One thing that I try to get out of such situations with: Hunt with a lot of different rounds and guns. I've hunted deer, elk, bruins, and big horns with various rounds from .44mag, .22-250, .30-06, .300WSM, .338WM, .375H&H, .416Rigby, .45-70, .30-30, 7.62x39mm, and about as many others (these are kind of "typical" for their respective classes)...

SOOOO....when someone asks me about my hardware for this trip I always say something along the lines of, "well this year I'm going back to the ol' .30-06," or, "I'm taking the SKS out this time," or, "I figure I'll take the .416 out just to give it some use." That leaves it open for evidence that I've tasted other flavors, but chocolate is what I'm having this time.

A huge plus of this "*****footing tactic" is that it often leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of those that know little and think they know it all..."I'm using a .30-06 THIS TIME," if he's never shot anything but his 7mm mag, he might bite his tounge instead of making a fool of himself in the presence of someone more experienced.

Of course, I'm not one to let a bluff go uncalled...when someone tells me my .357mag is underpowered for deer, or my .45-70 is way too powerful, I just tell them that it's a good thing that I'm shooting it instead of them, and I'll certainly like to know of their evidence to back their statement.

I like to keep a wallet album full of my kills with various guns/cartridges...if they say my .243 is too weak, I'll tell them "Well he didn't argue" (holding up the pic of a 10pter that tipped the scales at 210# dressed).

Ask them for proof and they'll shut up.