The .000 Caliber

Let's see if you can relate to this?

Hunting and Shooting Variables!

Anyone who has taken the time to read through the postings on this site will notice a trend on debating caliber and rifle selection.

Imagine that the .000 Caliber is agreed on by all to be the most perfect bullet ever developed. From ballistics to trajectory, from energy to terminal effectiveness, from expansion to penetration, from weight to sectional density, all things considered the .000 Caliber is the BEST!

Next consider that the .000 Caliber bullet is being used in the number one most popular gun ever made, now we have the perefect setup, or do we?

There is a difference between shooters and hunters; a shooter strives for perfection in his/her bullet development and the accuracy and precision of the gun. The hunter on-the-other-hand strives for success using a particular bullet and gun combination.

Each has a goal and follows a path of least resistance, but for some the path traveled is vast and intense.

If all things considered as perfect were true to being perefect, the search would be over, the shooters and hunters would only need to use the .000 Caliber, but perfection is elusive in that it can't be attained, so why bother.

If we combine the shooter and hunter into one individual we get a sportsman!

A sportsman will make every effort at determining what is the most effective bullet he/she can use in a particular gun.

A sportsman is one who practices for hours, days, months and years in perfecting his/her shooting skills.

A sportsman studies the anatomy of the animals they select to hunt, and knows exactly where the bullet should be placed for maximum terminal effect.

A sportsman shares his/her knowledge with others so they too will be able to shoot with perfection.

A sportsman understands the true path of bullet and the physical natural effects played on it by gravity, wind, temperature and a list of other factors.

So, here we are after extensive development and hundreds of hours of practice, we are readied to put-into-effect all our knowledge and expertise. We have read everthing there is to read, we have asked every possible question we can think about and have debated among the best for solutions to all probable problems, WE ARE PREPARED!

Now let's take all this information and apply it on a spontaneous hunt that will take place as of right now. I'm going to pack up the perfect gun, using the .000 Caliber bullet and attempt to go on the perfect hunt.

My stress level at work has reached an all time high and it's time to hunt. The weather is cold, and a new snow has fallen during the evening, my tracking skills will be challenged but in my mind I am ready!

I drive as fast as the speed limit will allow, arriving at my favorite hunting location, I rush with enthusiasum to an area where I know coyotes have been feeding.

After some time is spent preparing a blind and making my calls, I finally sit back and take break, but in a blink of an eye a coyote has responded to my last calling session and is headed in my direction. This all has happened so fast, my heart is racing, my eyes are watering, I'm focused but yet feel as if I'm standing in a tunnel. The coyote racing towards me only excites me more so, I know I have the perfect gun and the perfect bullet so what more do I need?

The winds circling around me, even more distorts my vision, the air temperature seems to be falling with every step the coyote makes, he/she is now within a 100 yards, an easy shot with my sub-MOA gun.

I settle in, taking a rest on a tree limb, I breath in ,trying to relax my heart rate, clear my eyes from all the tears that have developed trying to keep the dog in view. The gun is now ready to fire, I focus as hard as I can to have the trigger go off without notice, this is it!

Bang, pause, Bang, pause! Did I get it, can't see it, were did it go. Checked for blood, checked for hair, checked for any indication of a hit, but nothing.

What took place in this imaginary hunt? VARIABLES we can not expect perfection out of any bullet or gun combination, we can not depend on theory alone, we can not even depend on past results, for there are no absolutes in the real world. So relax, don't get so defensive about your favorite bullet, or the favorite gun. Share what knowledge you have with others, so they can PASS IT ON to younger generations, in the hopes that our world will remain free, and your children and grandchildren will be allowed to have the same dreams of shooting and hunting with THE PERFECT GUN!

Thank you Mike, I've know a lot of hunters and a lot of shooters in my lifetime, but not so many sportsman. The sportsman are the ones I remember the most.

Nicely put.

That's what i was thinking.

Mike

I copied your post and put it in my reading file. I'm gonna re-read it before I post on any controversial question on which is the best rifle, pistol, action, bullet combo.

I know a lot of folks have their favorite calibre, action, bullet, manufacturer and are really attached to it. But I do get a chuckle when someone becomes a fanatic and forgets that he/she should be a sportsman and does not consider that there might be other choices that might work just as well.

Most of us that have been at this shooting, reloading, hunting game a while end up using what works best and feels good to us be it a lever action, single shot, bolt action or others and like to share our experiences. Sometimes we can be overzealous in our praise and trash another's choices. I know how easy it is to get carried away at times.

Every time we do this we teach younger/newer shooters that's how it's done. Not really a good lesson to pass on is it.

And oh those veriables. I can't think of all the times I have gotten bit by one of those veriaibles on the range or out hunting or at the reloading bench. You just got to keep your sense of humor.

One of the really nice things about this forum are the down to earth moderators that keep it a nice place to read and learn.

Thanks again Mike and thanks to the moderators.

VERY well done.

In this forum especially I have noticed a consistent tendency for a few responses to answer a thread question or offer a germain comment but more seem to criticize the answers.
-Ed

In this forum especially I have noticed a consistent tendency for a few responses to answer a thread question or offer a germain comment but more seem to criticize the answers.
-Ed

Not really, there are a just few topics that seem to push buttons and bring out the arguing side of folks.

Does this mean I have to quite telling people the 8x57 is better than both the '06 and .270?

Seriously, great post Mike!

I think I'm liking the cost factor for a .000" bullet. Should get us past the lead price problem. Let us know when you've completed development, Mike? :D

I find nothing of that caliber in the Lee die selection.

:)

Very well put Mike. Jolly good!!

I've started development of the .000 Improved. :D


RJ

Nice post.

RJ, so if you are doing the .000 Imp., who's going to build a .000 magnum?

I don't get it.

Excellent post, maybe if the .000 caliber was a reality, we wouldn't need to sit around the campfire and argue about what caliber is best.

Beautifully put , Sir. To many times we forget WE are supposed to be teaching and passing on information and knowledge to new shooters, hunters and sportsman. Our squabbles about "THE PERFECT ROUND" will be in vain if WE dont see to it that these younger sportsmen and women understand the value of our sport.

The perfect game killer was infact designed about a century and a half ago! It was the .45-70 with a big heavy slow moving cast bullet. It will kill any animal on the planet if we actually HUNT the game, and stalk to within reasonable ranges. The problem began when man decided they were to lazy to try and get closer, and that they needed to increase the velocity to reach way out there to save the stalk. THEN they figured that since the increased velocity started leaving lead streaks in the bore, that they needed to switch to a copper jacket bullet to prevent the leading. THEN they thought to drop the bullet weight to increase speed some more, AND flatten the trajectory more yet. NOW we want to go with light, jacketed, and pointy little tips on the bullets to again flatten the arc and decrease the stalk. The problem with the whole thing is, now we've taken away most all the things that made the .45-70 so great to begin with. Hmmmm. Yes folks. . . Magnum- itus is a disease that spreads from from the thinking that lighter, faster, and flatter shooting is better. But this put certain limits on it's ability to perform under all conditions. But within the close woods ranges here on the west side, I can't think of a more perfect caliber for a large game animal, at any angle, then that century and a half year old cartridge. Within about 200 yards, which is about 160 yards more than 75% of all the shots we get at the south end of a north bound Elk in very heavy brush, it will reliably, put a large hole clean thru any animal that can be taken here, better then any other caliber I have tried. That's a BUNCH!

Excellent post, maybe if the .000 caliber was a reality, we wouldn't need to sit around the campfire and argue about what caliber is best.

Well, I agree.
I bought a bolt action because that is what I prefer.

I bought one with a decorative, nicely checkered walnut stock, because I prefer the gun to be handsome and easy on the eye.

I bought one with blued steel, 'cos that is traditional, looks great, and was good enough for Dirty Harry.

I bought a 30.06, because its an all-American big rifle caliber, not too heavy, not too light, but just about right for me. Its got a lot of history and tradition.

I bought a Winchester because its made in America and well-made.

I bought a Leupold scope 'cos they are made in Oregon USA, just near Portland from where I come.

These are all my own personal preferences and peculiar to me. Plenty of other folks have different preferences and what works best for them is best for them and in no way irks me. Its a free country, diversity and choice are fine and to be welcomed.

It would be a duller world if we all wanted the same action, the same rifle, the same caliber!

Cheers,
Dermot

Ayup, a fine caliber indeed.

At realistic sure-hit, humane-kill hunting range, say under 200 yards, what benefit is there in a 'flat-shooting' cartridge?? If the scope copes with 200 yards in a rainbow arc .45-70 one aims and squeezes the trigger. So what if the bullet doesn't shoot flat so long as it is accurate and carries a mother of a wallop?

Dermot

[QUOTE=DJWright]The perfect game killer was infact designed about a century and a half ago! It was the .45-70 with a big heavy slow moving cast bullet.

Didn't P.O. Ackley wildcat a .000?


Very well put Mike. Jolly good!!

I've started development of the .000 Improved. :D


RJ

Nice post.

RJ, so if you are doing the .000 Imp., who's going to build a .000 magnum?


Maybe Remington will commercialize it.

How about a .000 short Mag?


Maybe Remington will commercialize it.