Generally speaking, I would not consider hunting deer or similar sized game with anything less than a 50 cal roundball. The foundation for that stems from my rearing in the northeast.
Lately I've reflected on my observations living in the southeast for for 20 years. I've killed a bunch of deer over the past couple decades with local hunting methods...often times involving unmentionables throwing hardened lead balls at running deer at ranges between 5 - 60 yards. It's been my observation that anywhere within that range, a single hardened .33 caliber ball impacting the vitals puts a deer down rather reliably. Out to about 40 yards I've seen 100% penetration, and 40-60 the ball usually rests under the hide on the far side.
Tossing this around in my head, I can't help but think a 40 cal with a hard projectile would do just the same, if not better.
I'm second guessing my objection to hunting with less than a 50 cal. Maybe I'm crazy.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge proponent of doing the best we can to execute a quick and humane kill. But what I've witnessed is just that.
Any thoughts?
Lately I've reflected on my observations living in the southeast for for 20 years. I've killed a bunch of deer over the past couple decades with local hunting methods...often times involving unmentionables throwing hardened lead balls at running deer at ranges between 5 - 60 yards. It's been my observation that anywhere within that range, a single hardened .33 caliber ball impacting the vitals puts a deer down rather reliably. Out to about 40 yards I've seen 100% penetration, and 40-60 the ball usually rests under the hide on the far side.
Tossing this around in my head, I can't help but think a 40 cal with a hard projectile would do just the same, if not better.
I'm second guessing my objection to hunting with less than a 50 cal. Maybe I'm crazy.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge proponent of doing the best we can to execute a quick and humane kill. But what I've witnessed is just that.
Any thoughts?