Jun 7, 2024While traditional big game hunting often involves powerful, large-calibercartridges, modern hunting practices have also embraced the benefits of advanced optics and sighting systems. One such innovation is the use of red dot sights for AR-15 rifles, which are highly popular in tactical shooting but also offer significant advantages for hunting.
4. .600 Nitro Express. The .600 Nitro Express is a classic cartridge introduced by W.J. Jeffery & Co. in 1903. Carrying a 900-grain bullet, the .600 is considered the second largest caliber in the ...
Apr 5, 2023Both the .308 and the .300 PRC can shoot the exact same bullet (projectile). For example, a 180-grain GMX bullet could be loaded and fired out of either cartridge. Bullet designs are mostly interchangeable between cartridges of the same caliber. However, the .308 Winchester case is much smaller than the case of a .300 PRC.
The 6.5 Creedmoor began life as a long-range competition target shooting cartridge about a decade ago, and quickly became one the most popular big game hunting cartridges in the country. And for good reason. 6.5 mm cartridges have long been known for their inherent accuracy and wind-bucking traits.
Rather, this is a list of big-game cartridges that have proven worthy on no uncertain terms. I anticipate the most consternation will come from lovers of the .243 Winchester, the classic .30-30 Winchester, and the .308 Winchester. Because, you see, when it comes to really, truly capable big-game cartridges, those don't make the cut.
These cartridges are better than five decades old, but they have proven themselves as two of the best all-around cartridges for large, dangerous game like bears. Both the .300 and .338 are capable of delivering more than 4,000 foot-pounds of energy, and both have earned enviable reputations for long-range work.
It's pretty apparent the white-hot 6.5mm diameter is sucking all the air out of the room. There is some interest in the .25 in the long-range competition world, but unless that spills over into the hunting realm—with new cartridges and/or new bullets—I'll just be sitting in a rocking chair on the porch, cradling my pet .25-06 and yelling at people to get off my lawn.
There are many cartridges of similar performance—I'll include the .308 Winchester—yet the sheer availability of both ammunition and rifles make the .30-06 an excellent choice for a do-all cartridge. Across North America, the .30-06 is probably all you really need; just ask Dr. J.Y. Jones or read the exploits of Grancel Fitz. ...
Weatherby offers a couple cartridges in this bore diameter, and both are faster than the H&H velocity. The .375 Weatherby is essentially a .375 Improved, but with the trademark Weatherby double radius shoulder. The .375 Weatherby has a muzzle velocity of 2,800 fps with the 300-grain bullets, but that most definitely comes with additional recoil.
The truth is there are a lot of cartridges in this general class that match or beat the .308 Win., but none is as common. They might be better in one small category: legality. In a few countries the .308 is not allowed to be imported for hunting because it is a common military cartridge (7.62 NATO.)
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