Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
Paul, what's funny about all of this is that when all is said and done, our "big club" handguns have less "power" than the lowly .30-30, your favorite .257 Roberts, or one of my favorites, the old 6.5 x 55 Swede. No one would recommend any of those for protection in bear country. Yes, these hand cannons are the most we can carry somewhat conveniently, out of the way on our hip, but they are what they are - powerful handguns that don't even measure up to what many would consider "inadequate" rifles (although some of us would challenge their notions on "inadequate").
Funny, too, how that whole thing has worked. I shot my first several deer with a sporterized Mauser in .257 Roberts. They seemed to think it was "adequate". The .30-30 was considered quite adequate for everything except grizzlies and moose, and the 6.5 Swede was very sought after. I don't know, but it seems as if game must have changed; if one believes the pundits of today, any of these "inadequate" rounds won't stop a charging jack rabbit. One needs the latest .300 "Remchester Short Fat Ultra Light Magnum" (I can't tell anymore if it's ammo or Starbucks...) to kill a lowly Columbia Blacktail.
But yet, somehow, the mighty .454 Casull will completely up-end a charging grizzly, sending him ass over teakettle, turning him inside out like a praire dog hit with the .220 Swift. Hmmm... That said, I have demonstrated to myself, to my own satisfaction, just how well a big bore revolver kills, regardless of its "on-paper" ballistics. Likewise with those "inadequate" rifle rounds. I think things have become ever more so like Elmer Keith used to say - most gunwriters shoot more with their typewriters than anything else. Lots of pure and utter b.s. permeating the shooting world these days.
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Jeff, for years I hunted deer with my .257 Roberts...just an old bolt remington.
But for Elk? Yeah, even tho the .257 is legal for elk, I upped my "club" size to 7mm Remingon Mag..a ruger M77.
Both are topped with Leupold scopes...straight 4 power on the .257, 3-9 on the 7mm. Very seldom I packed a handgun on a hunting trip. Both are good hunting rifles today, as far as I'm concerned.
For a "back up" rifle on longer & farther from home hunts? I'd also take mu pre '64 30-30 winchester lever gun. Iron sights. Very legal for all Oregon game, and very good for crawling through the thick stuff...short & compact.
It's kind of like my 4.6 Mustang...yep, it's slower than the new 5.0's...but it's ability hasn't changed.
Fishing in black bear areas, I'd strap on my old Ruger "security six" in .357 magnum. Never needed it, thank goodness. But back then, dog hunting for bear & cougar was allowed, and both had a healthy fear of man.