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bigger is not always better

toddwilson_@excite.com
You know I have taken several deer in my life. Most were under 125 yards and some were out to 200-225 yards. I have never used anything larger than a 30-06 and usually used a 30-30 or 243. I understand the need for the flat shooting magnums on bigger game and at long (300plus)distances. But why are more and more people using much more rifle than they need? Is this a continuation of our society in which you can never have enough of anything?Just wondering. As always thanks for your replies.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • scsims
    I shot a buck Saturday at 250 to 275 yard with my 243 with 95 gr BT It jumped strait up in air and kicked, I found a blood tail it stopped at about 100 yards later. I know I hit him good, I've pacticed at the range. Never ever found him. Makes wish I took my 270. I shot a buck yesterday at 50 yards the bullet didn't exit but the deer dropped. I May have better luck with aq different bullet but I feel better huting deer with a larger caliber. And maybe over kill isn't so bad, why use an adequate rifle when a .270 or higher is better.
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  • brecht
    The bigger and stronger the caliber, the more resistance is necessary to deform the bullet.
    This means your jacketed bullet can act as a FMJ and have less stopping power than a smaller caliber.


    in a world full of compromise some don't
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  • elect1mike
    You know you can kill a deer with a 22 if you hit the deer right and can wait for it to die. I use a 300 win mag to much power you ask? well I don't think so and they sure don't go far when hit right. You can load down a bit on powder and still get the fire power you want it also can be used on bigger game elk moose ect.

    bull.txt
    col elect1mike Illinois
    volinters RRG
    I am a man but I can change if I have to.
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  • rsnyder55
    With the bullets available, the load can be tailored to the game, however with a faster bullet, you have a much larger point bank range where you don't have to worry as much about hold over/hold under.
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  • buddyb
    I have been killing whitetails for years with a 223.Me or the deer did not know it was too small of a caliber.
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  • bambihunter
    I've taken most of my deer with a muzzleloader, however for rifle season I originally thought I'd hunt it a lot differently and set up more on the outskirts of the woods for more open shots. This hasn't been the case and I've only taken 2 deer (out of 70+) at ranges over 100 yards. However, there's something reassuring to know that your rifle will shoot accurately as far as you do. Also, another reason I bought a magnum is that I always figured I'd do some big game hunting like bear, moose, etc. but it hasn't happened yet...

    The only drawbacks to the higher-powered guns (magnums) are the higher cost of ammo and added recoil. To me, neither of these is a drawback since my .300 win mag is pretty much only used for deer hunting.

    Shoot whatever you feel comfortable with and don't feel you need a magnum if you don't want one (or don't have a use for one). Most guns can outshoot the shooter (mine included)
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  • Chris78
    Hey Scsims, you shot a deer at 50 yrds with a .270 and the bullet didn't exit? I have a Remington 7400 .270 that I've been shooting whitetails with for over 11 years and have only had one bullet stop in a deer. I credited this to a bad load cause I had never seen it do this before. From 15 feet to well over 250 yrds, it normally works great. What in the world kinda ammo are you using?
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  • Lightning
    A well placed shot with a small caliber will drop a deer.
    The larger magnums just give you more room for shooter error.
    Just in case you flinch and dont hit perfectly in the "kill zone"
    the magnums have the power to do the job anyway.
    They usually tear the animal up worse which wastes more meat.
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  • shootlow
    i use 1 gun from deer to elk a 7mm to much gun?no i load for what i am hunting and i have a no doubt in my loads and my rifle
    if your going to kill it kill it DEAD QUICK

    Lt.RRG

    c.gif
    "Go over,go under,go around,or go through.But never give up."
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  • scsims
    Cris78, I'm sorry if I mislead you guys, it was the 243 that didn't exit. My .270 has always exited except once when I shot a buck at about 100 yards. He was quartering away, I hit him in the back quarter and it traveled his entire spine hit the front shoulder and stopped just it the skin. I thought that was good enough.
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