Thread: why using so big guns??

Because you can.

As above, times have changed and there is more emphasis on long range hunting where the extra speed and power coupled with heavier bullets is a big advantage.
Magnums are as a general rule accurate as well. Now days big magnums aren't much heavier than standard calibers so carrying them all day isn't to much of a problem.
I personally love them.

Ive shot my 3 with 7mm Rem mag and 300 win mag and never felt over gunned. They are a big solid deer and while smaller calibers are fine if you are hunting often and dont need to take the one chance you get, a bigger cartridge allows for a less than perfect shot angle or impact point.
At home here I use a 223 alot on deer, but if I really want/need to kill something Ill use a 270.

the other thing id say is yes hunting has changed and more often longer range sniped shots are taken, But having the skill to get in the thicker bush and stalk up a deer will bring you results at times when the long range option isn't working or suitable.

I use a 7mm mag for the ballistic co efficient factor. With a lightweight scope and chassis to suit my type of hunting, which is open tops with a lot of climbing and long walks in. It’s always windy and most shots are over 300m across valleys so I want something that bucks wind really well. I want to shoot to 600,700m and with a 7mm mag I can get that with 12moa of adjustment in my scope. A bit of a balancing act but it works well for me and I’m finding less damage to meat than with my 270 or even when my dad shot with a 243 and hit bone back in the day so I don’t feel over gunned at all

Yes, wind drift resistance is the main attraction of big bangers. Impact energy is a far less important issue.

For the record 375 h&h, 9.3 mauser, 35 whelan etc are actually medium bore rifles, big bores begun with a 4, 5 or 6

Suspect there is a 'brush gun' element to it as well.

No mention of Asian Water Buffalo or is it the wrong part of Oz?

I guess its really horses for courses....

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