Quote:
Originally Posted by aigel
I would not go big game hunting with a handgun caliber in a rifle. It will always be a compromise compared to a rifle caliber. If 30-30 is too 'modern'. go with a 45-70 instead. Guys like Jeff may be able to do well with excellent shot placement and picking the perfect loads or factory ammo, but the average guy will benefit from a flatter shooting harder hitting rifle cartridge out of a rifle.
G
|
"A man has got to know his limitations..."
Making a conscious decision to handicap one's self with regards to hunting method, be it bow hunting, muzzle loader hunting, handgun hunting, or something similar is a pretty serious decision to make. The use of a pistol caliber lever gun may not be as extreme as, say, bow hunting, but it still represents a pretty serious limitation compared to more powerful, higher velocity, flatter shooting rifle calibers. If one isn't willing or able to make a commitment to practice, and a commitment to pass up an awful lot of opportunities that are beyond the capabilities of the weapon of choice, then one has no business hunting with these kinds of arms.
I grew up hunting with modern, bolt action, scoped rifles. It soon got to be "too easy", and I was looking for greater challenges. I found what I was looking for initially with muzzle loaders, taking advantage of the special seasons offered for their use. It was a relatively easy commitment to make, since my state, at the time, allowed us to hunt all of our deer and elk seasons (bow, muzzle loader, and modern firearm), so long as we used the proper weapon. If I didn't get anything with the muzzle loader, I could just head out for the modern rifle season and have another chance. Then, for whatever reason, some 30-odd years ago they switched to making us choose just one method and season for any given year. And they dramatically shortened muzzle loading seasons while cutting the number of open units in half as well. All of it just rendered our short, scattered muzzle loading seasons rather less than appealing. They kind of forced my hand...
So it was back to the modern firearms seasons. I could still use the muzzle loader during those seasons, but now I was looking for something different again. Enter the big bore revolver. Now here was a real challenge... The amount of work involved in getting proficient enough to be confident hunting with one proved to be far, far more than I ever could have imagined. Fortunately for me, I had a rather stern mentor who would not "allow" me to go hunting with my revolver until he was satisfied with my proficiency.
I understand the limitations imposed by the choices I have made. Hell, I went
looking for those limitations. I wanted them. I welcomed them. I kind of have to think that unless one is going in with that kind of an attitude, one is better off using the most effective weapon possible. Make no mistake, a pistol caliber lever gun
can be very effective - certainly more effective than my revolvers - but one has to understand, and work within, its limitations.