I just love that this debate of using smaller calibers to hunt big game is getting traction. I’m a big believer in positive friction leading to the best outcomes and it’s been great reading/listening to both sides of the argument.
Appreciate the latest Backfire Mancast discussing their views on the subject and the inadequacy of the .243 (and I think it was the 6.5 CM from the last Bison hunt) not being enough. I get that it’s a bison and not a deer/elk, but it does demonstrate that there is a point where you can go too light and not have enough gun to do the job cleanly.
We all want to minimize wounding big game or causing the animal suffering beyond what’s necessary. My hope is that this debate leads everyone to shooting cartridges/calibers that give us the best chance of success for any realistic shot situation we encounter in the field.
I just recently learned about this big debate with the backcountry hunting podcast and whatever the podcast was that led him to post his response.
I don’t think there’s a simple answer here. The simple fact is, yes smaller calibers are easier to shoot and be more accurate with. And shot placement is extremely important. Heck, I’d rather miss an animal completely rather than wound it, cause suffering ,etc
But, not only is shot placement important but you’ve got to deliver a projectile with enough killing power for lack of a better word to do the job and not yet again cause wounding only.
So now the debate becomes, how do you balance those two opposing issues? Bigger calibers but with more emphasis on recoil control, muzzle devices, suppressors, better stocks?? Limiting range??
I find it hard to argue for a small caliber on big game when the 7mm-08 is a viable option if recoil management/accuracy are the main factors of consideration. Not just the 7mm-08, but the 6.5 PRC, the 7mm Mauser, even the 270 or 308.
If the arguement bleeds into the challenge of taking big game with a small caliber, I would think anyone in that boat ought to look into archery, black power or a short range lever action. Make the hunt more challenging.
Yeah, I think you could argue that we are rediscovering the wheel here. There’s a reason why the 30-06 and it’s siblings such as the 270, 280, Etc have been so popular for so long. They deliver plenty of killing capacity / incapacitation capacity while still being fairly easy to shoot. A nice, middle of the road approach.
Just for those who aren’t paying attention to the current podcast / internet debate on this. One of the main proponents of using smaller calibers says that he started his hunting career using large Magnums on small Eastern deer. But since switching to smaller calibers like 6 mm and using them on everything up to and including moose, his success rate is gone up. He’s losing less meat. He’s doing less tracking, losing less animals.
He’s not advocating that it’s just using the smallest thing that you can get by with, he’s advocating that it’s actually a much better way of hunting.
Shot placement matters!
I usually don’t dive into this topic too much primarily because most people are WAY too passionate about a moot point.
I have taken deer with soft points, hollow points, bonded, varmint rounds, even full metal jackets. They have been sent down range from anything from a 22 Hornet to a 300WM. I have only lost one deer and it was completely MY fault. It was a bad shot with the good ole 30-30.
Shot placement is what matters! Learn to shoot accurately and learn where to shoot. Put it in the vitals for a fatal shot and keep it below the apex of the rib cage for a good blood trail and that’s it!
But wait, there’s more… Be prepared to take a mental note of the animals location, path of travel after the shot, and follow that blood trail. You might be on your hands and knees for hours following pen drops if you don’t get an exit. You might have to hire a dog. You might have to come back in the morning. The point in this section is be prepared to work after the shot! NEVER EVER give up the trail without exhausting every option within your control.
Putting in the work before and after the shot = meat in the freezer!
Just found these podcasts yesterday where they interview Form from Rokslide. He makes the case for using smaller calibers on big game and talks through a lot of the reservations I have about it.
Just to be clear, I’m not advocating for either side, just trying to present information from both sides and letting everyone make up their own minds or discuss it further in this thread.
