Aside from the 30 Cals, what's the most versatile caliber for hunting NA big game?

[Northern Shooter]

Seeing as the 30.06 and .308 seem to be the most common answers here, what caliber would be the best all-rounder / most versatile North American big game caliber aside from the 30 Cal's?

Something that has the energy and stopping power to handle a large and potentially charging bear, bison or moose while also having the ballistics for taking extended shots on elk, sheep and goat, while also not being too overpowered for white tail?

That might be a tall order but I'd like to put forth the 338's, specifically the 338 WinMag.

The 338 WM is available in a variety of loads typically ranging between 180-300 grains and moving along between 2,400 fps - 3,200 fps.

It produces upwards of 4,000+ ft -lbs at the muzzle for the big stuff up close but can also be had with bullets with high B.C's in the 0.600-0.700 range for reaching out for the far stuff. This can easily be a 500-600m cartridge.

To me it seems to strike that perfect balance for NA big game. It has better terminal ballistics than the larger options (358s, 375s, 416s) while providing more energy than the smaller 6.5mm and 7mm within hunting distances.

Thoughts?

 

[pathfinder76]

The 7MM Remington Magnum is hard to ignore. But it does seem like Groundhog Day around here.

 

[Joel]

Any of the 7s, 270s, 338, some of the 6.5s, the 8mms

Lots

 

[Rman]

Within "hunting" distances... the cartridge choice for 99% of game taken, really doesn't matter.
Groundhog Day indeed.
Cue up the 243, 7mm, 303, 6.5, 7-08, 35, 350, 375, 9.3, and so on responses. Costumes, laminate floors, dead critters, back packs, doctorate level math, et all!!!!



R.

 

[DGY]

I think 7mm, 8mm, 9.3 are right there imo! Last moose was shot with 8x57 200gn accubond and didn’t go anywhere and the one before that was with 9.3x62 286 partition and this one died in its tracks!

 

[MiG25]

8x57, the reloader can duplicate just about any non magnum 25-35 cal cartridge and many 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag factory loads.

Heck, even the British used it in Armoured Vehicles.

 

[Joel]

Within "hunting" distances... the cartridge choice for 99% of game taken, really doesn't matter.
Groundhog Day indeed.
Cue up the 243, 7mm, 303, 6.5, 7-08, 35, 350, 375, 9.3, and so on responses. Costumes, laminate floors, dead critters, back packs, doctorate level math, et all!!!!



R.

Souds about right! lol

and many 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag factory loads.

Holy cow I didn't know it could do that!

 

[Northern Shooter]

Looks like I may have stirred up a debate that has already been hashed out.

Sorry guys, I just bought a 338 WinMag and this has been on the top of my mind.

 

[Joel]

Looks like I may have stirred up a debate that has already been hashed out.

Sorry guys, I just bought a 338 WinMag and this has been on the top of my mind.

Pretty dang hard to top anyway.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I think 7mm, 8mm, 9.3 are right there imo! Last moose was shot with 8x57 200gn accubond and didn’t go anywhere and the one before that was with 9.3x62 286 partition and this one died in its tracks!

9.3x62 is another good one. Seems to really straddle that sweet spot between white tail all the way up to Cape Buffalo pretty well.

Less recoil and cost compared to a 375HH. I'm now curious to compare the extended ballistics of a 9.3 vs 338 WM.

 

[MRP]

Always thought 8mm was under utilized.

 

[MiG25]

If you read your Don Heath, he wrote that his father killed 17 Elephants in his garden with 18 shots with the 8x57.

And like I said, the British used it on armoured vehicles in WWII and there was even an anti-tank loading in WWI.

Here's a German Askari with an Elephant and a Kar88.

 

[Joel]

Always thought the Brits were using it cause they put Czech machine guns in their tanks, not because of any particular qualities?

Sure it kills big animals just as well as 30-06, 7x57, 303 and the rest Cool to see the pics!

What are the loads that equal 7mm RM and 300 WM factory ammo?

 

[Meroh]

6.5 x 55 works fine for anything in North America; it can be loaded with 85 gr HP for varmints and 160 gr JSP for deer and moose; if you want more penetration, solids are available, however I have not seen any cape buffalo or hippo running through Stratford in the last month or two.

Yes, I have a 9.3 x 62, but I have it because I want it, not because I need it.

 

[Northern Shooter]

6.5 x 55 works fine for anything in North America; it can be loaded with 85 gr HP for varmints and 160 gr JSP for deer and moose; if you want more penetration, solids are available, however I have not seen any cape buffalo or hippo running through Stratford in the last month or two.

Yes, I have a 9.3 x 62, but I have it because I want it, not because I need it.

Have you taken a large moose or bear with the 6.5x55? I own one as well and quite enjoy it but looking at the ballistics of the factory ammo it doesn't seem to leave much room for error. Some loads are producing less than 2000 ft-lbs at the muzzle.

 

[MiG25]

Always thought the Brits were using it cause they put Czech machine guns in their tanks, not because of any particular qualities?

Sure it kills big animals just as well as 30-06, 7x57, 303 and the rest Cool to see the pics!

What are the loads that equal 7mm RM and 300 WM factory ammo?

Barness published a 170gr 8x57 load doing 2963, this beats every 170 and 175 grain factory 7mm Rem Mag load that I know of (by 150 fps so not just barely)and the claimed velocity of most 160 grain factory 7mm Rem loads. It's claimed the 8x57 can drive the 160 TTSX over 2900fps (though I haven't made it there), this beats the published specs of 160 grain 7mm RM from such Companies as Remington and Federal.

Heck, the 8x57 can even beat Nosler's Trophy Grade 300 Win Mag.

Back when I had a 7RM I never chrono's a 175gr 7RM factory load that went over 2820fps and 2800fps was average.

 

[Buckmastr]

I don’t think you need a 338 for anything we can hunt in Alberta. But if you enjoy recoil and shoot it well it’s as good a choice as any.

 

[Joel]

Barness published a 170gr 8x57 load doing 2963, this beats every 170 and 175 grain factory 7mm Rem Mag load that I know of (by 150 fps so not just barely)and the claimed velocity of most 160 grain factory 7mm Rem loads. It's claimed the 8x57 can drive the 160 TTSX over 2900fps (though I haven't made it there), this beats the published specs of 160 grain 7mm RM from such Companies as Remington and Federal.

Heck, the 8x57 can even beat Nosler's Trophy Grade 300 Win Mag.

Back when I had a 7RM I never chrono's a 175gr 7RM factory load that went over 2820fps and 2800fps was average.

Cool, thanks for the info.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I don’t think you need a 338 for anything we can hunt in Alberta. But if you enjoy recoil and shoot it well it’s as good a choice as any.

I like my recoil but rarely notice it in the field. Also generally tend to like the larger stuff. I don't find my 338 recoils any worse than my heavier 375.

 

[conor_90]

What 338 did you end up buying?