Quote:
Originally Posted by elkdump
That is just as true as " condoms prevent crime"  |
They do. Unwanted / unplanned children are many times more likely to grow up in poverty, and become involved in the criminal "justice" system.
Just saying.
As for cartridge / calibre selection, Chuck is bang on with his "mental gymnastics" comment, though he is more polite about it than I.
If anyone thinks that one cartridge is a "better choice" than pretty much any other cartridge of comparable calibre at reasonable distance (such as sub-200 yards where 95% of successful shots are made), they are delusional or inexperienced, or just plain bull-headed.
I have killed elk with one shot from a variety of rifles, from the (apparently) underpowered 270 Win with 130s and 140s, the 8mm Rem Mag with 220s, the 6.5x55 with 140s, the 308 Win with 165s, the .54 front-stuffer with 170gr patched round ball, and with pointy sticks.
Honestly, given the legal opportunity, I wouldn't hesitate to use .223-6mm, or .41-.45 cal handguns of the non-magnum variety (44 special, 45 colt).
Of more importance IMO is bullet construction and good shot placement. The latter is much more achievable for the vast majority of hunters with non-magnum cartridges of moderate speed, such as the 6.5x55, 260, 270 Win, 7x57, 7-08, 30-30, 308, 30-06, 303, 32 Special, and so on.
Other than the big bears and Wiod Bison, there is nothing in AB that requires magnum-anything. If you want to whack a 120lb whitetail doe at 900 yards with a 338 Lapua, fill yer boots. If you want to sneak up on a big bull moose and drop a pill from your 25-35 into his heart, give'er. They will both die if hit right.