Reality like "truth" is a matter of perception hence itcan varyper the experience, expectations, and goals of the individual.

If my reality was the hunting of pint size deer in heavy eastern or southern woods (which isprobably the near-majority of folks on here)then then my tool box might vary from what it is today while hunting for Big Game inthe Intermountain West.

Personally, I kindafind the hardcore guys that "push the envelope"to bemuch more interesting overall as they have very little of the "just get by attitude". I find them, as a group, to generally be more knowledgible, better outfitted, better financed, better equipped, farther ranging, bolder, and more successful.

Judging by some of the newbie elk camps I see each year and some of the results they net, I'd say some of these folks need to do a lot more thinking (overthinking???) about just how in the heck they are going to "pull off"an away from home/remote big game hunt than what they have obviously done (including rifle selection). Too many just "half arse" it and wonder/complain that it didn't work.

I'LL BE DURNED AGAIN! Who would have thought?

I have to say that after struggling with a lightweight mauser 1909 in .300 win mag (WHICH MY GRANDFATHER BUILT UP FOR ME), I realized that I am a flincher. I can control it and hit thetarget but that doesn't mean it is any fun. It is downright painful to sight in.
I just bought a used savage 110 (WITH ACUTRIGGER!! FOR 200 BUCKS!!) in '06. It is much easier to hit withand I am old enough and man enough to admit I shoot better with it, because (AND ONLY BECAUSE) of the lower recoil. I will take this '06 elk unting this year. And for Oklahoma white tails, I may switch to a 7x57 or 6.5 swede, or even a 250 savage. IMHO, for the small OK dear, anything over 100 grains at 2400 fps would be fine IF YOU CAN HIT WITH SAID RIFLE!! I am uncomfortable shooting past 200 yards anyway.
So, although I still get excited when someone makes a new 3000 fps + super mini ultra small uber laser magnum, maybe I should just get good with a couple of hunting rifles for the serious work like hunting.
Plus the .22 LR is the coolest cartidge anyway.
okcmco

I'm thinking someone should have "over-thought" the specifications involved with the building of your rifle just a little bit....weight is your friend, not your enemy (unless you are 10 years and under or 70 years and over)

Is there a slight chance you may have causes and effects reversed?
[i.e. the problem is the rifle (not the cartridge) and not you?]

And the recoil sensitivity epidemic rolls on, and on, and on

ELKCAMP. Yes you are right. The weight factor added alot to my flinching. But that is also a part of the prob that needs rethinking. FASTER FASTER, LIGHTER, LIGHTER, NEWER< NEWER. It is almost a mantra in the gun mags. Plus I was quite macho until I hit 40. Now I am just tough and stringy
okcmco

This is a great thread! I have been having the same thoughts about my choices of calibers. I started deer hunting 22 years ago with a 30/30 and never lost a deer, but I HAD to move up to a 270for more rangeand never lost a deer.When my sons started hunting, I started them outon a 223 and never lost a deer. About 4 years ago, my deer weren't dead enough so I HAD to have a 300WSM and haven't lost a deer. Now my sons are shooting 243 and 270 and have never lost a deer. This summer, I got my old 30/30 back out and sighted it in for this year, and my sons think I am crazy and won't kill a deer this year. I killed 4 deer last year with my 300WSM and 4 with my muzzleloader, and none of them were shot past 75 yards. I took a hard look at all the guns in my safe and am going with the 30/30.

We might over think a little.

Retriever,

I’m guessing here, but I’ll ask anyway….

After 22 years have you considered passing on (or adding on to) the annual deer slaughter and kicking your hunting up a notch and head out to new horizons and stretch that 300WSM’s capabilities (and your own a bit)?

A 270 is an excellent deer rifle. Did you have something else in mind when you got the 300WSM?

ELKampMaster
I am sorry but I really don't have a clue what you are asking me.Yes, 270IS an excellent deer cartridge.I am not arguing that. If you are insulting me for killing 8 deer, 6 were does in a management program. I am posting pictures of the bucks that I killed in 2003 and 2004.I am not"slaughtering" 18 month old basket racked 6 points.

No insult intended
Normally I edit my posts quite carefully, I originally had more clarifying language added on but it sure isn't there now. I just palin missed it.

I'll try to clarify....

22 years 8 deer per year = 176 deer. That is a lot of deer, even if it wasn't 8 every year. They appear to be taken on a prettyregular basis.

** After 22 years (and xxx deer) are you getting any itching to tackle something bigger/further away and was that perhapsthe reason you bought your 300WSM? (Question #1).
--OR--
** Were you merely guiled (as seems to be the current complaint within the thread) by peer pressure and marketing hype and those manipulative gun writers? (Question #2)
--OR--
** Something else? (Question #3)

When I see something which strikes me as "different" or unanswered in my mind; it is not beyond me to inquireso I might better appreciate thedifferent viewpoint. I am curious about your reversion to your childhood gun and what it is driven by....
**Whim?
**Nostalgia?
**Boredom?
**The quest for more challenge? (e.g. Lots of folks have given up rifles for archery --- one could always go to a lower performing rifle in a quest for more challenge.)

I've got my childhood 30-30 in the safe, but the odds of it ever working its way into the "pole position" on one of my Big Game hunts is slim and none (not even for a back up rifle). You seem to have a nice rack of well spaced rifles. Just curious.

I believe there comes a time in most men's life when they become confident in the equipment they use and such need to look elsewhere for the new improved go by the wayside. Outside of having a new toy most men will opt for there old reliable first. I used to study ballistic like it was a bible. It has helped me alot over the years guiding when the clients shots get long. But other than that for myself it hasn't done much.

Awwwwwwww the new caliber craze. Its fun its new but it don't really gain much.

I was at the gun shop when they got they're first 270 wsm's. The gun smith said this will kick a 270 win's ass. So I said okay let me see the ballistics. I laughed and they asked why. I told them I have been reloading 270 win at that speed for decades. Of course they looked at me like I was full of bull. Anyway new stuff may have an edge especially on factory ammo. But would I trade in my trusty300 win mag for a new untested 300 RUM I don't think so. Besides the animal is just a dead with either. HOW DEAD IS DEAD ANYWAYS. I guess you can always just blow something up.