if theres a tip I can endorse,
its the fact that a .338-375-450 caliber rifle ,
with the correct ammo selected can be an exceptionally effective hunting tool.
a lot of guys worry far too much in my opinion about having a flat trajectory, but I have to point out that in 50 plus years of hunting big game the vast majority (easily 85% or more) of the game Ive shot was killed at under 250 yards , where even a 450 marlin is rather easily used, and quite effective.
a properly placed 250 grain-405 grain bullet can do exceptionally effective work on anything in north AMERICA with proper shot placement.
my late hunting partner used a browning BLR in caliber 358 win with a 250- grain speer over 44 grains if IMR 4064 almost exclusively for 40 years, to good effect.
for deer hunts I'm a fan of the browning BLR carbines
hit the deer or elk in the vitals with a 358 win, 250 grain or 350 grain from a 450 marlin caliber rifle
and place it in that vital zone you've described and you'll seldom find you have any issues,
with potential tracking, or deer running more than a few steps,
the more I hunt with the 358 win and 450 marlin chambered BLR carbines the more impressed Ive become
I sight all my rifles in to impact 3.5" higher than the cross hair in the scope indicates at 100 yards
this allows a very easy no calculations required hold,
for consistent shot placement, in the first 150- 200 yards where an easy 75-80%,
of all the deer and elk Ive shot for decades are shot at
its the fact that a .338-375-450 caliber rifle ,
with the correct ammo selected can be an exceptionally effective hunting tool.
a lot of guys worry far too much in my opinion about having a flat trajectory, but I have to point out that in 50 plus years of hunting big game the vast majority (easily 85% or more) of the game Ive shot was killed at under 250 yards , where even a 450 marlin is rather easily used, and quite effective.
a properly placed 250 grain-405 grain bullet can do exceptionally effective work on anything in north AMERICA with proper shot placement.
my late hunting partner used a browning BLR in caliber 358 win with a 250- grain speer over 44 grains if IMR 4064 almost exclusively for 40 years, to good effect.
for deer hunts I'm a fan of the browning BLR carbines
hit the deer or elk in the vitals with a 358 win, 250 grain or 350 grain from a 450 marlin caliber rifle
and place it in that vital zone you've described and you'll seldom find you have any issues,
with potential tracking, or deer running more than a few steps,
the more I hunt with the 358 win and 450 marlin chambered BLR carbines the more impressed Ive become
I sight all my rifles in to impact 3.5" higher than the cross hair in the scope indicates at 100 yards
this allows a very easy no calculations required hold,
for consistent shot placement, in the first 150- 200 yards where an easy 75-80%,
of all the deer and elk Ive shot for decades are shot at