ha, don't hear that much anymore, eh?

Last couple of years I have used a 7mm-08 or 280 Rem and have not felt undergunned.

Just bought a 280 AI so hoping to use it this year.

I have shot plenty of deer with 300 win and 300 WSM but have moved away from the magnums lately.

 

[Kevan]

My first deer was taken in 1960 with a 25-20 Win. and a few years later dropped a nice buck with a 375 H&H. I don't think one died any quicker than the other and both fell in their tracks...

 

[Crazy.kayaker]

Don't really matter what you use with in reason (not practical to use a .22 lr on a grizzly but doable if you have the time and it's all you got)....it all about shot placement or so I was taught. I use a .308 for hunting and dropped a bear dead PDQ....and I just used the cheap federal Ammo.

 

[Mauser98]

I hunt with a .270 Win, a 35 Whelen, a 9.3X62 or a .375 Ruger.

Not one magnum in that crowd.