Why can't you hunt with a 50 calibre gun?

[Hasha 2]

Ok, why don't pple you hunt with a 50 calibre gun? One shot one kill for sure so y aren't hunters using those?

What is the calibre thing? The diameter of the bullet or the barrel? Please tell me more about the gun measurement such as recoil, calibre and stuff. Basically the rating and the power of a gun. Shit, I am completely newbie to guns so please give me some tutorials. Thanks!

[Assault (CAN) 1]

Hmmm, where does it say that it is illegal? It all depends on the laws where you live.

I wouldn't go hunting deer with a .50 cal because that would be pointless, .308 is better suited. Hell, even an elephant would drop to a .308. There is no need for a .50 cal in hunting because it is too powerful, even for big animals.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What is the calibre thing? The diameter of the bullet or the barrel?<span id='postcolor'>

Both.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Please tell me more about the gun measurement such as recoil, calibre and stuff. <span id='postcolor'>

Be more specific, ask away!

Tyler

[USSoldier11B 0]

um...where can't you hunt with a .50 cal? It is not used commonly for game because it tears it up too much and usually makes trophy game un-mountable. A .300 belted magnum is about as big as you will ever need unless you are hunting elephants.

Remember, the .50 BMG is a anti-material round. It will blow a barn door in a human or maybe even tear one in half. I think the damage to say a deer would be a little bit of overkill.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hell, even an elephant would drop to a .308.<span id='postcolor'>

Unless you are a very lucky shot, probably not. .308 is even a bit underpowered for taking elk.

[Grey Fox 0]

If you just wanted the meat it would already be tenderized and ready to serve around the wound

[Jester983 0]

I think another thing would be the sound. It would probably scare all the other game away just by firing one shot.

[Major Fubar 0]

What about .458 Winchester and .460 Weatherby? These are both very powerful "elephant gun" rounds...

I also asume cost (per round) would be part of not using .50 rifles for hunting.

[timmy 0]

i have a .358 magnum, and i hunt a lot with it, but im looking around, for a new gun, not really sure what i want yet. Anyone have any suggestions

[Assault (CAN) 1]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Unless you are a very lucky shot, probably not. .308 is even a bit underpowered for taking elk.<span id='postcolor'>

That all depends on range.

I was watching a show on the Discovery Channel about elephants and the game wardens who try and protect them. They found one dead elephant which was shot several times in the head at close range. Near the body were a bunch of 7.62x39 casings. I guess those poachers were pretty balsy, they walked right up to the damn thing.

Tyler

[advocatexxx 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Please tell me more about the gun measurement such as recoil, calibre and stuff.<span id='postcolor'>

Caliber is merely the diameter of the barrel (thus bullet of course). Both, the British (inch) and Metric (milimeter) units are used. There are many different calibers, some common ones include .50, .45, . 357 etc. .50 caliber for example means the gun barrel/bullet is half an inch in diameter, thus 12.7mm, as 1 inch = 25.4mm.

Recoil is a term used for when a gun kicks back after firing a round. Machine guns for example have to be well secured for minimal recoil. High caliber sniper rifles also give considerable recoil, and have to be held well against your shoulder so that you don't injure yourself (yes that can happen). Tank guns and other cannons where recoil would simply be too powerful, a special mechanism is implemented where there is a barrel "within" a barrel, so to speak. So that when the round is fired, the gun doesn't end up causing structural damage to the tank

[USSoldier11B 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">7.62x39 <span id='postcolor'>

Yikes! that is not even close to .308 (7.62x52 NATO)

7.62 x 39 is the Russian Service Round used in AK type weapons. You would have to be nuts to shoot at an elephant with that. That guy must have lucked out and got in a bunch of good head shots.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I also asume cost (per round) would be part of not using .50 rifles for hunting.<span id='postcolor'>

Yup, One .50 BMG round will run you about $2.00 here in the U.S. That's not even match grade.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Recoil is a term used for when a gun kicks back after firing a round. Machine guns for example have to be well secured for minimal recoil.<span id='postcolor'>

True, but also consider that most actions that use a moving bolt have some type of recoil buffer system. This usually consists of a solid piece of aluminum and a spring that absorbes the shock of the bolt coming to the rear after firing. The buffer also pushes the bolt back into the locked postion, chambering the next round. High powered rifles will also have a muzzle compensator orbrake that pushes the gases exiting the barrel either/and or upwards or exits rearward at roughly a 45 degree angle. The gases pushing upward keep the barrel climb down improving accuracy. Gases exitng rearward provide a forward thrust on the rifle wich reduces "perceived" recoil. A bolt action rifle's recoil can usually be managed with a tight grip and a good stock design since the action remains stationary when the round is fired. A bolt action recoil feels like a solid push, while a semi-auto or full auto will give a sharp smack. When purchasing a muzzel braked rifle always insure that the holes are drilled correctly. If they are not, you are in for some bruises. The Barret actually has very little perceived recoil because of it's massive muzzle brake. But your spotter will get his teeth rattled by the blast from the muzzle brake.

[Assault (CAN) 1]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Yikes! that is not even close to .308 (7.62x52 NATO)

7.62 x 39 is the Russian Service Round used in AK type weapons. <span id='postcolor'>

You think I don't know that? BTW, it's 7.62x51 NATO.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You would have to be nuts to shoot at an elephant with that. <span id='postcolor'>

Well, when you are a poor and hungry Kenyan guy poaching for Ivory with a $6 AK, you are probably desparate/nuts in the first place.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">That guy must have lucked out and got in a bunch of good head shots.<span id='postcolor'>

Read earlier: "shot several times in the head at close range"

It's not that hard to beleive by any strech of the imagination, people have even been killed by BB guns before.

Tyler

[FetishFool 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Hasharajima @ May 10 2002,14:31)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">...  Basically the rating and the power of a gun.  ...<span id='postcolor'>

Rifling twist and barrel length are very important.  Especially when dealing with low-caliber ammo.

[edited]M00t quote wasn't necessary.