He was shooting editor for Outdoor Life mag for many years. He was a record holder at both benchrest rifle and NRA high power rifle matches. he's taken scores of trophy heads of game, on several continents. So it's safe to say that he knew as much about big game rifles and hunting as any man who ever lived. here is what he said: "I will bet my FARM (caps mine) that I can take any N. American game animal with a .22 Hornet, under CONDITIONS OF FAIR CHASE (caps mine). I will further bet $40,000 (in today's money, it's an old book) that I can do so with no more than 2 shots per animal"
The Hornet has never been available in an auto or a pump action, and only a very few were made in lever action format (conversions on the 25-20 lever Winchester). Jim was talking about a bolt action, and stalking or stand hunting to get a brain shot, at 70m or less. The 223 has twice the power of the .22 hornet, an autoloader helps you stop fleeing cripples, or at least, hit them again 1-2x, to more quickly bleed them out.
Survival harvesting of critters has very little in common with trophy sport hunting. You use lights at night, you use bait, you ignore regulations about seasons, about taking the young, or females of the species. Yes, many so-called "hunters" can't take game unless they have a scope o6 on a rest, and can't get within 250m of any large animal, no matter how they cheat, other than a mere fluke of luck. Others, however, frequently get within 20 yds of the same types of critters, under sporting conditions, and take them with bows.
So anyone who "thinks" that the 223 softpoint is inadequate for survival taking of big game is simply not aware of the facts.
The Hornet has never been available in an auto or a pump action, and only a very few were made in lever action format (conversions on the 25-20 lever Winchester). Jim was talking about a bolt action, and stalking or stand hunting to get a brain shot, at 70m or less. The 223 has twice the power of the .22 hornet, an autoloader helps you stop fleeing cripples, or at least, hit them again 1-2x, to more quickly bleed them out.
Survival harvesting of critters has very little in common with trophy sport hunting. You use lights at night, you use bait, you ignore regulations about seasons, about taking the young, or females of the species. Yes, many so-called "hunters" can't take game unless they have a scope o6 on a rest, and can't get within 250m of any large animal, no matter how they cheat, other than a mere fluke of luck. Others, however, frequently get within 20 yds of the same types of critters, under sporting conditions, and take them with bows.
So anyone who "thinks" that the 223 softpoint is inadequate for survival taking of big game is simply not aware of the facts.
