| Kano |
| (.300 member) |
| 15/04/13 02:10 PM |
|
Re: W.D.M. Bell
|
Quote:
Everyone's opinions are colored by their experience. In Bell's case, he was trying to hunt and kill elephant as efficiently as possible, and had control of the situation, due to his skill-set.
If I were a PH, dealing with hunters who are often completely unknown quantities in their shooting abilities, courage, and bush-craft, I would definitely want more horsepower and a BIG stopping rifle, in Africa. Who knows what kind of a cock-up you'll be dealing with, from minute to minute.
Absolutely right. That's the main reason why PHs usually carry a "stopping caliber". As for the hunter, he's much better served with a rifle he knows and masters thoroughly, whatever the caliber may be. All the PHs I know are much more concerned with the client's knowledge of animal's anatomy and capacity to place a killing shot with a proper bullet, than the caliber of their rifle.
An old Rhodesian hand, now retired, told me once "One of my worst nightmares was to see a client arriving with a brand new .460 Weatherby or double .500..."