Hi bigcountry,

Please don't take offense, it's not meant that way. And I do not presume to be answering for James, I am sure he can answer for himself. And I am most certainly not trying to "interject myself into the middle of something".

I would like to make an observation though. At least in this particular thread the individual asking the question is very young. And by his own admission has "limited means". Without being too presumptuious, and I could be wrong, he probably has limited experience with firearms, (simply because of his limited financial means). He has stated he enjoys shooting big guns, (nothing wrong with that), and if you will, "he's a recoil junkie", (nothing wrong with that). But I would venture a guess that his total sum of experience is rather limited. And in this vein there is probably nothing wrong with advising him that all that size and energy is NOT necessary for deer hunting. There is nothing wrong with it, in and of itself. As you stated, "dead is dead", and I agree absolutely! But I honestly think most young (beginning hunters) would be served with a somewhat less stout cartridge for deer hunting. They are cheaper to shoot, (he admitted an important consideration), they are easier to learn good shooting habits with, and undoubtedly it is much easier to find ammo in nearly any location. All important considerations.

I don't think there is any thing wrong with attempting to point out this side of the issue....when asked by inexperienced shooters. Sometimes youthful enthusiasm should be tempered!

Now please, before you beat me up verbally, understand what I have NOT just said. I did not say there was anything wrong with any of the new magnums, (simply because there isn't), at least not inherently. And I did not say you should not have one, (or more), and use them if you like. Because you should! I am only pointing out that they are not necessary for deer hunting and in fact may not be good choices for "young" (ie. inexperienced) shooters.

I have magnum rifles in different calibers, (up to and including Magnums in calibers as large as .458). I use and enjoy using them. I most decidely believe magnums have their place. And if they give joy to someone while using them....that's great.

And it is also important on a forum like this that others, (especially the inexperienced) hear all sides of the argument...if you will. Which is why your opinion is as valued as James'.

And by the way....they do one thing better than any of the comparable standards....some magnums do in fact flatten trajectories enough to make it easier for many rifleman to effectively extend their range, (as long as they practice enough to have skills comparable to the cartridges capabilities).

Best wishes!