Five Rifles for All Game Animals — the 4th

For Class One I chose the .458 Winchester Magnum (or its equal) for the Pachyderms.

In Class Two  I’d go with my 9.3 X 62 for thin-skinned dangerous game. Anything from the .338 magnums to the .375 magnums making at least 4000 ft-lbs would be excellent as well.

For Class Three, the large and heavy non-dangerous game over 1000 lbs, I almost chose a .300 magnum — the Winchester or Weatherby — but on further reflection, I chose the .45-70 with modern loads in a strong single-shot or a Marlin. The reasons were expressed in the former blog. My 22″ Marlin and 22″ H&R would both shoot a 465 and 470gr hardcast bullet with GC at 1900+ fps into MOA. That bullet also has an excellent BC of .365. With a zero of 180 yards it reaches a max elevation of about 4.5″ and is around -22″ at 300 yards. If you hold is on the hair-line of the hump the bullet will impact at over 1400 fps and plus 2000 ft-lbs mid-ships for any large game, like moose or bison in North America.

Next up is a rifle for CLASS FOUR – medium game. That is any non-dangerous game animal from about 60 lbs to less than 1000. That is a very large territory and why most hunters favourites embrace cartridges such as the .308 Winchester, .270 Winchester, .30-06 and 7mm Rem. Mag. Nonetheless, the .300 magnums are very popular for this class as well, especially in the West and in mountainous terrain. And why several suggest that’s all anyone needs for all North American game, plus most others throughout the Planet.

Most of the game harvested with these cartridges include the various deer species up to moose, black bear and even smaller grizzly, goats, sheep, hogs and some predators among the canines and cats. They also serve well, I’m told, for most, if not all under all conditions, for the PG of Africa. That’s a bunch and why they are so popular. They differ somewhat in ranging ability and why the .300 magnums are at the head of that class.

But please keep in mind what I’ve been preaching throughout this current series: There IS a crossover effect or possibility for any of the cartridges mentioned. For example: the .308 Winchester is considered a very good target rifle, a varmint rifle, a small game rifle, a medium and a BIG game rifle if not a dangerous game cartridge for most applications, though it has accounted for the likes of leopard and grizzly bear! It is also a favourite among our local moose hunters as shots are rarely if ever over 150 yards. In fact, if I were to choose a medium game rifle on purpose with known limitations, it would likely be chambered in .308 Winchester because through the best handloads it matches or exceeds former factory .30-06 loads but in a lighter, handier package that has less recoil.

However, even though I’ve done handloads for a friend’s .308 Winchester, I’ve never owned one. So instead, I’ll choose what I know best and that is a .300 Winchester Magnum, or the .300 WBY. I’ve owned and used eight .300 magnums, six of which chambered the Winchester case with barrel lengths from 23″ to 26″, and I’ve never owned a more accurate rifle for medium game. I once shot and cleanly killed a jack rabbit at a paced-off 285 yards from a single shot fired in leaning against a tree. The rabbit was facing away from me! The load was a 180gr leaving the 26″ barrel at nearly 3200 fps! On the other end of things, I flattened a nine-point buck at 35 yards that dropped so fast from a chest hit (no CNS) that it didn’t even have time to blink! So if I were to choose, what I have chosen, for most N.A. medium game under most conditions it would have to be another .300 Winchester Magnum as I just have too much experience with one, and too much brass lying around with nothing to do. I do have a barrel in .308 Norma though… I just need an action to screw it into and a cheap plastic stock!!

(That’s a .300 Win Mag helping to keep the hunter confident in a bear stand. The load is a 200gr AB with an exit velocity of 2970 fps.)

Hey, after all, I’m a Magnum Guy! So my choice for game to 1000 lbs is a .300 magnum under most conditions. In fact, if that’s all I had, I could live with it.

However, let’s not be too critical of someone choosing a 7-08 for moose hunting. It would not be my choice under all conditions but I once knew a man who was 83 at the time, preparing for a moose hunt with his 53 year old daughter. He was at our range trying factory and handloads in his daughter’s 7-08 for their planned moose hunt in Northern Ontario. That was his daughter’s rifle… his was chambered in .308 Winchester. I’ve owned a very good M70 Featherweight in 7-08, but for me it would not be a primary moose gun for certain parts of N. Ontario where possible ranges could vary from a handful of yards to over 500! In travelling that far (1000 miles/1600 kms), I’d want at least a .300 magnum, and prefer what I’ve chosen — a medium in .338 Win Mag or .340, a 9.3 X 62 or .375 Ruger or H&H. Bullet effect on impact is a factor of velocity, caliber, construction and sectional density. Oh yeah, AND placement! (I’d never live that down if I didn’t mention it! I get tired of hearing: “It’s not what you hit ’em with but where you hit ’em”. Huh? Now that was a deep thought, I think… Was it really Einstein who made that a principle of physics? Or maybe Newton himself?)

Another thing that downright irks me: Posters on forums who speak in such general terms about success with their rifles for deer, elk, moose or whatever, in these terms: “I killed 3 elk last year with my .270 Winchester”. You have to guess the details of whether they were
shot with 110gr varmint bombs or all copper 150s, or which brand and weight, range, and size of the animals. I submit there is a huge distinction between an immature cow elk that may weigh 300 lbs at 100 yards from a 750 lb bull at 350 yards! Then, the “little matter” of whether an outfitter was hired, or was it a DIY hunt? All of that, plus other important details, are pertinent to the chase!

(These are all .458-cal. bullets. There’s some very good ones among them for large game and dangerous game, and at least one or two that could serve for medium game and varmints. .458″ is a very versatile caliber.)

I once knew a gun shop owner by the name of, we’ll call him “Sam”. My son, Phil, and I used to visit that shop on a fairly regular basis when we lived in Toronto since it was just around the corner from us. Since “Sam” was Italian, he had lots of Italian friends who got together for a moose hunt “Up North” on an annual basis. “Sam” used his “three hundred maguem”. He had lots of “goodies” in his shop and was an excellent salesman. Yet he knew little to nothing about ballistics except that he “knew” his “maguem” was good for moose at any range — no matter how far. So he described to us his latest adventure for moose upon his return, in which he took shots at “a moose” (sex not determined) at an unknown distance. He “assumed” he hit it but “da moose” was never found!

Let it be known that I don’t write for “Sam”, as everything in this current series would be lost on him, and for any others who think their “pet rifle” is good enough for any game animal, anywhere under all possible conditions.

To this point, we’ve looked at four of the five classes of game and suitable rifle cartridges. The final class is SMALL GAME and VARMINTS. Some would separate these into two groups. However a rifle suitable for varmints like coyote would be more than adequate for small game like rabbit. Eastern coyote and “brush wolf” in particular can reach a maximum of around sixty pounds. What would I recommend? And perhaps more importantly, what would I use? The answer might surprise you — then again, perhaps not!

’til the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Five Rifles for All Hunting — 3rd

So far, we’ve looked at rifles for 1) The Pachyderms and 2) Soft-skinned dangerous game. My choices were the .458 Winchester Magnum for Class One, and my 9.3 x 62 for Class Two. Of course, as it has been pointed out, there is a measure of overlapping involved for rifles used for all classes.

For CLASS THREE — Large and heavy non-dangerous game, I’m thinking anything from the Canadian Woods Bison to the Africa Eland with creatures like moose in between. A Woods Bison can reach over 2500 lbs and an Alaska-Yukon bull moose to  1500 lbs. However, any mature bull of the bovine class, as well as the cow, can inflict life threatening injuries if their space is intruded upon by unwary hunters! That applies equally to our largest deer — the moose! My view of a rifle/cartridge for this class is one that can easily handle chores under any and all conditions for game that can go from 1000 lbs on up to whatever.

Several seasons ago, a hunter stumbled upon a scene never to be forgotten in our general hunting area — two mature bull moose were lying on the ground with their antlers entangled. They were both dead. The Ministry of Natural Resources was contacted and they sent some officers with a helicopter. After hours of hard work they managed to separate the animals antlers without too much damage, and transported them one at a time to a local area by helicopter for further examination and study. How large were they? These were Canada Moose that on average will go about 1200 lbs for a large, mature bull. Since these bulls were fighting for territorial rights, either could qualify as the “Head Bull” of a large terrain. They weighed approximately 1400 lbs each! That’s about as large as a mature Alaska-Yukon bull!

I’ve hunted moose in Northern Ontario on four occasions with a bull tag in my wallet, and I came home on one of those long trips with a bull on a trailer. It’s weight was estimated from 850 to 1100 lbs, and that from various hunter “experts”. My estimate was about 1000 from the boned-out meat retrieved. A “professional” manager of the slaughter house of Canada Packers in downtown Toronto, however, placed it at 1300 lbs when he learned of the dressed out meat we received from the butcher. So your “pro” guess would be perhaps as good as someone else’s on the Internet! I’ll stick with 1000 lbs live weight. In any case, when you walk up to a dead mature bull moose, or cow for that matter, there is NO ground shrinkage!

The point is, I want a rifle-cartridge combo that will do the job without a hiccup regardless of surprises or any other conditions! For me that means a rifle-cartridge that will throw a premium bullet with a sectional density of at least .300 from a medium bore (.338 to .375) at a minimum of 2500 fps. There are three that immediately come to mind: the.338 Win Mag, the 9.3 X 62 and the .375 H&H — plus others of course.

I’ve been a fan of .300 “standard” magnums for a very long time, though I don’t currently have one in my cabinet. Arguably, they are one of the best “all-around” cartridges for medium game at long range, and even some “heavy” game at closer range. While I’d use them on moose in a “have to” situation, they’d not be my first choice for conditions where a shot at 500 yards might be the only one you’d get on a mature bull, especially at anything less than a broadside stance.

The .300 “Super-Magnums” as in the .300 RUM and .30-378 Wby are somewhat in a class of their own but still fall short of the mediums for “thump” at 500 yards. For example, the .300 RUM has a TE of 50.47 at 500 yards when shooting the 200gr NP at 3200 MV. With a nominal hit broadside sans CNS that’s good for a clean kill on an approximate 900 lb animal. In comparison, my 9.3 X 62 shooting a 286 NP at an MV of 2622 has a TE of 67 at 500 yards for a clean kill broadside on a 1200 lb game animal. Yeah, I know that’s not science or “proof”, but comparing apples to apples that’s about the difference when the frontal area of a 9.3mm (.366) bullet is 42% greater and momentum is 33% more at impact. In other words, there are reasons (as just indicated) why larger bores have an advantage on large game over lesser bores (I’ve given the rationale of the math for this in former blogs).
(The two on left were 250gr Nos. Partitions from my .340 Wby at 3000 fps. Range was 165 yards to moose and impact speed about 2660 or the same as a factory .338 Win at the muzzle. They each retained about 70% weight or 176grs. The bullet on right was a 286gr Nos. Partition from my 9.3 x 62 at 2622 fps into a black bear at 68 yards. It retained 71% or 211 grs weight. Impact velocity was about 2497/3959 ft-lbs, or near identical to the 250 grainers from the .340 in KE but the 286 has a 17% larger frontal area and the exact same momentum at the muzzle. Each has a muzzle TE of 140.)

But again, there is a crossover effect as we move up a few calibers, or down a few. The same idea applies to bullet weights and quantity of powder burned. As one example: There is a consensus that today’s .308 Winchester is equal to yesterday’s .30-06 in ballistics. I find many turning to the .308 Win instead of the .30-06 because they can get the same effect from a more compact rifle with less recoil. Then, again, the .30-06 can about match the former factory 180gr load for the .300 H&H using today’s bullets and powders from a 24″ barrel. AND! A .300 Win Mag can quite easily add 200 fps to factory ballistics from a 180gr NP using RL-22… how about 3160 fps from a 24″. A 26″ will give 3200 fps, stepping on the toes of the famed .300 Weatherby! And so on.

(.458-caliber bullets used in .45-70s and .458s). So nothing is chiselled in granite, as I have learned from a .458 Win Mag, .45-70s and now my 9.3 X 62 Mauser. And, by the way, I’d as soon have a .45-70 in my hands for the “Large and Heavy” as anything else as long as range is kept to 350 yards for myself and my loads. As “they” say, YMMV. However, in respect of truth, we do well to recall the near demise of bison herds (“buffalo”) when black powder was all there was and mostly from single-shot .45-70s, .45-90s, etc. Real ballistics from a .45-70 was a 500gr lead bullet at approximately 1150 fps! I have loads that will do that at 500 yards! The effect of those ballistics was due to three things: Caliber, sectional density and momentum (velocity) NOT kinetic energy! Contrary to “modern” thought, a 500gr/.458-cal. at a mere 950 fps remaining at 300 yards, made of hard lead, will shoot through a 1200 lb bison broadside through shoulders and drop it in it’s tracks! It has been done! There’s only a smidgen over 1000 ft-lbs left! Try that with your .243 at 300! Or your .270 Win without a CNS hit though it produces nearly twice the energy at that range! Now, do you wonder why I like an 1895 Marlin Classic with it’s 22″ barrel that can deliver a 470gr hard cast GC lead bullet at 1940 fps into MOA?

(The 465-470gr hardcast. I had boxes of each)

That load is making over 1415 fps and 2089 ft-lbs at 300! That’s a TE of 110 and exit through the shoulders of a 2750 lb bison! Oh! Did I mention that’s at 300, not inches or feet, but 300 YARDS! And the drop is only -22″. Easy for moose and bison or eland!

I recall years ago that gunwriter, author, champion shooter and PH Ross Seyfried was waxing eloquent over the .340 WBY. His statement went this-a-way: “The .340 WBY can easily (cleanly) take a 3000 lb animal at (don’t recall starting range) and all the way to 300 yards”. That’s not as verbatum but I clearly recall a 3000 lb game animal at 300 yards. Well, my .45-70s had a bit more arc but could/can do the same things!

Yep, .458″ caliber bullets are my all-time favorites, whether from .45-70s, a .45-70 IMP or .458 Winchester Magnums. True crossovers they are indeed. They can cover the full range of game from hogs to elephant!

But my choice, if I must be true to my own mandate of FIVE for everything, would simply be a .45-70 in a single-shot or 1895 Marlin for CLASS THREE game animals. However, the 1886 Winchester is out of my league in cost!

Next up: CLASS FOUR — medium game.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Five Rifles for All Hunting — the 2nd

A single ideal rifle cartridge for each of the five classes of wildlife that could be hunted with rifles is our topic. It has also been suggested that each rifle cartridge could or should be a crossover for the class above it and the one below. Or, most would be capable for several categories of game.

Once more, let’s consider what those classes would be:

1. Pachyderms
2. Thin-skinned dangerous game
3. Large and heavy non-dangerous game
4. Medium game
5. Small game and varmints.

For the pachyderms, I’ve stated that we should pay heed to the PH’s recommendations. For myself, that would be a .458 Winchester Magnum, and I’ve given a rationale for that in the previous article.

The SECOND CLASS is THIN_SKINNED DANGEROUS GAME

What I have in mind are bears, lions, leopards, cougars and wolves under certain conditions. Granted, there is considerable latitude in size, strength and potential danger if having to defend oneself against an 800 lb bear versus an 80 lb wolf! But bears don’t come in packs — wolves do! Just ask a moose or elk which they would rather have to deal with! Potential circumstances should dictate choice.

All of these are predators that stalk their prey. I’d be hesitant to suggest which I might fear the most… that would depend on circumstances. For example, to be surrounded by a pack of wolves in the bush might be more intimidating than facing a single lion! A really large grizzly might go from 600 lbs to a 1000. Anything from a 308 Winchester on up would be a reasonable choice depending on several variables. On the other hand, those variables might be reduced in using a .338 Winchester Magnum. But neither of those two are “stopping rifles”. The .375 H&H might be… then again, maybe not! But, no doubt, in facing a pack of wolves bent on mayhem, a .308 Winchester would be the better choice due to a faster response when needing to deal quickly with several targets.

Dealing with a single target, like lion, bear, leopard or cougar, would be preferred, but the stealth and speed of each potential attacker is significant, and the physical conditions of each situation is not to be taken lightly either. It’s one thing to shoot a bear that is totally unaware of your presence, it’s quite another if the bear has you in it’s sights and becomes the hunter! The same principle applies to all others.

Then the attitude of the animal must be read and reckoned with. Can you read the difference between a predator that’s stalking it’s prey from one that’s merely curious or out for a stroll? What about a black bear? Was it coming toward you in a defensive mode or offensive? Maybe it was just curious. But we’re talking hunting rifles, not defensive weapons while hiking.

(Here, I was walking in to check my bear bait at the end of September, 2015. On Oct.1st, I shot a good bear similar to the one above that came to the bait a day or so later. The rifle is the Tikka T3 in 9.3 X 62. The load was a 250gr AB at an MV of about 2715 fps.)

The point is, there are too many variables to be pontifical. But I’d choose a medium rifle that I’m familiar with, while knowing intimately it’s handling qualities and ballistics. In other words, one that could finish the job no matter the circumstances. If it were lion, I’d want a “stopper”, that is a true Big Bore! The only terms under which I’d use a medium would be IF the PH had a stopping rifle and obviously knew from experience how to use it! Why? Because lion are very fast and don’t seem too deterred by a hail of fire — at least that seems to be the case based on some videos I’ve watched! Personally, I’d consider a big male lion to be the most potentially dangerous animal to hunt under all circumstances. A big male is only half the size of a large brown bear but is likely twice as quick! I’d use my .458 Win Mag with a premium 350 to 400gr leaving the muzzle at 2650 and 2400 fps respectively.

For all the others, I’d use my medium in 9.3 X 62. Depending on which animal, I’d use known loads from one of four bullets: the 232gr Oryx at 2450 fps/3092 ft-lbs; 250gr AccuBond at 2714 fps/4088 ft-lbs; 286gr Nosler Part. at 2622 fps/4365 ft-lbs, or the 320gr Woodleigh at 2460 fps/4300 ft-lbs.

The 9.3 X 62 can easily cover the basics of what a .308 Winchester, a 300 Win Mag, a .338 Win and a .375 H&H might be put to good use for in the field. It is, indeed, one of the best “crossovers” I’ve ever owned. All that in addition to It’s superb accuracy and handiness.

I’d not choose to use it on elephant, and perhaps not on lion, but for Cape buff, grizzly, brown or black bear, moose, bison and the PG of Africa, I can’t really think of a better deal. Then, of course, it can find good use on North America’s most popular wildlife or anything of its ilk in the rest of the world. There again, for Australia’s largest water buffalo, I’d likely choose a .458 Win Mag or my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 IMP. (See header for the .45-70 IMP in a Ruger No.1)

Honestly though, we are truly rich in possible rifle cartridges that can work, and have, on the world’s thin-skinned dangerous game. Starting with Africa’s nasty Cape buff all the way to the great bears of the northwest of North America, anything legal within the ballistic bounds of a .300 magnum to the .375 magnums will get the job effectively and efficiently done as long as the right bullet is chosen and placed expertly where it will do the most harm.

So far, however, these are my choices:

Pachyderms — the renowned .458 Winchester Magnum

Thin-skinned Dangerous Game — a favourite of the cognoscente — the great 9.3 X 62 Mauser.

Nothing there that’s particularly exciting, but efficiency and effectiveness are never out of style.

More to come…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Five Rifles for All Hunting –the 1st

As pointed out in my last article, I base this idea on the generally accepted notion of five classes or categories of animals that are, or can be, hunted with rifles. Of course, that means there will be some overlapping of ballistic potential for each rifle, and that’s a good thing in my view. Three rifles carefully chosen for their ballistic potential could also do it, or even two, but one for each class seems, well, more appropriate in my thinking. But I must also admit to owning several at the same time that would basically do the same things. There seems to be quite a few who show up on the forums owning several that shoot the same cartridges. I’ve been known to be guilty of that — especially in .45-70 and .300 magnums.

However, to keep within our parameters of Five For All Hunting, the five classes of wildlife for which rifles are suited are these:

Pachyderms, such as elephant.

Thin-skinned dangerous game, lion and grizzly as examples.

Large and heavy non-dangerous game, such as moose.

Medium game — white-tailed deer and similar sizes.

Small game and varmints — ground squirrels, fox and the like.

We should keep in mind, however, that any game animal, predators and even some “small” animals can be dangerous under particular conditions. Have you ever handled a baby raccoon?

As stated, it’s fairly obvious to the dedicated hunter with some experience across some of these lines of demarcation, that it’s not always clear where and when we may want to choose one particular rifle over another. For example, the Pachyderms. A .375 H&H has been successfully used, with good reason, on all classes from medium game  (PG) to DG, including elephant. So has the 9.3 x 62. But this exercise is to suggest what might be most appropriate for each class and then a recommendation as to what I would choose, and why.

(Ganyana using his 9.3 X 62 on an elephant charge)

We start with Class 1: The thick-skinned game of Africa, though rhino is usually excluded these days because of decimation by poaching.

As mentioned, I’ve never hunted this class but books, magazine articles and videos are available by the scores for those interested or curious. I’ve done enough reading, I think, to have a pretty good idea of what works best and why. In particular, however, I have watched many videos related to the DG of Africa, and still do. Despite what may be in print, and all boasting on the Internet, I have witnessed as many as seven and eight shots on Cape buffalo before they were finished. Yes, I know that technically speaking, they are not among the pachyderms but they are included among the Big Five. And, it would seem (as with most wildlife) that should the first all-important shot miss its intended mark by even a few inches, the chase is on! That equally applies to all of the others.

A number of years ago, I asked the late John Wootters about his experience in hunting leopard in Africa with a single-shot Ruger in .45-70. Usually, though not always, he used his bolt-action in .416 Taylor for elephant and Cape buff, but on that occasion he employed the Ruger No.1 because he was hunting over bait where surprises were less likely — though it doesn’t always turn out that way. He got a very good leopard with a single shot from his Ruger No.1 in .45-70. He said he always preferred to finish the animal on his own without aid from the PH’s rifle, therefore he’d usually use a repeating magazine rifle.

(My Ruger No.1 in .45-70 IMP)

And indeed, I suppose that’s the wish of every safari goer — to finish the game on their own. Yet, nowadays that is mostly wishful thinking as the PH has already made an evaluation of the hunter’s capability and at the first hint that the client is not likely capable of finishing the job on his/her own, the PH and/or guide starts a barrage of fire. That’s not to suggest that the PH is always a better shot than his client, but he has lived among these animals and their habitat, understands their temperaments and behaviour. So, it would be quite normal, in my estimation, for the PH and/or guide to step in before any situation gets out of hand.

So, as a recommendation for the correct rifle/cartridge for Class 1, I’d have to say what has already been stated more than 10,000 times — listen to and pay heed to your PH’s advise on all matters.

As to myself, if I ever went to Africa for anything in that class it would be a .458 Winchester Magnum since I have considerable experience with that cartridge in two rifles that were otherwise quite dissimilar. I’ve developed handloads for each from 350-grains to 500-grains and know pretty well their ballistic potential, and I shoot them very well. I’ve also used them in hunting in my Canadian Province of Ontario for moose and bear. So both ballistics and experience would strongly suggest that a .458 Win Mag would be my first and best choice if I should ever go for an elephant — which will not happen at this stage of matters in my life.

But a .458 Winchester Magnum is a very useful hunting tool here in Canada and Alaska as well. And perhaps in many other places where similar conditions and animal sizes might exist. For the handloader, there is such a variety of bullets available that a relatively lightweight .458 WM is an excellent choice for brush and woods hunting of anything from hogs to moose. But it’s not limited to those conditions either. It can reach out to 400 yards with relative ease with bullets like the 300 and 350gr TSX’s. I know that from my former CZ550 in .458 WM, and its 25″ barrel, 2750 fps/5876 ft-lbs was quite easy to attain. The 22″ M77 Ruger owned prior to the CZ was not as fast but with a very mild load of a 350gr Speer I flattent a black bear at 70 yards from a bullet that left the muzzle at a lazy 2335 fps/4237 ft-lbs.

One thing I do know from all my experiences both in hunting and developing loads from 350s to 500s, I could do a whole lot worse in choosing a single rifle for everything I have hunted or hope to. There is no hunt I’ve ever conducted for big game, and taken a shot, where a .458 WM in the format of the M77 Ruger with its 22″ barrel and total weight of about 9 lbs would have been a poor choice! Would you permit me to restate that in briefer terms? Yes? Here it is: If I could only have one rifle for everything, a .458 WM as just described in that Ruger M77, would be my first choice. And that is because it could easily simulate a bolt-action .45-70. And a .45-70 shooting a quality 400-405gr from 1200 fps to over 2000 fps is a VERY LETHAL firearm on anything that walks! Yes, and I might have to do some hunting, and not just shooting. But the 300gr Barnes TSX at 2800 fps might save a few steps if needed or wanted!

There are other choices, of course, for game animals of Class No.1 from a 9.3 X 62 to a .577 NE, and even beyond that! Honestly, though, I’ve no interest in a .458 Lott as the rifle will be heavier and longer on average, and it really has little advantage, if any in ballistics, over the .458 WM when loaded with the best bullets and powders. In other words, it depends entirely how each is loaded and used by the hunter. The fact that a safari hunter chooses a .458 Lott over the.458 Winchester is no guarantee of better results. I loaded my CZ550 in .458 Win Mag like a Lott because of the very long action plus the .458 WM freebore (that’s longer than the Lott’s freebore by at least 1/2-inch) and the gain over loading the same rifle at standard SAAMI specs was a grand total of 80 fps. Should anyone have doubts about that, check out the Hornady manual 7th Edition and compare results for the 500gr in both cartridges. Also, Barnes No.4 shows similar results.

I prefer H335 for the 450s and 500s, and again those two manuals suggest it’s one of the three best overall powders for each cartridge. Hornady recommends H335, and my tests confirmed that even before I ever saw that in Hornady’s Manual No.7. Accurate 2230 is recommended by some if you can find it. I had to wait two years before I could get my hands on a 1-lb can! H335, on the other hand, seems very popular and is always available. It has also worked best in my .45-70s for the heavy-weight bullets. I can quite readily obtain 2200 fps from 500s in my Ruger No.1, .45-70 IMP with it’s relatively short 22″ barrel in using H335, and 2300+ from the 450 A-Frame using 1/2 grain more from the same rifle. H335 is a dense ball powder that acts as though the .45-70 and .458 WM cases were larger — holding 5 to 7 grains more than H4895 (similar burn rate) without undo compression.

You learn those kinds of important information from experience and not manuals. That experience includes all kinds of research, including personal conversations with head ballisticians along with some hard analysis and pragmatism.

It perhaps goes without saying it again, but my favorite true Big Bores are in .458-caliber, and doesn’t include the Lott that has little to nothing to offer over the others except more weight and un-handiness.

(My former CZ550 in .458 Win Mag. The exact same rifle was available to me at the time, for the same cost, in .458 Lott. I chose the Winchester version of a .458 magnum for the reasons mentioned.)

But, as they say, to each his own. If you have a .458 Lott in your safe, and have used it in Africa, or intend to, blessings on you! Just practice until you can shoot it very well without intimidation.

At this time in my life, I prefer something smaller and handier with a big hole in the barrel! Hey… I just remembered that I already have that! My Ruger No.1 in .45-70 IMP at 8.6 lbs with five in a stock cartridge holder, a sling and Nikon 2- 7 X 32mm scope. And all that at a mere 38.25 inches. Want a handy, do-it-all rifle from hogs to elephant? I’ve got one but it’s not for sale!

‘Till the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Five Hunting Rifles For All Things — Preamble

In my last blog, I finished a short series on “A Hunting Rifle’s Accuracy” with these words: “and this isn’t one of ’em”. That was in reference to the current series on “Five Hunting Rifles For All Things”. And  that statement was adjacent to a photo of myself shooting Mike’s Hawkins 54-caliber. In other words, don’t look for any in-depth declaration on why you or I should be in possession of a BP rifle as one of the five.  That won’t happen!

In using the terminology of John Barsness in reference to those of us who could never be completely happy with ownership of only one rifle, or perhaps three, as “Rifle Loonies”, there is an inherent suggestion of possible insanity related to a love affair with an inanimate object of metal and wood, or metal and plastic!  On a scale between “Pragmatic” and “Philosophical”, a “Rifle Loonie” is strongly biased toward the “philosophical” while asserting his/her pragmatism!

A philosopher or “philosophical person” can, and often will, make any possible argument in defence of their person or position regarding firearms, religion, politics, morality, etc. Of course, should such a one contradict themselves several times over in the process, that too is to be expected because the number one rule of philosophy is that there are no rules! Yes, I know there are SUPPOSED to be some rules of logic, but they “fly out the window” for convenience sake for the “Loonie” or philosopher! At least, my many decades of self-examination and observation of others tell me that is closer to “reality” in matters of rifles, religion and politics, not even to mention less important areas of day-to-day living.

However, having acknowledged all that, it’s clearly apparent to me (at least) that there are some universal self-evident principles or fundamental laws by which all matters should or could be judged. Here are a few of them:

1. Honestly search for truth no matter where it may lead.
2. Don’t deny the truth no matter who may disagree or be offended.
3. Don’t let emotions or “feelings” become an obstacle to fact.
4. Believe that there is “Ultimate Truth” that is never to be compromised.
5. The written or accepted notion that a “majority” is always right in judgements and decisions, or statements of “truth”, that should be observed by all others is a dangerous tenet! In due time, that will be revealed in reference to politics as well as religion. Perhaps not incidentally, but I don’t trust religion any more than I do politics. I believe in a personal faith in the One and Only Diety and have a relationship with Him through his one-and-only son, Jesus Christ.
6. All matters that have caused harm or destruction on a personal, national or international level must be made right, and persons held accountable. That is held as a logical conclusion if the Universe has a Creator – Judge who is righteous. Otherwise all is “meaningless” in the words of Israel’s wisest ruler, King Solomon in the 10th century BC. Solomon also wrote and taught: “Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
7. If Yahweh-God IS (one of the Old Testament names of God), then in His own words, as quoted by perhaps Israel’s greatest prophet, Isaiah : “Every knee will bow to me”. In the New Testament that is applied to Messiah Jesus at his return! Every true Christian believes that! I, with hundreds of millions of others, past and present, hold that to be the ultimate hope for the world. In Jesus words: “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE, no one comes to The Father except through me.” That’s unambiguous and not subject to opinion — unless, of course, Jesus was totally deceived, or worse, a deceiver! (Go to No.1 again).
8. There should never be any ambiguity between “Light and Darkness”, Right and Wrong, Righteousness and Evil or Truth and Lies! In the ultimate scheme of things, therefore, our topic of “Five Rifles…” has far less meaning than “Rifle Loonies” are likely to ascribe to it in our philosophical and, by times, emotional reasoning.Of course, it is apparent that some will be offended by the above, but I’m not writing to please everybody or even a majority. This is intended to declare myself and to state truth as I see it. In a very critical time in which we are seriously threatened by religious fanatics, and even “majority thinking”, we can’t have it both ways — that is a compromise of ultimate truth with blatant error! America, and with it Canada, and perhaps the whole “Free World”, are paying a too severe price for treating The  First and The Last Cause (“The Alpha and Omega”)of all things as though he didn’t exist or doesn’t matter — “we are our own saviours”, or we must make it work — “it all depends on us” But who are the “US”? Think about that, truthfully! Some say “We must all work together and cooperate” – meaning with their thinking! Yet, the “truth” changes as each version emerges.
   Not just the USA but the whole world is at a crisis point — perhaps the greatest in history because we all now live in the same “global hut”. There are many “lords” who all want to rule — for what reasons? Have “they” yet told us the truth as to their intentions?The right to defend oneself, family and possessions is not something to be taken for granted in a world of crisis, chaos and constant danger. I’d recommend Psalms 91 and 121 for every serious Christian if we hope to have any sense of security while on this Earth.

   As to “Five Rifles For All Things” — the intent was and is for sporting activities in the legal hunting of varmints and game animals for as long as such recreation holds meaning and is possible. Comparatively speaking, in a time of worldwide chaos and crisis, on a scale of 1 to 5 in priority for those (like myself) committed to such activities, I’d give it a 5 in the following list of personal priorities in troubled times:

   1 – Peace with God through Jesus Christ the only Saviour of humanity.
   2 – Relationships with family and friends.
   3 – Sound health.
   4 – Financial and/or personal security.
   5 – Ability to enjoy outdoor activities.

   Briefly, that’s my list.
   (A wilderness hunting scene only one hour from my home.)

   In regard to “Five Rifles…”, your list may vary and that’s legitimate. But after hundreds, and perhaps even thousands of experiences covering approximately 65 years (I started with small stuff at age 15), a studied evaluation would suggest about a dozen somewhat differing types of conditions have occurred for which I might want “that perfect” rifle/cartridge combination. Here are just a few: Protecting personal or family property from raccoons. Destroying burying critters that could harm farm animals. Shooting an 800 lb animal that was intended to protect smaller animals on a hobby farm but, instead, was abusing them! Calling smaller predators like fox and coyote. Whitetails in a great variety of areas and conditions. Same with black bear. And I could go on but I’m sure you get the picture. Agreed, something like a .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield could deal with most of it — if I were not a “loonie”. So, as someone who likes rifles, and handloading them, I could only live with one if forced to for whatever reason. On the other hand, having handloaded for 40 plus, from the .22 Hornet to the mighty .458 Winchester Magnum, I’ll mention my favorites that all together could reasonably care for any possible scenario at home or far, far away. The majority of it I’ve experienced while the balance has been experienced by others — or could be.

   The types of hunts that I have in mind are these:

   > crows and other small pests.
   > varmints such as groundhogs at both modest and long range.
   > smaller predators as fox and coyote.
   > small game like rabbits.
   > smaller fur bearers
   > larger predators as bob cat, lynx, cougar and wolf.
   > mountain hunting for goats, sheep, etc.
   > African Plains Game.
   > West North American antelope.
   > hogs, both large and small
   > Mule deer
   > caribou – in all places.
   > white-tailed deer of the north, south, east and west.
   > brown bear
   > grizzly
   > black bear
   > bison – all legal types
   > moose
   > elk
   > water buffalo and other Australian game
   > The Big Five or Six of Africa, plus crocodile
   > other “exotic game” throughout the world

   Of those potential twenty-two hunts, I’ve engaged in eight of them where at least one of the five rifles I’ll suggest could have legitimately been useful.

   

   These are the classes or categories of hunts I have in mind:

   First: Pachyderms
   Second: Thin-skinned dangerous game
   Third: large and heavy game
   Fourth: medium non-dangerous game
   Fifth: small game and varmints

   Then, of course, there is great variation of physical conditions that might be encountered in each of these classes. My aim is to give adequate consideration to each class in turn along with possible conditions that could be encountered in each. I have from some to considerable experience with categories second through fifth, and none with the first. However, I have tried to educate myself about African hunting of the pachyderms through reading and videos. So, those of you with that experience will realize that my recommendations of rifles and cartridges for that class is merely a rehearsal of what “experts” have already advocated. But I do have a rather strong personal opinion of what I’d use if ever I became involved in such a hunt. And that’s based on real ballistics I’ve obtained from Big Bores.

   So, my next article (blog) will tell you why I’d choose something in a true Big Bore, namely the .458 Winchester Magnum or possibly even a .45-70, with some qualifications for the First Class and even applicable for certain species in the Second and Third categories under particular physical conditions.

   See you then,

   Shalom

   BOB MITCHELL

A Hunting Rifle’s Accuracy — Final Page

This final page will focus on the most important aspect of a hunting rifle’s accuracy — that is field accuracy.

(This lake is well known to me. It’s one of many — perhaps thousands — “no name” lakes in Ontario. This is wildlife country — just about any north-eastern North American species is found here. How far across the end of this lake? If a legal bull moose appeared on the far side, could I make the shot? I’ve never ranged it, but an educated guess would tell me it’s around 300 yards.)

How much accuracy is needed in actual hunting, is 1/2 MOA essential or even MOA? The answer, of course, depends on several conditions, such as: How far away is the animal and how big? How large is its vital area? What is its presentation — broadside, quartering away or toward, facing or a back-end view only? Is a full, unobstructed view presentable in a broadside stance the only shot you’d take? What are the physical field conditions? Is it semi-open where a second or third shot could take place, or rugged terrain with thick bush? The answers to those questions in large part determine how much accuracy is required to make a clean hit in a vital area. Not only that, but the cartridge and bullet used is an essential part of the equitation as well. Placing the bullet precisely is futile if it doesn’t have what it takes on impact to finish the job. So accurate field shooting MIGHT require MOA, or better, if a vital area is to be cleanly targeted! But cleanly placing a .22-caliber LR 40gr “solid” just above and exactly halfway between the eyes of an elephant is hardly what is needed from 15 yards! The point of accuracy is moot if not enough “gun” is used!

Last evening I watched for the third time the same YouTube video of a British Columbia black bear hunt — on Vancouver Island, I believe. Some of the bears there are huge, and plenty of ’em. A couple of male hunters worked in concert to bag a trophy quality bruin. I gathered from appearances that they both were “sixty-ish”. They were well prepared with all the right equipment, binos, scopes, camo, truck, wench, range finders, etc. But most importantly, they both had rifles and loads for “whatever” conditions they might encounter, including long-range shots. As it turned out, one of those men cleanly killed a very good black bear with a single premium bullet that looked like a .338-caliber. It was a single shot through the heart at 520 yards ranged. But they had a serious challenge in using a wench on the back of their truck to retrieve that dead bruin from the ravine it dove into. T’was a very thick tangle of hardwood brush and thick trees! I could at least empathise! But the real point is: the accuracy of that load had to be at least 1/2 MOA to pull off that shot through the heart at over 500 yards! Unless, of course, it was a pure accident. But every indication was that they knew exactly what they were doing from being fully prepared for such a possible scenario.

Do we always know the physical conditions of our big game hunts? Even though we may have hired a qualified and experienced outfitter, he, or his guides, may not be able to get us closer than 300 yards to that trophy on the last hour and day of the hunt… could you make the shot? Could I? Important question, that. Could the rifle and load? A question that is equally important!

Consider these facts: a consistent MOA load from a bench-rest position may be twice to three times that under field conditions where there’s a gusty wind and less than an ideal rest for both the rifle and shooter! Under such terms, an MOA load and rifle may be no better than a 6-inch spread in the field at 300 — or even worse! Depending on the size of the animal and its vitals, rarely should such a shot be taken unless there is lots of time for locating a solid rest position and without spooking the animal. Again, such a scenario is rarely a given. On a mature bull moose size animal with a vital area of approximately 18-inches, I’d take the shot to 500 yards given the following conditions: 1) a broadside stance of the animal; 2) little to no wind; 3) a rock-solid rest for rifle and all body parts involved; 4) a known load at distance: it’s external ballistics to impact. If we make that a WT deer or black bear under the same terms, I see no problem with taking the shot by a careful and practised hunter. But lacking any of the above terms, I’d not take the shot and would discourage any other hunter from the same.

As we all should know by now, misses are made on big game animals at 25 yards as well as 500! But what of those that are not clean misses but should have been for the sake of the animals that have ended up as cripples, or meat for coyotes, wolves, bears, hyenas, leopards and lions! If we hunt long enough and in enough places for a variety of game animals, it’s bound to happen to anyone with more than a few years under their belt. But it should serve, nonetheless, as a wake-up call! We should NEVER merely dismiss such an occurrence as “NOT MY FAULT” or just “ONE OF THOSE THINGS” that happens to hunters! We need to reflect on what happened and why, while being honest about it even if that hurts. Rarely do we learn life’s important lessons “unless it hurts” to some extent. I’ve made a few misses over the years, some not my fault, honestly, but some were! Being too impatient in squeezing the trigger has been the number one cause of personal grief for myself. Then, on the other hand, the timing of the shot can be critical if the window of opportunity is fast closing! That happened to me last year in placing a perfect shot through the heart of my black bear. It could be stated as a principle: Waiting for and understanding the right moment essential to the successful completion of cleanly taking a big game animal isn’t wasted time. That also isn’t a waste of the rifle’s accuracy under whatever the physical conditions might be.

Every hunter needs to know his/her limitations, not only as to distance but state of mind as well. At a certain stage of life and experiences, a 400 to 500 yard shot on a big game animal may seem “normal”. At an earlier stage with less experience, or a later stage when eyesight is not as sharp and legs begin to feel weaker under a long walk or tough climb; and arms begin to tremble in trying to hold steady a rifle that seemed in days past a “lightweight” — the resounding message is: GET CLOSER!

In bygone days I’ve taken pokes at groundhogs beyond 300 yards with rifles and loads suited to the chore. Rests were often quickly improvised if in a new area or moving to a new field. Sometimes it took a few shots to get the range. We didn’t have rangefinders back then, and often a partner would call the shots. But those were woodchucks, not deer, bear or moose! Some misses have greater value than others — however you want to define that.

Over the past few years I’ve learned something of value about myself: There is some short-term memory loss that happens to everyone as they age, but the power to analyse and sort through data and problems is still there. One lesson from that is the KISS principle: Keep it simple, stupid! Don’t let life become so cluttered with unimportant stuff that you can no longer deal with what really matters!

About gunny stuff: Experienced hunters and shooters with years, places and variety of game under their belts have little “need” for cartridges like the .338 Lapua Magnum. That’s not to say they’re not interested or curious, just that they “have no need”. They have by age 65 to 70 sorted these matters out! By then, they know what they like, need and why. Even though it may be painful to some, bit by bit all the others are sold, traded or gotten rid of one way or another. I’m eighty, plus six months. I’ve gone through all that and really have no regrets. Soon, I’ll be writing my thoughts on five rifles (cartridges really) that I believe should be in every serious hunter’s locker. Or their equivalents. NO duplication… but some slight overlapping.Yes… ONLY five! Not three, or two or twenty-seven, but five for world-wide hunting, or Canadian hunting, or New Zealand hunting, or USA hunting!
And this isn’t one of ’em!

That’s it… tune in!

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

A Hunting Rifle’s Accuracy –Part Two

If truth be told, most modern sporting rifles intended for hunting , especially with bolt actions, are capable of better accuracy than the average hunter — even from factory products. Therefore the largest market for hunting ammo is still a factory product which is usually better than at anytime in the relatively short history of metallic cartridges. Today, it’s possible to buy premium ammo right off the shelf for the most popular calibers that is not only sufficiently accurate for most hunting exploits, but contains the best temperature resistant powders and bullets that at one time were reserved exclusively for the handloader. For those who have tight work schedules, and little time to tinker with load development, it may very well be the best way to go.

But for those who have the time, patience, energy and finances, and who want to challenge themselves as to the potential accuracy of their hunting rifles, reloading is the only way to go! Plus they may not only improve the accuracy of their loads, but their downrange performance on game as well.  I include myself in that group of handloaders. I’m quite certain that the majority of rifles for which I’ve developed premium handloads were actually capable of producing on average better accuracy than I was capable of on most trips to the range.

(There’s three in that ragged hole. That was from my 9.3 X 62 shooting 250 Nosler AccuBonds at 100 yards. MV was 2714 fps avg. It was used to take a nice bear at 85 yards Oct. 1st, 2015.)

Let me give an example or two: Keep in mind that we’re talking HUNTING rifles that weigh on average about 8 to 8.5 lbs ready for action, not 12 to 16 lb dedicated competition rifles with minimal recoil! Three-shot groups at 100 to 300 yards is considered a reasonable test for the rifle and load’s performance since the majority of shots actually fired at live game will not usually exceed that number — especially under real-life conditions. In addition, the purpose of such a “test” is to gain confidence in the rifle and load for a particular hunt that may call for long-range (400 yards?) shooting from a rest.

The best 3-shot group I’ve ever fired from a BIG-GAME rifle at 300 yards was from my .340 WBY — and it wasn’t a fluke! I think it’s important to mention some of the conditions at the time: First, I was totally relaxed. Second, the load was not my max hunting load of a 250gr Nosler Partition at 3000 fps using a healthy dose of RL-22, but a 250gr Hornady SP over a near max load of AA3100 at factory specs of 2860 fps still producing 50 ft-lbs of free recoil — so it was NOT a mild load by any stretch of the imagination! There was also a dead calm. Three went into a perfect triangle that measured 3/4-inch center to center. Since I was testing several loads that day, I didn’t have another group of three loaded exactly the same as that one. I was testing different combinations of bullets and powders. Later on in the month I tried that same load again under less favourable conditions  and shot three into  a perfect triangle of 1.5-inches at 300 yards. In other words, I’m certain to this day that that particular load was more accurate in that rifle than I could shoot it on most days!

(A good moose taken with the .340 WBY. Load was the 250 NP at 3000 fps MV at 165 yards. Accuracy of that hunting load was 1.25 MOA avg.)

There are several that I could cite, but perhaps one other will suffice: I’ve owned a couple of 350 Rem Mags, both built by Remington. The first was a “dream rifle”, one of Remington’s annual Classics. It came with a very nice walnut stock, 22″ barrel and short action in an M700 format. The main problem was that the best powders were not yet on the market. So ballistics were below par though the rifle itself was a gem. The last was the return of the .350 Rem Mag in a Model 673 with a (too) heavy laminated stock and the ugly-useless steel “rib”, the purposes of which were all to add weight since the original 600 and 660 were way too light according to some. Anyway, apart from the heft (about 9+lbs ready) it would shoot with the “modern” RL-15. I mean, the last group of three into a hundred went 3/8″ c. to c. — almost impossible to measure since it was a ragged hole! Muzzle speed? 2738 fps from the Speer GS 250gr! But I couldn’t endure the weight of the thing, at least not for the purpose for which it came into my possession. Those results would have been perfect for the Classic that went about 8 lbs with a 3 – 9 X 40 scope, four cartridges and a sling.

To discover the best accuracy that your hunting rifle(s) is capable of producing from the bullet you intend, or hope, to use for a particular hunt demands not only the testing of bullets and powders at a range but also absolute consistency in technique, whatever form that may take. I’ve never expended a lot of finances into rifle rests.  But what I do use must have qualities that enable me to be consistent from shot to shot. Foremost, that means a steady hold without variation. At our range some use the simplest setup possible: a block of wood with a sandbag on top for a front rest while the rear rest is their shoulder. Others go all out in the investment of finances for the “best” available rifle rests and even “lead sleds”! When targets are checked, however, it’s the shooters who are most consistent in technique, along with an excellent load, who can show their targets without apologies or embarrassment. Then, of course, it’s assumed that the scope itself along with its attachment to the rifle is not creating problems. I say “assumed”, but often taking for granted that this matter isn’t the main cause of frustration may be presuming too much! Too often it is the conspirator that spoils our day… or season! If “groups” are walking around on the target, the scope and/or its mountings is likely the culprit! That’s another topic of course, but a very important one related to handloads and hunting accuracy.

At times, however, we just need to admit that we’re having a “bad day” at the range! It may be due to a single cause or several. The range itself could be the cause, or the shooters around you may be a distraction that doesn’t allow concentration or a relaxed atmosphere. For example, recently there has been construction going on at a particular part of our range. The distractions are huge fourteen wheel dump trucks going by on the road that comes into the rifle range of our club. The problem with that is dust storms from very dry conditions and a road that has a surface of silt — finer than sand. This has also caused some very deep ruts on the hill that comes from a higher elevation where the club house is located and shot-gunners are in action. I nearly got stuck in one of those ruts. Under such circumstances over which we have no control, it may be best to just pack it in. Other distractions may be in the form of shooters who love their semi-auto military-type weapons shooting next to you with deafening blasts from their muzzle brakes every second or so, plus the brass flying in your direction. This is a new phenomenon at our range, and very disheartening! Therefore, I never go on weekends. I try to go earlier in the week or just plain early, or late, during summer months to avoid the traffic of wannabee members of Alpha Force!

‘Til the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL