The most efficient hunting cartridges

[Andy]

It encompasses all factors that meld together to make the most "oomph" at the far end of typical hunting shot distances, for the least amount of "oomph" felt on the shoulder

Well the comparison was with hunting bullets, Nosler Accubond, to best keep the comparisons apples to apples.

An interesting, well done analysis that involved a lot of work. Reminds me of "bcsteve's" bullet tests (0.264" and 0.375").

We need more original pieces like this.

 

[Weatherby Fan]

Well the comparison was with hunting bullets, Nosler Accubond, to best keep the comparisons apples to apples.

Makes sense Accubond is as good as it gets, thanks Mark

 

[RRH.01]

Efficiency to me is both ballistics and how smooth it feeds in a bolt action rifle. The 7x57 wins in both areas. It's also in the "sweet zone" for deer.

So say you were blindfolded with identical rifles and told to feed cartridges into the chamber your going to be able to tell the difference between 7x57/308/7-08/6.5 creed etc?? Wins in nostalgia and class but they can all feed equally smooth if you have a well made action.

 

[RRH.01]

Delete

 

[todbartell]

So say you were blindfolded with identical rifles and told to feed cartridges into the chamber your going to be able to tell the difference between 7x57/308/7-08/6.5 creed etc?? Wins in nostalgia and class but they can all feed equally smooth if you have a well made action.

Shooting my Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor yesterday I had to check a couple times to see if a round actually chambered. So smooth it felt like I closed bolt on an empty chamber

 

[RRH.01]

That post was not directed towards anyone in particular but merely a lame attempt to add some jocularity to an otherwise mundane necro-thread.

My sincere apologies are offered to anyone who would be offended at that post.

Offended?
I think he’d be flattered you saved it for so long, he $hit posted to the point it made a grown man save his photo to mess with. Pretty clear he got in a few peoples heads, and won. I can picture some those guys after those exchanges, huddled up in a fetal position muttering “fkc the 375 ruger….. god dammit you cant hunt deer with a 223!”

 

[Slimbo]

So say you were blindfolded with identical rifles and told to feed cartridges into the chamber your going to be able to tell the difference between 7x57/308/7-08/6.5 creed etc?? Wins in nostalgia and class but they can all feed equally smooth if you have a well made action.

Funny but the smoothest feeding rifle I have ever owned is a 7mm WSM!

 

[tokguy]

7x57 is probably the most utilitarian cartridge I can think of. 7mm is in that middling sweet spot, capacity is big enough to do whatever the projectile is capable of, its even still chambered in some modern rifles. Can still find brass, but being in the mauser/30-06 family, you will never run out of cheap brass if you don't mind forming it.

I finally got one...they are really sedate and smooth to shoot. Ain't had time to chrono one yet...but Water's loads are pretty much the same as a chrono...2700 fps with a 140 grainer is about like a 22 Hornet.
Miss the recoil somewhat.

 

[gordonlbyrne]

7x64 Brennek

 

[Ltbull01]

... are the ones that you can shoot well and consistently and that kill your intended game cleanly at the ranges you intend to hunt!

 

[Why not?]

... are the ones that you can shoot well and consistently and that kill your intended game cleanly at the ranges you intend to hunt!

I understand the intent of the original question, however I think the above is perhaps the best answer.

When I was still guiding I was often asked what rifle was best for the intended hunting trip. My answer was always the same, “Bring the rifle that you handle and shoot the best.”

One of my most impressive experiences with a hunter was with the oldest man I ever guided. Jim Scott, 83 years young, showed up with an ancient, weathered and worn, 250-3000 Model 99 and one box of factory ammo.

Unable to climb for sheep any longer, he collected a magnificent mountain caribou bull (they are the size of mature bull elk), and a massive bull moose with one shot each. He was a very wealthy man who could have brought anything he wanted. He was amazing with that old lever, and knew what it would do.

I would still choose to be standing beside a guy like Jim with his 250-3000, any day, rather than a guy with a Magnum who couldn't handle it.

Please excuse the slight derail.

Ted

 

[Johnn Peterson]

I understand the intent of the original question, however I think the above is perhaps the best answer.

When I was still guiding I was often asked what rifle was best for the intended hunting trip. My answer was always the same, “Bring the rifle that you handle and shoot the best.”

One of my most impressive experiences with a hunter was with the oldest man I ever guided. Jim Scott, 83 years young, showed up with an ancient, weathered and worn, 250-3000 Model 99 and one box of factory ammo.

Unable to climb for sheep any longer, he collected a magnificent mountain caribou bull (they are the size of mature bull elk), and a massive bull moose with one shot each. He was a very wealthy man who could have brought anything he wanted. He was amazing with that old lever, and knew what it would do.

I would still choose to be standing beside a guy like Jim with his 250-3000, any day, rather than a guy with a Magnum who couldn't handle it.

Please excuse the slight derail.

Ted

Good points and good example. Somewhat similar is a story of a couple that lived, in Barkerville when we moved there in '55 and lived there for five months. A Mr. Joe and Mrs. Betty Wendle. I've posted this info in past but her forte, many years back, was hunting Grizzly in the Wells/Barkerville area of the B.C. central interior. Her choice of firearm was a 99 Savage in 22 Savage High Power. Her husband informed us, that there was only one Bear she had to put a second shot into. Photo being e-mailed to you as we speak.
Take care, stay safe, healthy and good shooting.

Opps, same here. Sorry for the sidetrack gentlemen.

 

[remington jim]

Awesome Bucky Let us know how she shoots ! . RJ

 

[Buckmastr]

Awesome Bucky Let us know how she shoots ! . RJ

Thanks RJ. It’s scoped and ready to go but I encountered a setback today. The Remington bolt face for a 6.5x55 is undersize, same as a 30/06 bolt face, 0.473, whereas the Lapua brass I was trying to feed it is .477” case head diameter and it wouldn’t go. W-W, R-P or other will work apparently so I’ve got some coming.

 

[remington jim]

Thanks RJ. It’s scoped and ready to go but I encountered a setback today. The Remington bolt face for a 6.5x55 is undersize, same as a 30/06 bolt face, 0.473, whereas the Lapua brass I was trying to feed it is .477” case head diameter and it wouldn’t go. W-W, R-P or other will work apparently so I’ve got some coming.

The 6.5 uses a Different shell holder . It’s A #2 where as the 308 -30-06 use a #3 . RJ

 

[Why not?]

Right, it's the same shell holder that takes the 30-30 case.

Ted

 

[remington jim]

Thanks RJ. It’s scoped and ready to go but I encountered a setback today. The Remington bolt face for a 6.5x55 is undersize, same as a 30/06 bolt face, 0.473, whereas the Lapua brass I was trying to feed it is .477” case head diameter and it wouldn’t go. W-W, R-P or other will work apparently so I’ve got some coming.

Bucky What's going on with the 6.5 Swede ? RJ

 

[Buckmastr]

Bucky What's going on with the 6.5 Swede ? RJ

I’ve shot it a couple times now with W-W cases. First time with 120’s Sierra/ Nosler BT & 130 Sierra HPBT and D4350sc.
Next a bit faster with H100V same bullets. Shooting 5 shot groups. Shoots 3 decently close then throws a few. I think I need to get it bedded or remove the front pressure point or both. Typical Remington 700 treatment when things aren’t as good as I’d like.

 

[Eagleye]

Yep, and I do not care that my 8mm Rem Mag scores poorly in this test.
When I am hunting Elk in open country, it is the bee's knees, lol. Dave.

 

[remington jim]

I’ve shot it a couple times now with W-W cases. First time with 120’s Sierra/ Nosler BT & 130 Sierra HPBT and D4350sc.
Next a bit faster with H100V same bullets. Shooting 5 shot groups. Shoots 3 decently close then throws a few. I think I need to get it bedded or remove the front pressure point or both. Typical Remington 700 treatment when things aren’t as good as I’d like.

Yea sounds like it - BUT 3 good ones is Fine for a Hunter rifle too ! RJ