Challenge vs confidence?

[BattleRifleG3]

We have various discussions of what guns are the right choices for various hunting situations. Adequate power, shot placement, manageability of the gun, and other elements factor in to the discussions.

Some people have offered the position that using a less powerful gun is good for a challenge.

I had one thought lately that I'd like to share. Shouldn't we be hunting with a gun with which we have the maximum confidence of taking the game humanely?

Examples:
1.) Using a 12ga shotgun vs a 28ga shotgun, assuming one can manage a 12ga. My understanding is that the ballistics are similar per shot pellet, but that the 12ga spreads them over a larger area. My thoughts are that it's less humane to take a chance of wounding the animal and killing it slowly than to use every available method to ensure a quick kill. It would occur to me that a person seeking challenge should handicap himself when shooting for sport, but when taking animals should use those skills with the most effective tools for the job. In other words, shoot trap with a 28ga, shoot birds with a 20, 16, or 12ga.

2.) Using a short range rifle (or short range optics) for a long range shot, or trading adequate knockdown power for lower recoil. I'm talking taking a 300yd shot with a 30-30, or most uses of 223 against a deer. If one uses a short range rifle because they only make short range shots, then that's great. If one chooses a lightweight high speed bullet in order to have the most confident shot placement, ok. But those should be motivations for the gun you use, not excuses.

So what do you guys think? My basic position is that it's the wrong choice to handicap oneself for hunting unless one declines shots accordingy. And I mean letting that monster buck pass at 250yd if you're hunting with a 35 Rem or a 45/70, or a muzzle loader for that matter. In essence, making yourself more likely to miss is irresponsible and inhumane.

Maybe that sounded harsh, I'm not trying to be critical, that's just how I'm seeing it.

[lefty o]

you've all seen my opinion on this before. it all comes down to one thing, the clean and quick kill of the animal you are hunting.

[Apollyon67]

Being a meat hunter and not a trophy hunter, I use what is most likely to make a quick, clean kill. I see the "Challenge" aspect of it, being able to consistatly make a kill with a .22 magnum on a White Tail deer is impressive, but personally I will leave that to others. There are numerous other ways to show your skills with a firearm.

[Mooseman684]

If I had ever Handicapped myself up here, I wouldn't be here right now to tell you about it. You hunt caribou, and a Moose charges you...you hunt Moose and the Grizzlies hunt you, Buffalo can run you over Quick, Wolves can attack at any time...I want reliable firepower that will kill em all with one shot if possible no more than 2. That's why I carry a Model 70 Winchester in .300 Win Mag. with Safari Grade 180gr.Nosler partitions and 220 grain silvertips extra.The Git er dunn Gun !
Rich

[survivethestorm]

If I were hunting an area with dangerous game, I'd go with more than my favorite .30-06. It would be either the .375 H&H Magnum or the .338 Winchester. I've never shot either of them yet...but having shot 3" 12 ga. magnum 00 Buck in a single shot and survived I think I can handle one of them. The .338 has the advantage of being available in the Browning BAR which eases the recoil a bit but in cold climes cold be nonfunctional.

[BattleRifleG3]

I've fired a foster slug in a single shot 12ga without a buttpad at a bench.

Wolfhuntress was there and witnessed a pained expression and heard "Shiiiiiiiii..."