Originally Posted by
BarnesX.308
If the pond has 50 sunfish that average about 6 inches a piece and about 5 bass that are from 12-15 pounds, I would probably get by on most days with my cane pole and 2lb test.
But every day that I fished there, I have a chance to hook the 15lb bass, even though I will be hooking mostly sunnies.
If I hook the 15 pound bass on the cane pole, I'm SOL. If I hook the sunny on the baitcaster with 15lb test, I can still put him on the dock.
The 30-06 is fine for the 120lb doe who is broadside at 50 yards. The 223 is not fine for the 300lb buck who presents a quartering-to shot.
And no, the buck of a lifetime is not going to give you an hour and every possible shot opportunity. Maybe the doe in the food plot or at the feeder will. But the buck that will be your crown achievement will only give you a fleeting glimpse and you better be ready and prepared.
I see your point. I guess it all comes down to preference. I wouldn't use a .223 either. I just thought it might work out for some people but it's not my cup of tea. I guess you wouldn't think that it's very wise to hunt Kodiak Bear with a standard 30.06. Well in any case, I knew an old timer from Wyoming who used to go to Kodiak Island and killed many Kodiak Bears with his standard 30.06. He's one of the guys that taught me that: " it's not the arrow, but rather the indian that makes a good hunter" In this case I took that more as the hunter rather than the gun, and while I agree that it makes sense to always have an appropriate caliber for the task, it still really is more about shot placement.