The most efficient hunting cartridges

todbartell

todbartell

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
290   0   0
Location
BC
Ever wonder what gives the most thump downrange for the least amount of recoil? Here's a comparison using Nosler Accubond bullets, averaging the top six fastest loads for the cartridge, loaded to 60,000psi chamber pressure. Rifle Weight = 8lbs

Used Bryan Litz ballistic coefficients when possible. 24" barrel velocity, with exception of a few that were done on 26" (Wby Mags, Ultra Mags). 2400' / 50F / 50% humidity for downrange specs

22 Creedmoor 70gr Accubond @ 3610 fps
46.4grs powder
BC .340
Recoil = 12 ft lbs
500y energy = 810 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 67.5

243 Win 90gr Accubond @ 3315 fps
46.4grs powder
BC .355
Recoil = 13 ft lbs
500y energy = 890 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 68.5

25-06 110gr Accubond @ 3280 fps
57.4grs powder
BC .399
Recoil = 19 ft lbs
500y energy = 1183 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 62.3

257 Wby 110gr Accubond @ 3505 fps
69.7grs powder
BC .399
Recoil = 26 ft lbs
500y energy = 1377 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 53.0

6.5 Creedmoor 140gr Accubond @ 2855 fps
45.0grs powder
BC .462
Recoil = 15 ft lbs
500y energy = 1230 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 82.0

6.5x55 140gr Accubond @ 2900 fps
50.7grs powder
BC .462
Recoil = 17 ft lbs
500y energy = 1275 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 75.0

6.5 PRC 140gr Accubond @ 3020 fps
57.7grs powder
BC .462
Recoil = 21 ft lbs
500y energy = 1400 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 66.7

26 Nosler 140gr Accubond @ 3270 fps
77.5grs powder
BC .462
Recoil = 32 ft lbs
500y energy = 1680 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 52.5

270 Win 140gr Accubond @ 3055 fps
57.4grs powder
BC .425
Recoil = 21 ft lbs
500y energy = 1346 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 64.1

270 WSM 140gr Accubond @ 3180 fps
66.1grs powder
BC .425
Recoil = 26 ft lbs
500y energy = 1478 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 56.9

7mm-08 Rem 140gr Accubond @ 2855 fps
43.9grs powder
BC .389
Recoil = 15 ft lbs
500y energy = 1060 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 70.7

7mm-08 Rem 160gr Accubond @ 2675 fps
42.9grs powder
BC .462
Recoil = 16 ft lbs
500y energy = 1207 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 75.4

280 Ackley 160gr Accubond @ 2955 fps
60.9grs powder
BC .462
Recoil = 25 ft lbs
500y energy = 1522 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 60.9

7mm Rem Mag 160gr Accubond @ 3055 fps
69.8grs powder
BC .462
Recoil = 29 ft lbs
500y energy = 1644 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 56.7

28 Nosler 160gr Accubond @ 3230 fps
80.3grs powder
BC .462
Recoil = 37 ft lbs
500y energy = 1867 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 50.5

308 Win 150gr Accubond @ 2845 fps
45.4grs powder
BC .386
Recoil = 17 ft lbs
500y energy = 1117 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 65.7

308 Win 165gr Accubond @ 2715 fps
44.7grs powder
BC .446
Recoil = 17 ft lbs
500y energy = 1252 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 73.6

308 Win 180gr Accubond @ 2600 fps
43.3grs powder
BC .482
Recoil = 18 ft lbs
500y energy = 1314 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 73.0

30-06 150gr Accubond @ 3050 fps
60.1grs powder
BC .386
Recoil = 24 ft lbs
500y energy = 1319 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 55.0

30-06 165gr Accubond @ 2925 fps
58.0grs powder
BC .446
Recoil = 24 ft lbs
500y energy = 1491 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 62.1

30-06 180gr Accubond @ 2815 fps
56.9grs powder
BC .482
Recoil = 25 ft lbs
500y energy = 1580 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 63.2

30-06 200gr Accubond @ 2675 fps
55.0grs powder
BC .524
Recoil = 25 ft lbs
500y energy = 1658 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 66.3

300 WSM 165gr Accubond @ 3100 fps
68.4grs powder
BC .446
Recoil = 31 ft lbs
500y energy = 1707 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 55.1

300 WSM 180gr Accubond @ 2980 fps
68.0grs powder
BC .482
Recoil = 31 ft lbs
500y energy = 1803 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 58.2

300 WSM 200gr Accubond @ 2825 fps
65.7grs powder
BC .524
Recoil = 31 ft lbs
500y energy = 1879 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 60.6

300 Win Mag 165gr Accubond @ 3185 fps
78.1grs powder
BC .446
Recoil = 37 ft lbs
500y energy = 1816 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 49.1

300 Win Mag 180gr Accubond @ 3060 fps
75.6grs powder
BC .482
Recoil = 36 ft lbs
500y energy = 1915 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 53.2

300 Win Mag 200gr Accubond @ 2905 fps
72.2grs powder
BC .524
Recoil = 36 ft lbs
500y energy = 2003 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 55.6

300 PRC 200gr Accubond @ 3015 fps
87.4grs powder
BC .524
Recoil = 45 ft lbs
500y energy = 2180 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 48.4

300 Ultra Mag 200gr Accubond @ 3115 fps
91.1grs powder
BC .524
Recoil = 50 ft lbs
500y energy = 2346 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 46.9

325 WSM 200gr Accubond @ 2880 fps
65.7grs powder
BC .450
Recoil = 33 ft lbs
500y energy = 1756 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 53.2

8mm Rem Mag 200gr Accubond @ 3010 fps
81.1grs powder
BC .450
Recoil = 42 ft lbs
500y energy = 1946 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 46.3

338 Federal 200gr Accubond @ 2560 fps
44.3grs powder
BC .461
Recoil = 20 ft lbs
500y energy = 1359 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 68.0

338-06 225gr Accubond @ 2590 fps
55.0grs powder
BC .524
Recoil = 27 ft lbs
500y energy = 1732 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 64.1

338-06 250gr Accubond @ 2450 fps
53.8grs powder
BC .583
Recoil = 28 ft lbs
500y energy = 1821 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 65.0

338 Win Mag 225gr Accubond @ 2715fps
70.6grs powder
BC .524
Recoil = 35 ft lbs
500y energy = 1930 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 55.1

338 Win Mag 250gr Accubond @ 2645fps
68.8grs powder
BC .583
Recoil = 38 ft lbs
500y energy = 2167 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 57.0

338 Ultra Mag 250gr Accubond @ 2910fps
88.7grs powder
BC .583
Recoil = 55 ft lbs
500y energy = 2689 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 48.9

358 Win 200gr Accubond @ 2590 fps
45.9grs powder
BC .365
Recoil = 21 ft lbs
500y energy = 1124 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 53.5

35 Whelen 225gr Accubond @ 2650 fps
56.2grs powder
BC .430
Recoil = 29 ft lbs
500y energy = 1563 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 53.9

9.3x62 250gr Accubond @ 2605 fps
61.1grs powder
BC .494
Recoil = 34 ft lbs
500y energy = 1868 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 54.9

375 Ruger 260gr Accubond @ 2815 fps
77.3grs powder
BC .473
Recoil = 49 ft lbs
500y energy = 2250 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 45.9

375 Ruger 300gr Accubond @ 2625 fps
74.1grs powder
BC .494
Recoil = 50 ft lbs
500y energy = 2282 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 45.7

Top Ten Most Efficient


  1. 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr 82.0 ft lbs of energy per ft lb of recoil
  2. 7mm-08 160gr 75.4 (140gr 70.7)
  3. 6.5x55 140gr 75.0
  4. 308 Win 165gr 73.6 (150gr 65.7, 180gr 73.0)
  5. 243 Win 90gr 68.5
  6. 338 Federal 200gr 68.0
  7. 22 Creedmoor 70gr 67.5
  8. 6.5 PRC 140gr 66.7
  9. 30-06 200gr 66.3 (150gr 55.0, 165gr 62.1, 180gr 63.2)
  10. 338-06 250gr 65.0 (225gr 64.1)


Top Ten Least Efficient

  1. 375 Ruger 300gr 45.7
  2. 8mm Rem Mag 200gr 46.3
  3. 300 Ultra Mag 200gr 46.9
  4. 300 PRC 200gr 48.4
  5. 338 Ultra Mag 250gr 48.9
  6. 300 Win Mag 165gr 49.1
  7. 28 Nosler 160gr 50.5
  8. 26 Nosler 140gr 52.5
  9. 257 Weatherby 110gr 53.0
  10. 325 WSM 200gr 53.2
 
Last edited:
You have a lot of time on your hands... that looks like a fair amount of math...

General conclusions;

The 6.5's are efficient, the New wave of short/fat cartridges not so much, when in conflict 6.5mm trumps case dimensions.

The old .308 does well for efficiency, which most have always surmised... the fly in the ointment is if you don't give a rat's azz about recoil, then only performance matters... for those of us that are cheap, we are more concerned about output per grain of powder.

Interesting, thanks for posting.
 
Just give me second please I have to take off my shoes and socks to count over 10.
On another note: You did a lot of research and math for this post and it is very much appreciated.
 
I did a very similar exercise in looking at efficient cartridges recently and came up with very similar results. I also looked at a single powder for the various calibers to try to get a more apples to apples comparison of efficiency for each caliber that I own, or have owned, in each caliber. I also looked at the fps per grain of powder burned, and the retained velocity and energy, and drop, out to 500 yards. (I too, used the AccuBond for my test bullet; my favourite hunting bullet)
Of your top 10 list, I own rifles chambered to 6 of those cartridges. (and none of the 10 least efficient). Am looking at another on the top 10 list.

Chuck Hawkes did an article on sensible cartridges, which included the following (taking into account efficiency, recoil, etc.):
6mm Rem
257 Roberts
6.5x55
7x57
300 Savage
338 Federal
358 Win

He does reference some other cartridges (270, 308 and 30-06, and their respective families) as being sensible too, but did not go into them in the article.
For those interested, here is the link.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/sensible_cartridges.htm
 
Last edited:
hoytcanon said:
You have a lot of time on your hands... that looks like a fair amount of math...

General conclusions;

The 6.5's are efficient, the New wave of short/fat cartridges not so much, when in conflict 6.5mm trumps case dimensions.

The old .308 does well for efficiency, which most have always surmised... the fly in the ointment is if you don't give a rat's azz about recoil, then only performance matters... for those of us that are cheap, we are more concerned about output per grain of powder.

Interesting, thanks for posting.
Click to expand...

Yes recoil tolerance, and the ability to shoot high recoiling rifles accurately is something that can be learned.

On wild tv, there was a show, sponsored by Barnes. The grandma and 50ish daughter went to Africa. Little post menopause 50's woman, maybe 100lbs, checking at the African range....POI for her double rifle(worth more than a car) in iirc 600 nitro.

I shot my 375 rum for several years before i had enough, got a break.

I shoot NP as a default. Excellent bullet, only issue is the deformation of the tip, moving to accubond for this reason. Most of my game has been shot from bayonet distance to 80 yards.

One thing i say to recoil sensitive people is that one feels heavy recoil doing bench work. Shooting at a actual live game animal, i have never felt recoil.
 
frabill said:
No 6.5x284???
Click to expand...

See 6.5 PRC, ballistic twin

Ltbull01 said:
7x57AI!!
Click to expand...

Split difference between the 7-08 and 280 AI, should be close :)


keith mokry said:
Where's the 35 whelan improved with 250g. Was under impression that this was the top running
Click to expand...


Nosler doesn't make a 250gr Accubond in .358", but if you use a 250gr Partition, the 35 Whelen Improved would be :

35 Whelen Improved 250gr Partition @ 2590 fps
61.6grs powder
BC .446
Recoil = 34 ft lbs
500y energy = 1699 ft lbs
Ft lb bullet energy per ft lb recoil = 50.0
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom