roysclockgun
Handloader
- Dec 17, 2005
- 736
- 1
Yeah, I realize that the question has been done to death. But as I get older, I continue to discover facts regarding the wonderful world of Rifles and cartridges.
I was recently asked by a young man which rifle/cartridge combo he should buy to hunt Florida deer and pigs. Most of you know that our FL. deer are about the size of Lassie, or at least most to them are. So for just deer, any cartridge that is legal to use in FL. would work on deer. The only issue I see is the question of how thick is the cover? I have never adhered to believing in "brush buster" bullets. One needs a clear shot at a killing area of the deer, before touching off the round. If their is too thick brush between the hunter and the deer, he needs to wait for a clear shot, even at the risk of allowing the deer to get away! So, go for a 458WinMag if that is what you like, but do not expect it to push aside limbs before hitting where you aim on your game.
Our FL. wild pigs are a different story. While not bullet proof, the armor on their front end is very tough and I would not recommend 243Win for large pigs, unless one is willing to only take shots right behind the ear.
Given that, I told him to get the rifle that fit hm and that he liked, chambered in 7mm-08. Until a year ago, I had no experience with 7mm-08 and I still much covet my 280Rem. But, unless one hand loads, 280Rem is a difficult ammo to find in factory produced cartridges. Besides that, one can closely approach the ballistic of 280Rem, using 7mm-08 in most to the lighter bullets, like 120gr. and 140gr. The young man agreed and is getting the rifle in 7mm-08. I bought the 7mm-08 for my wife, who stands 5' 2" and she loves it pushing a 120gr. Nos. Bal. Tip at around 3050 fps.
I did tell him that probably the most versatile 7mm cartridge was the 7mmRemMag, but again to get out of it the max versatility one would have to hand load. Since working with the 7mm-08 over the past year, I believe that it can be loaded to handle any N. American game to include big bears, if the hunter has the nerve to hunt what can be dangerous bears with the little cartridge. I have not go after Griz., but for my money on dangerous bears, I'd want something heavier. But for hunting deer types up to and including elk and moose, the 7mm-08 will get the job done, provided the rifleman stays with ranges where he knows that he can make clean, quick killing hits.
Probably had the Swede 6.5x55mm cartridge been introduced under and more American "caliber" name like 260Express , or 264Super, it may have become a favorite, but that did not happen.
Thinking about so many grand cartridges, I am getting a headache from brain overload.
I suppose that many of us strive to be a little different and that is why after having all the variety in cartridges that man could ever have a need for, the new ones still appear on the market each year. Which one do you want to see?
Steven
I was recently asked by a young man which rifle/cartridge combo he should buy to hunt Florida deer and pigs. Most of you know that our FL. deer are about the size of Lassie, or at least most to them are. So for just deer, any cartridge that is legal to use in FL. would work on deer. The only issue I see is the question of how thick is the cover? I have never adhered to believing in "brush buster" bullets. One needs a clear shot at a killing area of the deer, before touching off the round. If their is too thick brush between the hunter and the deer, he needs to wait for a clear shot, even at the risk of allowing the deer to get away! So, go for a 458WinMag if that is what you like, but do not expect it to push aside limbs before hitting where you aim on your game.
Our FL. wild pigs are a different story. While not bullet proof, the armor on their front end is very tough and I would not recommend 243Win for large pigs, unless one is willing to only take shots right behind the ear.
Given that, I told him to get the rifle that fit hm and that he liked, chambered in 7mm-08. Until a year ago, I had no experience with 7mm-08 and I still much covet my 280Rem. But, unless one hand loads, 280Rem is a difficult ammo to find in factory produced cartridges. Besides that, one can closely approach the ballistic of 280Rem, using 7mm-08 in most to the lighter bullets, like 120gr. and 140gr. The young man agreed and is getting the rifle in 7mm-08. I bought the 7mm-08 for my wife, who stands 5' 2" and she loves it pushing a 120gr. Nos. Bal. Tip at around 3050 fps.
I did tell him that probably the most versatile 7mm cartridge was the 7mmRemMag, but again to get out of it the max versatility one would have to hand load. Since working with the 7mm-08 over the past year, I believe that it can be loaded to handle any N. American game to include big bears, if the hunter has the nerve to hunt what can be dangerous bears with the little cartridge. I have not go after Griz., but for my money on dangerous bears, I'd want something heavier. But for hunting deer types up to and including elk and moose, the 7mm-08 will get the job done, provided the rifleman stays with ranges where he knows that he can make clean, quick killing hits.
Probably had the Swede 6.5x55mm cartridge been introduced under and more American "caliber" name like 260Express , or 264Super, it may have become a favorite, but that did not happen.
Thinking about so many grand cartridges, I am getting a headache from brain overload.
I suppose that many of us strive to be a little different and that is why after having all the variety in cartridges that man could ever have a need for, the new ones still appear on the market each year. Which one do you want to see?
Steven
