Poll on your comfort level
A topic started by nemesisenforcer got me to thinking. I will apologize in advance for the length of this post, but I want to provide some background for you. I grew up, in the 50s, hunting the mountains of the West. My father carried a M94 30-30. He did not know that he needed more gun. He did not. I have witnessed his successes at ranges from 50-300 yds on targets ranging from hawks & jackrabbits to those weighing 2000 lbs. He seldom took more than one shot at a target. My first "big rifle" was also a M94.
Later (about 12 yrs ago) I got into contenders. I have shot and hunted with many of the factory calibers and plenty of wildcats. From a 14" bbl most of the better hunting rounds have a muzzle velocity of 2200-2400 fps. I have taken game and witnessed successful shots out to 300 yds with them. (IMHO A 300 yd shot is a long one and should be restricted to those who are well acquainted with their round and their weapon) 300 yds is my self imposed maximum range with a rifle or a contender.
Many good hunting rounds do not fit the description of "modern effective calibers." They do not have belts on their cases nor letters in their names. By today's standards they are likely considered mild or weak. Maybe because I not as young as I once was, the older ones are the ones that appeal to me.
With that background, now the three questions. You may simply answer yes or no to the first two.
#1. Would you be comfortable in your "big game" hunting next year using a round with muzzle velocity less than 2600 fps?
#2. Do you have a self-imposed maximum range to which you limit yourself if the animal is not wounded?
#3. What is your current favorite hunting caliber?
Later (about 12 yrs ago) I got into contenders. I have shot and hunted with many of the factory calibers and plenty of wildcats. From a 14" bbl most of the better hunting rounds have a muzzle velocity of 2200-2400 fps. I have taken game and witnessed successful shots out to 300 yds with them. (IMHO A 300 yd shot is a long one and should be restricted to those who are well acquainted with their round and their weapon) 300 yds is my self imposed maximum range with a rifle or a contender.
Many good hunting rounds do not fit the description of "modern effective calibers." They do not have belts on their cases nor letters in their names. By today's standards they are likely considered mild or weak. Maybe because I not as young as I once was, the older ones are the ones that appeal to me.
With that background, now the three questions. You may simply answer yes or no to the first two.
#1. Would you be comfortable in your "big game" hunting next year using a round with muzzle velocity less than 2600 fps?
#2. Do you have a self-imposed maximum range to which you limit yourself if the animal is not wounded?
#3. What is your current favorite hunting caliber?
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Yes, Yes, and in the area that I live in now a 30-30 is sufficiant for all but bear and then I will get my 7.62x54r mosin. 0 -
1. As a bird hunter, the biggest game I get into is either turkey or geese.
2. Absolutely. But, then again, I know the range of my gun.
3. 12-gauge with a 3-1/2" shell.0 -
1. yes
2. yes from 50-400 yd depending on weapon (we don't get shots that far anyway)
3. 7mm rem mag for function, will hunt with anything!0 -
Yes.
Yes.
30-06 Springfield.0 -
Not sure on the first two, but .30-06 Springfield, 180 grains. 0 -
Yes
Yes
.2700 -
yes
yes
30-060 -
I realize you said yes/no would suffice but I seldom follow directions...
Yes. The 35 Remington and the 45-70 both fall well below that threshold velocity and both will take any lower 48 big game animal. A 180 gr. 30-06 is somewhere around 2700 fps.
Yes. The range depends on what cartridge I'm shooting, field conditions, and how much recent practice I have put in. For my favorite listed below...400 yards.
300 Win Mag. 180 gr nosler partition.
edited bs the 280 gr 30-06 does not exist[:I]0 -
Thanks for your responses thus far. I would be glad for anyone who chooses to elaborate on their answers. Nothing important or sinister intended with this poll. Just simple curiousity. I expect most will choose to use cartridges more effective than some of the oldies. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by wtroper
A topic started by nemesisenforcer got me to thinking. I will apologize in advance for the length of this post, but I want to provide some background for you. I grew up, in the 50s, hunting the mountains of the West. My father carried a M94 30-30. He did not know that he needed more gun. He did not. I have witnessed his successes at ranges from 50-300 yds on targets ranging from hawks & jackrabbits to those weighing 2000 lbs. He seldom took more than one shot at a target. My first "big rifle" was also a M94.
Later (about 12 yrs ago) I got into contenders. I have shot and hunted with many of the factory calibers and plenty of wildcats. From a 14" bbl most of the better hunting rounds have a muzzle velocity of 2200-2400 fps. I have taken game and witnessed successful shots out to 300 yds with them. (IMHO A 300 yd shot is a long one and should be restricted to those who are well acquainted with their round and their weapon) 300 yds is my self imposed maximum range with a rifle or a contender.
Many good hunting rounds do not fit the description of "modern effective calibers." They do not have belts on their cases nor letters in their names. By today's standards they are likely considered mild or weak. Maybe because I not as young as I once was, the older ones are the ones that appeal to me.
With that background, now the three questions. You may simply answer yes or no to the first two.
#1. Would you be comfortable in your "big game" hunting next year using a round with muzzle velocity less than 2600 fps?
#2. Do you have a self-imposed maximum range to which you limit yourself if the animal is not wounded?
#3. What is your current favorite hunting caliber?
Yes, but it would not be my preference
Yes, the situation and conditions would govern my shot 1000 yards is the longest I've ever taken and I've only done it once.
.300 Win Mag Ackley Improved0 -
...1) depends, but probably.
...2) 250-300yds. max...used to take shot out further...but a hair off at longer ranges...and the animal just gets wounded...besides...250-300 yds is far enough to walk...[^]
...3) .06 150grn.(95% of time)... 7mag...and 12ga...
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Grew up in a state where use is pretty much restricted to shotguns. Shotguns are my favorite, good old 12ga anything from medium to small game. 0 -
Yes, Yes, .257 Roberts 0 -
Yes
Yes, about 250-300yds
Have not hunted anything but deer & turkey...for deer 30-06 is what I use.0 -
#1: Well, yes...but, since I can't hunt with a rifle in this area (slug/handgun/BP muzzleloader only), EVERYTHING I hunt with is under 2600fps. Unless I get a Striker in .300WSM...[:D].
#2: Yes. With a shotgun/slug combo, 125-150 yards. Handguns: 50 yards (I'll stretch that to 100 with my 14" scoped .30-30 Contender off a solid rest). My rule of thumb: The range I know I can reliably get a first shot hit on a 1 gallon water jug.
#3: Shotgun: 12ga 3" slug. Handgun: .44mag.0 -
#1. Would you be comfortable in your "big game" hunting next year using a round with muzzle velocity less than 2600 fps?
Muzzle loader is way slower than that-yes
#2. Do you have a self-imposed maximum range to which you limit yourself if the animal is not wounded?
depends on the gun
12 Ga (bolt gun)or ML -150 yards max (practice to 220)
7mm mag-500 yds, but never see anything that far out
30-06 (back-up rifle) 300 yds
#3. What is your current favorite hunting caliber?
all of them-.22 to 30-060 -
1) Yes
2) I follow the Ballistics of the caliber factory loads and try to keep my range @ what will hit my (big?) game with approx. 1000 foot/pounds of energy. I could be tempted by a trophy to reach out further if optimum shot and/or shot-placement are obtainable and I think necessary penetration to damage vital organs is also obtainable.
3) .300 Savage, .30/30 Win, and .45 Colt out of my Winchester 94 Trapper Carbine using CorBon .45 Colt Magnum ammo. And I suppose my .300 Win. Mag. for anything bigger than a Whitetail Deer.
Shot placement and acceptable successful penetration are the biggest factors.0 -
I can only hunt with a muzzleloader. So, yes, I feel comfortable using a round exiting the barrel at less than 2600fps.
I try to limit any shot that I would consider taking to 150yds. I could probably go beyond that, but there ususally isn't a need.
50caliber CVA Optima Muzzleloader0 -
#1 Yes
#2 300yds? Longest shot was around 175-200. 1 shot, Dead deer.
#3 Do they make anything better than the 30-06?[8D]0 -
#1 Sure
#2 With my eye sight, 300 yards max.
#3 .308 or .30-060 -
I guess a lot of people didn't read what you wrote.
Yes
Yes
7MM/.284
D.0 -
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. .300 WSM..7-30 Waters (sorry I like them both)..[8D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
I guess a lot of people didn't read what you wrote.
I guess you didn't! I read it as a "simple" request when he says, "you may simply," and not a requirement. This is a forum meant for communication and intelligent discourse. Elitism not needed here... [V] Why would you crap on people who want to expand and discuss topics?!? Isn't this a message forum?!?0 -
#1. Yes
#2. Yes
#3. 2430 -
YES
YES
7MM REM MAG
Hope I didn't say to much!!! [:D][;)]0 -
yes
yes
3080 -
I am sorry if my initial discourse communicated to you that I did not desire elaboration. Please feel free to elaborate if you choose. 0 -
yes
yes
.356 calibre Winchester0 -
Yes
Yes
45-70
I read a very interesting article recently, that talked about how a .458 caliber bullet moving at 1500 FPS(45-70) will out-penetrate a .458 bullet moving 2100 FPS(.458 Winchester). They claim that a bullet loses penetration capabilities after 1300 FPS. It is a very interesting read and here is the link below.
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/penetration.asp
Jon0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jon0322
Yes
Yes
45-70
I read a very interesting article recently, that talked about how a .458 caliber bullet moving at 1500 FPS(45-70) will out-penetrate a .458 bullet moving 2100 FPS(.458 Winchester). They claim that a bullet loses penetration capabilities after 1300 FPS. It is a very interesting read and here is the link below.
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/penetration.asp
Jon
I have not had a chance to check out your link, but I think that would only be possible due to the characteristics of the bullet in question...0
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