Sometimes I go rabbit hunting to shoot a lot of rabbits - I take my 22PPC with 12x scope. Other times I go rabbit hunting to stalk in close and I take a Colt Lightning 22 Long with open sights. I play two different games.

It seems to me that the calibre for buff/elephant argument is about the same thing. Some people aim to get the biggest, oldest buff and to do so need to be able to take a broad range of shots and they really need a 470, or the biggest rifle they can handle.

Other people set out to get a buff/elephant or whatever with a particular weapon, handgun, bow, 45/70 etc and are prepared to pass up many shots which would be easy with a 470 and, often, go home empty handed, in the hope of achieving their goal.

The problem arises when people confuse the two aims.

In the Northern Territory a number of hunters shot for the leather industry, shooting literally thousands of water buffalo each dry season. While water buffalo aren't cape buffalo, they can cause problems. These guys shot exclusively with Martini Henry carbines in 303 and rarely got injured, although they would lose a horse or two each year. They also rarely lost a wounded animal.

This was because they only took one type of shot - down between the shoulder blades, through the spine, into the chest - taken from horseback. They couldn't afford to have a wounded but mobile buff around because their skinners etc were following on foot and they didn't care if if was a big bull, a female or a yearling.

Let's face it - if we go buffalo hunting and don't get a buff, it's not like your family is going to starve. If you are an ethical hunter you do not take the shot unless you know it is going to be effective.

We get so worked up over minor differences in calibre but don't seem too fussed about hunter skills (like being able to shoot) and fitness.

I think a much more interesting debate would be "should you hunt buffalo if you cannot put two shots within 3" of the point of aim at 50 yards after running 150 yards" or "should you take a quartering away shot unless you can accurately nominate the aiming point which will allow the shot to enter the chest".

Mike