Ultimate do everything but not over do anything cartridge for all big game hunting
- Thread starter Camp Cook
- Start date
I see I should have added "North American big game including grizzly hunting" to the title I definitely wasn't referring to the largest African game... 
For that I would have said my 375RUM loaded with 260gr Accubonds for plains game and 350gr TSX for the largest animals.
So with that cleared up lets hear your comments...
For that I would have said my 375RUM loaded with 260gr Accubonds for plains game and 350gr TSX for the largest animals.
So with that cleared up lets hear your comments...
What if the TTSX doesn't shoot well in your rifle? What other 160gr bullet can you use?
Before I posted I just did a quick check on my calculator - now I did it to 400 yards because that is how far I can shoot comfortably. When my 7mm loads are sighted in for +/- 3" PBR vs the load you gave sighted in the same way, the 7mm drops 5.6" less, has 6.9" less wind drift (10mph) and has 46% more juice. I didn't check at 250 - but obviously the difference will be less notable. Will any game know the difference if hit the same with either? I doubt it.
But point taken, at the closer ranges there is not much difference between a whole bunch of cartridges - .308 Win; 7mm-08; .280 Rem etc etc. They are all very effective and to say one is "superior" to the other is splitting hairs.
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
No. You're comparing a round ball to a sleek missile. The 7mm will out-penetrate the .338, while the .338 will make a wider wound channel.
- Location
- Dah Soo,ON
If the 160 TTSX didn't shoot well I suppose you'd be forced to go out and buy a 7mm RM...which isn't such a bad thing
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I'd say the 7mm Rem Mag or .300 Win Mag is the answer. The 7mm recoils less than a .300Mag, but with comparable performance.
Remember that the 7RM was designed to deliver the power of the .30-06 with the trajectory of the .270. It accomplishes this quite well.
Remember that the 7RM was designed to deliver the power of the .30-06 with the trajectory of the .270. It accomplishes this quite well.
- Location
- Dah Soo,ON
So would you rather have a wider wound channel thats in the vitals, or a narrower one thats in the same spot?
Jordan Smith
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I'd say either would do just fine
I'm just saying that they're not equal. If I'm shooting at the arse end of an elk, I'll take the 7mm. If I'm shooting at a broadside elk, I'll take the .338.
If there is a chance that I'll shoot past 250-300 yards, then I'll take the 7RM for sure. If there is no chance at all that I'll shoot farther than 250 yards, give me the .338 every time.
Clear as mud?
It was a wise man that said that most cartridges are more alike than different.
Of the Weatherby loads the 270 is one of the best general hunting cartridge. With that said IMO to small for moose and unless using heavy for caliber bullets elk is a stretch. Will it work yes of course it will, is it the rifle you'd choose for a moose, mule deer and black bear hunt. Not if you had a rifle shooting a little larger diameter bullets. Even the tried and true 30-06.
I'm a little surprise at the fans of the 35 cals. since they have never done so well in sales in North America. No mention of the faster 35's though. The Winchester and the bit faster Whelen wouldn't really be up to antelope or even skittish muleys. With bullet weights from 200 grains to 300 grain easily accessible. From not so great hunting bullets to some of the finest bullets made they are there. I know I've been shooting a 358 STA for over fifteen years and have taken all the deers except elk, antelope and black bear with a variety of loads. It is a match for anything that walks in North and South America. Norma's 358 is just a step behind.
With that said it isn't my pick. With the amount of guys I hear complain about the kick of a 270 WSM. A rifle that can shoot a 280 grain A Frame at 2800 ft/sec would not be their pic for general hunting. LOL
Is there and other caliber that has a more diverse bullet selections than the 30 cals.?? Probably not. Is there a caliber that will handle easily a range of animals from antelope to the biggest of bear?? Is it ideal for something that will eat you, no. We are not talking about ideal cartridges for selected animals here though.
My vote would have to go to the higher velocity 300 magnums. And the one that's ammo is now available almost any place that sells ammo... the Winchester 300 Magnum.
I've own one for over 20 years and accounts for more animals in the freezer than anything else I own. I have two of these now a Remington and a Winchester. The old Remington I bought eons ago is now the wife's. I have the case and bullet from the first white tail buck she shot. Her dad was so proud. God Rest His Sole. I'm glad I was part of that.
Jim
I'm a little surprise at the fans of the 35 cals. since they have never done so well in sales in North America. No mention of the faster 35's though. The Winchester and the bit faster Whelen wouldn't really be up to antelope or even skittish muleys. With bullet weights from 200 grains to 300 grain easily accessible. From not so great hunting bullets to some of the finest bullets made they are there. I know I've been shooting a 358 STA for over fifteen years and have taken all the deers except elk, antelope and black bear with a variety of loads. It is a match for anything that walks in North and South America. Norma's 358 is just a step behind.
With that said it isn't my pick. With the amount of guys I hear complain about the kick of a 270 WSM. A rifle that can shoot a 280 grain A Frame at 2800 ft/sec would not be their pic for general hunting. LOL
Is there and other caliber that has a more diverse bullet selections than the 30 cals.?? Probably not. Is there a caliber that will handle easily a range of animals from antelope to the biggest of bear?? Is it ideal for something that will eat you, no. We are not talking about ideal cartridges for selected animals here though.
My vote would have to go to the higher velocity 300 magnums. And the one that's ammo is now available almost any place that sells ammo... the Winchester 300 Magnum.
I've own one for over 20 years and accounts for more animals in the freezer than anything else I own. I have two of these now a Remington and a Winchester. The old Remington I bought eons ago is now the wife's. I have the case and bullet from the first white tail buck she shot. Her dad was so proud. God Rest His Sole. I'm glad I was part of that.
Jim
I'm also adding in trajectory the higher velocity 270 Weatherby gives such a flat trajectory that it makes accurate long range hits easier than a 338 Fed, 375H&H etc and the 7mm mag/300 mag/338 mag etc recoil starts getting heavier than a lot of people care to handle...
358 Imp.
160-225 grain premium and non-premium bullets readily available.
Short action (for all the guys so worried about long vs. short action)
Readily available brass, powders, bullets, primers
Every bit as good ballistically as a 7RM (160 grains @2950)
Every bit as good ballistically as a .30-06 (185 grains @2700)
Every bit as good and better ballistically as a .358 Win. (225 grain @2400)
.338 federal every bit as good ballistically as a 7 RM!
Remind me what the BC is of a 160 grain .338" bullet and a 160 grain .284", oh and the drop at 500.
I do get your point though, it's a versitile cartidge. MY vote goes to the .280 Remington. Excellent ballistics and low recoil. 140 grain pills at 3000 fps (and with a good BC!!!) and big 175 grainers with excellent sectional densities still going at a respectable velocity.
For the world, the .375 H&H or Weatherby, or Ruger if you really have to. North America is part the world, but my part of it is awful wide open. To strike a balance between shooting long and shooting big a boring ole .300 Win Mag is about as good as anything. If you lean more to shooting big than shooting long, then something in a .338 looks pretty good too.
