Is There Ever a Time to Hunt with Magnum Calibers?

[JPW13]

Hey Rokslide,

I’ve been reading through the epic 500+ page thread on hunting large game with .224 caliber bullets, and I have to admit, it got me questioning everything I thought I knew about hunting calibers. You all have demonstrated time and again that with proper bullet construction (77 TMK, 80 and 88 ELDM) and sufficient velocity (1800 fps), small calibers are incredibly effective—even out to 800+ yards. I tested this myself during the '24 hunting season and had multiple successful kills and zero rodeos. My own experience and the consensus that bullet construction and terminal velocity matter more than raw energy, throws a wrench into the argument for heavy recoiling magnums.

Here’s my question: When, or is there ever, a time when a magnum caliber cartridge is advantageous for hunting?

If a .284 or .308 “heavy for caliber” bullet doesn’t carry velocity much farther than these high-BC .224s, and the energy carried by the larger bullet is deemed irrelevant, what purpose does the added recoil, weight, and reduced shooter accuracy of a magnum caliber really serve?

Is there EVER a specific situation—dense brush, dangerous game, or ELR hunting (although no better velocity than a 22CM and an 88 ELDM) —where the magnum still shines? Or is this a case where modern bullets and precision shooting have rendered magnums a relic of the past?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

 

[FrankieP1988]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[N2TRKYS]

Didn’t know there was a such thing as a magnum caliber.

 

[hereinaz]

When I want to have capability to shoot between 700 and1000 yards, you run a magnum because you need more bullet weight to reduce wind drift.

The 6 UM is a thing for a reason.

I run a 25 Sherman Short Tactical with 133 grain Bergers or a 7 Sherman Short with 180 grain VLD Bergers.

I also have a 22 BR and will be building a 22 Creedmoor for most of my hunting.

 

[StupidLightweight]

Assuming you’ve seen the light, I’d say there are two reasons to go magnum today.

1. You already own one
2. You’re hunting with an outfitter who requires a minimum cartridge size

Besides that, zero reasons in my mind.

That said, 400 yards is a long poke to me. If someone is flinging lead at distances where time of flight approaches or exceeds 3/4 of a second, I can see that being reason 3.

 

[Dixie]

I think this whole small caliber thing started about the time men stated wearing skirts and a shrinkage of the tant from hormones in the water. Could be wrong but just a thought.
Just joking so don't take this to hard... next rifle likely will be a 6UM and can't wait to get my LH .223 Tikka from UM.
You likely won't get much love on RS with the Magnum talk. Get a rifle you can shoot and then shoot it. What you will learn is bullet placement is what matters.

 

[JPW13]

When I want to have capability to shoot between 700 and1000 yards, you run a magnum because you need more bullet weight to reduce wind drift.

The 6 UM is a thing for a reason.

I run a 25 Sherman Short Tactical with 133 grain Bergers or a 7 Sherman Short with 180 grain VLD Bergers.

I also have a 22 BR and will be building a 22 Creedmoor for most of my hunting.

That’s a solid point, and it’s something I’ve thought about a lot in my own experience. For example, I run a .300 WSM shooting 212 ELD-X bullets, and it holds 1800 fps out to 721 meters (sorry, Canadian here!). In a 10 mph full-value wind, that setup requires a 1.2 Mil hold. On the other hand, my 22 Creedmoor shooting 88 ELD-M bullets carries 1800 fps all the way to 776 meters, but it requires a 1.4 Mil hold in the same wind.

While the magnum has an edge in terms of reduced wind drift—.2 Mils in this case—that difference seems negligible when you factor in real-world conditions. I feel like I’m more likely to introduce a bigger error with a slightly off wind call than benefit from the magnum’s smaller correction.

What’s your experience been with that? Do you find the slight wind edge worth the trade-offs, or do you just feel more confident with the magnum at those extended distances? For me, it feels like bullet design and consistent velocity have leveled the playing field in a lot of scenarios and while I have fun shooting the magnums I'm wondering if there is ever a time it's the better option?

 

[JPW13]

Assuming you’ve seen the light, I’d say there are two reasons to go magnum today.

1. You already own one
2. You’re hunting with an outfitter who requires a minimum cartridge size

Besides that, zero reasons in my mind.

That said, 400 yards is a long poke to me. If someone is flinging lead at distances where time of flight approaches or exceeds 3/4 of a second, I can see that being reason 3.

That’s where I’m at too. I’ve got a couple of magnums and I’m trying to figure out if they still have a valid hunting role in my lineup. For shooting steel at extreme long ranges—splash alone can justify their place. It’s hard to beat the visibility of impact with a magnum, especially on steel at 1000+ yards. And outfitter minimums? Absolutely valid. It’s not worth arguing over caliber requirements when you’re paying for the hunt of a lifetime.

But when it comes to hunting, I’m struggling to find a niche where they truly shine over lighter-recoiling options. Even for long shots, modern bullet designs in cartridges like my 22 Creedmoor or similar high-BC, low-recoil setups seem to close the gap on wind drift and velocity retention without the downsides of magnum recoil and weight.

 

[waspocrew]

Shoot what you want as long as it’s legal, and put in the required practice to make the shot count.

 

[TaperPin]

If something is better, it doesn’t take long to see it when actually hunting. It shouldn’t be a hard decision, it should be obvious, unless it’s not much of an advantage. Shooting and hunting have very little that’s hidden.

I fall solidly in the camp of what I’m shooting has worked so well for so long, there isn’t a need to change for no reason. It’s the unmet need that motivates, and I have yet to see a clear advantage to much of the new development of the last decade. If the 22 creed were clearly superior at the range I’d be more likely to take the small caliber argument seriously - it should be obviously better if it were.

I wish something obviously better was developed and the ball was moved forward.

 

[Balderdash]

I agree with the "shoot what you can handle properly" mantra. I agree, too, with the sentiment that heavy recoil rounds aren't fun to shoot, so, by extension, they don't get shot as frequently as they need to be. On multiple occasions I've watched acquaintances and guys at work buy high recoil, lightweight magnums with way over powered scopes to "extend their range" and then buy 2 boxes of expensive ammo to get ready for a western hunt. When I point out how laughably little practice 30-40 rounds is, they sometimes get offended. Certainly, these hunters would be far better served by toting whatever they are willing to shoot enough to be proficient at longer ranges than they're used to.

I do like the wind resistance and on game performance of high BC .284 and .308 cal bullets. (Building a 1:8, 22" 30 cal mag right now and run several other 7mm and 308 magnums.) Sure, the difference is comparatively minimal, but it all helps at longer ranges. I'll add that I've been shooting 300, 338, 375, and 458 magnums for 25 years, so many thousands of rounds downrange to be able to overcome the recoil. But, I've also done enough killing with other cartridges to know that they all work, so long as a properly constructed bullet gets where it needs to go.

If I were just starting out and didn't care to take the time and effort it takes to get comfortable with larger cartridges, I'd likely run something like a fast twist 7-08, or maybe a 6.5 PRC, 6 SAUM if flatter trajectory or more fps is desired for mono's at long range. I'd keep the weight to 8lb +. Recoil is very manageable on such a rig with practice, and these cartridges will get the job done near and far with minimal fuss.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

A magnum is never the wrong answer if you can shoot it accurately. It is just more of a good thing.

HOWEVER - most people can’t shoot magnums accurately, thus the small caliber craze on this forum. The point of the 223 thread is that with the right bullet, these smaller calibers are adequate. That doesn’t mean that larger cartridges shouldnt be used.

 

[EastHumboldt]

Short answer yes… when you want to hunt with one. As long as you can hit what you’re aiming at, at the distance you are shooting.

This my new mantra, which I’ve been trying to squeeze into every single thread.
Say with crotchety Scottish accent:
“HOW CAN YE HAVE ENNY WHALLUP IF YE DON’T EAT YERR RECOIL??!!!!

Edit: kudos to Longwayround who actually came up with this idea in another thread about elk cartridges

 

[rclouse79]

When your jacked up truck is still not cutting it for other deficiencies.

 

[pacoalcracker]

If you want to shoot a tiny cartridge, great. If you want to shoot a magnum, great. There is no right or wrong. Who really cares if a 223(or whatever) and a 300 win mag can accomplish the same task so long as either shooter is capable? Is there ever a time to hunt with a magnum? Of course there is. It's whenever a person wants to. We all have an opinion, and that's all it is.

JPW...there is no light to see. Not everyone is recoil sensitive or desires to spot the shot. I have no issues shooting a 458Lott, 470NE or 505Gibbs quite accurately at their effective ranges. Ditto with any smaller caliber magnums.

 

[Tmac]

I use bolt action magnums to teach new shooters. Love my 17 HMR’s, only magnum rifles I own. Very effective on sage rats, apples, and the like.

 

[Pony Soldier]

Bigger bullets at slower velocities = less bloodshot and more edible meat. You can keep your meatwasting pop guns thankyou.

 

[pacoalcracker]

reclouse79...does my 2024 F450 4x4 diesel crew cab 8' box dually count? LOL.

 

[rayfrugg]

If you read threads from Africa and Australia, most prefer larger bullets over super fast velocity. The usual saying is put it in the right spot, but how sure are you of doing that, especially at longer distances, critter could move just enough after the trigger is pulled the projectile is now in a bad spot. Some of it is margin of error, it is hard to be perfect with all the variables of hunting.


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[Gila]

When I have a tag…