I did say - once - that the accomplishments of my Dad, my relatives and my ancestors was not a source of "pride" for me. I was merely pointing out, that to my way of thinking, "pride" comes out of one's own accomplishments.
I metioned my Dad's EXPERIENCE not as a source of pride - but as the voice of someone who's actual experience in regards to killing grizzlies, usually alone, and without a guide - bore listening to. My Dad did use calibers beyond 40 for grizzlies - but eventually settled on the 30-06, and the pump-action, as being "perfect" - for him.
I wanted to point out also that killing grizzlies is different from being around a lot of them. Heck, if being around game animals is what counts - my experiences with Whitetail deer, within 100 yards of my house, daily, probably trumps the Benoit family's experiences! I chase many of them away from my wife's roses and the cedar hedge every day. Sometimes in numbers that exceed 20 at a time.
But, I think you can see and appreciate the difference between doing that every day - and hunting them the way the Benoit family does. When it comes to hunting them - if the Benoits are talking - I'm listening!
It was that experiential knowledge about killing grizzlies that my Dad had, at length, and that's the reason I mentioned it. Not to brag about it - or as a source of my own pride - but rather as noting the experience of one who should be listened to.
The fact he regarded a short, light 30-06 pump as being his favorite - is, in my opinion, not to be discounted.
Now that he's gone, if I ever do shoot a big grizzly - since I can't have my Dad at my side - I can't think of many people I'd rather have at my side than you, Kutenay.
