Magnum Rifle Calibers

[ditto1958]

How have the ammo companies and firearms makers managed to sell so many shooters rifles that are in magnum calibers?

It never seems to fail when a really nice looking bolt action rifle catches my eye on a rack in a store, or in a Gunbroker listing. I take a closer look, hoping for .30-06, or even 308... nope. Never happens. It's almost always gonna be .300 Win. Mag., 7mm Rem. Mag.... or one of a host of other steroid-aided cartridges.

When I am at the range, it's often the same thing. Sure, quite a few shooters have "normal" rifles. In addition to .30-06 and .308, you see quite a few shooters with .270 and 7mm08. But next to them there will always be someone whose ejected brass looks like it came from a 20mm cannon.

There are very few, if any, species of North American game that will not be humanely and reliably dispatched by a shot from a .30-06, .308 or .270 rifle. Heck, as most of us here are well aware, for decades, millions of deer have been taken in America with .30-30 lever guns.

I'm a freedom loving American, and I am very happy that we have our 2nd Amemdment. To all the owners of those magnum caliber rifles? More power to you. But also, my hat is off to the firearms companies and ammo companies. How you manage to sell all those over-powered rifles and $3.00 a round mini-cannon shells is beyond me.

[BigAl52]

Ditto
I totally agree with your thoughts. Some of the norm calibers have been left behind ie 308 and 270. But I think what happens here is the quest for something different. There is also now a large following out west to shoot animals at the 500 plus yardage range which does nothing but add fuel to the quest for those 20mm cannon shells your talking about. I myself dont have the confidence in shooting an animal at those distances. I did however recently purchase one of those cannon guns and I am very happy with it as it doesnt punish me like I thought it would. I let my good friend talk me into it so I blame him. Bought a Savage Bear Hunter in 338 Win mag. But I reload already had the dies and brass so 3.00 a round was trimmed to about a dollar. Al

[North Country Gal]

Definitely not my kind of stuff, but with me and my Contenders in all sorts of chamberings, my taste in guns isn't exactly typical, either. Have some range buddies that shoot those monsters and we manage to get along, albeit with some good natured teasing. Even have friends that shoot these evil black rifles. I like that our shooting community is so diverse. Adds to the fun.

[RanchRoper]

I liked Magnum P.I. but I might be dating myself....

[BigAl52]

I liked Magnum P.I. but I might be dating myself....

It wasnt a secret anyway RR

[Conax]

Nothing exceeds like excess. I know what ya mean about them elephant guns.
I like my .22 magnum..
There are bragging rights involved, like when I bought a .480 Ruger when they came out. It was among the mostest. Being old and no longer much for hunting, I just recreate with fun guns.
No more cannons for me. The kick would sometimes hurt my jawbone. I'm outta there.

[Shakey Jake]

My 25/06 Ruger No. 1 rifle is as deadly as they come and more accurate than I can shoot. I've never missed with it.

[JEBar]

How have the ammo companies and firearms makers managed to sell so many shooters rifles that are in magnum calibers?

they have and still do so because there's a sufficiently large group of customers who are willing to pay for them ..... how do automobile manufactures manage to sell so many drivers vehicles with V-10's, V-8's, and turbo charged V-6s ... ... how do outboard motor manufactures manage to sell boat owners on hanging multiple motors, each with hundreds of horsepower on the back of their boats ... ... much the same question can be asked about most any product .... for me, as noted in a prior post, it pretty much boils down to personal preference .... I very seldom actually needed a V-8 in my pickup but I've never owned a full size truck that didn't have one ....

[Henry88]

I think it might be a Western thing. Here in Florida you seldom see the magnum rifles at the range or in the field. Even a 30-06 is big for down here.

As noted in another thread, I see more AR types in 5.56/7.62 than anything when at the range, and think to myself, "They sure managed to sell a lot of those AR types to shooters"

[North Country Gal]

I agree. It's a regional thing with the long range super mags. In our area, 50 yards is a long shot in most places.

As for the AR thing, I think it's also very much a generation thing. At our range, it almost exclusively the younger crowd shooting the ARs. Very rarely see the oldsters like us with one.