In 1895 when the Model 94 Winchester & the 3030 cartridge was introduced as the first smokeless rifle round, it was touted as the flattest shooting rifle on the market in that period.
Tom Horn even went out and bought one, and made a pretty good living using one as a "sniper rifle". That is, until they hung him. Big game was taken around the globe with it, and it is STILL popular in some European countries as a big game getter.
As we American hunters have evolved, so have our weapons AND so have some of our "definitions", at lest to some they have.
In it's day the 3030 was considered MORE than adequate for anything in North America in the way of game, though none would argue for a charging Grizzly something heavier would be nice. But in that regard, a 12 guage shotgun with slugs is more than enough for that chore, and it's been around as long as the 3030. But that is not what I am talking about here.
The 3030 back then, was some what WEAKER in the loading than it is now, and the so called experts of the day, loved the cartridge, and some seasoned hunters such as myself, still do. Am I an expert? No, but I have been shooting it since about 1957, when my late father bought the one I have been shooting all these years, and still shoot.
Will it still take down the game it took (including Elk, moose, bison, and so on) years ago, and up until about 20 years ago when the bolt guns really started coming on. Of course.
Will it shoot 350 yards across a canyon and nail an elk, in mid stride. Not reliably. It was never intended to do that. i.e. Moot point.
But let's look at what "DEFINITIONS" of certain terms have changed, along with our (some's) rifles.
"FAIR CHASE", used to mean, locating and then, "STALKING" the game, to within a reasonable range of say, 25 to 250 yards and taking the game. Will the 3030 do this? Yep, and the new bullets available make the 3030 better than ever.
FAIR CHASE "now" to some, means sitting on a canyon rim with a big set of binoculars or a spotting scope, OR BOTH, a "hot rod" rifle mostly magnums, (and no I am not criticizing your magnum, I personally don't give a damn what you shoot, it's your business) with a LARGE magnification scope (usually a variable), a set of bi pods, and even sometimes a "shooting table". They glass the area, locate the animal they want, crank up the scope, check the yardage with a range finder, hold up their wind gage, and set the bullet drop compensator on the scope, of the "hot rod" rifle they carried' or "hauled" to the location. Then "shoot" the animal. "FAIR CHASE"?
Rifles have changed, equipment has changed, sighting systems have changed, equipment has been INVENTED, that take much of the effort out of the hunt, and in many ways, sometimes entirely "ELIMINATE" stalking. Kind of the way a motor home takes the camping out of camping, making the CAMPER far more comfortable than if he were in a tent. But is it still camping, or just a change of scenery.
So when one says "FAIR CHASE", one must look at the party saying "FAIR CHASE", and his "DEFINITION" of "FAIR CHASE". Many say; JUST ASK ANY GUIDE! Weeeellll, the guide makes his living off clients. The more clients, the better the living. The "faster the hunt ends" the sooner he gets another client. Get the picture? So, I don't see the "guide" as the person to ask about "FAIR CHASE". His opinion might be just a little "jaundiced" as to what "FAIR CHASE" might be defined as.
This topic will no doubt INCITE the EXPERT ELETE (which usually only means more modern in technology) hunter, and remind the old farts such as myself, of a time when "FAIR CHASE" no matter where in the U.S. you were hunting, involved considerably more CHASE, and cartridges such as the 3030 worked just fine. Oh, and by the way. The pictures of those yesteryear hunts PROVE, the trophies where just as big, and just as PRIZED.
