There is absolutely no question that the 12 gauge shotgun is the most versatile cartridge produced for hunting in North America. It can be used for hunting not only mammals, but most bird species as well including migratory birds that can't legally be hunted with a rifle in most locations.
what do you think is the most versatile cartridge ever made?
- Thread starter Mr. Friendly
- Start date
If you were using a 12 G in BC for big game hunting you would be restricted to hunting deer, cougar and black bear only. No moose, elk, sheep, goats etc.
Well, have I learned something new? Is a 12 gauge shotgun “shell” classified as a cartridge? I thought that shotguns fired shells and rifles fired cartridges. I’m quite aware that the social culture in western civilization is going to hell in a handbasket, however has it contaminated common jargon in the gun and hunting world?
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Barnes_270
Regular
- Location
- Langley, BC
I'm surprised that the 9.3x62 hasn't come up yet - is this really CGN? 
I'd happily use it for anything in NA. The only stretch would be long range, but a 250gr TTSX (what I use) with a MV of 2600 fps is still at around 1850 fps at 400 yards, which would do the trick if needed. The drop is three feet, though, and the trajectory would be a rainbow by then, but with careful prep and a good rangefinder it could be done.
Of course, I'd take the 270 on a goat hunt, but if I was restricted to just one cartridge I think a good case could be made for the 366 Wagner. I find the recoil no different than a 30-06.
I'd happily use it for anything in NA. The only stretch would be long range, but a 250gr TTSX (what I use) with a MV of 2600 fps is still at around 1850 fps at 400 yards, which would do the trick if needed. The drop is three feet, though, and the trajectory would be a rainbow by then, but with careful prep and a good rangefinder it could be done.
Of course, I'd take the 270 on a goat hunt, but if I was restricted to just one cartridge I think a good case could be made for the 366 Wagner. I find the recoil no different than a 30-06.
I'm surprised that the 9.3x62 hasn't come up yet - is this really CGN?
I'd happily use it for anything in NA. The only stretch would be long range, but a 250gr TTSX (what I use) with a MV of 2600 fps is still at around 1850 fps at 400 yards, which would do the trick if needed. The drop is three feet, though, and the trajectory would be a rainbow by then, but with careful prep and a good rangefinder it could be done.
Of course, I'd take the 270 on a goat hunt, but if I was restricted to just one cartridge I think a good case could be made for the 366 Wagner. I find the recoil no different than a 30-06.
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..............................I shoot a 9.3 x 62, and I have owned four of them. A check of published data shows that, in rifles of comparable weights, recoil in the .366 is half again as much as the .30-06. (Of course, you did say that YOU find the recoil no different, in which case I tip my hat to you.) I like the cartridge, but it is skookum medicine and ridiculously over the top for small game hunting. Just sayin'..............
............and please note I have not nominated any cartridge to be the "most versatile." I don't think such a thing really exists. No reasonably sane person would use the same gun to shoot rabbits and grizzly bears. Or coyotes and bison. Or pick two game animals at opposite ends of the size and weight spectrum.
But this is an interesting thread, regardless.
Doug
Barnes_270
Regular
- Location
- Langley, BC
I think the dynamics of the recoil are what make the difference for me. I don't like shooting 30 caliber magnums, even if on paper they are similar to the 9.3. The recoil of the 9.3x62 is spread out longer, more like a shove than a sharp kick. For whatever reason I can handle that better than a 300 Win Mag.
I don't think the OP was thinking small game at all - and you're right, there's no way you can use one thing for large and small game. But for all NA big game, you have to consider the top end and long distance to make it work.
That said, this is clearly one of those "hunting season's over" threads where we shoot the breeze until the spring bear hunt.
[/QUOTE] ............and please note I have not nominated any cartridge to be the "most versatile." I don't think such a thing really exists. No reasonably sane person would use the same gun to shoot rabbits and grizzly bears. Or coyotes and bison. Or pick two game animals at opposite ends of the size and weight spectrum. [/QUOTE]
Just to stir the pot, I have shot both a coyote and a bison with a 7 rem mag.... of course the question of my sanity is up for debate.
Just to stir the pot, I have shot both a coyote and a bison with a 7 rem mag.... of course the question of my sanity is up for debate.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I’ve taken from coyote / wolves / warthog to grizzly / lion / bison / cape buffalo with .375 H&H, omitting many species in between. We get a little too excited about the apparent differences between cartridges, the one factor that’s most difficult to compensate for in my experience is trajectory. The others can be inconvenient but seldom aren’t workable.
Well said sir!!! well said....
Although I will often use a more specialized tool, I will take a 30 06 when I am unsure of what a new hunt will bring. It's the best all round cartridge period. Easy to reload with lots of bullet choice, ammo is cheap and available everywhere, lots of rifle choice and just plain kills everything most folks hunt.
B.C. represents one province , there are 10 provinces, and 50 states in Canada and the USA, and that doesn't include Mexico. And in a large part of Ontario, you can't use a 30-06 for any big game hunting. You also can't use any centerfire rifles to hunt big game in parts of Alberta and other provinces. And I am not aware of any locations where a rifle is legal for waterfowl.
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- Location
- Edmonton Area Ab, Candle Lake Sk
If I used any number of cartridges based on the 30-06 case from .257 dia to 9.62 dia
Or the same for the 308 case or the 7x57 case don't suppose in the real world it would matter much.
Or do the same with a belted case.
Shoot more type on the internet less.
357
Or the same for the 308 case or the 7x57 case don't suppose in the real world it would matter much.
Or do the same with a belted case.
Shoot more type on the internet less.
357
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Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
BC’s a fair place to start the discussion, as 19, arguably 20 of the 29 North American big game animals call BC home, more than any other province, state, or even country in North America. And it holds the hardest ones to do of them, chambering wise. The crux of the one chambering argument for the continent is found in BC’s mountains.
Read the original post. I see mention of big game, but a distinct lack of ducks.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
While I agree with the sentiment, forums would be very dull places if we only posted our successes without opinions. We could probably get by with a cork board.
I see mention of bears and moose, but no other big game.
The original post actually specified "any game" , not "any big game". Even if if did specify any big game, it doesn't change the fact that in large portions of North America, you can't use a centerfire rifle to hunt big game. And some places like Southern Ontario allow centerfire, but only. 270 and smaller.
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This may all be true, but I don't think that shotgun only zones and Southern Ontarios caliber restrictions need to be taken into consideration for this discussion... any of the game that can be had in these areas can be had outside of these areas. Regardless of the versatility of a 12 gauge shotgun, I am pretty sure the intent on this thread was to discuss centerfire rifle cartridges intended for the variety of NA big game species. Regarding that, if you take shooting beyind 300 yards out of the picture, pretty much any pet cartridge can be made to work, but if you include prairies and tundra and mountains, you better make a choice that gives you realistic (practiced) 400+ shooting capability. Of course all of these animals can and have been taken with archery gear, so that point can be made, but in many areas and types of terrain, you may not have the option to get inside 300 yards, so why limit yourself (at least for this discussion). As a bowhunter of 40 plus years, I could go on adnauseum with the reasoning behind "limiting yourself."
