10/18/2020

Choosing the right one  Driven hunt cartridge

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The driven hunt season is just around the corner and, as so often, the question of the right setup arises. In addition to the hotly contested topic of optics (open sights, red dot reflex sight, fixed small zoom or variable scope), the choice of caliber and bullet is probably the most discussed question. The question of optics can often be answered solely by the circumstances of the respective hunt (narrow aisles to high mountain ranges), but when it comes to ammunition it is much more complex and for some hunters it comes very close to their own science or religion!

So I would now like to try to untie this Gordian knot. For this we look at the topics partial disassembly or deformation bullet and bullet diameter and weight! 

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Splinters or rejects?

The most common type of bullet on driven hunts is the partial fragmentation. This is justified with the fragmentation in the game body, which also, with a rather poorly placed shot, vital organs can be damaged and thus a small fragment in life can lead to a quick death. Of course, it should be the first premise of every huntsman to always make a clean shot, but this is not too easy when it comes to driven hunts! But what happens when such a projectile hits the ground hard on a boar or a strong head of deer? Is the one splinter that comes through enough to do damage? How will the dog pick up a wound track without a reject? And what about the devaluation of venison by the splitter?

For these reasons, there are advocates for deformation bullets. No splinters in the venison, an almost always guaranteed reject and enough sweat to get by without a dog. Only if the shot doesn't sit in the life, then the escape will be so long that even the best dog will give up or there is no longer any wild sequence, since you have to look for it in the area after next. In addition, a bullet with a residual weight of over 80% is significantly more dangerous than a ricochet and definitely not controllable! 

So it cannot be due to the type of bullet whether a hit piece is also on the range. Rather, when choosing a bullet, everyone must consider which type is the right one for them, or which one they can take responsibility for!

The light or the armor-breaker?

If it's not the type of bullet that gives us success, then maybe other factors? As is well known, mass x velocity = energy, and this energy is required to achieve proper stopping action. 

Let's take the mass factor: If it really were that easy, we would all go hunting with a bullet of 20g or more. But try to fit 20g into a .30 bullet. This is where we very quickly reach the limits of what is reasonable and possible. Also, everyone knows that the heavier the bullet, the slower it is - compared to lighter ones - and thus increases the margin on fleeing game. 

To compensate for this problem, we could now use more powder - so Magnum cartridges are best!   But how was that again with the danger zone or the basic sense? And more energy also means more hematomas and thus again devaluation of venison. 

The solution is that simple!

Many words have been said about the bullet, but which caliber should be used anyway? Basically you can say about 6.5mm and 2000J at 100m. This means that you can take part in a driven hunt almost anywhere. However, some hunters require at least 9mm or more. This will be mentioned in advance when you are invited!

The most common calibers for running hoofed game are: 

·                  .270 Win.

·                  7×64

·                  .308 Win.

·                  .30-06 spg.

·                  .300 Win. Like.

·                  8x57IS

·                  9.3x62

·                  .375 H&H

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Finding the right caliber from this list is best done in the tavern, because here you will quickly hear 6 opinions from 5 hunters! Ultimately, the truth is: practice, practice, practice. Because only the perfect shot counts. Whether it's 7mm, 8mm or 9mm, all this discussion, all of the above is purely to cover up its own flaws

One little tip at the end

How many shots do you take with you on a hunt?. Anyone who has done a lot of driven hunts knows that there is no standard answer. It happened to me myself that I ran out of cartridges in the middle of the afternoon drive! After all, who expects more than 40 game to be shot in the wild? In the same hunt, another year, I didn't fire a shot! You should always take too many with you, because the weight of a single cartridge hardly makes a difference in a backpack! 

In conclusion one can say: find the right tool, buy enough ammunition, go practice and hopefully have a lot of luck!