Big Magnums - Marketing genius?

[flyguide]

I'll bet you don't use every cubic inch of that V8 that you probably drive but it sure is nice to have it there if you need it... same with 4WD right?   

[addicted]

dont use all of my 4 cyl yet but the muffler broke off yesterday and it sounds like a V8.   

They are always trying to find a niche for a new caliber because the ammo and firearm industry not only wants better sales but almost needs it.  The WSM's , the next step after magnums. Financially, probably a good step for the industry due to the hot sales.

[rasbo]

I dont have anything against them just havent needed the 300 yet.But Im packing into the bob Marshall 2010,The 300 will be the gun I use.They have a grizz problem there,you shoot, the grizz come a running.Its like a dinner bell

[arcticguy57]

This has everything to do with marketing.  The gun companies need to sell new guns to stay in business.  Magnums have their place.  I hunted in Alaska for 20 years and my rifle of choice was my  Ruger model 77 in a .338 mag.  I handloaded 250  gr. Barnes X bullets and this was an excellant load.  It dropped everything I hit with it.  I'm hunting down here now and I don't feel the need to hunt with that big of a rifle but some guys might.  More power to em!  If I were to hunt modern firearm, I'd use my 06 or my 38/55.  

[Red Dawg]

I love hunting with any rifle. I just happened to have a couple mags and a couple standard issue rifles and love them all equally. I yes everyone needs every gun every made.

[big_bucks]

I enjoy my weatherby too - just don't need it 99% of the time.  It really sucks to feed that thing - ammo is getting ridiculous now!! 

[7mag.]

I shoot a 7mag., and I love it. I don't know that it is neccesary to have a magnum, but I've never lost an animal with it. On the other hand, I just sold my .338 mag., and I did lose an elk with it a couple of years ago. Shot placement and taking ethical shots, are far more important than caliber and the amount of powder behind it.

[big_bucks]

I shoot a 7mag., and I love it. I don't know that it is neccesary to have a magnum, but I've never lost an animal with it. On the other hand, I just sold my .338 mag., and I did lose an elk with it a couple of years ago. Shot placement and taking ethical shots, are far more important than caliber and the amount of powder behind it.

+1

[fishseeker]

Used to have a 300win. Mag. Ruger 77 bought it in 78. Packed it around till 97. Sucker wiehgt 10lbs,kicked like a mule. Was a tack driver. Killed a couple deer and some elk with it. Farthest shot was a deer at 175 yards.Just said screw it, didn't need a cannon! Sold it and bought an 06 and never looked back. Have a 270,308and 06. Killed a elk at 190 couple years  ago. Killed a deer at 295 with the 308. Don't need more! And I don't flinch!!!!

[280ackley]

I love hunting with any rifle. I just happened to have a couple mags and a couple standard issue rifles and love them all equally. I yes everyone needs every gun every made.

[Bigshooter]

I hunt with a lot of different calibers from 45-70 to 22mag and everthing that falls between them.  I am also a handloader.  You can only load the .270 so many times with different bullets and powder until you have tried it all ( or most of it ).  For me if they did not come out with new stuff I would get bored.  Now I have become more terrain specific with my hunting.  For example, if I am hunting brush for deer I usually take the 45-70.  If I will be hunting clear cuts for deer most of the time I have my 270wsm with me.  Basically I hunt with a lot of different calibers, and that's me.  There is nothing wrong or right about it.  But my dad always tells me "beware of the man with only one gun, he usually shots it very well".  But I tell him I shoot all of mine well.  And he is one to talk anyway, he hunts with more guns in a season than I do.   

[WAPITIHUNTER]

At some point in time I realised that I was sick and tired of all the hype on which caliber was best for what etc...etc...etc.....and on and on and on and on and on and on. You get the point. I also realised that I never ever wanted to feel under gunned or actually be under gunned. In this day and age with 16,000,000 people scouring the hills during season, putting the game on the ground, like right now, is imperative. Especially while elk hunting. I love Elk hunting and when I shoot an Elk I actually like it when my tag ends up wrapped around the antler. So my mentality is to put the animal on the ground right now and I mean RIGHT NOW! Unless of course you are one of those loving, giving type of hunters that like to let other people tag animals that you have shot.

So the logical choice was something that absolutely would put the smack down on the deer or elk, no questions asked. Something that would hit like a freight train at 9 miles and would liquidise the insides of an animal at close range. Preferably a caliber/cartridge that would smash bone at any range. Not just one shoulder but both shoulders. Also a cartridge/caliber combo that I would never have to worry about replacing or going out of usability or production. So 16 years ago I bought a .300 by. I have never ever had to worry about my guns ability to kill what I am hunting. EVER! That is exactly the way I want it. I have killed many deer with This rifle and it has always been no contest. They are done for immediately. No worries ever. I don't ever have to worry about the magnum hype. I bought the only gun I will ever need for almost all game worldwide. .300 by is and always has been king of magnums. I have a good feeling inside over the fact that I don't have to worry about what gun to use. Anytime I rifle hunt my hand always reaches for the one and only rifle/cartridge that I will ever need to worry about. If you want a gun that will do it all all the time then reach for the super magnum. If not then go ahead and buy all kinds of different guns. I prefer shooting my bow and scouting rather than worrying about my rifle and cartridges ability to get the job done.

Oh and don't worry I shot the .270 win. plenty. I have a BAR with the boss that shoots one hole groups at 100 yards. I have and my wife have both taken many deer with it. I feel better equipped when carrying the Weatherby. I shot a spike Elk in Oregon a few years ago at 538 yards. First shot was mid body just barley in front of the shoulder bone. Put a hole in the shoulder the diameter of a soft ball. He still ran off a couple hundred yards. Found him in his bed and plugged him in the head. I have a friend that uses a .375 H&H for elk and moose. He shot a 6x6 elk in Oregon a couple years ago at close range on the run. The first shot broke the shoulder and traveled the entire length of the body and he found the bullet in the hind quarter in the off side. The first shot dropped the bull and it immediately jumped up and took off and he drilled it again and took him down for good.

Ultimately use what you feel comfortable with. The muzzle blast and kick of the super magnum is not for everybody. Just about anybody can shoot a deer or Elk at 300 yards. Will your .270 even with super premium ammunition/bullets break that onside shoulder on a giant bull and make it to the vitals. Maybe. I shoot the mega magnum because I know it it will. No maybe involved. 

[bobcat]

Great post. Any of the 300 Magnums are definitely good all around, do anything cartridges for the guy who can learn to shoot them well without developing a flinch. But not all can, myself included.

[ICEMAN]

Magnums are for men.

[addicted]

Magnums are for men.