Free: Contests & Raffles.
I've been contemplating this question for quite awhile. But after reading an article in this month’s Outdoor Life, "Bum Luck in Paradise", where Andrew Mckean writes about the .257 Weatherby Mag possibly being the best western big game caliber (on his hunt in Utah he is shooting 140 grain bullets at around 4000 fps for elk). This really got me thinking which really is better, mass or velocity? I have previously leaned more toward the "the bigger the animal the heavier the bullet should be" group. I shoot a .30-06 for both deer and elk. I have been shooting 165 grain bullets for both species because I usually don't have time to re-sight in my rifle between deer and elk season so I figured the 165 grain was a fair compromise for both species. This year I have been contemplating on going to a lighter bullet for deer (140 or 150 grains) and heavier bullet for elk (175 or 180 grain). But after reading this article it’s got me thinking about bullet weight and velocity. I know this is a very subjective question that really depends on the area you hunt and the rifle you are shooting, so to give a little perspective on my situation: I hunt elk in the Blues, where I would say that 70% of time I am looking at 200yd + shots. So what are your preferences on bullet velocity vs. bullet mass?
Quote from: andersonjk4 on July 27, 2011, 11:43:57 AMI've been contemplating this question for quite awhile. But after reading an article in this month’s Outdoor Life, "Bum Luck in Paradise", where Andrew Mckean writes about the .257 Weatherby Mag possibly being the best western big game caliber (on his hunt in Utah he is shooting 140 grain bullets at around 4000 fps for elk). This really got me thinking which really is better, mass or velocity? I have previously leaned more toward the "the bigger the animal the heavier the bullet should be" group. I shoot a .30-06 for both deer and elk. I have been shooting 165 grain bullets for both species because I usually don't have time to re-sight in my rifle between deer and elk season so I figured the 165 grain was a fair compromise for both species. This year I have been contemplating on going to a lighter bullet for deer (140 or 150 grains) and heavier bullet for elk (175 or 180 grain). But after reading this article it’s got me thinking about bullet weight and velocity. I know this is a very subjective question that really depends on the area you hunt and the rifle you are shooting, so to give a little perspective on my situation: I hunt elk in the Blues, where I would say that 70% of time I am looking at 200yd + shots. So what are your preferences on bullet velocity vs. bullet mass? Your figures are a little off. No .257 Weatherby will shoot a 140 grain bullet at 4000fps. If i remember correctly, 85 grain bullets are only going 3700? Someone will have to chime in on this...
This topic will never die and always be argued from now to who knows when. I did alot of research on guns, bullets and such back before I bought my last rifle in 2004. I wanted a rifle that I could hunt anything in this state with and be able to do it at 500 yds if needed, without much effort and thought into ballisitics of the cartridge.Like someones quote on their post one here says, A rifle is only as good as the person who is shooting it.I shoot a 300 RUM and shoot 180 Scirrocco's out of it. I dont get all fancy and play with reloading stuff, I buy the same bullets and shoot it every once in a while. I think the most important thing in todays rifle's capability is the shooters confidence in putting a bullet down range and knowing in his or her mind that the equipment is capable of the shot and so is the shooter.I have not missed yet with this rifle, and each time I pull up on any game I know almost for certain that all of my homework will pay off with a hard hitting ethical kill shot.
