The perfect cartridge.

[jj2096]

Clickbait title. I know this has likely been discussed before to some extent, but I'm looking for a new rifle set up. I want it to be primarily an elk gun, but something I can take for whitetail as well (I'm fine with it being on the big end for deer). 7mm prc? 308? 300win prc? Any reason not to go with the prc options other than ammo availability?

 

[Macintosh]

Lots of people will define “the perfect cartridge” as the one which creates the wound you want (penetration depth and channel size) at the maximum range you need, with the minimum recoil. If that definition will work for you, then in order to answer the question you need to
provide your maximum needed range and what you are looking for with regard to wound channel, and any particulars such as barrel length, required nontox projectile, wind performance, etc.that would affect the answer.

 

[Deere_Man]

Get a plain old Tikka T3X Stainless in 270 Winchester and mount a Trijicon Huron 3-9X40mm on it. Done.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

6mm CM, 6.5CM, 6.5PRC, 270. Pic one.

Don’t need any bigger.

 

[wesfromky]

Read the .223, 6mm/243, .25, and 6.5 threads. And the switch to smallest caliber threads. And the match bullet threads.

TL;DR - define how far you are going to realistically shoot at critters, then pick the one with the least recoil that maintains 1800ish fps at that range. Use tmk/edlm/edlx/etc. And is legal where you want to hunt. And that you can afford / want to shoot a couple thousands rounds out of a year. And buy a silencer and drop tested scope.

 

[Comerade]

The perfect round is one that you can easily find factory ammunition for.
Secondly, if you handload, one that components are readily available
Third, cartridge cases are reloadable more than 2 or 3 times.
The .270 wcf and 30/06 have not been improved upon, imo

 

[flyfisher117]

My perfect cartridge is the 6.5 CM, it is currently my jack of all trades go to.

It’s a short action.
It gives me a nice balance between barrel life and ballistics.
It’s lethal well past my ethical range.
I can hunt with it this weekend and take it it to a comp next weekend.
The recoil is manageable for spotting shots.
It offers a nice range of bullets, 90gr class for varmints and 140gr class for deer/elk.
Factory ammo is now available nearly anywhere.

 

[Chris in TN]

Fast-twist .257AI?

(Just kidding, if I had to choose right now it would be 6.5CM)

 

[General RE LEE]

My perfect cartridge is the 6.5 CM, it is currently my jack of all trades go to.

It’s a short action.
It gives me a nice balance between barrel life and ballistics.
It’s lethal well past my ethical range.
I can hunt with it this weekend and take it it to a comp next weekend.
The recoil is manageable for spotting shots.
It offers a nice range of bullets, 90gr class for varmints and 140gr class for deer/elk.
Factory ammo is now available nearly anywhere.

Same here. It’s just a well balanced cartridge.

 

[TaperPin]

Depends on what makes you feel good while shooting in the off season and day dreaming about seeing elk hair in the scope. For me, seeing a 338 size hole in the muzzle makes me grin a little every time and never gets old. There are old photos of young me shooting prairie dogs, deer, antelope and elk with it all smiles. While carrying it in the mixed timber, especially in grizzly country, I feel like there’s no better cartridge for what I’m doing. It also just seems fun, like my buddy’s hot rod with a big cam and loping idle. Like every time I pass the old 1985 3/4 ton ford in the driveway with 2006 F350 running gear. Get the cartridge that makes you smile, shoot it within limitations, and it doesn’t matter what it is. Heck, for some people the perfect elk gun is a big revolver and they squeal like a little pig full excitement pulling the trigger at close range.

To be honest, it’s a fluke I ever owned a 338, but by the time I had saved enough money, the 300 wm was sold, so it was either wait two weeks or take the 338 home that day. lol In many ways the 300 is a better elk gun. It’s flatter shooting, bullets retain more velocity down range, easier on the shoulder, ammo is easier to come by, and by sheer numbers is one of the most popular elk guns in the west. There’s nothing wrong on paper about any 300 mag. I have barrels for 300 WSM, 300 SAUM, 300 RUM, and 300 PRC, but if you run into me at a trailhead in Western Wyoming I’ll either have a 7 mag if it’s primarily a deer hunt, or 338 is it’s primarily for elk. I can come up with a good argument for a 300 to replace both those cartridges, and did run a big 300 for a few years before switching back, but each just feels right for what they are used for. I’ve even given up a 338 and just used a 7 mag for everything, but I keep being drawn back to having both. It’s a sad day when we’re forced to only have one elk gun.

 

[Maverick1]

Clickbait titles get clickbait replies. Perfect rifle? Go with a 50BMG. Or a .458 Win. Mag. Or .416 Rigby. Make sure you hold your eye really close to the scope.

 

[MuleyFever]

7 Backcountry. Reloading components will be out soon I hear.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The .243 Winchester or 6mm CM with a 1:8” twist barrel are my “easy button modern” answers.

The .257 Roberts or 7x57 are my “classic, but I want to be different” answers.

A .25-06 with a 1:8” twist is my “best standard length action cartridge.” To me, it is a slightly better version of the classic .270 Winchester with 130-grain bullets.

The 6.5mm CM is the “I’m uncomfortable telling people I use a 6mm CM” option.

The 7mm08 is the “I’m uncomfortable telling people I use a 6.5mm CM” option.

The .270 and .30-06 are “the two old options who have been racing each other forever and will never be wrong, but are probably more rifle than cringingly modern 21st century men can handle.”

The .308 is the “unsexy, boringly reliable option that will always be in the .30-06’s shadow and will never get the love it deserves.”

The 6.5 PRC is the “modern .270 that should make everyone realize you don’t need anything this powerful unless you are shooting past 500 yards.”

Anything bigger than that is compensating for something.

 

[alexnelon]

My only hunting rifle is a .30-06 I got before I knew RS existed but if the current me was choosing a rifle I'd get the 8 twist Tikka .243, load 109 eldm's to 2750 fps and be done.

 

[bnewt3]

Ill offer the criteria I considered for my last hunting rifle.

Im a Correcty and I had never had a LH gun so I wanted that.

I wanted it to be light, not ridiculous light, but not 8lbs without a scope either.

I wanted a cartridge I can find on the shelf anywhere I go and at or near the bottom of price so I can afford to shoot as much as I want.

I didnt want it to be too much cartridge to shoot comfortably but plenty for up to elk, but mostly whitetail. Im also not a good enough shooter to be taking 800 or 1000yd shots at game so something good to 400yds is plenty for me.

I wasnt going to pay over $1000 for it.

Known, proven quality.

So i ended up with a Tikka T3x Superlite in 308.

Looking back, I should have just gotten a Lite instead of the SL. It saves like .1 or .2lbs.

I put on a Limbsaver recoil pad because the factory one feels fine in the store but is pretty pitiful in use.

Apologies for digressing into rifle which you didnt ask.

I considered many cartridges: 270, 280AI, 6.5CM, 300WM, .30-06, etc. 308 does everything I need it to do.

One thing I believe in my core. The vast majority of people shoot better with less recoil. 300 PRC or WM might very well knock your socks off. Especially in a light mountain rifle without a brake or suppressor.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Using anything smaller than a 243 is just a stunt.

Using anything larger than a 243 is just over compensating IMO.


So I'd say 30-338AI weatherby mag would be about perfect.

 

[solarshooter]

22lr

just kidding (sort of)

If we're going easy button off the shelf, 25-284 Shehane Improved +P

OK now I'm really done kidding.

6CM or 6.5CM.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

30-06

 

[turbo406]

My one to rule them all is a 6 arc or a 6 creed but having both the arc always gets the nod over the creed.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Fast-twist .257AI?

(Just kidding, if I had to choose right now it would be 6.5CM)

You shut your face when you speak about our Lord and savior, Mr Ackley!

The 257AI was his favorite cartridge!

On a serious note the 257AI is high on my list as is the 260AI.

All that said, if I had to pick one, I’d probably go 308 for how diverse you can load it because as a hand loader I can really refine a specific load as I see fit. Have a whitetail load and an elk load or make it one and the same!

Can’t do that with the 270 bullet selection!….. yeah I said it.