The most efficient hunting cartridges

[Philthy1]

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.

 

[The Kurgan]

Lots of factory ammo options for 7x57 (especially S&B, Prvi, Nosler and Norma). I don't bother with the underpowered American stuff. Finding proper headstamped brass is super easy. While I reload, I must say that the S&B factory offerings shoot extremely well in my Brno.

 

[DGY]

7x57 will most definitely be my next rifle chambering! The more I read about it the more it make sense!!

 

[Evanguy]

50 BMG recoil in a 8lb rifle?

I have a 460 weatherby in a 8 pound 6oz rifle. I bet that will score at the bottom

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I recall someone else's article along with the math, that identified the 35 Whelen and the 35 Whelen AI as the most efficient hunting cartridges.

 

[Midnight Rider]

Tagged for reference .

 

[Evanguy]

I recall someone else's article along with the math, that identified the 35 Whelen and the 35 Whelen AI as the most efficient hunting cartridges.

He did the math for them. page 2

"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"

 

[lclund1946]

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

[/QUOTE

I used the 7mm 08 for many years running a 145 Speer BT (BC - .502) at just over 2900 fps with about 48 grains of H 4350 because of the low recoil and 1230 ft. lbs. energy at about 550 yards. Killed moose at 600 yards and never recovered a bullet so it was my #1 choice until the 6.5 VM came along and seemed capable of doing the same thing with Hornady Factory Ammo.

#2. 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

I had designed the 6.5 Extreme ( 300 RCM) but never got a chance to use it and then Hornady came along with the 6.5 PRC which made my design redundant. However I did find some minor shortcomings in the 6.5 PRC design and believed that It would do better as a 270 PRC so I designed the 270 PRC around the Nosler 150 LRAB and was very pleased when I found that it worked very well with the 170 EOL hat came out later. While these two loads have more felt recoil energy they are very close to the 82.0 ft. lbs. energy / ft. lbs. energy @ 500 yards they do have more felt. They do however have much more energy at 500 yards and actually have 130 ft. lbs. retained energy at 780 - 875 yards. They do fall into the 1 & 3 Position, along with the 6.5 CM as the Top 10 Most Efficent according to this criteria put out by todbartell.

#1. 270 PRC 170 Berger EOL @ 2935
RL 26 - 57.5 gr
BC .662
Recoil - 23.3 ft. lbs.
500 yard energy 1913 ft. lbs.
Ft. lb. bullet energy per ft. lb. recoil = 82.1
1230 ft. lbs. retained to 875 yards

#3. 270 PHC 150 Nosler LRAB @ 3083
RL 26 - 59.0 gr
BC .591
Recoil - 21.7 ft. lbs.
500 yard energy 1764 ft. lbs.
Ft. lb. bullet energy per ft. lb. recoil = 81.29
1230 ft. lbs retained to 780 yards.

 

[todbartell]

the 6.8 Western will be very similar! Lots of performance near and far, for very manageable recoil

 

[Brian46]

50bmg not on the list, didn't care to look any further.

 

[Demonical]

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.

Recoil only matters on the bench. In the field it's a non-factor. I've shot a few head of game with my .416RemMag, and during the shot process, after the critter was dusted, the one thought I had when it came to the shooting part was that there was ZERO awareness of the recoil of the .416, which supposedly should be a monster and rattle me teeth.

 

[hoytcanon]

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.

Mid-winter thread bump... a good old discussion.

The 6.5's gain more ground each year. I have been shooting the 6.5X55 for more than four decades and always loved the performance on game. The .260 Rem is, of course, a newer cartridge but terrific in a light short action with low recoil... I started my kids hunting with .243 and .260 Ruger Compact rifles. I had the original 6.5 Short Mag (6.5 Rem Mag), for a brief while, in a Remington rifle, 30 years ago and loved the cartridge, but hated the rifle. A few years ago I built a 6.5 Rem Mag on a Ruger M77 Mark II Stainless short action Magnum rifle, originally a .350 Rem (I had two), with a McGowen barrel... since that time it has taken many big game animals with 140 Accubonds over RL-22 @ 2.860". The new project (winter doldrums), is a Walnut blued Ruger M77 Mark II, originally a 6.5X55, being rechambered to 6.5-284 Norma. There would have been little point in making a short action rifle, with my current 6.5 RM, but the 6.5X55 donor allows me to seat the 140 Accubond out to 3.150" and a bit more if necessary during load testing. I have three hunts planned for 2022 where the new rifle will be ideal if it comes together well, and other hunts where it is not optimal. Being a range rat, I look forward to the process... and the results.

 

[Buckmastr]

Nice^^^
The 6.5’s are great if you are stocked up on bullets and brass.
I had a 260 first, a lightweight deer gun, then came the 6.5/284 and it worked well on a couple of antelope. The 6.5/284 has essentially been replaced since I built the 6.5 Rem Mag. Both the 260 and the 6.5RM killed this year. One at 60 yrds, the other at 400. Nothing too spectacular.

I picked up another 6.5x55 not long ago too. The first one I rebarreled to a fast twist 270 that didn’t really work out. The latest was from Great North Gun. A model 700 ADL 22” barrel, was unfired, but the stock had some scratches so I refinished it when it was minus 40 over the holidays. Need to put it back together still.

 

[hoytcanon]

Nice^^^
The 6.5’s are great if you are stocked up on bullets and brass.
I had a 260 first, a lightweight deer gun, then came the 6.5/284 and it worked well on a couple of antelope. The 6.5/284 has essentially been replaced since I built the 6.5 Rem Mag. Both the 260 and the 6.5RM killed this year. One at 60 yrds, the other at 400. Nothing too spectacular.

I picked up another 6.5x55 not long ago too. The first one I rebarreled to a fast twist 270 that didn’t really work out. The latest was from Great North Gun. A model 700 ADL 22” barrel, was unfired, but the stock had some scratches so I refinished it when it was minus 40 over the holidays. Need to put it back together still.

Very nice... it is nice when a build works out.

I am pretty well stocked for bullets, brass and powder... this new rifle will stretch its legs in MB and SK this year... knock on wood.

 

[Buckmastr]

Thanks HC

I went downstairs and put together my 6.5x55 Swedish too.

 

[TedNugent]

In times like we're in currently, I'd like to see the list revamped for ft lbs per grain of powder. I think that's a more useful stat than recoil.

 

[hoytcanon]

Thanks HC

I went downstairs and put together my 6.5x55 Swedish too.

Nice... my kind of hunting rifle.

 

[Slimbo]

Never knew they made an ADL 6.5x55. Cool find!

 

[Gatehouse]

In times like we're in currently, I'd like to see the list revamped for ft lbs per grain of powder. I think that's a more useful stat than recoil.

Ha very true.

 

[hoytcanon]

In times like we're in currently, I'd like to see the list revamped for ft lbs per grain of powder. I think that's a more useful stat than recoil.

Scenario; I only have 500 grains of powder and I have to put post-apocalyptic meat on the table, which cartridge do I choose?