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As much as I like my doubles in classic double cartridges, I also like the challenge of long distance target shooting. I won't do it on animals, but for me, paper and in particular reactive targets like steel gongs are a lot of fun when the distances are long..... For example, the TRG in .308 is a lovely long distance toy for the range and even more so in .338 Lapua when one really wants to go far.

For hunting, I do have a .257 Weatherby that I load with 115 grain TSX bullets. They're hard and don't self destruct at close ranges in a cartridge that reaches out easily to 400 yards with very flat hold on hair trajectory. I once was presented with a 30 yard broadside caribou shot with the .257 in hand. I was expecting to see them cross the distant ice between the eskers at a good 350 yards, but lo and behold, Mr Bou showed up right on top of me. The shot literally spray painted the evergreen bush behind it a lovely red colour and I had my Bou. The damage and tissue destruction was unbelievable but I did have the hind quarters and most of the back straps to salvage. It was a pity that I held on the shoulder instead of just behind them...... The bullet was a pass through and was not recovered.

I really like that .257. It does catch me by surprise every time I shoot it with the muzzle blast of the high intensity overbore cartridge. A .25-06 is a lovely cartridge and would undoubtedly be almost as effective but would not shoot as far nor as flat.

All this to say that I don't mind magnums but I'm not totally fixated on them as the be all and end all. Maybe if I was fixated on them, I'd have been kinder to my dearly departed .378 Weatherby and would be shooting it as a primary rifle. They have their place. So does a boat anchor heavy slow .45-70...... One doesn't use a sledge to drive tacks, nor does one use a tack hammer to drive railroad spikes...... There's a place for everything but some tools are more optimal for a given situation.

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Agree with the .257 Weatherby comments--

I had one built on a Rem. titanium action..has it reworked and installed a Hart Barrel..shoots incredible well..and is just a tad over 7lbs with scope..first time at the range a buddy was along, as I was getting ready to shoot he bend over to pick something up off the ground on the next bench over..the blast blew his hat off his head..we still laugh about that ...

As to the Triple Shocks..several years ago I shot a mule deer buck..unbeknownst to me there was a doe behind him --hit her as the bullet passed through him..found the bullet in her head when it was all over..perfect pedals and about 95% of its original weight...think for a caliber that fast the Barnes Triple shocks are a perfect bullet..also think for deer and antelope there a few calibers that are as flat shooting and perform as well as the .257...its as you stated, a 25-06 on steroids..Even my 26 Nosler isn't as fast as this but do plan to the 26 this season a bit, curious on how it will perform on deer and elk if I get the chance..

Ripp

R

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ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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