Thread: Karamojo Bell article

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Well as in that situation a brain or spine shot is the only thing that will stop it so providing whatever round has enough penetration it aint going to make any difference what size it is, only how accurately the shot is placed.

If you have enough power a shot that doesn't hit the brain but has enough concussive effect will render it unconscious, calibre size could mean life or death.
Also bear in mind you need to get through up to 80cm of skull to get the brain on a frontal brain shot on a big bull!
Also always take what writers say about themselves with a pinch of salt, bell was an ivory hunter first, so whether he followed up many of his wounded is speculative, I have read accounts that say he left a lot of them in order to shoot more ivory rather than waste time following a single beast.
He was also a bit of a girl with recoil, he would not have owned a tikka .270!
So for what he was doing a smaller calibre would be suitable, if however you are in the business of following up animals your client has wounded in bush with almost zero visibility may I suggest something heavier!