Why do you use SMK bullets for big game?

[Dave King]

Rufous

That "gigantic bone" thing is some sarcasm and exaggeration for effect showing through. In gigantic I was thinking more like elephant or triceratops leg or such.

The SMK is limited like any other bullet by it's size. I would have no reservations about shooting a 300gr .338 SMK into any North American herbivore. BUT I still like to miss support bone on the near side with any bullet (even Barnes, Partitions,etc.) as it's the damage to vital organs that causes death and not damaged skeletal support. If I feel the need to break support bone I try for bone on the off side and let the post "vitals" energy break a bone. I don't believe I'd try large game (elk, moose, buffalo, etc) with the smaller caliber (generally < .30) or even the lightweight .30's.

Sorry if I caused you some confusion with the "gigantic" thing.




Et al.

" As with most other things hunting related; If you don't feel confident with it (the SMKs in this instance) don't use it but let the folks that are confident and/or experienced sally forth."

[bailey1474]

abinok,

Yeah. Here is the link and story.

http://longrangehunting.com/ubbthrea...p;page=2#90117

[abinok]

[ QUOTE ]
I sent a 240 SMK screaming, and I mean screaming on its way. That thing sounded like an artillary shell flying through the air!!!

[/ QUOTE ]
Definately know what you mean at this! I don't know what it is, but this bullet definately has a different sound to it as it flies through the air. Sounds a lot like the 155mms to my ear. Glad to hear you didn't "waste" them all on paper!

[rufous]

Dave, thanks for the follow up. I shoot a 300 Win Mag. I may eventuall step up to a 300 RUM. If I were to shoot the SMK it would be the 220. I also prefer a slightly quartering away shot where I can punch through ribs into the lungs and then break the off side shoulder. I think that is the best shot. But if a big black bear or elk shows up at 25 or so yards and is facing me or quartering toward me I want to be able to take the shot.

So again the big question is would I be better off sticking with the Barnes TSX or Nosler Partition or Accubond such that I can take any reasonable shot presented or would I just as easily be able to take that shot with the 30 cal 220 SMK out of my 300 Win or RUM? I am not looking for a 1000 yard + bullet. I am looking for a 5 yard to 600 yard bullet. Maybe eventually I will be able to stretch my range beyond 600 but at this point that is about it. I can see that if one were trying to get set up for solely long shots (600 to 2000 yards) then the SMK would likely be the go to bullet (unless it were the new Wildcat bullets). Rufous.

[Jimm]

Pop,
You did'nt answer the question [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[bailey1474]

[ QUOTE ]
I am not looking for a 1000 yard + bullet. I am looking for a 5 yard to 600 yard bullet.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd say shoot the Accubond then. It's the best of the 3 you listed ballistically and one could argue it's the best terminally as well.

[POP]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey POP !

Did that antelope die ? With exploded lungs I would expect it to [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] and quite soon actually . As far as friends experiences vs my own I see a problem there as it is not first hand ( i.e. you didn't see the sight pic when the rifle fired and so on)

At this point I have not had a single failure with the 190 smk I shoot out of my 300 winnie , however , if I do I will report it to all here .

The other day a " friend " arrowed a black bear and he showerd pix of to everyone and the pix had written on it 650 lbs. Yes , the bear was huge in the pix and I was also told that the skull measured 19 1/4 ". Although I have killed bears , none were this large or even worth measuring so I thought nothing of it until..........I told Richard Graves of Wildcat bullets about it and mentionned the wt. / skull measurement . Well , you see , Richard is well versed in Black bears ( calls them up and shoots them at absurdly close range [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]), and he replied that was certainly a big bear and he would havwe thought that the skull would have been much larger for its weight . That set me to thinking and I followed up on the "big bear " kill only to find out that it was never weighed [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img], just " guesstimated ".Sheesh [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Point is , well hey , you see what the point is.Hard evidence is vital to give the best info to all here and not take awrong turn.

Just a few thoughts , Holy ,happy Christmas and a wonderful new year to all, Jim Brown

[/ QUOTE ]

Did it die? Absolutely or else my buddy would not have the jacket in a little ziplock bag for a reminder of what NOT to load in the future. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]