I read this article with some interest. Back when I started hunting my very first rifle was a 308 Norma Magnum. I was in envy of my buddies pre 64 Winchester model 70 (at this time everything was a pre 64). It started out as a 300 H&H and was rechambered to a 300 ICL Grizzly. This chambering gave the same velocity as the 300 Weatherby.

Just the name made me, well you know. I could not afford a rifle like this so I did the best I could. Bought a mauser commercial action, a Fagen stock and had a Hobaugh 26 inch bbl put in it. Chambered without any freebore it gave excellent accuracy. I didn't have a chronograph at that time so just loaded it til it started mashing the primers flat and dropped back a few grains.

Now I don't think I killed anything with with that Norma that I couldn't have with a 270 or 30-06, but I sure thought I had a hot rod. Growing up fairly poor I could look down my nose at all the 30-30's, 06's and all those "slow speed short range guns."

I think the pursuit of that "hot rod" is what is behind a lot of the big magnum sales. To give you an example a few years ago light plane pilot training was dropping like a rock. The reason was that a new perspective pilot would drive his 50,000 dollar car to the airport from his 250,000 dollar home and climb into a 10,000 dollar 25 year old airplane to learn to fly. Not very exciting was it.

I think that you presented a reasonable common sense approach to the ultra fast, ultra recoil, ultra expensive to shoot 30 cal magnum rifles on the market. The problem is no amount of common sense is going to counter that "hot rod" feeling that comes from owning and shooting those ultra guns.

By this time I have outgrown most of that type of thinking, but still cling to my 8mm Rem magnum for most of my hunting. I know it doesn't make sense to do so, but it has become a good friend over many years. It doesn't kill game any further than most others simply because I can't shoot as far as I could when I was younger. Most folks I talk to say I am over-gunned for deer and such, but the deer don't seem to mind.

Anyway thanks for the great article. I think as most hunters go through life they discover that the paint fades from the "hot rod" and those 600 to 1000 yard shots are mostly young bucks yernings.

I'll agree with you, Bob -

Was impressed by muzzle flash, size of cartridge and knock-down recoil back in my salad days. Guess everyone goes through that stage.

Those folks truely needing X ft lbs of energy to cleanly take dangerous or big sized game are well gunned with the larger 30 and 40 caliber cannons.

For my type of hunting anymore, the 30-06 on down suit my needs fine. Still like to have some that sizzle a .224, .243, .264 or .284 caliber slug out a ways, though. My favorite caliber the past few years has been the .264 in several different cartridges. If I ever manage to get drawn for elk again, the .284 magnums will come out of retirement.

Will still take the odd 300 yd shot, but the game has to be non-moving and a broadside presentation. Lots of benchrest work at all ranges in between is done to keep proficient.

I got to tell you kdub I really liked that 264 winchester. Got one in trade when I was in Alaska back in the late 70's. It was a post 64 with that awful ill fitting stamped checkerd stock.

Stripped it down and sent it to armaloy to refinish along with the leapold scope rings. Sent down to Fagen and got a nice classic semi fancy french walnut stock. Put it togather with a Leapold 3-9 variable and some really nice checkering. Was gonna use it for my sheep hunting up there.

About a month before sheep season started I had a table at a gun show in Anchorage and had put it out to demonstrate my gunsmith services. A fella offered me so much money for it that I just could not sell it.

I ended up with a ruger 30-06 on the sheep hunt. I never again owned a 264 calibre rifle, but my mouth waters whenever I see one of the full stocked manlicher's in 6.5 by 55 or one of the old pre-64 26 inch bbl Winchester model 70's

I really enjoyed reading this article. I tend to agree with it 100% I just don't personally have the desire for anything in the 30 caliber more than the 30-06 or a 308 if a short action is perfered.