As much as I love and prefer odd/older cartridges such as the .257 Roberts, 7x57 Mauser, 25-06, 220 Swift- I agree that choosing good old easy to find standards- the 30-30, 243 Win, 308 Win, 30-06, 270 win, etc make more sense than ever, especially if you do not handload. Another great episode Ron, looking forward to part two.
For some or many of us financial considerations make the cartridges you listed common. Honesty I’m a “very complicated beginner”. I decided I to buy percussion revolvers and other muzzleloaders cuz I can shoot my .50 caliber pistol for about .65-1.50 depending mostly on projectile choice. My revolver and revolver carbine shoot for somewhere around $.25 a round. So yes definitely convenience but also the bank!!!
The pendulum swings back and forth but right in the middle is the 3006, not too much certainly not too little but is our most versatile cartridge with all the bullet choices. It is my choice and my rifle is a Winchester pre 64 featherweight in 3006. Just one man's choice.
True, the 30/06 and those cal close to it are right in the sweet spot. Later in life I tend to use my 338. Win mag, which in my opinion is a great all around choice, especially when I’m always hunting in Grizzly country. There is something to be said for the new Nosler calibers too no doubt. Flat shooting for the distance and a cartridge that carries enough energy down range is what you need to consider, but realistically ammo availability and cost need to be researched.
@@georgesakellaropoulos8162 It is strange for me to pounder the perfect hunting cartridge. I have so many firearms in so many calibers, everything from .22 to .50, muzzle loaders not withstanding. So after a long contemplation. This is what I came up with. I have found as I get older and better. I don't shoot game at range. If I'm not well within a 100 yds. I'm just not satisfied. Even my elk hunts are focused on getting elk in the black timber. SUCH A RIOT. So this is how I decided on my favorite caliber. It comes down to this. When I go on ANY hunt and it's been this way since 2008. I take one double rifle case. In that case is a model 99 300 sav. and a model 71. 348 both with open sights. So the absolute best cartridge, is the one in the rifle I choose on any given day. I've had a few guys, cast aspersions about my equipment choices. I never respond, until I am standing in front of them wiping blood off my vary old Olson knife. At that point I simply say ( with a long stiff look) the best specimen taken on this trip was taken with my inferior rifle. At that point I hold the look until it gets a little awkward. Then I give a crooked grin and say. They are not to common anymore are they? But they ought to be. Huh? I'm a bit cocky, I believe it's the Indian and not the arrow. I've made it a life's practice to be a good Indian. I am also blessed by the almighty to have been presented with superior beasts. I don't care how good a weapon or the skill of the man. You can't take what ain't there. I've been blessed so many times to be presented gifts.
I have to agree, the perfect rifle is different for everyone. I hunt deer and in TN there aren’t many places a 30-30 won’t do the job well. It’s just about perfect for me
Where I am, North Central PA, it's so thickly wooded a 100 yd shot only happens if you're hunting a farm, and then very rarely due to the hills. 30-30 will do everything you need it to do. BUT, a couple years ago I saw a mountain lion near Sinamahoning state park, I think I'd want my 30.06 when hunting up there (game commission says no mountain lions in PA...they're full of it. I know what I saw)
@@lightweight1974 They said the same thing about mountain lions in Kentucky but my father saw one while hunting deer in Estill county . Also i think the 30 30 would be deadly on mountain lion .
Me personally it's VERY HARD to say ANYTHING BAD ABOUT THE 06,.. 100 - 220GR.cut my teeth loading for one ( when I was 19/20) : P 17 Enfield,,.. O6 IS, very VERSATILE, INCLUDING actions.
I am 72 and wanted something different...I had an older Winchester Model 70. Had it re-barreled 6.5x55 SE, shiny black Cerakote all over and had the stocked refinished. I couldn't be happier !!!
My go to is a 30-06. In the jungle of the Pacific northwest I went to a 12 gauge slug. In the nut woods of Arkansas I went down to a 270. But my 06 with 180 game king does it all. Turkeys, Grouse head shot, sea lions, bald eagles, and spotted owls. Neighbor's barking dog, small beef at midnight, and fun for cans too. That 06 does it all.
3006 is my rifle of choice as well. I have an early 50s 03a3 conversion (very nicely done) and a Mossberg atr 100 both chambered in 06. And I'm looking at getting a 3rd rifle in it now. 125gr to 220gr lets me hunt nearly everything in north America add a shotgun and a 22lr and it's a complete package
@@thehoneybadger8089 and that the 30 06 was a marginal white tail round, he was for sure a big bore nut, BUT he did help bring us the 44 & 41 mag if I'm not mistaken
@@thehoneybadger8089 In private correspondence viewed by Craig Boddington, Keith admitted the .270 paired with the 150gr Nosler Partition, the premium bullet of that day, was perfectly adequate for elk. Boddington also has correspondence from Keith after O’Connor’s death which he says suggests Keith truly “hated the ground O’Connor walked on.” I therefore imagine Keith’s particularly disparaging public remarks concerning O’Connor’s pet cartridge were driven by that hatred.
25-06 and 308 are what I shoot the most. I think my Remington 700 Sendero 7mm Rem Mag is ready to come out of the safe. The reason it was in the safe so many seasons is the weight, and frankly, I don't need the extra power to anchor South Texas critters. My go-to everyday gun is The Winchester model 70 Featherweight in 308 that was delivered to the feed store in Hondo, Texas in the summer of 1959 just in time for my birthday.
30-06 I'd have to say. Kills everything from varmint to moose and even big brown bear. All because of the difference in available loads on the shelf and in hand loads. Preference is in a Remington 740/7400 and even 746/7600.
One of my 30-06s is an inherited Remington Model 4. I’ve only just got brass for it. I have 100 fire formed cases ready for loading. If you care to share your preferred load combo and other runners-up I’d appreciate it. If you feel uncomfortable with that I completely understand. Happy hunting to you!
@@jimmieburleigh9549 can’t go wrong with that. They have some CorLokt ammo at Cabela’s-Ft. Worth right now and it’s $30+ and up. A box of 264 140gr CorLokt is going for $84.99! I’m soooo glad I’m a handloader. I wanted to keep things a little on the light side with that Model 4. I purchased 5 boxes of the recently made 165gr Grand Slams. Want to keep it around 2775 give or take a little. I’ve heard 1) they’re not so strong in their action bars. 2) it’s hard to find anyone to work on them if things go south
Ron, that was nicely done. You took the age old debate of one rifle and condensed it down to 12 minutes. You really enjoy throwing gasoline onto the fire. Bravo. When it's all said and done, the perfect cartridge for me is the one I've got in my hands when the opportunity presents itself. But, hey, what fun would that be? Cheers, Jeff.
I am not a south paw but after 60+ years of collecting reloading and hunting I have found the 300wsm the best caliber for elk and deer which I mostly hunt and the recoil with a break is less then the 30-06 which I also love! The wsm is a reloader as dream and is one of the most efficient calibers that exists! I have hunted with hundreds of different calibers but the 300wsm is a dream to hunt with!
@@melevan15 straight up true, I reckon a good ole 30-06 could literally be used and prolly has on all the kinds of game animals in the North American continent. I know I’ve been told personally 06 has been used with success on Grizzly bears. I know elk been killed with them. 270 Win has been used on them all too by Jack O’Connor too if I’m not mistaken. I like other calibers too but these will work as game getters.
If you have a 30-06 and a 12 gauge shotgun together, there is no land dwelling animal on earth you can not hunt. Sure I have other calibers, but what ones do you think I bought and got good with first? What one is the bulk of my round stockpile? Both are the most versatile in their utility.
@@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135 I'd argue you wouldn't need the .30-06 if you have a good 12 gauge. A pump with a 3 1/2 inch chamber allows for maximum versatility in a shotgun, slug barrel and sabot slugs can reach out and accurately make hits at 300-400 yards(not ideal but doable). And with things like Gauge Mates, you have access to a whole slough of rounds suitable from game as small as squirrels to as large as Moose or African big game like Cape Buffalo. Heavy weight slugs like Lightfields for large game, buckshot for close range brush hunts, and a variety of birdshot and other small sized shot for everything else.
I use em "all" from 17hmr, 223, 308 7x65r up to 9.3x64... But mostly the 308, it's in the middle and works good enough for my typical 50-200m shot on deer and wild boar.
I have many rifles chambered in many different cartridges. Ive reloaded for and hunted with most of them, and in the last 5 years I find myself going back to the 30-06 for all my deer and larger hunts. In fact, the 30-06 chambering is one of the few chambering’s I own several rifles in. It’s just a perfectly balanced cartridge in so many ways.
Yup, 30-06 with the right weigh & designed bullet, does it all. I lived in Alaska for 37 years, shot probably 60ish BG animals with many different calibers, could have done it all with the 06....
When I was a kid, I loved the idea of heavy fast bullets. Made me feel tough I guess. Still trying to think of a time the 30-30 wouldn't have been enough gun in the woods.
when i was younger i couldn't afford multiple rifles set up with goods scopes. So i opted for the most versatile of calibers for most NA game. so i got the 30-06, started handloading and then later got the .300 Wby for longer ranges. I could have gotten the .340 Wby but at least the 30 caliber shared the same bullets at least for handloading and was a few dollars cheaper per box for loaded factory cartridges.
6,5x55 Swedish Mauser. Suitable from mag pie to elk and i would say one of the best long range cartridges. And if the muppet show of Rosenbad decides to prohibit lead in bullets AI is an option to keep it the elk division of Swedish rules.
30-06 I live in Alaska if I had one cartridge it would be a 30 Ott six if you handle it is probably the most versatile a car you couldn’t find you’ve got bullied wait for the big boys and light bullets for the small guys I have many friends who have killed multiple grizzly’s with a 30 Ott six not to mention moves cheap in Caribou including myself I have smaller and larger but that is my my choice for one gun
It's not a matter of being underrated, it's a case it doesn't sell that well. I've never read a review that made any deprecating comments about it, instead it's been given high marks and readily suggested to be a good buy. I have no personal experience with the 338Fed, but I have seen it in use by two friends. One of them has taken several deer and a few elk. It's not underrating, just popularity.
I have an old Win M54 ‘06 carbine. 20” barrel and CRF. I would love to be able to justify something new and shiny, but dang if my great-grandpa’s ol’ ‘06 doesn’t fit the bill for any of the hunting I’m going to be doing. The sentimental value is nice too :-)
30-06, 308, 7mm-08. I personally like 6.8spc for the AR platform, but it can be a bit limiting. The first 3 pretty much rounds out what I think is the best all around cartridges.
I've been looking for the perfect cartridge and rifle all my life and I have multiple safes full to prove it... LOL There's so many and they're all great for something so there's absolutely no possible way for me to choose only 1 and I thank the good lord above I don't have to. That said it still makes for an interesting conversation listening to how others go about trying to choose one. Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!
The real reason I love my .308 so much is that my father in law gave it to me as he was dying of cancer, when my kids were just little. On top of that, it's an easy gun to tote, and it's done everything I've ever asked it to do.
I hunt in Alberta Canada 30 06 does whatever you want but I bought a 7 mill mag load my own and it's been good so has the 3006 loads I make love your show reading your old articles made me load 7 mm mag to 73 grains toned it down to 71 man those loads wow one stopper for sure
I’ve used the 7mag often enough using borrowed rifles that’s I’ve made up loads for to know it works very well. I’ve never truly had an interest in owning one. Call it a Ford vs Chevy thing. I honestly couldn’t disagree with you if taken to the task. Your comment reminds me of the hunts I had with those 7mags. Thanks
thanks Robert I've owned a nice windy 88 in 308 that has taken moose and 30 06 that has done the same but the 7 has always been my go to for long shots and larger game I guess I'm more confident that I can make the shot and have an ethical kill just me
That's really strange to hear....I have not walked into a store and not been able to get 30-06! Just goes to show how diverse the appetite is for different types of ammo are in different parts of our country. Both great rounds though.
I feel like .30-06 is overstated, but you really can’t go wrong with it. I’ve been using it a while along with .300 win mag for big stuff and .30-06 is so versatile. My dad used it most of his life too but now that he’s getting older he’s switched from the Aught 6 to .270 Win. Same with magnums, he switched from .300 weatherby magnum to a 7mm Weatherby magnum. Apparently, all these heavy hitting cartridges get more difficult to shoot as you age. Ah well, I’m still young and have a lot of years to go before then.
Timely video as I’m in market for that perfect hunting rifle/cartridge. I own both 30-06 and 30-30 and have taken deer with both. I’ve never hunted Elk, but always wanted too and figure it’s time to pull a tag in Colorado. Recognizing I can take my trusted and proven 30-06, I’ve decided to purchase another firearm. I’ve managed to narrow down my selection to 3 cartridges, either an upgraded rifle in 30-06, 300 win mag and 300 wsm. Things I’m consider is that I’m now older (late 50s), so a lighter rifle within my price range is attractive for those back country hunts. Today, I’m leaning towards the 300 wsm due to its knockdown power, trajectory and slightly less recoil from the 300 win mag. It will also help for those less than perfect placed shots at longer distances. The only hesitations is both rifle and ammo isn’t nearly available as than the other two cartridges. Also the 30-06 and 300 win mag will probably be around forever. Is this true for 300 wsm?
Yes it’s true! I have hunted reloaded and collected rifles for 60+ years and can hunt with any caliber having owned hundreds of guns and the 300wsm is not only in a short action and super efficient but the recoil is lighter then even my 7 rem mag’s are and with 165-200 grain bullets will take elk and deer and the lighter the rifle when you get old!
The perfect cartridge? For my purposes, it's the .45-70. I can hand load it with everything from super light gallery loads to monster mashers, and it's not fussy about what you burn in it either. The only thing it doesn't do is long range, and that's fine, because I hunt on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
Made my choice years ago, Winchester M70 30-06. Not much has come along to change my mind. Sure I have others, but for 99% of my hunting the 06 is the one I go with.
I have a 30-06, 250 Savage, 6.5cm , 300 win mag, 257wby and a 22 long rifle. My far and away favorite is my 9.3x62 on a Savage model 111 converted from a 30-06. Very simple and inexpensive to have done. It will truly handle anything (and the caliber has) on the planet. Ron has done a few reviews on this caliber and is greatly appreciated by those in the know.
Totally agree. This cartridge/calibre looks and behaves like a queen both aesthetically and like the chess piece covering most squares on the board: versatility. You'll find a king in a particular scenario but that's not the point for a do-it-all round! The other thing that never features in ANY of these debates when looking for the perfect cartridge is not just ballistics but does your round have 'pure class?' Again she ain't called the Queen for nothing!! A little bit of snobbery hurt no one! Unfortunately, this YT channel has a love to hate agenda for the girl in my opinion. Each to their own. Enjoy your .375H&H.
Some important things get missed often when folks are considering a new rifle arrangement and cartridge. I honestly believe that people get so hung up on “lightweight” that they fail to consider the “right weight” for a given rifle. I’d much rather make the proper concessions to lighten up my pack and carry a little bit heavier, more capable rifle than skimp on a less capable cartridge just because it’s super lightweight. With high-powered rifles comes recoil, and though I understand some folks are more recoil sensitive than others, it’s just plain and simply part of shooting high powered rifles. Training is irreplaceable and is the only way to acclimate a given shooter to the recoil of the heavier hitting cartridges. Another extremely important piece of gear that’s almost always overlooked in these conversations is a high quality rifle sling! A good sling can more than make up for all-day handling of a chunky rifle, yet folks just seem to forget about this extremely important piece of kit! I don’t mean to wax poetic here, nor do I intend to evoke arguments of “when men were men” on the subject. The fact of the matter is, and I think Ron would agree at least with this statement, everything in a rifle and cartridge arrangement is a compromise. There still aren’t any free lunches in physics, and it’s up to you, the shooter, to figure out just exactly where to draw the line in the sand between performance, compactness, recoil, weight, and probably cost. I’d better leave it at that, else Ron might think I want to become a writer! Thanks again Ron for all you’ve done for outdoorsman the world over.
Always good thoughts from Ron. As a young person get your bases covered with a decent sized caliber that will do 99% of what you're gonna do. .243 too small for elk, 338 a bit big and lots of recoil for deer, etc. So 6.5, 6.8, 270, 308, '06, 7mm, maybe 300wm or wsm if you live west of the Kansas/Colorado boarder. With all the modern cartridges, don't handicap yourself with fancy stuff until you've figured out your scope covers. And always keep your scope on the lowest power. Later you can take a moose with a 45-70 or an antelope with a 243.
The .243 and it’s modern twin 6.5 Creedmore are weirdly capable of punching above their weight. I know 50 year old men who shot the .243 “kid’s” rifle their whole life because it works somehow. I think we will see the same thing in 20 years with the Creedmore. Personally I’m a huge fan of .308 and would feel confident hunting anything that walks, but I’m no fool and .338 Lapua for dangerous or defensive use or hot loaded .45-70 for pure defensive. But…….. more calibers means more guns so…..
That’s a good point: why wouldn’t your youth rifle cartridge work as well now as it did then? I honestly get so wrapped up in the latest, greatest or oldest, bestest that I forget youngest, easiest works very well😉
@@robertfree1908 I’ve never had to fire a second shot with the .243, except as a 10ft away dispatch because of a broken neck. There is either some magic sauce in that poison pill, or more likely you are more careful and less confident in such a small round that you simply shoot better.
I have proved it many times. The best is a rifle that fits. If you have a 5 foot person a standard rifle is too long. I have shortened quite a few rifle stocks and it's always the same. I can hit better and it doesn't kick as bad. This is when Gunsmithing is awesome.
I'll Agree 💯.... I'm a 30 06 man.... Plenty of ammo does a great job in my Rem BDL.... My second choice is the 300 wsm. My go to when I head out west..... Thank You for the Great Videos You put together... For all of the information... I greatly appreciate it. Thanks
308w, here in europe it’s used by circa 90% all hunters. Kills everything from foxes to moose. And since hunting with dogs here is pretty much the standard, the distances never get long, no need to calculate bullet drop. But you need to practice your ”holdover/windage” for game running in full speed. 😉
The .308 Win is the clear winner simply for versatility, price per shot, and ammo availability, I think that’s universal no matter where you hunt. It’s a solid cartridge, and when shot out of a semi auto it hardly kicks at all making follow up shots easily possible. No matter how you hunt here you can’t go wrong with a .308 at realistic hunting ranges.
🗣While I was serving in the US Marines (1976-1982 🇺🇸), I started hunting …first rifle was WIN 94 in 30/30, then 7mm RM (sold it, wish I had not 🙀), then purchased a 30/06 (still got it 😁), then the .338WM (YEAH !!!!) finally the .308 All great rifles and calibers S/F 🇺🇸
"If you should find yourself in the woods, with good weather and plenty of game. Do not worry, you are in the Happy Hunting Grounds, for you are dead!" My take on Elysium quote from Gladiator with Russell Crowe
I consider myself at least somewhat of a gun guy. I own many handguns and rifles and reload for all of them. I WISH I could come up with a whole list of calibers I need to hunt deer, elk and antelope but when it comes down to it there's no real need (besides recoil) to use anything other than the 30-06. It worked on my first deer hunt 42 years ago and on my first elk hunt last fall. I've strayed over the years to a 30-30, which works great at shorter ranges as Ron said, 7mm-08, .243, 6.5 Grendel and even 7.62X39. They all stay in the safe now. The only decision I have to make is which 30-06 to use. Bolt or semi-auto.
Ruger has the best rifles per dollar if you’re purchasing a new rifle. On the used market, most of the big names are always rewarded. Personally, the ol’ Marlin MR-7 30-06 has overly impressed me. I believe they only chambered it for long actions, “but I don’t think the animal is going to know the difference.”
All things considered, the “perfect” cartridge for me is something the whole family can shoot well. It’s something, that I reload a ton of for several rifles. It’s accurate enough, and effective for my area. .243winchester. Sure I love other cartridges for other things, but if I only could have 1, it’s the .243!
Everybody was sounding off, so my sleeper, that I used& Loaded for years : the 2506,,,, BULLET CONSTRUCTION, & SHOT PLACEMENT!! these days if you load the sky is the limit with ALMOST ANY GIVEN CARTRIDGE
@@budcat2 good to hear your a.25 fan, long story short I HAD, KEY WORD:HAD, to be honest I don't remember what twist it was,, but, DAMN NEAR EVERYTHING from 120 down to the 90gr,, shot under a inch, NO PROBLEM( but it was a custom build with a #5, 26in. DOUGLAS) most accurate seems was the 100 &120 nosler ballistic tips . BUT NOW I'm chomping at the bits to start loading for this swift in 700 vssf,, IM ONLY 60 read about the swift for years ( READ, NO INTERNET)IALWAYS WANTED ONE,, once AGAIN glad to hear your a 25 -06 fan!
Been having this exact conversation with myself for about 2 years now. Last week I finally jumped and bought a 7mm Weatherby Mag. Western hunting. Reason I did is because I can shoot both 7MM REM Mag and the Weatherby ammo in it. Fast and flat shooting that offers more than the shorts do. Glad to see Ron gave a nod to the 6.5 RPM. It really is one heck of a round and one I considered strongly. Ammo has been easier to find for it too. Anymore it’s more like go shopping for ammo, find the gun to shoot it in later. I also believe a big part of why the Creed and the PRC is so popularly sold is because the manufacturers are not giving us many options for new rifles. Go to a gun shop and 75% of everything in the rack is Creed or PRC. This needs to stop. There is plenty of ammo for 308 and 5.56 and 223 and 9mm. Manufacturers, it’s time to broaden production again!!!
Sometimes I think there are computers compiling and analyzing data and automatedly building rifles based on such without any human input whatsoever. If I’m wrong it wouldn’t be the 1st time. But…
If I didn't own a "few" rifles, chambered in different cartridges and calibers, and I could only purchase one big game rifle to use for the rest of my life, I would choose the 280AI or 6.8 Western. Another serious contender, since I handload, would be the 35 Whelen (AI or otherwise), because I can download it to 35 Remington levels or even drop down to pistol bullets for small game. A final consideration, if I was hunting everything from peccary to brown bear, a 325 WSM is a round I would be very interested in.
I haven’t hunted anything larger than pigs with the 325. I’ve used only the 180 TSX(I’m working on 180 Ballistic Tips right now. So many powders that I’m trying). All pass throughs. When cleaning them you could see the perfect amount of tissue destruction those TSXs wrought. I know from experience that many others could do the same. But what an impressive round. Too bad it’s an underdog
Thank you again Ron for a very informative video. Picking the 'perfect' rifle and cartridge isn't a simple task. There are a great many factors to consider and it is nice to have someone such as yourself to give insight into the process.
"We would all hunt any time we wanted, find plenty of game, and have the perfect rifle with which to do it." That would be a pretty plain existence I think. Variety, challenge, struggle, and even scarcity are the spices of life. Don't forget the .38-55 Winchester when you're talking about medium straight-wall cartridges.
I just can’t reiterate enough about the .280 Remington. It’s so dam sad that it was bastardized from its birth . It’s the perfect balance of efficiency and effectiveness for ANY standard cartridge that’s capable of taking down any North American big game . It’s the one stop , drop and roll you’re own magnificent 7mm bore ! It’s MY GoTo cartridge ! To each his own .. touché !
Ron, hunters that reload really missed the boat with the 7mm WSM. It’s the perfect cartridge for ethical hunting distances. It can be reloaded with bullets in the 120-160 range and standard reloading data can have you shooting 7mm08/7x57 velocities on up to 3300fps +. It was a Swiss Army knife that no one took advantage for hunting. Target shooters be danged. lol.
I live in Central Montana and drawing elk tags for rifle is hard. Which means I’ve switched to archery elk, but will still hunt mule deer with a rifle and pronghorn occasionally. However, during the winter there is a late season cow hunting opportunity. With those factors in place, as well as the ammo selection at my local sporting goods store, I have to stick my old Savage 99 in .308. It’s not the longest range gun, nor is it the most accurate, but with 165 Superformance SSTs I can hit vitals at 350 yards. I’d love to get something new, but it looks like my trusty old hand-me-down doesn’t need replacing any time soon.
A favorite topic for any and all rifle hunters. Thank you for making this video and welcoming our opinions. Since this is about our own individual preference I’d pick the 338 Win Mag. I’ve yet to become recoil shy. Even at 52. It truly doesn’t kick harder(perceived recoil) than my 12ga turkey loads. And you have great hunting bullets ranging from 160-250gr. You can go heavier but imo you lose trajectory and good expansion characteristics. But since I don’t own one I’ll pick my A-Bolt 325 WSM and use 180s TSX and Ballistic Tip for everything. If not handloading(Heaven forbid!!) then my 30-06s all the way.
Here in the Northeast where most of my hunting is for deer, typically shooting at 100 yards and sometimes out to 200 yards, I am happy with the .308 and it’s two offspring, the 6.5mm Creedmoor and the 7mm-08.
I would almost think that, under a lot of circumstances, it would make more sense to first choose the platform based on your style of hunting, then decide on cartridge. You might love the idea of a 7RM in a beanfield rifle, but you live in the "eastern whitetail woods" where a hundred yard shot is a long poke. Maybe then you would decide that something with a carbine-length barrel and low-powered scope made more sense and then go through the exercise of deciding what cartridge fits that platform best. It's really a game of "chicken or the egg". But it's a fun exercise to go through!
Interesting discussion indeed. My last two deer 🦌 both bucks were taken at 25 and 50 yards respectively. I could have taken at least one of those possibly both since I would be trained on an open sight lever gun. But instead I took my Savage M110 Long Range Hunter in 300 WSM into the woods and set up. I actually want a lightweight mountain 🏔 rifle with a shorter barrel and is threaded for suppressor work. Since I have a .270 Win and a .300 WSM I wanted something in the middle in a 284 or 7mm or the new 6.8 Western, maybe go under with the 6.5 PRC. My main choices are the 7mm 08, 280 AI and the aforementioned 6.8 Western since it can shoot the longer heavier 160-175 grain bullets. But from what I have seen on the shelf if I wanted one tomorrow or for this season it would be in .308. I see bunches of it and 223. I already have 30 cal bullets for reloading too. I picked up a Ruger American in .308 and .30-06 unloaded and couldn’t really feel the weight difference in a long vs short action rifles. At least while unloaded.
Great series you've started Ron. You know I've thought long and hard for decades on the perfect deer cartridge (if I was limited to just one). But looking back in hindsight I think the answer for many folk (myself included) is the rifle you have and how you acquired it that makes this decision for you. A family heirloom handed down from your father or a a once in a lifetime bargain quality rifle often see more use than any other rifle in the rack. That 'special' factor is often why you read about how the .270 has accounted for so many big critters in the very large game category or that A Bolt Stainless Stalker in 325WSM that was a run out model for half the normal retail price just to move it. Another thing too is which you alluded to and commented on is bullet choice. I'm a Barnes TTSX fan and in say a .270, 30/06 and placed in the right spot will pull up near almost of the game you described. Thank for sharing!
You talked about ammo shortages. It would be cool to see a bullet evaluation across a range of cartridges and average powder weight, from low to high, given somebody is interested in reloading. Thank you for your videos.
Some good thought there but over here in NZ availability choice is a huge factor. I shoot 22-250 and .243 for the very reasons stated I can always find ammo. 7mm and Creedmore is much harder to find and we all shoot with suppressors.
Great video Ron and as a 280 remington shooter I'm feeling the pain in the ammo department lol but I still have my trusty old 30-06 and again sir thank you as always for the great content.
"The jack of all trades may be a master of none, but a jack of all trades is better than a master of one." 30-06 and 308 win are the winners in my opinion. 270win, 243win, and 300 blackout being the wild card round out the top 5 for me.
@@davidandre886 Why is it dumb to say being well rounded is better than specialized for specific situations? Also not sure what's wrong with picking out cartridges that fit the bill for the saying? Perhaps' you're the master of one it refers to and you can't see beyond your limited scope of practice.
I guess I might have misunderstood that he meant that it would be one of the 5 cartridges, not all 5. Any one I know who is a serious gun person doesn’t have one rifle. They have many, so instead of having 5 rifles that are ok, why not have 5 rifles that are great at one thing. For example let’s just say you had 3 rifles. Maybe one in 300 win mag or 300 prc, then one in 6.5 x284 or 6.5 prc and then finally a 243 or something like that. You are way better off at having guns that do the job intended well. I do lots of different types of shooting and have lots of different calibers. Just depends what you are trying to accomplish, pretty obvious to people who have real experience.
@@davidandre886 I'm a very serious gun person but in the grand scheme of things, I don't have many as a whole and majority of them are in the same cartridges or have compatibility with multiple cartridges belonging in my inventory. It keeps things simply logistically speaking but more importantly you always have a source of ammo even in times like today where some stuff is harder to find than others. I prefer versatility over specialization in all my rifles because I accept the fact a day may come where rifles or shotguns I use for say home defense may be needed in a hunting application or vice versa. But all of them are applicable in self defense with few drawbacks. I prefer that to guns that are really only good for "A" or "B" because if "A" and "B" are not practical or doable then there's no point to them. So perhaps it's not so obvious to "people with experience" as I have experience and it doesn't seem to match yours.
I think once you use a firearm for its exact intended purpose, it is a thing of beauty. Sort of seems like your experience hasn’t yielded much refinement. Enjoy your 8 308s...
I'm not sure about the perfect rifle exists, but the perfect receivers in my opinion have to be the, AR15 receiver, the Blaser receiver, and the Thompson Center receiver. Because you can take the AR receiver and shoot anything from a 22LR to a 50BMG with the correct upper attached in a semi auto or single shot platform. The Blaser receiver can also shoot all of the common rounds in a very fast push-pull bolt action. The Thompson Center receiver can use almost every round in between in various lengths and calibers, up to and including 700 Nitro Express, in a single shot action.
Everyone knows the 300 Win in a stainless Tikka T3 with Limbsaver pad, is the ultimate big game set-up. Relatively affordable, weatherproof, lightweight, accurate and usually lots of ammo selection. One step down, same rifle in 7 Rem Mag and one step up, same rifle in 338 Win Mag.... that's if you can find one. There's one in my safe and it's sub MOA! So the 300 Win or WSM in a stainless T3/T3X, is my choice .
The 300wsm in a Sako or Tikka is a hunters dream rifle I know because I am a gun collector and after 60+ years I love taking my light weight wsm out to hunt!
Ron I really appreciate your objectivity on these caliber discussions. Keep up the good work buddy! Myself I am trying to reduce my caliber stables because maintaining supplies for all of them really keeps me from having large supplies of just a few options. Between older military rifles, AR's in assorted calibers, and just several different rifles my caliber pallet it kind of extensive. Looking back I wish I had just stuck with only a few but some are just so interesting.
Tucson native amd longtime Southern AZ hunter here. Ron won my heart by properly and correctly saying Coues deer as "cows" deer, and not the incorrect vernacular "cooz" deer. Dont come to AZ to hunt a desert ghost if you say Cooz deer!
@@jacktrout5807 Jack, I don't doubt your family has been saying "coos" for a long time, but likely not since 1846 because naturalist, ornithologist, and physician Elliot Coues (pronounced Cows, I'm afraid) wasn't born until 1842 and didn't slap title to the little mountain whitetail of the desert SW until after he'd been stationed with the army in AZ in 1865. Nonetheless, most folks say Coos and Elliot isn't alive to get offended so... But Todd is correct, according to the literature on Mr. Coues. BTW, Coues had a SW bird named after himself for a time, the Coues Flycatcher, now known as the Greater Pewee. In addition he identified and named the Grace's warbler after his sister. Interesting stuff, history.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors You are correct about my family arriving in AZ before Elliot Couse was out of diapers. Regardless most everyone I know pronounces it "cooz" and so the gentleman above (Todd) knows this. In my part of AZ if you say "cows deer" you'll likely get a sideways look and we will automatically know that your from Chomofornia or Tucson.
280 Remington Ackley Improved
30-378 weatherby😉
As much as I love and prefer odd/older cartridges such as the .257 Roberts, 7x57 Mauser, 25-06, 220 Swift- I agree that choosing good old easy to find standards- the 30-30, 243 Win, 308 Win, 30-06, 270 win, etc make more sense than ever, especially if you do not handload. Another great episode Ron, looking forward to part two.
For some or many of us financial considerations make the cartridges you listed common. Honesty I’m a “very complicated beginner”. I decided I to buy percussion revolvers and other muzzleloaders cuz I can shoot my .50 caliber pistol for about .65-1.50 depending mostly on projectile choice. My revolver and revolver carbine shoot for somewhere around $.25 a round.
So yes definitely convenience but also the bank!!!
The pendulum swings back and forth but right in the middle is the 3006, not too much certainly not too little but is our most versatile cartridge with all the bullet choices. It is my choice and my rifle is a Winchester pre 64 featherweight in 3006. Just one man's choice.
I have a late 70's vintage Model 700 in. 30'06. It weighs just over 8 1/2 pounds and fits me like a glove. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
True, the 30/06 and those cal close to it are right in the sweet spot. Later in life I tend to use my 338. Win mag, which in my opinion is a great all around choice, especially when I’m always hunting in Grizzly country. There is something to be said for the new Nosler calibers too no doubt. Flat shooting for the distance and a cartridge that carries enough energy down range is what you need to consider, but realistically ammo availability and cost need to be researched.
I approve of your choice.
@@georgesakellaropoulos8162 nice
@@georgesakellaropoulos8162
It is strange for me to pounder the perfect hunting cartridge. I have so many firearms in so many calibers, everything from .22 to .50, muzzle loaders not withstanding. So after a long contemplation. This is what I came up with. I have found as I get older and better. I don't shoot game at range. If I'm not well within a 100 yds. I'm just not satisfied. Even my elk hunts are focused on getting elk in the black timber. SUCH A RIOT.
So this is how I decided on my favorite caliber. It comes down to this. When I go on ANY hunt and it's been this way since 2008.
I take one double rifle case.
In that case is a model 99 300 sav. and a model 71. 348 both with open sights.
So the absolute best cartridge, is the one in the rifle I choose on any given day. I've had a few guys, cast aspersions about my equipment choices. I never respond, until I am standing in front of them wiping blood off my vary old Olson knife. At that point I simply say ( with a long stiff look) the best specimen taken on this trip was taken with my inferior rifle. At that point I hold the look until it gets a little awkward. Then I give a crooked grin and say. They are not to common anymore are they? But they ought to be. Huh?
I'm a bit cocky, I believe it's the Indian and not the arrow. I've made it a life's practice to be a good Indian. I am also blessed by the almighty to have been presented with superior beasts. I don't care how good a weapon or the skill of the man. You can't take what ain't there. I've been blessed so many times to be presented gifts.
I have to agree, the perfect rifle is different for everyone. I hunt deer and in TN there aren’t many places a 30-30 won’t do the job well. It’s just about perfect for me
Oh yeah I live in Eastern Kentucky . I got a Winchester model 94 in 30 30 many years ago it is perfect for the cedar thickets I hunt I love it !
@@jerrystone8856 I like my 94 Winchester and I really like a Marlin 336 (before that ugly and useless cross bolt safety).
Where I am, North Central PA, it's so thickly wooded a 100 yd shot only happens if you're hunting a farm, and then very rarely due to the hills. 30-30 will do everything you need it to do. BUT, a couple years ago I saw a mountain lion near Sinamahoning state park, I think I'd want my 30.06 when hunting up there (game commission says no mountain lions in PA...they're full of it. I know what I saw)
@@308dad8 lawyer up safety .
@@lightweight1974 They said the same thing about mountain lions in Kentucky but my father saw one while hunting deer in Estill county . Also i think the 30 30 would be deadly on mountain lion .
7x57 in both 139g for flat shooting and 175g for hard hitting!
M70 Fwt topped with a 1.25-4x scope, pure fun!
Paul you are dead on!
I was about to say 7mm-08. Right there.
Me personally it's VERY HARD to say ANYTHING BAD ABOUT THE 06,.. 100 - 220GR.cut my teeth loading for one ( when I was 19/20) : P 17 Enfield,,.. O6 IS, very VERSATILE, INCLUDING actions.
I am 72 and wanted something different...I had an older Winchester Model 70. Had it re-barreled 6.5x55 SE, shiny black Cerakote all over and had the stocked refinished. I couldn't be happier !!!
Perfect all rounder.
In Norway the 6.5 Swede has killed more Moose in the last 120 years than all others combined.
My go to is a 30-06. In the jungle of the Pacific northwest I went to a 12 gauge slug. In the nut woods of Arkansas I went down to a 270. But my 06 with 180 game king does it all. Turkeys, Grouse head shot, sea lions, bald eagles, and spotted owls. Neighbor's barking dog, small beef at midnight, and fun for cans too. That 06 does it all.
Bald Eagles? Criminal.....
@@bruceesterline3170
Yes, Bruce. All of those last items are illegal. It was my attempt at humor. Sorry for confusing you.
Sea Lion brisket and Spotted Owl soup at the drive-in two for one!
I'll take the 243win with proper bullet construction for the game being hunted. Appreciate you Ron.
3006 is my rifle of choice as well. I have an early 50s 03a3 conversion (very nicely done) and a Mossberg atr 100 both chambered in 06. And I'm looking at getting a 3rd rifle in it now. 125gr to 220gr lets me hunt nearly everything in north America add a shotgun and a 22lr and it's a complete package
I love them all! Usually match to the game I'm hunting and the terrain. Love working up different loads for different situations.
270 Winchester Jack O Connor-showed a great all around cartridge.
JACK O CONNNOR : Father of the .270, GOOD TO SEE THAT NAME AGAIN !!! THANK YOU!!
Elmer Keith thought the 270 was an adequate coyote cartridge, but nothing more.
@@thehoneybadger8089 and that the 30 06 was a marginal white tail round, he was for sure a big bore nut, BUT he did help bring us the 44 & 41 mag if I'm not mistaken
@@thehoneybadger8089 Elmer Keith was wrong.
@@thehoneybadger8089 In private
correspondence viewed by Craig Boddington, Keith admitted the .270 paired with the 150gr Nosler Partition, the premium bullet of that day, was perfectly adequate for elk. Boddington also has correspondence from Keith after O’Connor’s death which he says suggests Keith truly “hated the ground O’Connor walked on.” I therefore imagine Keith’s particularly disparaging public remarks concerning O’Connor’s pet cartridge were driven by that hatred.
I've had a. 243 all my life, works well in Virginia. I also have 30-30,.308, 30-06,.300wm,and 45-70. I think I have all the bases covered.
For me it's the 30-06 and A Remington 760, a long action just feels natural when racking a pump.
25-06 and 308 are what I shoot the most. I think my Remington 700 Sendero 7mm Rem Mag is ready to come out of the safe.
The reason it was in the safe so many seasons is the weight, and frankly, I don't need the extra power to anchor South Texas critters.
My go-to everyday gun is
The Winchester model 70 Featherweight in 308 that was delivered to the feed store in Hondo, Texas in the summer of 1959 just in time for my birthday.
Hat’s off the your fine choice!
I love my 7mm08. I think it one of the best for short to mid range rifle for white tail size game. That’s in my neck of the woods anyways.
30-06 I'd have to say. Kills everything from varmint to moose and even big brown bear. All because of the difference in available loads on the shelf and in hand loads.
Preference is in a Remington 740/7400 and even 746/7600.
One of my 30-06s is an inherited Remington Model 4. I’ve only just got brass for it. I have 100 fire formed cases ready for loading. If you care to share your preferred load combo and other runners-up I’d appreciate it. If you feel uncomfortable with that I completely understand. Happy hunting to you!
@@robertfree1908 perfectly honest I like 180 grain Remington corelokts right off the shelf.
@@jimmieburleigh9549 can’t go wrong with that. They have some CorLokt ammo at Cabela’s-Ft. Worth right now and it’s $30+ and up. A box of 264 140gr CorLokt is going for $84.99! I’m soooo glad I’m a handloader.
I wanted to keep things a little on the light side with that Model 4. I purchased 5 boxes of the recently made 165gr Grand Slams. Want to keep it around 2775 give or take a little. I’ve heard 1) they’re not so strong in their action bars. 2) it’s hard to find anyone to work on them if things go south
Ron, that was nicely done. You took the age old debate of one rifle and condensed it down to 12 minutes. You really enjoy throwing gasoline onto the fire. Bravo. When it's all said and done, the perfect cartridge for me is the one I've got in my hands when the opportunity presents itself. But, hey, what fun would that be?
Cheers, Jeff.
I just bought a rifle chambered in 300 WSM. It was an easy choice for me because it was the only left handed rifle in the store!
I love my 300 WSM it too is a Southpaw! . Good Luck during you hunting adventures.
I am not a south paw but after 60+ years of collecting reloading and hunting I have found the 300wsm the best caliber for elk and deer which I mostly hunt and the recoil with a break is less then the 30-06 which I also love! The wsm is a reloader as dream and is one of the most efficient calibers that exists! I have hunted with hundreds of different calibers but the 300wsm is a dream to hunt with!
I think the perfect all-around caliber would be a 300 Win Mag for a 7 mm Remington Magnum but it's very well-rounded and versatile calibers
I like many different rounds but a 7 rem mag or 30-06 or 270 can do most of North American hunting
My thinking exactly.
ALL of north American hunting
@@melevan15 straight up true, I reckon a good ole 30-06 could literally be used and prolly has on all the kinds of game animals in the North American continent. I know I’ve been told personally 06 has been used with success on Grizzly bears. I know elk been killed with them. 270 Win has been used on them all too by Jack O’Connor too if I’m not mistaken. I like other calibers too but these will work as game getters.
The 30-06 is just a versatile rifle with so many loads and ammo available everywhere.
That would be my "If I could have only one" rifle choice.
If you have a 30-06 and a 12 gauge shotgun together, there is no land dwelling animal on earth you can not hunt.
Sure I have other calibers, but what ones do you think I bought and got good with first? What one is the bulk of my round stockpile?
Both are the most versatile in their utility.
@@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135 I'd argue you wouldn't need the .30-06 if you have a good 12 gauge. A pump with a 3 1/2 inch chamber allows for maximum versatility in a shotgun, slug barrel and sabot slugs can reach out and accurately make hits at 300-400 yards(not ideal but doable). And with things like Gauge Mates, you have access to a whole slough of rounds suitable from game as small as squirrels to as large as Moose or African big game like Cape Buffalo.
Heavy weight slugs like Lightfields for large game, buckshot for close range brush hunts, and a variety of birdshot and other small sized shot for everything else.
The grand old 30-06 is all you need. Light or heavy loads big or smal game.. Easy to reload. The perfect cartridge
I use em "all" from 17hmr, 223, 308 7x65r up to 9.3x64...
But mostly the 308, it's in the middle and works good enough for my typical 50-200m shot on deer and wild boar.
Nothing much better than the 30-03/.277 improved AKA the 270 winchester
I have many rifles chambered in many different cartridges. Ive reloaded for and hunted with most of them, and in the last 5 years I find myself going back to the 30-06 for all my deer and larger hunts. In fact, the 30-06 chambering is one of the few chambering’s I own several rifles in.
It’s just a perfectly balanced cartridge in so many ways.
It’s an old cartridge for a reason. If you reload it’s very hard to be especially if you are buying off the shelf ammo.
Yup, 30-06 with the right weigh & designed bullet, does it all. I lived in Alaska for 37 years, shot probably 60ish BG animals with many different calibers, could have done it all with the 06....
When I was a kid, I loved the idea of heavy fast bullets. Made me feel tough I guess. Still trying to think of a time the 30-30 wouldn't have been enough gun in the woods.
when i was younger i couldn't afford multiple rifles set up with goods scopes. So i opted for the most versatile of calibers for most NA game. so i got the 30-06, started handloading and then later got the .300 Wby for longer ranges. I could have gotten the .340 Wby but at least the 30 caliber shared the same bullets at least for handloading and was a few dollars cheaper per box for loaded factory cartridges.
6,5x55 Swedish Mauser.
Suitable from mag pie to elk and i would say one of the best long range cartridges.
And if the muppet show of Rosenbad decides to prohibit lead in bullets AI is an option to keep it the elk division of Swedish rules.
30-06 I live in Alaska if I had one cartridge it would be a 30 Ott six if you handle it is probably the most versatile a car you couldn’t find you’ve got bullied wait for the big boys and light bullets for the small guys I have many friends who have killed multiple grizzly’s with a 30 Ott six not to mention moves cheap in Caribou including myself I have smaller and larger but that is my my choice for one gun
Mine would be a 338 federal it's a very capable round way underrated.
It's not a matter of being underrated, it's a case it doesn't sell that well. I've never read a review that made any deprecating comments about it, instead it's been given high marks and readily suggested to be a good buy. I have no personal experience with the 338Fed, but I have seen it in use by two friends. One of them has taken several deer and a few elk. It's not underrating, just popularity.
30-06, in a 22 inch CRF rifle with backup iron sights and a quality scope and good sling.... enough said.
I have an old Win M54 ‘06 carbine. 20” barrel and CRF. I would love to be able to justify something new and shiny, but dang if my great-grandpa’s ol’ ‘06 doesn’t fit the bill for any of the hunting I’m going to be doing. The sentimental value is nice too :-)
30-06, 308, 7mm-08. I personally like 6.8spc for the AR platform, but it can be a bit limiting.
The first 3 pretty much rounds out what I think is the best all around cartridges.
Love the videos on comparing all the different cartridges, old and new. Really gets my mind thinking.
Perfect, Danial. That was my intent.
To me and my area the 7mm-08 is about perfect. East Texas.
I am of the same opinion. Loaded with the Hornaday 139 SST and hogs are easy to anchor.
Such a fine cartridge anywhere
I've become a fan of the new 6.8 Western. Is great for deer, elk, pronghorn, sheep, goats, coyotes.
I've been looking for the perfect cartridge and rifle all my life and I have multiple safes full to prove it... LOL There's so many and they're all great for something so there's absolutely no possible way for me to choose only 1 and I thank the good lord above I don't have to. That said it still makes for an interesting conversation listening to how others go about trying to choose one. Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!
The real reason I love my .308 so much is that my father in law gave it to me as he was dying of cancer, when my kids were just little.
On top of that, it's an easy gun to tote, and it's done everything I've ever asked it to do.
If it has a history with a connection to you, then that rifle IS the perfect one for you!! Just keep that rifle of yours in the family!! 👍
Of all things I never thought 30-30 would ever be hard to find. Looking forward to next video. Thanks.
I hunt in Alberta Canada 30 06 does whatever you want but I bought a 7 mill mag load my own and it's been good so has the 3006 loads I make love your show reading your old articles made me load 7 mm mag to 73 grains toned it down to 71 man those loads wow one stopper for sure
I’ve used the 7mag often enough using borrowed rifles that’s I’ve made up loads for to know it works very well. I’ve never truly had an interest in owning one. Call it a Ford vs Chevy thing. I honestly couldn’t disagree with you if taken to the task. Your comment reminds me of the hunts I had with those 7mags. Thanks
thanks Robert I've owned a nice windy 88 in 308 that has taken moose and 30 06 that has done the same but the 7 has always been my go to for long shots and larger game I guess I'm more confident that I can make the shot and have an ethical kill just me
308 in store always has the best variety and qty. 30-06 is tough to cme by sometimes.
That's really strange to hear....I have not walked into a store and not been able to get 30-06! Just goes to show how diverse the appetite is for different types of ammo are in different parts of our country. Both great rounds though.
When it’s all said and done in the current climate! If you are looking for an all rounder .308 is always going to be top of list!
I feel like .30-06 is overstated, but you really can’t go wrong with it. I’ve been using it a while along with .300 win mag for big stuff and .30-06 is so versatile. My dad used it most of his life too but now that he’s getting older he’s switched from the Aught 6 to .270 Win. Same with magnums, he switched from .300 weatherby magnum to a 7mm Weatherby magnum. Apparently, all these heavy hitting cartridges get more difficult to shoot as you age. Ah well, I’m still young and have a lot of years to go before then.
Timely video as I’m in market for that perfect hunting rifle/cartridge. I own both 30-06 and 30-30 and have taken deer with both. I’ve never hunted Elk, but always wanted too and figure it’s time to pull a tag in Colorado. Recognizing I can take my trusted and proven 30-06, I’ve decided to purchase another firearm. I’ve managed to narrow down my selection to 3 cartridges, either an upgraded rifle in 30-06, 300 win mag and 300 wsm. Things I’m consider is that I’m now older (late 50s), so a lighter rifle within my price range is attractive for those back country hunts. Today, I’m leaning towards the 300 wsm due to its knockdown power, trajectory and slightly less recoil from the 300 win mag. It will also help for those less than perfect placed shots at longer distances. The only hesitations is both rifle and ammo isn’t nearly available as than the other two cartridges. Also the 30-06 and 300 win mag will probably be around forever. Is this true for 300 wsm?
Yes it’s true! I have hunted reloaded and collected rifles for 60+ years and can hunt with any caliber having owned hundreds of guns and the 300wsm is not only in a short action and super efficient but the recoil is lighter then even my 7 rem mag’s are and with 165-200 grain bullets will take elk and deer and the lighter the rifle when you get old!
The perfect cartridge? For my purposes, it's the .45-70. I can hand load it with everything from super light gallery loads to monster mashers, and it's not fussy about what you burn in it either. The only thing it doesn't do is long range, and that's fine, because I hunt on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
It can do range with the right rifle and shooter
It shoots 1000 yards very accurately. The problem on game of unknown range is it’s trajectory.
Made my choice years ago, Winchester M70 30-06. Not much has come along to change my mind. Sure I have others, but for 99% of my hunting the 06 is the one I go with.
I have a 30-06, 250 Savage, 6.5cm , 300 win mag, 257wby and a 22 long rifle. My far and away favorite is my 9.3x62 on a Savage model 111 converted from a 30-06. Very simple and inexpensive to have done. It will truly handle anything (and the caliber has) on the planet. Ron has done a few reviews on this caliber and is greatly appreciated by those in the know.
Long live the medium bores
.308 win. Arguably the most versatile. Can be used at long range. Used in several combat semi-autos. Capable of taking any game in North America.
If I could only have one cartridge for big game it would be my .375 H&H.
Totally agree. This cartridge/calibre looks and behaves like a queen both aesthetically and like the chess piece covering most squares on the board: versatility. You'll find a king in a particular scenario but that's not the point for a do-it-all round! The other thing that never features in ANY of these debates when looking for the perfect cartridge is not just ballistics but does your round have 'pure class?' Again she ain't called the Queen for nothing!! A little bit of snobbery hurt no one!
Unfortunately, this YT channel has a love to hate agenda for the girl in my opinion. Each to their own. Enjoy your .375H&H.
People like to laugh at someone who hunts deer with a .375 Magnum, but if I had to limit myself to one rifle, it'd be that.
Some important things get missed often when folks are considering a new rifle arrangement and cartridge. I honestly believe that people get so hung up on “lightweight” that they fail to consider the “right weight” for a given rifle. I’d much rather make the proper concessions to lighten up my pack and carry a little bit heavier, more capable rifle than skimp on a less capable cartridge just because it’s super lightweight. With high-powered rifles comes recoil, and though I understand some folks are more recoil sensitive than others, it’s just plain and simply part of shooting high powered rifles. Training is irreplaceable and is the only way to acclimate a given shooter to the recoil of the heavier hitting cartridges. Another extremely important piece of gear that’s almost always overlooked in these conversations is a high quality rifle sling! A good sling can more than make up for all-day handling of a chunky rifle, yet folks just seem to forget about this extremely important piece of kit! I don’t mean to wax poetic here, nor do I intend to evoke arguments of “when men were men” on the subject. The fact of the matter is, and I think Ron would agree at least with this statement, everything in a rifle and cartridge arrangement is a compromise. There still aren’t any free lunches in physics, and it’s up to you, the shooter, to figure out just exactly where to draw the line in the sand between performance, compactness, recoil, weight, and probably cost. I’d better leave it at that, else Ron might think I want to become a writer! Thanks again Ron for all you’ve done for outdoorsman the world over.
Always good thoughts from Ron. As a young person get your bases covered with a decent sized caliber that will do 99% of what you're gonna do. .243 too small for elk, 338 a bit big and lots of recoil for deer, etc. So 6.5, 6.8, 270, 308, '06, 7mm, maybe 300wm or wsm if you live west of the Kansas/Colorado boarder. With all the modern cartridges, don't handicap yourself with fancy stuff until you've figured out your scope covers. And always keep your scope on the lowest power. Later you can take a moose with a 45-70 or an antelope with a 243.
My exact thoughts
The .243 and it’s modern twin 6.5 Creedmore are weirdly capable of punching above their weight. I know 50 year old men who shot the .243 “kid’s” rifle their whole life because it works somehow. I think we will see the same thing in 20 years with the Creedmore.
Personally I’m a huge fan of .308 and would feel confident hunting anything that walks, but I’m no fool and .338 Lapua for dangerous or defensive use or hot loaded .45-70 for pure defensive.
But…….. more calibers means more guns so…..
That’s a good point: why wouldn’t your youth rifle cartridge work as well now as it did then? I honestly get so wrapped up in the latest, greatest or oldest, bestest that I forget youngest, easiest works very well😉
243 and 6.5 are not twins lol. 6 creed is about the twin tho...
@@robertfree1908 I’ve never had to fire a second shot with the .243, except as a 10ft away dispatch because of a broken neck. There is either some magic sauce in that poison pill, or more likely you are more careful and less confident in such a small round that you simply shoot better.
Still hard to beat the old 06. Thanks great work as usual.
30-06, 30-30, or 45-70 depending on what and where you're hunting
I have proved it many times. The best is a rifle that fits. If you have a 5 foot person a standard rifle is too long. I have shortened quite a few rifle stocks and it's always the same. I can hit better and it doesn't kick as bad. This is when Gunsmithing is awesome.
I'll Agree 💯.... I'm a 30 06 man.... Plenty of ammo does a great job in my Rem BDL.... My second choice is the 300 wsm. My go to when I head out west..... Thank You for the Great Videos You put together... For all of the information... I greatly appreciate it. Thanks
308w, here in europe it’s used by circa 90% all hunters. Kills everything from foxes to moose. And since hunting with dogs here is pretty much the standard, the distances never get long, no need to calculate bullet drop. But you need to practice your ”holdover/windage” for game running in full speed. 😉
The .308 Win is the clear winner simply for versatility, price per shot, and ammo availability, I think that’s universal no matter where you hunt. It’s a solid cartridge, and when shot out of a semi auto it hardly kicks at all making follow up shots easily possible. No matter how you hunt here you can’t go wrong with a .308 at realistic hunting ranges.
🗣While I was serving in the US Marines (1976-1982 🇺🇸), I started hunting …first rifle was WIN 94 in 30/30, then 7mm RM (sold it, wish I had not 🙀), then purchased a 30/06 (still got it 😁), then the .338WM (YEAH !!!!) finally the .308
All great rifles and calibers S/F 🇺🇸
"If you should find yourself in the woods, with good weather and plenty of game. Do not worry, you are in the Happy Hunting Grounds, for you are dead!"
My take on Elysium quote from Gladiator with Russell Crowe
Always well thought out and stated Ron. Thank you.
I consider myself at least somewhat of a gun guy. I own many handguns and rifles and reload for all of them. I WISH I could come up with a whole list of calibers I need to hunt deer, elk and antelope but when it comes down to it there's no real need (besides recoil) to use anything other than the 30-06. It worked on my first deer hunt 42 years ago and on my first elk hunt last fall. I've strayed over the years to a 30-30, which works great at shorter ranges as Ron said, 7mm-08, .243, 6.5 Grendel and even 7.62X39. They all stay in the safe now. The only decision I have to make is which 30-06 to use. Bolt or semi-auto.
Ruger has the best rifles per dollar if you’re purchasing a new rifle.
On the used market, most of the big names are always rewarded.
Personally, the ol’ Marlin MR-7 30-06 has overly impressed me.
I believe they only chambered it for long actions, “but I don’t think the animal is going to know the difference.”
All things considered, the “perfect” cartridge for me is something the whole family can shoot well. It’s something, that I reload a ton of for several rifles. It’s accurate enough, and effective for my area. .243winchester. Sure I love other cartridges for other things, but if I only could have 1, it’s the .243!
Everybody was sounding off, so my sleeper, that I used& Loaded for years : the 2506,,,, BULLET CONSTRUCTION, & SHOT PLACEMENT!! these days if you load the sky is the limit with ALMOST ANY GIVEN CARTRIDGE
Wish the 25-06 I have had a faster twist rate. Have to shoot 120gr max. Still all around great cartridge.
@@budcat2 good to hear your a.25 fan, long story short I HAD, KEY WORD:HAD, to be honest I don't remember what twist it was,, but, DAMN NEAR EVERYTHING from 120 down to the 90gr,, shot under a inch, NO PROBLEM( but it was a custom build with a #5, 26in. DOUGLAS) most accurate seems was the 100 &120 nosler ballistic tips . BUT NOW I'm chomping at the bits to start loading for this swift in 700 vssf,, IM ONLY 60 read about the swift for years ( READ, NO INTERNET)IALWAYS WANTED ONE,, once AGAIN glad to hear your a 25 -06 fan!
My choice is the .338 Winchester Magnum. For all North American game including Alaska.
Great classic big game cartridge. I believe it to be the best.
it’s probably the.270 winchester. I’m a rabid 6.5 creedmoor fan but .270 is really versatile. i’d also nominate.300 win mag
Been having this exact conversation with myself for about 2 years now. Last week I finally jumped and bought a 7mm Weatherby Mag. Western hunting. Reason I did is because I can shoot both 7MM REM Mag and the Weatherby ammo in it. Fast and flat shooting that offers more than the shorts do.
Glad to see Ron gave a nod to the 6.5 RPM. It really is one heck of a round and one I considered strongly. Ammo has been easier to find for it too. Anymore it’s more like go shopping for ammo, find the gun to shoot it in later. I also believe a big part of why the Creed and the PRC is so popularly sold is because the manufacturers are not giving us many options for new rifles. Go to a gun shop and 75% of everything in the rack is Creed or PRC. This needs to stop. There is plenty of ammo for 308 and 5.56 and 223 and 9mm. Manufacturers, it’s time to broaden production again!!!
Sometimes I think there are computers compiling and analyzing data and automatedly building rifles based on such without any human input whatsoever. If I’m wrong it wouldn’t be the 1st time. But…
The discussion is interesting, but as always in these types of videos, it boils down to opinions, and we all have one.
If I didn't own a "few" rifles, chambered in different cartridges and calibers, and I could only purchase one big game rifle to use for the rest of my life, I would choose the 280AI or 6.8 Western. Another serious contender, since I handload, would be the 35 Whelen (AI or otherwise), because I can download it to 35 Remington levels or even drop down to pistol bullets for small game. A final consideration, if I was hunting everything from peccary to brown bear, a 325 WSM is a round I would be very interested in.
I haven’t hunted anything larger than pigs with the 325. I’ve used only the 180 TSX(I’m working on 180 Ballistic Tips right now. So many powders that I’m trying). All pass throughs. When cleaning them you could see the perfect amount of tissue destruction those TSXs wrought. I know from experience that many others could do the same. But what an impressive round. Too bad it’s an underdog
G'day. I'd say the perfect rifle cartridge is the one in the chamber ready to use.
Thank you again Ron for a very informative video. Picking the 'perfect' rifle and cartridge isn't a simple task. There are a great many factors to consider and it is nice to have someone such as yourself to give insight into the process.
Thanks for another great video Ron!
Id like to see you do a vid on 32 Winchester Special and/or 35 Remington.... old war horses never die!
I love my 30-06 Springfield
For hand loaders the 30 caliber bullets is great and the 30-06 is a great middle road
"We would all hunt any time we wanted, find plenty of game, and have the perfect rifle with which to do it."
That would be a pretty plain existence I think. Variety, challenge, struggle, and even scarcity are the spices of life.
Don't forget the .38-55 Winchester when you're talking about medium straight-wall cartridges.
I’m looking forward to 8.6 Blackout from Q.
Hahaha!
I just can’t reiterate enough about the .280 Remington. It’s so dam sad that it was bastardized from its birth . It’s the perfect balance of efficiency and effectiveness for ANY standard cartridge that’s capable of taking down any North American big game . It’s the one stop , drop and roll you’re own magnificent 7mm bore !
It’s MY GoTo cartridge ! To each his own .. touché !
Thanks Ron...Shoe🇺🇸
Ron, hunters that reload really missed the boat with the 7mm WSM. It’s the perfect cartridge for ethical hunting distances. It can be reloaded with bullets in the 120-160 range and standard reloading data can have you shooting 7mm08/7x57 velocities on up to 3300fps +. It was a Swiss Army knife that no one took advantage for hunting. Target shooters be danged. lol.
I live in Central Montana and drawing elk tags for rifle is hard. Which means I’ve switched to archery elk, but will still hunt mule deer with a rifle and pronghorn occasionally. However, during the winter there is a late season cow hunting opportunity. With those factors in place, as well as the ammo selection at my local sporting goods store, I have to stick my old Savage 99 in .308. It’s not the longest range gun, nor is it the most accurate, but with 165 Superformance SSTs I can hit vitals at 350 yards. I’d love to get something new, but it looks like my trusty old hand-me-down doesn’t need replacing any time soon.
Thanks for the lesson, Ron
There are A LOT of good choices and not many bad choices. Shoot what you like!
I think the 280 rem is best all around with the bullet weight it can be loaded in
You are correct sir....especially if you handload
Thirty aught six, simple, not hard 😀
A favorite topic for any and all rifle hunters. Thank you for making this video and welcoming our opinions. Since this is about our own individual preference I’d pick the 338 Win Mag. I’ve yet to become recoil shy. Even at 52. It truly doesn’t kick harder(perceived recoil) than my 12ga turkey loads. And you have great hunting bullets ranging from 160-250gr. You can go heavier but imo you lose trajectory and good expansion characteristics. But since I don’t own one I’ll pick my A-Bolt 325 WSM and use 180s TSX and Ballistic Tip for everything. If not handloading(Heaven forbid!!) then my 30-06s all the way.
Here in the Northeast where most of my hunting is for deer, typically shooting at 100 yards and sometimes out to 200 yards, I am happy with the .308 and it’s two offspring, the 6.5mm Creedmoor and the 7mm-08.
I would almost think that, under a lot of circumstances, it would make more sense to first choose the platform based on your style of hunting, then decide on cartridge. You might love the idea of a 7RM in a beanfield rifle, but you live in the "eastern whitetail woods" where a hundred yard shot is a long poke. Maybe then you would decide that something with a carbine-length barrel and low-powered scope made more sense and then go through the exercise of deciding what cartridge fits that platform best.
It's really a game of "chicken or the egg". But it's a fun exercise to go through!
Another great discussion Ron! Many people aren't this pragmatic when making purchasing decisions. 👍👍
30 years of 338 win mag elk moose deer odd bear and coyote. Most hunting is done in the bush distance is usually archery range lol
Poor coyotes lmfao!
Lol ya saves a few deer though😁
If I was only to have one gun to do it all, for me and what I hunt the 7mm rem mag is it. Thanks for the video Ron.
Well done, Ron!!
Interesting discussion indeed. My last two deer 🦌 both bucks were taken at 25 and 50 yards respectively. I could have taken at least one of those possibly both since I would be trained on an open sight lever gun. But instead I took my Savage M110 Long Range Hunter in 300 WSM into the woods and set up.
I actually want a lightweight mountain 🏔 rifle with a shorter barrel and is threaded for suppressor work. Since I have a .270 Win and a .300 WSM I wanted something in the middle in a 284 or 7mm or the new 6.8 Western, maybe go under with the 6.5 PRC. My main choices are the 7mm 08, 280 AI and the aforementioned 6.8 Western since it can shoot the longer heavier 160-175 grain bullets.
But from what I have seen on the shelf if I wanted one tomorrow or for this season it would be in .308. I see bunches of it and 223.
I already have 30 cal bullets for reloading too.
I picked up a Ruger American in .308 and .30-06 unloaded and couldn’t really feel the weight difference in a long vs short action rifles. At least while unloaded.
Great series you've started Ron. You know I've thought long and hard for decades on the perfect deer cartridge (if I was limited to just one). But looking back in hindsight I think the answer for many folk (myself included) is the rifle you have and how you acquired it that makes this decision for you. A family heirloom handed down from your father or a a once in a lifetime bargain quality rifle often see more use than any other rifle in the rack. That 'special' factor is often why you read about how the .270 has accounted for so many big critters in the very large game category or that A Bolt Stainless Stalker in 325WSM that was a run out model for half the normal retail price just to move it. Another thing too is which you alluded to and commented on is bullet choice. I'm a Barnes TTSX fan and in say a .270, 30/06 and placed in the right spot will pull up near almost of the game you described. Thank for sharing!
the caliber ".338 Federal" is perfect for hunting, together with the "Wilson Combat TACTICAL HUNTER" you have nothing left to wish for
You talked about ammo shortages. It would be cool to see a bullet evaluation across a range of cartridges and average powder weight, from low to high, given somebody is interested in reloading. Thank you for your videos.
+1
Some good thought there but over here in NZ availability choice is a huge factor. I shoot 22-250 and .243 for the very reasons stated I can always find ammo. 7mm and Creedmore is much harder to find and we all shoot with suppressors.
Great video Ron and as a 280 remington shooter I'm feeling the pain in the ammo department lol but I still have my trusty old 30-06 and again sir thank you as always for the great content.
Very good information Ron .. and thank you
"The jack of all trades may be a master of none, but a jack of all trades is better than a master of one."
30-06 and 308 win are the winners in my opinion. 270win, 243win, and 300 blackout being the wild card round out the top 5 for me.
That’s such a dumb thing to say. Also, you just mentioned 5 cartridges further proving how stupid what you said...
@@davidandre886 Why is it dumb to say being well rounded is better than specialized for specific situations? Also not sure what's wrong with picking out cartridges that fit the bill for the saying?
Perhaps' you're the master of one it refers to and you can't see beyond your limited scope of practice.
I guess I might have misunderstood that he meant that it would be one of the 5 cartridges, not all 5. Any one I know who is a serious gun person doesn’t have one rifle. They have many, so instead of having 5 rifles that are ok, why not have 5 rifles that are great at one thing. For example let’s just say you had 3 rifles. Maybe one in 300 win mag or 300 prc, then one in 6.5 x284 or 6.5 prc and then finally a 243 or something like that. You are way better off at having guns that do the job intended well. I do lots of different types of shooting and have lots of different calibers. Just depends what you are trying to accomplish, pretty obvious to people who have real experience.
@@davidandre886 I'm a very serious gun person but in the grand scheme of things, I don't have many as a whole and majority of them are in the same cartridges or have compatibility with multiple cartridges belonging in my inventory.
It keeps things simply logistically speaking but more importantly you always have a source of ammo even in times like today where some stuff is harder to find than others.
I prefer versatility over specialization in all my rifles because I accept the fact a day may come where rifles or shotguns I use for say home defense may be needed in a hunting application or vice versa. But all of them are applicable in self defense with few drawbacks.
I prefer that to guns that are really only good for "A" or "B" because if "A" and "B" are not practical or doable then there's no point to them. So perhaps it's not so obvious to "people with experience" as I have experience and it doesn't seem to match yours.
I think once you use a firearm for its exact intended purpose, it is a thing of beauty. Sort of seems like your experience hasn’t yielded much refinement. Enjoy your 8 308s...
I'm not sure about the perfect rifle exists, but the perfect receivers in my opinion have to be the, AR15 receiver, the Blaser receiver, and the Thompson Center receiver.
Because you can take the AR receiver and shoot anything from a 22LR to a 50BMG with the correct upper attached in a semi auto or single shot platform.
The Blaser receiver can also shoot all of the common rounds in a very fast push-pull bolt action.
The Thompson Center receiver can use almost every round in between in various lengths and calibers, up to and including 700 Nitro Express, in a single shot action.
Everyone knows the 300 Win in a stainless Tikka T3 with Limbsaver pad, is the ultimate big game set-up. Relatively affordable, weatherproof, lightweight, accurate and usually lots of ammo selection. One step down, same rifle in 7 Rem Mag and one step up, same rifle in 338 Win Mag.... that's if you can find one. There's one in my safe and it's sub MOA! So the 300 Win or WSM in a stainless T3/T3X, is my choice .
The 300wsm in a Sako or Tikka is a hunters dream rifle I know because I am a gun collector and after 60+ years I love taking my light weight wsm out to hunt!
Ron I really appreciate your objectivity on these caliber discussions. Keep up the good work buddy! Myself I am trying to reduce my caliber stables because maintaining supplies for all of them really keeps me from having large supplies of just a few options. Between older military rifles, AR's in assorted calibers, and just several different rifles my caliber pallet it kind of extensive. Looking back I wish I had just stuck with only a few but some are just so interesting.
Tucson native amd longtime Southern AZ hunter here. Ron won my heart by properly and correctly saying Coues deer as "cows" deer, and not the incorrect vernacular "cooz" deer. Dont come to AZ to hunt a desert ghost if you say Cooz deer!
In my family we have been saying "coooz" deer in Arizona since 1846.
@@jacktrout5807 Most folks do. They're just mispronouncing it. Just a pet peeve of mine -.no biggy.
@@24kachina well "cows" deer sounds dumb and confusing. Is it a cow? Is it a deer? Did a deer f
@@jacktrout5807 Jack, I don't doubt your family has been saying "coos" for a long time, but likely not since 1846 because naturalist, ornithologist, and physician Elliot Coues (pronounced Cows, I'm afraid) wasn't born until 1842 and didn't slap title to the little mountain whitetail of the desert SW until after he'd been stationed with the army in AZ in 1865. Nonetheless, most folks say Coos and Elliot isn't alive to get offended so... But Todd is correct, according to the literature on Mr. Coues. BTW, Coues had a SW bird named after himself for a time, the Coues Flycatcher, now known as the Greater Pewee. In addition he identified and named the Grace's warbler after his sister. Interesting stuff, history.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors You are correct about my family arriving in AZ before Elliot Couse was out of diapers. Regardless most everyone I know pronounces it "cooz" and so the gentleman above (Todd) knows this.
In my part of AZ if you say "cows deer" you'll likely get a sideways look and we will automatically know that your from Chomofornia or Tucson.