Re: Joy of this, Joy of that

On 12/6/24 3:33 PM, rbowman wrote:

On Fri, 6 Dec 2024 13:09:34 +0000, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
 

Legal firearms range from 12 gauge and even 20 gauge shotguns down
through 410 'crow guns'  to game approved rifles. .22 is allowed for
small game like rabbits, but a .25 is mandatory for deer and many people
use larger.

 Over the years .223 has become acceptable in more states. Part of that has
been the NRA promoting AR-15 style rifles as the 'modern sporting rifle'
as a counterweight to the ignorant leftists screaming 'assault rifle'. I
have a bolt action .223 which is very accurate and pleasant to shoot but
if I were deer hunting I'd go with the 7.62 x 54R.

   The 5.56/.223 is a fairly good cartridge, in the right
   rifle it's quite accurate as well. It has the advantage
   of being 'military' - meaning large stocks will always
   be found even after a Zombie Apocalypse.
   Consider the Ruger rifles - not AS accurate but quite
   strongly built and less likely to jam up.
   But larger cal is better for 'hunting'. 6.5mm to .30
   for northern Europe. The old 6.5 Swedish is a great
   cartridge.
   Canada/Alaska ... consider .375 H&H for some needs.
   Kicks like a bastard though ....

The traditional deer rifle where I grew up was the .32 Winchester Special.
That was a regional preference over the more popular .30-30 one the theory
that .32 trumps .30. The ballistics are similar however. Some of the more
populous counties were restricted to 12 gauge slugs or buckshot.
 In this state anything up to .50 caliber is legal. There was an attempt to
supersede Federal laws for firearms manufactured in state that would allow
up to 1.5" for man portable smokeless powder weapons. It was actually as
10th Amendment states rights challenge more than a 2nd Amendment.
 https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/02/firearms-freedom-act-
constitution-gary-marbut/

   Frankly, a 20/16/12/10-guage SLUG is equiv to "over .50".
   You can only go for SO much energy without breaking bits
   of your body. Did fire some 10-ga slugs once ... DON'T
   wanna fire any more. Ain't built like The Rock.
 https://www.federalpremium.com/shotshell/power-shok/power-shok-rifled-slug/11-F103F+RS.html
 https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/federal-classic-10-gauge-3-1-2-1-3-4-oz-rifled-slugs-5-rounds?a=1594540
   For "overall best for most purposes" I'd again pick
   an oldie ... the 7x57 Mauser (with 150gr bullets, not
   the old heavy mil).
   Sorry, no not so much a magnum fiend  :-)