The latest new hunting round isn’t always the best choice. Here’s why

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Grasyl

As long as there have been hunting camps, there have been campfire debates over which cartridge is best for a particular game animal. These discussions were invariably fueled in part by the opinions of hunting and gun writers, who have never been shy about voicing their opinions. I confess to penning a few of those articles myself over the years. Editors loved them, and readers lapped them up, eager to weigh in with their two cents’ worth.

In writing those articles, I had the opportunity to test many of the newest cartridges of the day—some in hunting scenarios, others on the range—and they all lived up to their billing. But were they better than the cartridges already on the market? Before investing in a rifle chambered in any hot new round, always ask yourself if you think the cartridge will remain relevant over the years to come. The answer won’t necessarily be yes.

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