I don't normally pay attention to what people shoot or hunt with. I know exactly what I want/need.
I meant on the forum. I'm in S.C. magnums aren't so popular here.Also - unlike the OP - I seem to be seeing fewer and fewer magnums at the range and on hunts. Am thinking a lot of hunters may have decided that something with less muzzle blast & recoil can get the job done just fine.
Mostly I hunt with my 30-06 & 25-06 rifles, but I freely admit, I'm not much of a "long range" hunter anyway. Except coyotes. Coyotes I will shoot at any range that looks safe.
Guy
...
Ended up taking the grizzly with my 30-06, and am pretty sure I'll never get around to the cape buff hunt... So, have two nice 375's that are more unnecessary now than they were when I got them.
I still like 'em though. Fun to handload, actually pretty pleasant to shoot. Don't need them, but I do like them.
Guy
The first two reasons I originally moved to high velocity magnums was cause I didn't want to deal with chances of animals crossing property lines after being shot & to keep them from heading off into deep gorges where I hunt. Both of those happened to me before. So I moved to higher velocity cartridges pushing softer & quicker expanding bullets. So far, I haven't had to go off into a gorge on foot & pull one out or cross a property line to recover an animal. I don't completely disagree with those who stress well placed shots but if I could make the perfect shot every time under any condition with any amount of wind, then the only cartridge I would need would be a 6mm br, brx, bra ,Dasher, etc.... Then I would just shoot them in the neck every time.I've hunted in a few states. Never used a magnum other than a .257Wby and that was only on paper.
I mainly hunt with a 6.5 Creedmoor and rarely exceed 350y on game. Most shots here in SC are under 150.
Now, it seems like every time a cartridge discussion comes up, 7mm or greater mags are the go to.
I know that some folks on here feel that velocity and mass will always trump a well placed shot and we are called Long Range Hunting, but at what point is a magnum necessary?
I guess what I'm asking is at what point did you decide a magnum was the best all around cartridge for you?
In the nature of full disclosure, I also currently own a 6.5PRC, had a 6.5x284, 257WBY and a 300WM(never fired ). The PRC's performance(a hunter) reminds me most of my 6.5x284, which was an F Classer.
I'm also considering having a new WSM built. So there's that.
"Always Trump"?"I know that some folks on here feel that velocity and mass will always trump a well placed shot and we are called Long Range Hunting, but at what point is a magnum necessary?"
I consider the 6.5-284 & 6.5 prc closely being a magnum. 25-06 is not called a magnum but I consider it a magnum as well. Same goes for a 22 creedmoor. All of those are somewhat over bore.I've hunted in a few states. Never used a magnum other than a .257Wby and that was only on paper.
I mainly hunt with a 6.5 Creedmoor and rarely exceed 350y on game. Most shots here in SC are under 150.
Now, it seems like every time a cartridge discussion comes up, 7mm or greater mags are the go to.
I know that some folks on here feel that velocity and mass will always trump a well placed shot and we are called Long Range Hunting, but at what point is a magnum necessary?
I guess what I'm asking is at what point did you decide a magnum was the best all around cartridge for you?
In the nature of full disclosure, I also currently own a 6.5PRC, had a 6.5x284, 257WBY and a 300WM(never fired ). The PRC's performance(a hunter) reminds me most of my 6.5x284, which was an F Classer.
I'm also considering having a new WSM built. So there's that.
After reading several threads, the common thought is that it insures a kill shot. Hence the statement."Always Trump"?
I was not aware that anyone here thought that, hmmm! I do think there are times that velocity & mass ALONG WITH a well placed shot has an advantage in some cases.