Use Enough Gun

[8mm Enthusiast]

Why not combine the two and use surgical placement of a big bullet?

Diameter, and surgical shot placement with big powerful magnums combined should be the standard for all dangerous game however when it comes to filling a high number of tags, subsistence, management/cull hunts, and deep backcountry hikes, my personal opinion is that in those situations a lighter caliber with less recoil and higher sectional density like the 6.5s make more sense. I am not anti heavy recoil, but sometimes the smaller more precise options are more practical and make for a smoother and more efficient experience in tough conditions where one will be expending a lot of energy navigating rough terrain, packing and processing a lot of heavy meat.

 

[Wolfshead]

I’m basically hunting whitetails deer, so my experience is different than most of yours, but I shoot three calibers, 30-30, 308 Win., and 30-06.
I can hunt anything in N. America with these three.
I’ve throughly enjoyed the African adventures by Vince and Salmonchaser, and others, and I’m envious of them, but I’ll most likely never be hunting there. So in my mind I don’t need anymore gun than I already have.
I’ve seen many arguments for different bullet makes, bullet placement, size of caliber, etc…. for animals that are regularly hunted, and killed, with a bow and arrow.
The one thing about this, especially in regards to hunting, is talking in absolutes. Rarely is anything absolute in hunting.
Shoot what you like. Get really good with what you shoot. Enjoy what you’re doing. That’s the most important part.

 

[JD338]

Discipline, training, practice regardless of cartridge or caliber become the three legged stool of the experienced hunter shooting effectively.

Don pretty much summed it up here. We owe it to the game we pursue, yourself and your hunting party/PH. And I’ll double down on this if it involves dangerous game or rough and or difficult terrain.

JD338

 

[KinleyWater]

A lot of good points made by a lot of experienced shooters. If I may, I would like to add that - kill, stop, and drop - are all a bit different when it comes to hunting. Knowing your game, your firearm, your ammunition (especially the bullet), and the environment are all important, in my opinion. For me, personally, the majority of hunting I do is very local, on whitetail, and I don't think I've ever taken a shot on game past perhaps 110 yards. In my opinion, any centerfire rifle from 223 on up will kill a deer like I see here very effectively, at the distances I've shot. However, on the few occasions I've hunted in the high mountains, I know my shots will be (usually) longer and on larger animals, so I know I will need a heavier caliber. And, if I'm hunting something with sharp teeth, I want to err toward stopping over just killing.

Wow, this was a much longer post than I intended. Hope it didn't meander too much.

 

[RL338]

Larger calibers offer bigger holes

And this

Of course bullet placement is everything. Knowing your target animals anatomy AND putting the proper game bullet through the vitals is king.

I tend to favor big caliber rifles for hunting and standing broadsided shots.

 

[preacher]

When I'm on a "money hunt", I want a stout caliber with monos. I shot 35 Whelen AI with 250x my first trip, 200X my third. I took a 340 Wby 2nd trip, but on all three trips I've shot game ( mid 90's to 2002 they were cheaper!) with my friend's 300WM/180 Barnes, 338WM/200 Barnes, 375 H&H two trips using the old 270 Failsafes. I could shoot game from any angle at any rainge I had available opportunity. My first trip my Hunter/Friend wanted me to use his 300WM/180 Barnes on a zebra (my first) and even though shot well, he was twisted when shot and that thick skin covered up the .30 cal entrance hole. Broke his shoulder, went through front lobe of only one lung and did not exit. Boo, Hiss, a long tracking job later, I popped him with my 35 WAI/250X at 150 and tea cup over tea kettle he went! I like big holes in anything with thick skin or layer of fat. Just a thing I like.... The 300WM was poison on anything else.

My present 338WM ( a 1990s Mod 700 ADL SS) loves the Barnes 225 TTSX over Hunter, shoots like a varmint rifle at really good speed! I've never loaded any 225 before, ever. I always went with 185/210 on light end ( still got big holes!) and 250 on the other. Just another little quirk of mine. But this one stacks the Hornady 225sp, Hornady 250RN and these Barnes 225 all into same zero ( under 1.5" at 100) now that I like!