caliber/bullet weight you can shoot, accurately. Example, a 110 grain .30/06 bullet may be a .30 caliber, but the light weight corresponds to a short bullet, lacking the sectional density, ie; length and retained weight and construction to adequately penetrate large game.
Same as a .444 Marlin, using 240 grain bullets. Though a heavy weight bullet, in this caliber, the bullet is short and lacks sufficient sectional density for deep penetration. A 300 grain bullet of good construction will make a much better wound path, even though, inherently, the bullet will move slower and actually kick MORE! (The 240 gr. bullet is for .44Mag. handgun velocities, not Big Game/Big Game Rifles)
Like I said in the first line, if you can't shoot accurately, why bother at all?
"A good man, with a bad gun, beats a bad man, with a good gun". 18 .22's in the head/eyes, beats 100 misses with a .375 H&H Magnum, aimed at the heart.
Good luck. -BigSquatch
Posted on Jun 21, 2003, 12:14 AM from IP address 67.98.161.76