Do you need a magnum rifle?

[fullautovalmet76]

I started to place this in the rifle forum, but its purpose is for "tactical" issues not hunting. Let me state from the start I'm not a hunter, so I am not taking a position. I just think this might be something hunters on this board may find interesting.

The podcast is very short (< 3 mins) so this is an easy listen:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/guntalk/Magnum_rifles_2.15.11.mp3

-FA

[Timothy]

Yes, interesting...

I've never used anything other than a .30-30 or .32 Winchester for deer, never had need for anything else.  My brother used a .30-06 but for where we hunted, it wasn't really needed.

Magnums might have their place where dangerous game is present but I'd suspect it's unnecessary in North America.

[tombogan03884]

What does need have to do with it ?
Technically, for hunters , no, you don't need a magnum caliber.
But for for all shooters, if they want one it's no business of any one but themselves and their dealer.

I posted the above before listening to the podcast, first time I tried it locked up my computer.
Now I understand the point, I would agree with TG that the object is a clean kill, not seeing how much abuse you can inflict on yourself.
I have a prejudice for .30 caliber so I would stick with 7.62X39 or .308 due to cheap surplus practice ammo, but I grew up with every one having a 30/30.
This crap of every body needing a 300 Win Mag to go squirrel hunting is nothing more than marketing hype. I've been around hunters my entire life and with two exceptions none even owned anything larger than .308 .

[Timothy]

Speaking of not needing something.  My SIL recently bought a rifle in .270 WSM.

He buys the fun stuff and I get to shoot it!   

[tombogan03884]

Unless range is an issue a good rule of thumb is any one carry more than a 30/06 (It does have a cult following though it can't do anything a 308 won't do ) Is the Fudd version of a mall ninja. More concerned with impressing every one with some gun writers latest and greatest than with making a clean kill. Those are usually also the ones who can't shoot for crap but always have an excuse.

[Sponsor]

[fullautovalmet76]

OK. What do y'all think about his statement on the .243? I mentioned this to some friends who are hunters and it was like they thought I had become possessed by a demonic spirit! 

Their contention is the caliber is not "potent" enough to the job on whitetail deer. When I mentioned that FL deer are no bigger than large dogs, they wouldn't budge; maybe they shoot deer over in the panhandle (west Florida) where they are a little bigger.

[Timothy]

My uncle used to take deer quite regularly with a .22 LR but he could hit was he was aiming at.  It wasn't exactly legal nor was the time of year when he was doing it but he didn't miss.

I suspect it's more than enough for whitetail but I'm no expert either.  Probably up around 3000 FPS and 2000lbs of energy, do the math...

[mkm]

My first and currently only hunting rifle is a .270 WSM.  I have shot several deer with it and farthest any one of them has run is about 30 feet; most drop in place.  Do I think it's necessary to have a magnum for deer hunting, no.  However, the recoil from my rifle isn't that bad, and I like it.  The main advantage to short magnums and similar is that you get a powerful round in a smaller lighter rifle.  

I do wish I had a more common caliber, .270 or .308 etc., when ammo gets low.

I agree with the guy in the podcast in that hitting the target accurately is the most important thing.  

I really don't care what folks use to hunt as long as they do it ethically and get children, wives, friends, etc. involved.  My employment depends on hunting.

OK. What do y'all think about his statement on the .243? I mentioned this to some friends who are hunters and it was like they thought I had become possessed by a demonic spirit! 

Their contention is the caliber is not "potent" enough to the job on whitetail deer. When I mentioned that FL deer are no bigger than large dogs, they wouldn't budge; maybe they shoot deer over in the panhandle (west Florida) where they are a little bigger.

It's should be more than enough in the South, but I personally like larger calibers.  It should be a great rifle for women and children.

[Timothy]

I think hunting women and children is illegal in most parts of the country!

 

Just kidding pal!

 

Time for bed...

[TAB]

I don't want or need a mag, more so when its in a ultra light weigth rifle...

cracks me up to see a 5lb 300 win mag...