For RockinU - Common Cartridge Choices

[VikingsGuy]

@RockinU asked for my and @mtmuley's cartridge thoughts in another thread. Here goes . . . .

My advice on common recommended hunting cartridges loosely in order of recoil lowest to highest

Whitetail Deer in wooded area/Black Bear - 30-30Win, .243, 25-06Rem, 6.5CM, .260Rem, 7mm08Rem, .270Win, .280Rem, .308Win & 30-06

Pronghorn/Mule Deer/Whitetails in open fields - .243, 25-06Rem, 6.5CM, .260Rem, 7mm08Rem, .270Win, .280Rem, .308Win, 30-06 & 7mmRemMag

Elk/Moose - 6.5CM, .260Rem, 7mm08Rem, .270Win, .280Rem, .308Win, 30-06, 7mmRemMag, 300WSM, .300WinMag

Bison - .308Win, 30-06, 7mmRemMag, 300WSM, .300WinMag, 300RUM, 338WinMag, 375H&H

DISCLAIMERS:
1. Yes, there are all kinds of cool cartridges out there from old classics to Ackley Improved variants to emerging wildcats, but this list was meant to hit the most common cartridges in the ammo and rifle market
2. And, yes, I acknowledge that a well placed properly constructed bullet is far more important than which cartridge one chooses (within reason) and that some will hunt deer with a .223 and some will hunt elk with a .243. And on the other end some love their 300Rums, 338WinMags & .375H&Hs for pronghorn, but these lists were meant to hit the sweet-spot for the average hunter.

UPDATE: - a video discussion of these considerations . . .

 

[Panda Bear]

from your list. Deer, Bear, Elk, Moose, Bison, but no pronghorn 30-06

 

[mtmuley]

these lists were meant to hit the sweet-spot for the average hunter.

I'm not the average hunter. mtmuley

 

[VikingsGuy]

I'm not the average hunter. mtmuley

We all know that. Is your list: Deer 300RUM, Elk 300RUM, Moose 300RUM, Bison 300RUM, Squirrel 7mmRemMag?

 

[VikingsGuy]

from your list. Deer, Bear, Elk, Moose, Bison, but no pronghorn 30-06

30-06 (or maybe 30-30) has to be the number one NA big game killing cartridge of all time on a volume basis.

 

[mtmuley]

We all know that. Is your list: Deer 300RUM, Elk 300RUM, Moose 300RUM, Bison 300RUM, Squirrel 7mmRemMag?

My requirements for a cartridge are a lot different than average. My kids hunted with average cartridges and did well. I don't choose to. Simple as that. mtmuley

 

[VikingsGuy]

My requirements for a cartridge are a lot different than average. My kids hunted with average cartridges and did well. I don't choose to. Simple as that. mtmuley

But simply share your "different requirements" inquiring minds want to know.

 

[mtmuley]

What I use as a cartridge isn't suited for a large segment of the membership here. And most that have been here know that anyway. Your list pretty much covered it. mtmuley

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

I'm not the average hunter. mtmuley

I ain't an ordinary dude I don't have to work...

 

[mtmuley]

As a dude I'm ordinary. And I have to work. mtmuley

 

[OhHeyThereBen]

from your list. Deer, Bear, Elk, Moose, Bison, but no pronghorn 30-06

I disagree entirely. Pronghorn aren't that much different in size than many whitetails. The '06 is fine.

 

[Panda Bear]

I disagree entirely. Pronghorn aren't that much different in size than many whitetails. The '06 is fine.

let me try this is a different way

from your list I have used the 30-06 for deer, bear, elk, moose, bison, but have not hunted pronghorns . However since I have used the 30-06 for Caribou and deer, I am sure it would work well for pronghorn.

 

[mtmuley]

but have not hunted pronghorns .

You need to fix this immediately. mtmuley

 

[std7mag]

Sometimes I'm really surprised that mtmuley doesn't use one of Lazzeroni's fine offerings....

Or something in the 20mm Vulcan family...

Just say'n.... lol

 

[mtmuley]

Sometimes I'm really surprised that mtmuley doesn't use one of Lazzeroni's fine offerings....

Or something in the 20mm Vulcan family...

Just say'n.... lol

Lazzeroni's are expensive for what you get. If I had the money, I'd go with an APS rifle. mtmuley

 

[RockinU]

OK, so I don't have a 6.5 cm, a .260 Rem, a .280 Rem, a 7mm-08, a .300 WSM, a .338 win mag, or a .375 H&H, but all the other bases are covered (I have 2 .300 RUM mtmuley, but one is a sendero, and ridiculously heavy).

For those with experience with the 6.5's, why would I pick a creedmoor over the 6.5x.284 (my dad really likes his)?

 

[noharleyyet]

OK, so I don't have a 6.5 cm, a .260 Rem, a .280 Rem, a 7mm-08, a .300 WSM, a .338 win mag, or a .375 H&H, but all the other bases are covered (I have 2 .300 RUM mtmuley, but one is a sendero, and ridiculously heavy).

For those with experience with the 6.5's, why would I pick a creedmoor over the 6.5x.284 (my dad really likes his)?

What’s the barrel length on your dad’s 6.5?

 

[RockinU]

Man, I don't know off the top of my head, but it's not compact by any stretch, I'd guess 24...

 

[TheNorthStar]

Nobody loves the 6.5 prc yet?

Also, arguing over calibers... you silly geese.

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

Nobody loves the 6.5 prc yet?

Also, arguing over calibers... you silly geese.

It's just too big and burns too much powder for the manbun crowd.