Magnum rifle Stereotypes
- Thread starter .300 Weatherby Mag
- Start date
I guess I'm one of the weirdos that doesn't mind admitting that I don't enjoy the muzzle blast & recoil of the magnums. At the same time, I don't give a spit what you want to shoot. My preference leans to the 25-06 for what I do & where I do it. If a 300 mag or the like blows your skirt up for you then go for it. Who cares what others say. Now if you touch off that magnaported 338 beside me without a courtesy "heads-up" i'll have something to say about it. Otherwise have at it.
Tens of thousands of hunters take magnum rifles into the fields each Fall. The vast majority shoot them just fine. Most guys who shoot magnums are veteran shooters who know what they are doing. As Harry Callahan said "A man's got to know his limitatations".
While I own some magnum rifles I don't use them most of the time. I believe in using the right tool for the job. No sense in using a sledge hammer when a ball peen will work. But there are times when you need the sledge hammer, and I know how if needed.
While I own some magnum rifles I don't use them most of the time. I believe in using the right tool for the job. No sense in using a sledge hammer when a ball peen will work. But there are times when you need the sledge hammer, and I know how if needed.
I used to be a huge fan of my 7 rem mag. Then I discovered that I rather enjoy long range shooting and would like to do it more often. Not being able to afford the ammo (didn't reload), along with shooting out the barrel twice as quick, made me think twice. I also did a little research and discovered that the 7 mag doesn't give you a tremendous amount of advantage over a .30-06 or .270. I rechambered my rifle for .270 and have lived happily ever after.
I don't have anything against the magnums, I just don't really see the need. I've also dropped several deer between 3 and 4 hundred yards that fell just fine. The longest track I had was 140 yards. A .308 still has a little over 1000 pounds of energy at 500 yards. That's almost twice as much as .357 at the muzzle.
I don't have anything against the magnums, I just don't really see the need. I've also dropped several deer between 3 and 4 hundred yards that fell just fine. The longest track I had was 140 yards. A .308 still has a little over 1000 pounds of energy at 500 yards. That's almost twice as much as .357 at the muzzle.
Gunplummer
New member
People are unbelievable. You pull a .22 center fire out of the case and it is not enough. You pull out a Magnum and it is too much. The in between calibers are too slow. I pretty much try to ignore peoples opinions about such things in my old age.
BlackJackID
New member
Well, I like to regard myself as a ballistic expert, with years of internet study in various forums. I have never owned a magnum, but reading and listening to so many other people regarding the subject, I have drawn these conclusions, which are undisputable. Well, at least if you disppute them I will disregard your opinion, but probably spout it at some time in the future.
Magnum Research Results (not in any way related to the firearms company of same name..I think they stole it from me, I thought about the name while not wearing my tinfoil hat)
1. Anything smaller than a .338 Mag is insufficient for game hunting in north America. a
2. Anything larger than a 222 is overkill for game on the north american continent.
3. the .50 BMG would be a ballistically better round if they called it a .50 Short Magnum
4. Said .50 BMG is necessary if one would like to hunt dear in texas, where they typically range from 600 to 800 pounds dressed out, and the average shot is presented between 1.3 and 2.8 miles.
5. If you can shoot a magnum comfortably, and you like your rifle better than my grandads 30-06, you are obviously compensating for some freudian psychological issue.
6. If you use a 30-06 you are obviously too big of a wuss to handle anything larger and you obviously enjoy tracking animals for 60 miles before they succumb.
Magnum Research Results (not in any way related to the firearms company of same name..I think they stole it from me, I thought about the name while not wearing my tinfoil hat)
1. Anything smaller than a .338 Mag is insufficient for game hunting in north America. a
2. Anything larger than a 222 is overkill for game on the north american continent.
3. the .50 BMG would be a ballistically better round if they called it a .50 Short Magnum
4. Said .50 BMG is necessary if one would like to hunt dear in texas, where they typically range from 600 to 800 pounds dressed out, and the average shot is presented between 1.3 and 2.8 miles.
5. If you can shoot a magnum comfortably, and you like your rifle better than my grandads 30-06, you are obviously compensating for some freudian psychological issue.
6. If you use a 30-06 you are obviously too big of a wuss to handle anything larger and you obviously enjoy tracking animals for 60 miles before they succumb.
Heck ya,many times I heard why do u use that cannon OR think thats big enough.I take it with a grain of salt.Its My choice what I shoot Big or small if folks don't like it they ought just leave this old long haired Country boy alone.
CUZZ most of us dont care what they think anyway
CUZZ most of us dont care what they think anyway
Colorado Redneck
New member
I am recoil sensitive, and like a .270 Win
But really, who gives a rats rear axle what anybody else shoots? If you like to shoot prairie dogs with a 375 H&H shoot the heck out of'em! There are how many different calibers? Should be something for everyone.
But really, who gives a rats rear axle what anybody else shoots? If you like to shoot prairie dogs with a 375 H&H shoot the heck out of'em! There are how many different calibers? Should be something for everyone.
nimbleVagrant
New member
I would never judge a person by what they shoot until I actually saw them shoot it. And even then I probably wouldn't make any comment enless it was necessary or asked for. If I'm not paying for the ammunition it's none of my business.
The closest thing I've experienced to what the OP describes is the reaction I occasionally get when I tell someone I own a Desert Eagle in .50AE. Usually it's, "ooh, that sounds like fun", but sometimes I get a look like I just said I own a small thermo-nuclear warhead. Or they explains to me how my "hand cannon" is totally impractical and they could get off five rounds of .45 auto in the time I could take one aimed shot. And this is somehow a revelation to me, because I was unaware that my five pound handgun was perhaps cumbersome. I usually just ask them if that means an ankle holster is out of the question.
The closest thing I've experienced to what the OP describes is the reaction I occasionally get when I tell someone I own a Desert Eagle in .50AE. Usually it's, "ooh, that sounds like fun", but sometimes I get a look like I just said I own a small thermo-nuclear warhead. Or they explains to me how my "hand cannon" is totally impractical and they could get off five rounds of .45 auto in the time I could take one aimed shot. And this is somehow a revelation to me, because I was unaware that my five pound handgun was perhaps cumbersome. I usually just ask them if that means an ankle holster is out of the question.
I agree with ColoradoRedneck if you can shoot it, then SHOOT IT!! the choice of caliber is your choice. I have seen people shoot magnums well and lesser calibers awful, I have shot badly on more occasions than I care to remember, but that doesn't stop me from trying to improve on every outing. I have no magnum rifles but I DO have 2-.41 magnum revolvers and that's my handgun limit as far as power level. I have shot more powerful pistols and that's how I know my limit of recoil, and I'm happy with that. wish I could handle the bigger rifles, but oh well!! I admire those that shoot them well !!
Strongarm6R
Inactive
People who judge those of us who use magnums have never seen that twinkle in a girls eye when that girl sees we use magnums...
After careful consideration of this thread and a review of the contents of my locker, I've come to the conclusion that I have a confession to make: I am a magnum owner.
The .17 Hornady Magnum. I don't shoot it much, because the ammo is so expensive and the recoil and muzzle blast.... the less said about that, the better.
The grandkids do enjoy it, though. Sometimes I'll set one of them on a bench with the big honking scope and set up a target at 75 yards and let them hammer away at a target while I piddle with something a little heavier.
The .17 Hornady Magnum. I don't shoot it much, because the ammo is so expensive and the recoil and muzzle blast.... the less said about that, the better.
The grandkids do enjoy it, though. Sometimes I'll set one of them on a bench with the big honking scope and set up a target at 75 yards and let them hammer away at a target while I piddle with something a little heavier.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
I'll bet the .204 Ruger would have been a far better round if they'd named it .204 Varmint Express Magnum.
Yep, .204 VEM
Yep, .204 VEM
The .450 Marlin is another exception to the practice of naming every new cartridge a "magnum".
If the .22 long rifle had just been invented today along with guns chambered for this somewhat longer than the .22 short round, I bet it would have been named the .22 rimfire magnum. Then the .22 magnum would have to be named the .22 rimfire epress magnum cum laude.
If the .22 long rifle had just been invented today along with guns chambered for this somewhat longer than the .22 short round, I bet it would have been named the .22 rimfire magnum. Then the .22 magnum would have to be named the .22 rimfire epress magnum cum laude.
Joe the Redneck
New member
I wonder if the guy who said that had ever seen an Elk.
I saw my first one 7 years ago in Yellowstone. scared the hell out of me. That old bull stood in the middle of the road, looked at me like I was cockroach. Could not have cared less about me or my car.
300 mag? How about a 338?
I saw my first one 7 years ago in Yellowstone. scared the hell out of me. That old bull stood in the middle of the road, looked at me like I was cockroach. Could not have cared less about me or my car.
300 mag? How about a 338?
+1 for the 300 Weatherby
I bought a 'Super Big GameMaster' now the Lightweight, a synthetic stocked, aluminum stiffened, fluted 26" barrel back in 2000 iirc.
I love that rifle, it kicks, but nothing that is awful.
I shoot the 180gr Accubond & Barnes X and have dropped 2 Caribou with it. 40 yds & 167 yds, I put the bullet right through the shoulder and they drop.
I shoot it because it is flat +3" @ 100,200yds ; 0 @ 300yds ; -8" at 400 yds - basically anything out to 300 yds is a 'point blank'.
Also it was on sale @ cost when I bought it new.
I bought a 'Super Big GameMaster' now the Lightweight, a synthetic stocked, aluminum stiffened, fluted 26" barrel back in 2000 iirc.
I love that rifle, it kicks, but nothing that is awful.
I shoot the 180gr Accubond & Barnes X and have dropped 2 Caribou with it. 40 yds & 167 yds, I put the bullet right through the shoulder and they drop.
I shoot it because it is flat +3" @ 100,200yds ; 0 @ 300yds ; -8" at 400 yds - basically anything out to 300 yds is a 'point blank'.
Also it was on sale @ cost when I bought it new.
mrawesome22
New member
I bought a M70 300winmag when I was 16. Young and dumb. The mess it made out of ground hogs was quite impressive though lol. But it is long gone. I really liked it. Just too expensive to shoot and overkill many times over for anything here in OH.
But if I lived somewhere where long shots at big animals was going to be encountered Id have a big thunder sttick again. Then again, I bet my 06 would take down anything on this planet with the right bullet, so who knows.
But if I lived somewhere where long shots at big animals was going to be encountered Id have a big thunder sttick again. Then again, I bet my 06 would take down anything on this planet with the right bullet, so who knows.