Energy Comparison of 3 Excellent Hunting Cartridges

[The Kurgan]

Projectile energy is expressed in foot pounds (ft-lbs) and data pertains to claimed Prvi Partizan factory loads.

The overall winner is the 30-06, both in terms of projectile speed, and stopping power out to 300 yards. The 308 Winchester is also impressive given the size of the cartridge, which is well adapted for short action rifles. However, both have fairly substantial recoil in comparison to 7x57. Note the efficiency of the 173 Grain 7mm Mauser cartridge: relatively moderate recoil, but excellent "deer size game" stopping power at 300 yards – roughly equivalent to the 308 Win !

Before this turns into a pissing match, I am well aware that bullet design, weight, powder type, case structure, environmental factors, etc., etc. all play into the performance equation. This was merely meant to illustrate the differences between two common 30 calibre factory loads vs a typically mild 7x57 factory load.

See here for a size comparison photo of these cartridges:

 

[senior]

Very interesting but if you play around with Energy Charts you will come to the conclusion they are sometimes not very realistic. IMHO

By the way
I have shot lots of 7x57s & 308 & see very little difference in recoil?

 

[Boomer]

Consider that a factory loaded .45/70 and a factory loaded .22-250 have essentially the same muzzle energy, now which would you prefer to go buffalo hunting with?

 

[AlexF]

Consider that a factory loaded .45/70 and a factory loaded .22-250 have essentially the same muzzle energy, now which would you prefer to go buffalo hunting with?

>> Meant to be funny but still true historically <<

Consider that US Army abandoned .45/70 after fighting the 7mm Mauser equipped Spanish Army, now which would you prefer to go fighting with

The US Army adopted the 30-03 later 30-06 as a consequence of being shot with 7mm Mauser rifles.

>> Meant to be funny but still true historically <<

By the way, I'm a big 270/high velocity fan (for non-dangerous game!)

Alex

 

[Boomer]

>> Meant to be funny but still true historically <<

Consider that US Army abandoned .45/70 after fighting the 7mm Mauser equipped Spanish Army, now which would you prefer to go fighting with

The US Army adopted the 30-03 later 30-06 as a consequence of being shot with 7mm Mauser rifles.

>> Meant to be funny but still true historically <<

By the way, I'm a big 270/high velocity fan (for non-dangerous game!)

Alex

All true, but people are easier to kill than buffalo, so energy was not the deciding consideration on a new military rifle when smokeless powder was brand new (oh you forgot the .30-40 Krag which replaced the .45/70 and predated the .30-03) rate of fire and trajectory were the primary considerations. A fast firing rifle with a flat trajectory has its advantages in combat, where neither trajectory or rate of fire matters much when confronting a buff at 30 yards.

 

[brybenn]

Consider that a factory loaded .45/70 and a factory loaded .22-250 have essentially the same muzzle energy, now which would you prefer to go buffalo hunting with?

Awesome quote. I love the 45-70 just wish there was some buffalo in southern ontario

 

[SuperCub]

Awesome quote. I love the 45-70 just wish there was some buffalo in southern ontario

Park outside a WalMart, you'll see a few.


.

 

[noneck180]

Park outside a WalMart, you'll see a few.


.

Just spit my coffee on the computer again..lol

 

[The Kurgan]

Actually, I would say that if you're within 100 meters, the 45-70 is really hard to beat, but after that it has a rainbow trajectory and velocity quickly drops off.

173-180 grain cartridges are being compared, so an energy comparison IS relevant.

 

[djchapman]

a good chart to play around with different calibers is the winchester ballistics calculator ive used it many times to get a point across about trajectory and sighting in distances. great tool for someone looking to buy rifles that may not have a lot of knowledge

 

[blasted_saber]

Good chart. All it really means to me is the same thing ive been telling people since I started hunting: Inside of 300 yards, it doesnt much matter what the cartridge is amongst the medium sized rifles, they will all do the same job.

 

[Boomer]

good chart. All it really means to me is the same thing ive been telling people since i started hunting: Inside of 300 yards, it doesnt much matter what the cartridge is amongst the medium sized rifles, they will all do the same job.

Bingo!

 

[Crashman]

Park outside a WalMart, you'll see a few.


.

Too funny!

 

[philthygeezer]

Can you throw the 150 grain .270 in there and regenerate the chart?

 

[The Kurgan]

The chart only has value when projectiles of similar weight are compared. However, I can re-run the chart looking at all four with 150 grain cartridges.

 

[djchapman]

If someone with better computer skills than I could put the winchester chart on here you can compare any combination of cal and gr against each other in velocity drop rate every 50 Yds and energy at the 50 yd incraments my 270 win zero at 25 yd zeros again at about 250 yds with 150 gr I've tested it and its pretty rank close

 

[noneck180]

Penatration is more imortant to me than energy.

 

[MiG25]

all of the old smokeless military cartridges (and the 308 fits right in, even though it was about 50-60 years behind the times) are very, very similar... except maybe the smaller 6.5's.

 

[RememberTheSomme]

a good chart to play around with different calibers is the winchester ballistics calculator ive used it many times to get a point across about trajectory and sighting in distances. great tool for someone looking to buy rifles that may not have a lot of knowledge

X2 DJ, Winchesters online Ballistic's Calculator is a great tool for side by side comparison's. You can always match up most calibers with great bullets not handicapping anyone, and see them fly downrange and compare wind drift easily as well. A great tool they offer here.

 

[hawk-i]

Consider that a factory loaded .45/70 and a factory loaded .22-250 have essentially the same muzzle energy, now which would you prefer to go buffalo hunting with?

Yeah, but we are talking about the 30-06 here and yes I'd take it Buffalo hunting.