This is not to say that there is no advantage to the high velocity Magnums. However these midrange calibers plain and simply have about all the range and accuracy that the average hunter can take advantage of. I have been an avid if not rabid hunter for 50 some years. I can count the times on one hand that I had to try a shot of over 400 yards at an animal. A ten or twelve inch kill zone on a big game animal is a very, very small target at 500 yards and beyond.

[blockquote]quote:

ORIGINAL: JagMagMan

.....the 7MM-08 would be darn near the perfect cartridge for game through Mule deer size.[/blockquote]

Yep. Almost, but not quite, as good as the 7X57mm Mauser!

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First and most important, shoot a caliber and rifle that you are comfortable with. Remember recoil is a personal thing, throw away your computers and your charts, and shoot your rifle. Also different rifles in the same caliber canhave different felt recoil. Make sure your rifle fits properly!!! Now to caliber, sorry guys but bigger is always better(as long as you the shooter can manage the recoil). A 308 caliber will outperform a 284 which will outperform a 277, which will outperform.........I am not attacking anyone who has responded to this thread, it is obvious most of you guys know what you are talking about. What I have noticed at our club is that most shooters who claim to know what their rifles can do at 500 yards, have never shot at 500 yards, and probably could not hit a bull in the butt at that distance, but they sure can quote that drop. I have shot over 100 deer, and been around the shooting of probably over 500. Believe me 30 caliber is king. Tom.

I guess you know what I shoot, but like the 7mm-08 also!

Regarding the "on topic part"....



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Regarding the off topic part above regarding getting "caught up" in things....

Lets get caught up in field position shooting skill (not benchrest/blindrest) AND cartridge selection for the job at hand, tempered by how many shots ata greatanimal you are willing to pass on because of rifle limitations (in real life, not internet chat) AND acknowledge what your accuracy deviation factoris (in reallife, not internet chat)on shots taken from field position shooting (not benchrest/blindrest).

What do your ocassional "outlier" shots look like? How often to they happen? How far off are they? Field positions now, do you ALWAYS know when the shot you are about to take is going to be perfect? If not, then what compensating elements do you use to buy yourself (and your quarry) some insurance?This is anot-so-simplistic world.

Of course you have to hit what you are shooting at! That is the elementary starting point for any hunting. No rocket science there, it is a given. The discussion moves forward (or not) from there.

Consider working with the "whole picture" rather than just focusing on a singleaspect whileignoring the balance.

Another good post^ Im with ELKampmaster. You know that anything between 243 on up to whatever is adequate for deer. Just find something you like and that fits you good with tolerable recoil. Then you're ready to hunt.