To Mag or Not To Mag?

[Paparock]

[8D] I have used both Magnum and non-Magnum cartridge rifles for years. What I don't understand is why cartridges like the .376 Steyr and .338-06 are not more popular. Yes the Magnums will shoot farther but at the cost of a lot more recoil and muzzle blast. Lets face the fact that most hunters can not shoot well enough to hit much past 200 yrds. and that is where the Magnums start to make much of a difference.

If I could order my perfect rifle for the hunting I do now it would be a Remington 7600 either stainless or rust proofed chambered for .338-06 or .376 Steyr (basically a turbo .375-06) with a squared 20 inch medium heavy barrel on a squared action. I like big holes for those times one needs to track; eyes are not what they used to be. The pump for fast follow up shots especially on a bear headed my way. Only an auto is faster but I don't trust an auto enough under adverse conditions. The .338-06 would be a better allround choice as it offers bullets from 180 gr. to 300 gr. in premium controled expansion bullets like Nosler, Swift, Barnes X and Tripple Shock.

I have used up to a .375 H&H custom bolt action but for closer work like I enjoy now I would like to see a descent fast handling power house. For me all these ultra high velocity
cartridges offer nothing. Hunting something that can hunt you back I want controled thump. Think a black bear is easy prey? I had a friend in Colorado who (unfortunately not a hunter) was killed and eaten by a black bear; only the second person in the history of Colorado but of little help when you are on the wrong end of claws and teeth.

Magnums have there place. Unfortunely to many people show up in the woods way over gunned for their shooting ability. That .30-06 did not drop that deer so next year they show up with a .30 Magnum of one sort or another. Of course if they could not shoot an 06 well enough what do you think the close your eyes and brace yourself for the recoil crowd can do with a Magnum? It is still more important where you hit than what you shoot but as I said I like Big holes.

[James B]

I had the big Magnum craze as bad as it could get. Those days are gone and I have settled back to reality. For those who think they must shoot past 400 yards, I quess the magnums make a little sense. However as you stated most shooters would be blind lucky to be able to judge the range and hit an animal at that range. Even then to make a good hit with the variables involved at those ranges is tough to say the least. I learned this while shooting steel silhouettes at ranges we knew where no quess work was needed. There is no substitute for shot placement and practice more than power is the key. I rely on the old 45-70 for really big game. If I had a real need for more power and long range ability then I would look at a Magnum again. Until then the 280 will fill all my needs. I also love my 7600 30-06. With that gun I feel pretty well armed for all North American game. Good hunting.

[Vapodog]

Magnums have there place. Unfortunely to many people show up in the woods way over gunned for their shooting ability.

Man....you said a mouthful there.....

My .257 Weatherby and my .264 Win Mag are gone and replaced with a .260 Remington and a .257 Roberts. My .338 Win Mag is for sale and my .300 mags are sitting collecting dust in favor of my .30-06.

There's nothing like experience to facilitate education.

[bmullin57]

Paparock I am not much of a Mag. fan either. But I have one question. What are you putting these big holes in?

[charlie brown]

I pretty much feel the same about how you do. Most Magnum class cartridges are really not necessary for most situations. For years, animals were being killed with "standard" calibers that are not even being considered for hunting by a lot of people when in the past, almost everyone would use that peticular caliber for what game was at hand. Of course time has changed, and people want something new. Making a new "standard" cartridge would simply make no sense, and certainly making one that goes slower would not make any sense at all. People have to make money selling firearms. If a person has that old .30-06 sitting in the closet and no one comes up with something new to buy, then the gun market shuts down, because that hunter has no real reason to buy a new cartridge. I currently shoot a .30-06 for big game, and feel confident taking most animals on this continent. Get into the big bears, or even moose, and I would feel much more confident with a more powerful cartridge up to about maybe the .338 WM or similar. I do however feel that the super magnums are really unnecessary simply because it gives people a false sense of security when shooting at distant game. They feel that they can make a longer shot than they really can, and end up making a lot of noise and losing the animal, when a lesser cartridge would have done the job just as well.

Well, hope I didn't bore every one, just an issue that I think about from time to time also, but don't get to talk about very much.

Come on guys, most high powered rifles are not necessary for deer. Anything past 2700fps with 130gr bullet is just overkill or fun past that point. You still have a significant advantage over the animals.

[Swampdog]

Are you guy's trying to make me feel bad about my 7mm Rem.Mag.If "BABY DOll " hears ya'll talking about her it is going to hurt her feelings.......LOL

[Paparock]

No offense to Magnums as they have a place in hunting. As others have said the .30-06 will do most everything. It is my most used caliber as well. I like many just look for a good excuse to get a different gun.

To me the art of hunting up close and personal is the enjoyment. Yes I have hunted with a long bow mostly for that reason. But firearms are my passion. I guess I am a throwback like Elmer Kieth. I like big bores. Heck I ran with guys in Wyoming that hunted with .458 Magnums loaded down to just above .45-70 hot loads. They are great for blow down hunting.

Rocky Latham

[Swampdog]

paparock,I was just jerking your chain.I am somewhat of a prankster around here.Actually we just got a bear season here in southside Virginia last year.So I am trying to figure out a new caliber barrel for my Encore for this purpose.Any suggestions.45.70? .35 wheelan?.12 gauge slug I think I can get just about any thing I can come up with.

[hunter338]

I agree with you guys to a point. So I guess since no one else wants to stirr the pot any , I will...

This has been an ongoing subject for a while now. Tell ya what..

We can look at it like this ....

Why do we even need to hunt with a rifle? Hell the Indians hunted with just a string bow , And we still have people hunting with bows..
They kill just as good as a rifle does, dont they??

I guess we can tell everyone that all you need to take to Africa is a .22 cal rifle being that you cant shoot aout past 200 yards.

I agree that for most of the North American game you really dont need anything over a 270 or a 30-06 to drop just about everything here..
BUT TO EACH THEIR OWN .. I use a 270 cal for most of my small deer sized game. Some people on here think that it is too much gun for deer..

I dont though. I use a 338 RUM for ALL of my Elk hunts, Carib, Bear, and hopefully here pretty soon Moose.
Even though I can kill everything that I hunt with my Bow..
I still opt to use a rifle on hunts that I save money to purchase.

Just my 2 cents .

hunter338