Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ive come to the concluesion most calibers exist ..

Ive come to the concluesion most calibers exist and were designed simply as a marketing ploy to sell more rifles and ammo and to keep (something new)to try in the market.

I had a long discusion with the guys I hunt with over many drinks and a BBQ dinner recently, and I posed this question

" at any time in your entire years spent hunting deer and ELK has there EVER been circumstances under which if you were armed with a 300wby or 340wby loaded with ammo of your choice or a similar rifle with similar ballistics ,that you could not have effectively killed your targeted game animal"

after some heated discussion,everyone agreed with me, that no matter what they were or are currently useing, that one of those two rifles or a similar rifle with similar ballistics would have gotten the job done! yet theres HUNDREDS of calibers and wildcat modifications to those calibers! at some point it should become obvious to anyone that theres just no big advantages, to be gained over a few calibers we have had for many years now.CONCLUESION, its MOSTLY MARKETING HYPE, yeah Im aware of the minor differances, the shorter actions,increased velocities,ETC. yet I can,t find a single guy who HONESTLY thinks he would get skunked simply if denyed the newer wiz-bang super-zapper and was forced to use his personal choice of one of the 40 year old or older, middle caliber (30-375)magnums
your thoughts guys???

By George, I think you have it figured out!!! Hahahahahaha.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I reached the same conclusion, myself, a while back. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Well yeah, but there ain't nuthin wrong with that. Many, not all, shooters are inveterate tinkerers, and/or amatuer ballisticians. New cartridges keep them happy, and keep the gun companies in business.

A guy could do still it all with a .222, 30-06, and 375H&H.

Yeah, but what fun what that be? I mean, you could do everything that needs to be done with a vehicle using a 1984 Toyota pick-up with a 4-cyl and a 5 speed, or a '78 Ford Econoline 4x4 van, but that's about as much fun as taking your cousin to the prom (unless you're in West Virginia, that is).

Besides, how could I/we justify a whole safe full of different guns and ammo based on this kinda thinking. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Could do it all with a .22LR, a .270, and a .458, too. Or, a .223, a .308., and .416. Or, a .22 Hornet, a 7x57, and a .404 Jeffery. Or, a .218 Bee, a .30-40 Krag, and a .45-70...

Dang it, there I go again...I guess I'll just have to get all of the ones that I might could do it with just to check and make sure that they can do it, and then decide which one's really work for me... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I agree completely. But I am glad that innovation and research are alive and well in the shooting sports for obvious reasons. On the selfish side, it has created a fantastic "used" market for old and worn out calibers. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

J Scott

I think the reason the manufacturers make all the new calibers is the fact that we keep buying them. With women, its new fashions and home decorations, they gotta stay with the times. With men, it is new toys. I know that I don't really need a 600cc ATV, a 300hp pickup, or a 1/2 MOA rifle, but they sure do put a smile on my face.

my '56 Chevy could have taken me everywhere I've driven in the last 50 years, too...

340,

I am sure your very effective with severe kicking guns but long ago Les Bowman made the case that the majority of 300 magnum hunters were the worst shots.

I suppose I'm an odd man out on this, but I don't find the older cartridges boring. What I find boring is about 90% of the rifles manufactured today.

In other words, I wouldn't be the least bit bored driving a .222 in a nice custom rifle built to my taste. I'm not the least bit bored shooting and loading my custom '06.

On the other hand, most off the shelf rifles are rather boring and uninspiring regardless of the chambering.

SAVAGE 99 while Im sure most guys feel the same, about the 300wby -375 H&H recoil levels,or those of similar caliber rifles theres a great deal that can be done to drop them to easily acceptable levels. do the below listed mods and youll drop felt recoil to about 30/06 levels


first a good SORBATHANE recoil pad on the stock and wear ear muffs at the range

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=869277

next have a recoil reduction muzzle brake installed, yes they are noisy but they do reduce felt recoil amazingly well and yeah you need to have it installed correctly and have the bore size opened up to slightly larger than caliber used

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=942876

next a good sling and KNOWING HOW TO USE IT

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=517842

then add a BI-POD (it adds recoil absorbing weight and steadys the shot)

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=572600


and last a recoil pad sewn in your hunting vest
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=284105

BTW I see several hours per month shooting at the range and most of the shots are[b] NOT from the bench but from sitting, prone and standing possitions simply because thats usually the only options under field conditions,and yeah I practice a GREAT DEAL, easily thousands of rounds per year thru differant rifles

Might as well add a $4000 budget to that list for hearing aids.

The picture below is of a M70 in 7mm WSM. It has a bipod on it (for long range varmints). It's more what I like for fine shooting but to each his own. This is catagory of cartridge is more popular and I enjoy shooting them. They don't need muzzle brakes either.



Here is a target shot with that rifle at 200 yds.



In my opinion this rifle will take the same game as the 340 Weatherby except for the dangerous variety.

To each his own.

I wear BOTH EAR PLUGS AND QUALITY EAR MUFFS OVER THEM at the range <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
my wife says my hearings fine except if she mentions the (HONEY DO THIS LIST) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
and I do a great deal of practice with a bolt action 223 also, to keep in practice hitting 200 yard targets sitting and off hand
it helps to get good at picking out and holding the cross hairs on target consistantly and honeing the trigger squeeze for accuracy

FWIW:

I have noted that manufacturers tend to load factory ammo conservatively after a round has been on the market for 100 years.

Ex: The only reason a 300 Savage is not loaded up to 308 win levels is that some very old Savage 99s out there might blow up!

Therefore, some upgrade of cartridges may useful. Maybe 12 new cartridges a CENTURY.

The rest of course, is marketing!

BMT

340....: If my wife gets to your post, I'll come and shoot your dog. I've spent years explaining to her that rifles are like golf clubs, a different one is needed for each unique situation. My 30-378 is fine for moose, but I really need a Sharps for any bison opportunity that might come down the pike. Just between you and me though, I probably could have made it this far with a 22-250. But only because I've never had to launch anything at a grizzly yet. Probably would have had to pass on a couple of long pokes at some elk too. Take care, 1Minute

340 Mag,

Just a polite suggestion if you don't mind. You must be the 340 from HA. Try to hold back on the upper case type please and don't look for colored letters please.

For instance you used the capitals on knowing how to use a sling. I can assure you than I know how to use the marksman's sling. I shoot in competition with one and have them on many of my hunting rifles as well.

As dj says "Remember this is just for fun" so nothing more is ment by my request.

LMAO <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Savage 99, THANK YOU!
Been looking for a polite way to say that myself.

How in the world did we survive before Roy? Neither of his whiz bangs are necessary then or now. Either one accepts the burdens placed on us by the manufacturers and sincerely trys to keep inventory out of the hands of the unwashed masses, or buys a 30-30 lever gun and is done dancing. It's a free choice.

Of course the 30-30 was a marketing ploy too, I suppose it's a neverending viscious circle.

Don
Now you have really pissed me off... several posts from you and not a single thing I can disagree with! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

340
I have had two episodes with 340Wby users that destroy your points... it is too much gun for some. Dangling a bunch of crap off an already too heavy rifle to make it easier to tolerate recoil is ridiculous IMO. I hate brakes! Flinches are born in big calibers, perfected in 340Wbys...

I would make the same argument that nothing in NA cannot be done with an '06...
art