DG, I agree with your premise (it is dangerous to have overconfidence in a cartridge only because of its bigger diameter).

However, I must respectfully disagree with your conclusion ~ i.e. that anyone prefering a larger caliber is not much of a hunter.

The reason why I prefer a bigger cartridge is because it allows me to take a number of difficult shots that I otherwise would have to pass up.

One of the best deer I have ever gotten was a mulie who only gave me a going away shot. I really wanted him bad, and, fortunately, that day I had my .375 and I KNEW my shot would reach the vitals ~ and it did. I recovered the 300-gr Fail Safe, beautifully mushroomed, from right underneath his chest-skin. Incidentally, it died right there, without even taking another step. It saved me a difficult tracking job and it reassured me that I had killed him humanely.

So, my point is that because I am a hunter I was able to gauge the effect of my difficult shot and make it with confidence since I knew my bullet would make it.

On the other hand, I see your point that someone who is plain unable to take deer with a .243 (in any condition) may want to stop questioning the caliber and start questioning himself.

Always comes down to:

1) What you want your bullet to do
2) What you like
3) What you shoot well
4) What has given you good results
5) Your hunting style and preferences.

In friendship,

Tom


Edited by - .333 Nitro Express on 12/27/2002 10:43:55