I can’t believe you left the 270 off of elk. I have never lost an elk with a 270. But I have also made sure I could make the shot. I like shooting under 350 yards and I know shooting closer improves my odds of making an ethical kill. I have had multiple one shot kills. I like to shoot 140 grain or 150 grain bullets for elk and I think using their heavier bullets is essential. I echo Jack O’Conner and would say that the 270 is an adequate cartridge for elk. I have successfully use the 7mm REM mag and would concur with your using this caliber as a premiere choice for hunting elk. I give this cartridge a lot of love and give it my top elk pick. I do think you under estimate the 270. I really enjoy your content and would love to meet you some day. Keep up the good work.
.308 for elk, all the way out to 500, all day everyday. 30-06 as well. I refuse to jump on these new cals. They don’t do anything new. Everyone thinks 6.5 creed moor or prc is the shit, a 7mm-08 does the same with better availability. Shame people don’t recognize the 7mm-08.
One day you will say you want a round powerful enough, fast enough, light enough recoil with outstanding reliability as availability.....you will want someone to build that round....and you will call it 30-06.
Until you realize that bullet construction and shot placement on animals over 400 lbs is so critical that you want more flexibility. Then you'll arrive at the 338 win mag so you don't have to wound anything else.
@@papajohnsy6659 bullet construction and shot placement are critical on any game animal! You could shoot a red tail deer with a 200 grain FMJ out of a 300 win mag and watch it run over a mile away from you into a thicket to be lost for ever if you hit it in the gut....hit any elk or moose with a properly constructed 180 grain or heavier 30 caliber bullet in the boiler room within it's designed velocity window and you will fill the freezer. Honestly I think the same can truly be said for a wide range of cartridges (i.e. 7mm mag, 270 win, etc)....the reason I suggested the 30-06 of course is because it's more versatile than just about anything else out there...100grain -220 grain, enough case capacity to cover your velocity windows, shorter and lighter action than the magnum cartridges and recoil can be managed be even smaller stature shooters. And yes....a lot of people will say the same about the other cartridges....at the end of the day. Go with what will work for you and hunt ethical. :-)
.243 Win for me personally. A central nervous system shot will kill anything in North America, any decent shot will kill most, ammo’s plentiful, it’s downright pleasant to shoot, it can be loaded light enough for small game, it shoots flat, is pretty good in wind, and is VERY inherently accurate. I live in the Appalachians, so more than 300-400 yards isn’t a concern for me. I’d want something better for long range if I were out west.
I really think you know what your taking about when picking a specific round for each game category. I would choose 30-06 for everything because I do not want to purchase all those rifles, the different reloading dies, specific powders, projectiles and cleaning equipment to use the perfect weapon for every animal I might hunt. Sheezus.!
Yep, historically has been loaded from 110gr to 240gr. Has 2000ftlb a 300yds (with hotter loads in 180gr) for those quartering elk shots. More than enough for deer. Rifle is light. Ammo is everywhere. Barrel life is solid too. Hard to go wrong!
A lot easier to suggest all these new whizbang-super-ultra calibers. When pateron and the like are buying them all.. or companies x, y, and z are all sending you scopes and the like for free. (Just make sure it's a nice review)
Yep. The 7mm is where it is at. Anything the 6.5, .277, or .30 cal can do, the 7mm can do better. And I mean that. Even on dangerous game like grizzly, I'll take a 175 gr Partition or Aframe in a 7mm Rem Mag over anything you can put in a .30-06 or .300 Win. You have to get over 200 gr in .308 cal to beat the sectional density of the 175 gr .284. WDM Bell killed hundreds of elephants with a 7x57 and 173 gr ball ammo. A 175 gr 7mm has more than enough penetration to kill anything on this planet if placed right.
I'll be honest man, I've hunted with lots of calibers and it's hard to beat how effective a .308 win is even out to 300, 350, 400 yards with the right bullet. Elk at the proper distance even. After than I'm going 7 mag, .300 win or 300 prc for large elk and moose if needed.
@@sassysilver4451 for sure! People have used 30-30 for over a century ethically. some of the most renowned moose/elk hunters in the world use the .308win.
@@WallyMerc06 308 is no different than an 06 for the most part, just can be used in an AR. I agree. 180gr round nose in 308, 06, or 270 have killed more deer and bear in PA than anything. Guys still use them here to shoot elk as well. It just sucks we have to be drawn out of a lottery to get an elk. The elk herd is doing amazingly well. If you get a chance, go to elk state park visitors center early in the morning after frost (October) and you can hear them bugle and watch them. It's awesome.
I'm a 300WSM guy myself... but I think in the Moose and Elk and bear categories I would add 338 Winchester Magnum to your list as a super viable option.
I like the 300wsm and the 338 win mag, but in my book 300 RUM LA or 30-378 weatherby would be some great choices, but be prepared for the mule kick of your life, but that’s apples to oranges when you have a round that you absolutely love and can trust it will take down the game
I just carry a golf bag with a selection of rifles in a good cross selection of calibers. That way I can have the ideal combination in any situation. 😁 My caddy hates me.
Back in the days when I couldn’t imagine myself shelling out for a second big game rifle I picked the .30-06. Because it’ll do anything from pronghorn to brown bear. Not necessarily ideal for either, but she’ll do the job, and - at least in normal times - ammo’s plentiful.
Tried and true....during unnormal times I see WAY more of it than the Fad calibers mentioned here....20 years from now you'll still be able to find 30-06....and not have an obsolete rifle. You made a great choice.
The 30-06 Springfield was the cartridge used in the M1 Garand, "The best battle implement ever devised.” According to General George S Patton. I have seen it drop a bear where it stood, on the other end, I have seen it make a red squirrel implode, leaving nothing but a bloody stump of a spine, half a rear leg, and half a tail. If you're shooting shorter range, this cartridge is a no brainer. It is perfect for deer and like the coveted 7.62x54R, it will be around forever!!! Is this a good squirrel cartidge, hell no. Is it the best bear cartridge, not quite. But for me IT'S JUST RIGHT!!!
Well said. I think you hit on something that people don't think about enough. Does it really have to be "the best" at whatever? Is the difference in performance between cartridge "x" and cartridge "y" worth the price of a second complete setup of rifle, optic, etc? Why are so many people fixated on "top 5" lists and so forth? If it does the job safely and reliably, can't that ever be enough?
For every thing you mentioned in this video, I'm going to have to choose the most versatile and capable caliber there is and with today's modern rifles and ammunition it just keeps getting better. And that's the 30-06!
@@darrengarcia4937 You mis-spelled 300 PRC. It is just such a sexy round. I like to load them up in Nickel Plated brass with the longest bullets I can find and seat them so far out they could never even fit in my magazine let alone my rifle chamber. Then I buff them to a super high shine and kinda just leave them out around hunting camp to make everyone jealous and ashamed of their 30-06 and 300 win mag rounds. buwahahaha.
Hahahhaha 300 weatherby took care of that in 1944 if you shoot 30-06 your stuck in your wayd which is fine but dont say it is as versitile as you claim as to many others out shoot it now a days
"You can never go wrong with the 7mm Mag." I concur. My favorite all around big game cartridge. Better ballistics than the 06 without noticeably more recoil. If I needed more than the 7mm Rem Mag, no .30 cal would make the cut. I would go straight to .338 or even .375. And that would only be for stuff that bites back. I've hunted deer, elk, black bear, and antelope in Montana my entire life with .308 Win and 7mm Rem Mag. My grandpa, dad, and his brothers all used .30-06. My brother tried to one up my 7mm Rem Mag with a .300 Win, but eventually had to admit none of the animals seemed to notice the difference as much as his shoulder did. I think the sweet spot for a one rifle North American battery is probably in the .280 AI/7mm Rem Mag/.30-06 range. Most adults can handle these recoil levels from a sporter weight rifle, and when properly loaded they all carry the ass downrange to anchor any non-dangerous game species out to a quarter mile or more, which is about as far as most can shoot without specialized gear and dedication to developing that skill set.
Has a reputation a a destroyer of meat. And 7mm Mag was the fanboy round of the 1980’s. Just like the 6.5 Creedmore. And .243 Winchester is more than adequate for caribou
@@shawnmiller4781 Choose better bullets. I am more a fan of the heavy, high SD bullets. I've had good luck with 162 gr SST, 160 gr Accubond, and 175 gr Partition. I've actually seen the 175 gr Partition penetrate lengthwise through an elk. Still a lot of fanboys of the 7mm Rem Mag. It is still one of the top ten most popular rifle cartridges in the US.
@@shawnmiller4781 And? There is still more of them in use than most anything else. Die and ammunition sales confirm this. Backfire has a good video on it. Keep your .243 if that is what you want. It doesn't make the 7mm Rem Mag any less useful or popular.
Yeah, the correct answer is usually the heaviest rifle you are willing to carry and the most recoil you can handle and be accurate. For years it was a 9.5lb rifle in 7RM. I kinda like my 7.5lb rifle in 30-06 these days though.
Anyone that attempts to bag on the 7mm rem mag clearly is misdirected. I mean you wouldn't want to use it for grizzly bear hunting or similar craziness that you simply need a small cannon for, but that's about it
Great video! The 280AI is my favorite by far. After I saw what can do on elk I'm sold. The 30-06 is a close second, but I'm thinking I might step it up to the 300wsm. Just a little more horse power IMO.
Yep. 7mm-08 140gr hits harder than the 308 w 150gr past 150yds. It beats the 30-06 at 250yds and beyond. With 162 gr it's a charm for larger than deer animals.
If I could only have one rifle, the 30-06 wins hands down. You can do 99.9% of what needs to be done with a 30-06 or 7mm Rem Mag. The massive bullet selection will cover you from mice to moose. If you could have only one rifle, either of these two gets the nod. You just can’t go wrong with these two.
I appreciate the thoughtful summary. I can only afford 2 rifles and hunt from coyotes to elk. Also because of injury have difficulty with recoil, so I have gone with 243 and 308
With all the debate. I cant be drawn away from the 3006. For game over 50lbs. It covers them all. With proper bullet selection...it will match the performance of the spread. And since coyote is the hot topic this time of year. Many prefer the 22 250. If the ranges are beyond 300 yds. The 243 is my pick. There are guys taking coyote at much closer ranges with .22 lr. A reduced loaded 3006 with 125gr barnes makes the same whole as the 243. With only the change of the powder and projectile, the 3006 is king. For anything beyond 1200.....338. Obviously the 3006's big brother!
7 Rem!!! I love the 7mm Remington Magnum, it is my “hunt North American rifle” and have had wonderful memories made with it hunting in Alaska. Taken caribou with 6.5 CM quite a few times, my wife has as well and it does just fine 👌🏼
My Best Cartridge for Every Big Game Animal is ....30/06. With the proper bullet the 30/06 will work great for every scenario you mentioned. Also thank you so much for telling people about your experience with the 6.5 PRC. I agree it is not ideal for big game.
It’s interesting a few cartridges show up a lot but never get selected, like the 06 or 270. Good for everything, but maybe not “the best” for anything. He certainly likes the 6.5 PRC though ;)
@@reaganriddle 270 better for antelope deer size game. 30-06 more powerful shooting 180-220 grain bullets are much better for larger animals like elk moose ect. Just depends on what your hunting. People like the 06 cause it's good at hunting ranges for everything on the continent.
@@reaganriddle Really? 270 with Hornady 145 ELD- X when sighted at 200 yards drops 37.6 inches at 500 yards.... where a 30/06 with 150 grain SST drops 38.4 at 500. I don't think 3/4" at 500 yards is that huge of improvement. I chose those two bullets because they both come from the same Manufacture and are very close in weight.
I have used the 30-06 for 40 years and use the Nosler 180 grain partition for everything. Deer, elk, musk ox, bison, etc. I eat them and don't display them. Most of the cartridges people talk about blood shot meat and explode bones. Can't think I have ever shot an animal more than once with the load. I switched to the .308 10 years ago only because It's lighter and I'm 73. Same results with one shot kill and little meat damage.
I appreciate your views but they appear extremely biased. The 308 and 30-06 are 2 of the very best hunt everything rounds out. They are also affordable ammunition. If someone has the money to spend 4 to 8 dollars per round then great. For your average hunter who hunts for meat not trophy those are far out of reach. A 308 or 06 will work perfectly and at range. I'm just an average guy with normal means. I can't afford the exotic rounds and high end calibers. How about a comparison with working class affordable ammo?
I love all the price level reviews, the cartridge reviews, scope reviews, etc... I'm wondering if you could hook us up with a best setup (rifle, scope, caliber) for different price levels... $1000, $2000, and $3500? Target species would be "big game"... from antelope through whitetail, mulies, and the top end being elk. I think most guys don't have the disposable income to have an endless supply of rifles (in different calibers) and scopes. But, I think most guys could save up one time to get the right set up. As a newbie to rifle hunting this sort of video would be super helpful. I also know you're big on suppressors, so, feel free to fit that in if need be. I also recognize there are so many variables (treestand hunting v. backcountry, personal preference, etc...) but, I think a lot of people value your insight.
Also if you get a suppressor for a .308 will it also work on a .280 AI, provided both are threaded 5/8 x 24? Thanks. The cannel is great. You and like 3 others are really good.
@@timnichols3582 Yes, most suppressors that are .308 will do just fine for smaller stuff. Most first time buyers will just get a .308 can rated for stuff like the 300 RUM so they can use it on anything smaller like 7 mag, 6.5 prc, etc. Performance of sound suppression probably wont be as good as a dedicated 7mm can, but its so close you probably wont even notice a difference. I have used a .45 cal can on a .223 before and its still pretty decent.
Finally someone brave enough to admit that 6.5 of almost any flavor is not a true elk cartridge. Sure it can be used but for a dedicated elk gun you want more punch
Well, I would argue if you cannot kill it with a 6.5Cm or other 6.5mm options, then you probably shouldn't be shooting at all. I have killed a number of elk with the 6.5CM and my 26 Nosler. They die within 30 feet of where they were hit. These shots are taken within 350 yards and most under 200. To me, the proper shot, with the weapon and ammo you have trained with does to the trick regardless of caliber.
@@mcman007 seems like this 🤡 was just try to hate on the 6.5 caliber. Out of all this info Backfire put out, that’s what this 🤡 gathered. I own multiple calibers, and the 6.5 CM is my favorite. Everything that I’ve hit dropped immediately.
Native people around here: -black bear 243 -moose 243 -caribou 243 - anything else? Yeah, 243 My Grand father back then: Hein? What? I dont ear you but 30-30 everything! Me: it depends... black bear 7.62x39 or 6.5 Grendel or 308 or 30-06, moose 7.62x39 or 6.5 Grendel or 308 or 30-06.
I would hate to see the 7mm08 killed by the 6.5 creed when the 7mm08 Is a superior hunting calibre in all aspects to 300-400m. This is based on numbers not just my opinion
Why not use the most accurate and powerful long range round for everything? Or use the most cost effective round that is capable of killing the largest animal on your list at long range. If it can kill the biggest game on your list, it'll kill the smallest one, right? That way you dont need to be managing multiple different rifles with multiple different calibers.
I know it wasn't an option for comparison in this group of cartridges, but considering the real life conditions you shot under and the actual outcomes, I think the 308 Winchester would have been completely effective, if not ideal here... even out to 400 yards. Cheers!
7mm08. Great round not even shown once. One of the best multiple game cartriges. Not necesarily the best but definately in the running in multiple categories.
Some idiot labeled it a round for women and kids, and it lost steam. It’s easily one of the best, most effecting, and pleasant shooting rounds available.
Up here in Quebec Canada, people love 7mm for the balistic but it is excellent for nothing, dont even know why people buy that caliber ( balistic fantacy maybe) here 99% of the big game hunt is moose, deer and bear. Here my conclusion. Most of the hunter i know will one day or had hunt for moose and deer. We all have backup rifle when we hunt, just in case... so i dont want to have deer and moose rifle, with both back-up. Best all-around to be most ethical for those 3 is 308, 30-06 and 300wm. The only reason why they sell us other caliber is that, each time a new caliber arrive, people thinks is a better hunting tools because of better balistic. So they sell a lot, at the end of the day, custumer will be looser because ammunitions manufacturer will not produce all of the ammo or at what price? We should stop that insanity... 3 years ago we shot a moose with a 270 wssm at 200 yards, after 2 hours we found the moose alive shot in the lungs, it take another 3 shots with the 270 wssm to kill the moose. To this day the guy still have a 270 wssm for sale, nobody want it. Amazing balistic rifle, poor hunting tools. 270 or 7mm don't kill moose has efficient compare to .300 caliber and its a lots of velocity just for a deer so what is the point of this caliber here in Quebec plus 90% of shot here are close in woods, so that is why i call it BALISTIC FANTACY!!! Those youtuber does not help because they dream about balistics but in real life ethical shooter dont shoot over 400 yards so what is the point ? Target shooting ? there is almost no long range shooting range in Québec. 308, 30-06, 300 wm , best caliber for hunter in québec !!!
My best deer - taken with the 7-08 - dressed out just shy of 200 pounds. DRT. With a modern bullet it will kill anything east of the Mississippi. For out west I'd want more, but this is an easterner's dream gun.
I’m glad to see you are keeping the .30-06 in your selections. It may be old and in some people’s minds out dated, but it still does the job just fine within it’s reasonable use and range. I have a .30-06 in a Savage 110 Ultralight (which I hate the stock, but the new one is on the way and I’ve figured out how to smooth out the bolt) and a Remington 742 Woodsmaster that is my grandpa’s, which he bought new in the 60s. They both have polar opposite uses; 110 UL for backpacking hunts and the 742 for tight quarter hunting, but the old tried and true .30-06 sure puts a smile on my face and meat in the freezer every year. Keep up the great work on these videos! I surely enjoy every one of them!
@@JohnDoe-zg6fn yeah absolutely! I know it lost to the 300 WSM by about 200 FPS, but it still performs great - it isn’t a magnum cartridge, but for 90% of hunters, it is more than adequate. There’s a reason it is still around today. The 300 WSM is a great cartridge; especially if a person is hunting suppressed and would like a short compact gun. They both have their uses and aren’t going anywhere.
This guy prefers the .308 over the 30-06. That tells you all you need to know about his knowledge and experience. The 30-06 has higher velocity and shoots flatter than a .308. And he has a prejudice against long action versus the newer milk bottle cartridges. Long action vs short action has very little consequences for gunners and in my opinion La cartridges feed better. He obviously has never shot a 25-06 because its nowhere on his radar but it is a fantastic cartridge .It's much overlooked but gaining popularity especially using some of the new higher bc bullets with faster twist rifle barrels.
@@RichardSmith-ps7qc i still wouldnt choose a 30-06. I can load a 160gr .30 cal into a .300 WM and then load it with 220gr and still be putting out far higher velocity. Its a better all around cartridge. If you already have the gun of course use it. But i wont buy a new 30-06 or .308
my buddy and I have had a thing for 10 years now. He has a 7mm and I got a 30-06. He's hit and lost 1 deer 2 elk. I haven't lost one. His is flashy and shiny but mine is a work horse. I trust the 30-06 cal over any gun. It's not the best at any one thing, but it is great at everything it needs to be. The real kicker is 2 years ago, he bought a 30-06 and has been using that more and more. Only hunting rifle I own Is my 06 and I don't believe I'll ever use another. if it ain't broke am I right.
@@DaveL9170 7mm-08 is great for recoil sensitive or new shooters. To say it can do ANYTHING in North America is a little misleading. Sure it will put down a moose or brown bear with perfect shot placement, but it's definitely under powered for those task.
I feel the same way about the 338 federal. Absolutely flattens deer and same for moose in my experience. Short action, decent bullet selection, easy to reload, theres no downside!
7mm08 all the way. To those that say it can’t do everything, I say prove it. I’ve taken moose, bear, pronghorn, elk, and tons of whitetales. It dumps em all. To those who say your shot placement has to be perfect with 7mm08, I say great shot placement is necessary with any caliber. The next biggest reason that hunters wound animals is that they are using inferior bullets. Bullet construction is extremely important with big game. My 7mm08 pushes a 140gr Nosler Accubond at 2900fps. That’s only about 300fps under the 7mm Rem Mag, but with less than half the recoil. Don’t forget, Magnum recoil causes bad shooting. Good bullets and good shot placement is the name of the game. The rest is all hype and marketing.
@@DaveL9170 There's a reason most guides require 300 win mag minimum for Brown Bear. Nobody and I mean nobody wants to track a wounded bear into thick alders where you have a high chance of getting mauled. Use a cartridge that has enough energy to thump those bears where they stand. Its ok to have more than one gun for different purposes. The point I was making is yeah it CAN kill anything in North America but there are better options for the largest game. No hate on the 7mm-08 here, I love it for mule deer on down.
In New Zealand a 7mm 08 or 270win is pretty perfect for our soft skinned deer. 7mm08 allows shorter barrel for getting through our thick scrub and ya mrs can take the shot without destroying her shoulder!!
Lets talk Elk. Honestly, how many average Joe's watching this U tube video will ever get to hunt more than once or twice 350 plus Bull Elk. Reality is 85% of us public land Elk hunters never see any Elk much above rag horn status. Elk are lost often on public land hunts because Elk shot opportunities are usually at Elk that have been kicked up by other hunters. The shot opportunity is 3-5 seconds, usually on the move, with the Elk's adrenaline pumping. This is most often the opportunity we public land hunters get. For this reason, I Love my Sako .338 Win Mag. I like horse power and cubic inches in my #1 Elk gun. 😁
I was shocked it wasn’t on the list for elk and moose. My dad loved his 338 win mag for elk. It hits hard and when we are discussing how tough elk are, I think this has to be on the elk dream team.
@@ronlowney4700 I completely agree with what you have said. Personally, I do not use a 338 as it’s too much gun for my needs. I use a 7mm rem mag and it suits my needs for the game I hunt in Alberta. I’ll be honest I could definitely gun down a little for deer, as that’s the majority of what I hunt. But I wanted a 1 size fits all and the rem mag works. I definitely agree the 270 does the job as well, but I think you have to have a certain degree of skill to be successful with that rifle on elk and moose. I’m good at target shooting but my shot placement on game could use improvement. Specifically in the heat of the moment. I get my game but when I’m analyzing my shot after the fact I see room for improvement. So, in conclusion, I agree with what you have said Ron but I don’t think I’m quite good enough to hunt that way yet.
The only one I disagree with much is caribou. I have a fair amount of experience with them, living in Alaska. I have taken seven of them since 2012. Both sexes, ranges from 40 yards to 260+- in central to northern Alaska herds. Yep, longer shots can happen, I have not had to deal with them with a little patience and using the terrain. Largest ones were maybe a 350 pound bulls. And I've hunted southern Africa four times. I mention that because I'd put a caribou in the black wildebeest category of things. Honestly black wildebeest are tougher, but the weight and distance are comparable. I used a 30-06 for 3 of them, and a 7mm-08 for 3 others, friends have used 300 win mag and 308s with the same effectiveness. So, if you want to play it safer for trajectory a 7 mag or 300 win mag, but that Weatherby is way overkill.
Nice to hear a warning about the 6.5 caliber. I agree with the versatility of the 7mm. But I think that the .338 federal would be an excellent choice for black bear, hogs and the like. Surprised you didn't mention the .338 WM for elk.
338 Winn mag can do it all. Bring on the idiots who think it’s to much power. It has a wide range of bullet weights and use a good partition bullet and it wont blow anything up. My opinion.
Maybe part of your dilemma is bullet selection, not the caliber? I’ve shot multiple elk with a 270 win and none have gone very far, either they pile up or run for 20-50 yards and go down. Barnes or Berger bullets is what I use. Barnes are pretty nasty bullets by the way.
I agree and so much flatter shooting than a 30/06 all the .30 cal bandwagon guys should open a reloading manual up something and look at ballistic coefficient's, grain weights, velocities, etc.
This old Wyoming guy has taken well over 100 antelope, dozens of mule deer and a few dozen elk (never drew a moose tag, and would never shoot a bear) with my old Savage 110 L in 270, with a cheap 4X Tasco scope. Bought in '61. Savage, as they were the ONLY one out there with left handed bolt actions.....and the triple bolt lugs that beat the snot out of W 70. Only ONCE did it take more than one shot to drop an animal, but I never shot at one that was moving. My bony old (83) shoulder can't take it anymore....so the 243 is my new go to. This "best for each animal" stuff is........ok. But few of us can afford it.
I'm a lever action guy, but I can be flexible for an old fart. The Henry long ranger in 308 is excellent for dear and other's. But for African game in Texas or American Bison I like my Winchester 50-110. But it has a lot of kick to it, I usually have my son and I look for my shoulder in the next county. ( Lol ). My hand load's are from 5,500 to 6,440 ftlbs of energy. I do use shoulder shield's and that really help's. Loved the video and I'm going to save it, because I'm so confused just like Sleepy Joe. Have a great night my 2A friend!
How the hell are you getting that much energy out of a 50-110 cartridge? I've never shot that round but the highest muzzle energy I've seen for that is 3300.
I love my 308 for elk. My experience here in colorado people shoot elk and don't go look for blood. They just assume they didn't fall so they missed. Or they shoot at noises instead of waiting for the good shot.
@@kodyshapka9696 It's really sad. We have point restrictions here as well so there's a good amount of elk not legal. But they don't care. I'd of taken alot more elk in my life if I had that mind from but ill pass if it dont feel right.
Shoot a real gun for elk and you don't have to look for blood, the elk will be laying there. 308 is sub-par for elk and one of the many rounds that cause many elk to be wounded and never found.
@@sakostwwy1903 been hunting with My 308 since 2004 its killed everything I've shot with it. I've watched deer run miles after getting hit with a 300 win mag. Your "opinion " is a joke at best.
Thanks for the comment. It’s reassuring since I just bought my first rifle (@49 years old) and I went with the .308 - I hope I made the right decision. It seemed to be the right cartridge to go with.
@@christopherrobin361 it’s a bolt. I’m in Canada and high power semi’s are limited selection and hard to get a old of. Crazy government just did a complete ban on handguns also - just a few days ago. I love shotguns too - so versatile. I’m thinking of the beretta 1301 in the longest barrel they have 24 inch. Trying to get a cross between the fun of tactical but having the backstop of being able to hunt too. Any suggestions there - what do you have?
@@alexpearson8481 A few people like the Beretta 1301 and the Mossberg 930, but there's always a (possible) cycle issue so you may want to check them out if you can. I prefer Mossberg pumps, 12 gauge, so there is that. Obviously the shell is depending on what game you are hunting. Slugs are good for deer as well as 00 buck, but all the shotguns I own are smooth bore---they can take sabots but rifled slugs work easier a bit even with strong recoil. I would take my 590 with a stock/pistol grip over my Shockwave---the latter is good for defense, not so much for hunting. Plus my 590 as a longer barrel. A long barrel shotgun is which you should go with---more distance in practice.
@@alexpearson8481 What bolt action do you have? I was curious about a Ruger Scout (also chambered 308) this year and still may get one down the road. I was torn between 30-06 and 308, but wanted to get a semi-auto rifle. I don't have a Saiga or Vepr (people are still selling them here, but very pricey) but I think I love my Serbian m77. Dig it. It handles 308/7.62x51 with ease. But I'll find a "used by new(er) Vepr some day. But I don't have a bolt-action currently and if you like it, I'll check into it some day.
I think you go to heavy when it comes to the animals your hunting and the caliber your using. 7mm rem mag red stag? Maybe at 600 to a thousand metres? All your achieving is destruction of what your trying to eat. Elk.. what about a neck shot with 270? Or even heart shot.. my thoughts anyway
@@backfire fair enough. I guess you have to go where your confidence is. I use 270 on red deer. Shoot them through the shoulder. Longest shot on red deer with 270 was 300 metres. Haven’t had one get away yet.. I’m in New Zealand
@@jrnbakken4348 if that’s the case then taking the recoil velocity of a 300 win mag and reducing it by 30% would be the equivalent of a 7mm-08, and a 30.06 less 30% would be just above a 30.30 in recoil velocity.
Yes. Properly designs are reducing recoil 30-50%. There are videos on the tube that cover it. Try muzzle brake search first, and you will find can styles in the search.
Part of the reason for the Swedes hunting successfully for such a long time with the 6.5x55mm cartridge is ….. Their government requires hunters to pass a shooting/accuracy test with the rifle and cartridge of their choice . Before being allowed to hunt . That is one of the reasons these police forces across the country decided to change back to the 9mm . They are required to pass the shooting exam for the required firearm that they intend to use .
@@Jake-mm1cz Agreed, many people here in the states are pretty much incompetent with their rifles, and rely entirely on the killing power of the cartridge they are firing. Too many older gen x folks who lie about military service out there in the woods with a rifle they only fired 3 shots from, and no idea what they are doing.
I received a savage 30/06 from my parents after completing hunter/gun safety at age 13 (I'm 50 now) its still by go to for everything. My ole man was a sniper in Vietnam he taught all about ballistics calculation. I've taken everything from coyote with ap rounds to Maine moose with that rifle .
Maine moose are big bastards. 1000-1500lb monsters with a propensity for violently protecting their young. Scary up close, beautiful at a distance. Decent meat. Never got a permit for one myself, but seen a few on deer hunts. One at no more than 25 feet away, barely saw him taking a nap in thick brush as I walked by. Had myself a good heart attack as he stood up, but we just let him look us over then he just turned around and walked off. 30/06 is very popular up here. .308 has become a lot more popular recently though.
30-06 with a 168 grain monolithic bullet doing 2800ft/s will take anything from squirrel to Eland within ethical hunting distances. Shot placement, energy downrange, bullet weight and ESPECIALLY bullet construction will ensure you bag the venison. Wind drift and bullet deflection only really comes into play at shots pass 350 yards. 30-06 for the win here.
It's 400 yards to the edge of the woods where my deer stand is. I realize that while I don't have to shoot that far...on occasion it's the best option. With a 30-06 I'm not as sure about tsx/ttsx expansion as another bullet selection. I'd love to go all copper/mono, but I have seen enough test results to know I would need more speed at that range to get great expansion and a quick kill on perhaps a less than perfect shot. Inside of 300? Yes, you are correct. This fall I will probably have a ttsx in the chamber and I can eject it quickly if a must-shoot buck is grazing broadside near the end of the field for a faster expanding second cartridge.
Really enjoyed this video. Probably disappointed some 6.5 shooters but it’s important to know limitations. We hear about all these amazing long distance shots but never hear about so many animals never recovered due to poor shots and poor choice of cartridges. Thanks
@@jason91notch Yeah i hear it all the time from shooters that have these wild claims about the 6.5 Creed, I'm not impressed. I'm building a custom .308 Win
Done all these critters with a 7mm-08rem..... My boss took mine to Africa for his wife no issues. Btw a 140 gr bullet on everything is not only fur friendly but an effective quick kill
My wife’s first kill was a bison 100 yards with a 7mm08Rem and 140 grain TTSX hand loads, the next year she got her first Alaskan moose with same rifle, same loads. The 7mm08Rem is a very efficient cartridge.
You don't need all of these Gucci calibers that are hard to find and expensive. The humble 30-06 Springfield or 270 Winchester will kill everything on the continent and you only have to memorize 1 trajectory with your rifle and chosen load. This is especially important due to the Gunpocholypse and Ammogeddon issues that we have been dealing with. Standard rounds always get the win.
@@corporalpunish6089 yeah I get that argument. But I have sold off all of my wildcat non standard stuff to simply my ammunition stockpile. Especially when ammunition is so difficult to find over the past couple of years. Everything is so much simpler and easier with standard calibers and there are a lot of standard caliber rifles available on the market because fools are switching to newer calibers based on performance. However they can't get ammo for their new best rifle. It's the same argument for 40s&w and 357sig and 30 super carry. Don't get sidetracked by the latest and greatest marketing campaigns.
@@celmer6 oh yeah, I get it. I have been pretty much exclusively been buying firearms by ammo availability. Went with my .308 this past season because it was even fairly difficult to find 30 06. Cant remember the last time I saw 30 30. That used to be like leaves on a tree and $12/box. I was just funning with the comment.
@@corporalpunish6089 I went a different route. I built a MK12 ModH using carbon fiber upper receiver and lower receiver with carbon fiber M-lok free float handgaurd and Faxon 16" pencil barrel and red dot sight to make a AR-15 under 5 lbs and my girlfriend claimed it. So I don't have to justify buying more magazines and ammo. Even if she objects to it? Who cares? She can be easily replaced.
@@corporalpunish6089 30-30 is a perfect example. It has been around since 1894 and the last time I saw 30-30 Winchester ammo a couple of weeks ago was $60 for 20 rounds! That is rediculous for sure. Just think of all of the rifles produced from 1894 until now that the owners can't afford to feed and keep running.
Excellent video sir. The caliber choices was great. It's hard to beat the older proven calibers 308, 30-06, 6.5 PRC, 7mm mag, 300 mag. I have all these calibers I listed and in my world the heck with the rest. I will not buy the new calibers due to it could be a trap phasing out the old stuff and then stopping production on the new ammo then no one has ammo. I could be thinking upside down or strange but I try to think ahead keeping guns I can get ammo for in hard times. I did get the 6.5PRC because I can reload for it and I have a lot of brass and bullets for it. Thanks for the hard work putting together the videos.
Everyone has a favorite cartridge for any game. But this presentation makes a lot of sense to me. The only point I disagree with is for elk. Elk as stated are tough and you want everything in your favor. I like the added bullet weight and energy of the .338 Win Mag. This round flattens elk.
most of the successful Elk kills in Montana are with bow & arrow. If you ever hunted in the Rocky Mountains with 10 lbs. rifle and scope -- you might consider trading the .338 Win Mag. The most popular rifles on the USED gun rack are .300 Win Mag and larger, generally in Mint condition. That should tell you something.
@@Clambelly while I never hunted in Montana for elk, I did it twice in Colorado. I think carrying a 300 Win Mag or 338 Win Mag is easier there than Pennsylvania. Yes a lighter rifle is best at home far in the back country. But a 300 Win Mag or 338 WM is only slightly heavier than a 30-06 280 or 270.
@@recki78 I am medium build 5'7". Those bigger guns are not my thing. But if you can handle it power be with you bro ! Truth, I fired my friend's .338 at the bench -- I was like dude, that is not for me !
@@Clambelly - you feel the recoil more when shooting from a bench, and honestly being large is not as much help as you might think. I live in NW Montana and among the people who are hard core native elk hunters the .270, 30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, and bows like you said are very common. The ones packing .300 or .338 magnums are often people who come here for outfitted hunts. I think if you shoot at the chest of an elk and it's butt and stomach or some small trees are in the way a .338 will give you a better chance, otherwise I don't think you will see much if any difference in effectiveness.
for elk my favorite, and im biased because it's my favorite big cartridge in general, is definitely the 300 norma. Ever since I discovered it when SOCOM adopted the roound to replace the 300 WM and the 338 lapua, I've been hooked 210gr patrioto valley arms Cayuga solid with h1000 going 3150 FPS out of a 28in barrel is lights out. I believe you said 1500 ft lbs or more is what you want for elk and I know according to my ballistic chart it drops below that somewhere around 1500 yards. I'm an ELR shooter so I'm a softy for the 300 NM
The problem with a lot of these cartridges is availability. Your not going to find most of these at the general store in some remote outpost. Let’s say you tipped your canoe over and lost your ammo (I did once) you only have two days off to go hunting and your 300 miles out into the bush. There is a small town of 8 people 30 miles away that has a general store but unfortunately they only have 30-06, .308, 270, 30-30, and .223. Now your hunting trip is ruined. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with using one of these less common calibers, loosing or using all your ammo is very unlikely. It’s just something to keep on mind when choosing a rifle. I don’t follow my own advice as I like to hunt with a .300 win mag with hand loaded rounds🤣 so it’s just something to think about.
Interesting take on 6.5 calibre. I've taken moose, elk, whitetail, mule deer, and black bear with my 6.5x55 Swede. The only bullet I use is Barnes, the 120 TTSX, and 130 TSX, virtually every shot was through and through. I think blame for any failures is squarely on the soft, cup and core bullets you were using, not the calibre.
Most people want to shoot these target bullets at animals. Bullet selection is more important than cartridge selection and for hunting there is no better and more reliable bullet than the Barnes TTSX.
I'll take my .30-06 all day any day, any weather to take anything in North America. Bullet construction and shot placement are critical on any hunt. IT Cannot be emphasized enough that every hunter needs more trigger time, and learn how to adjust to changing weather conditions and that you won't be shooting from a bench rest at 70*F on a sunny day at the Zero that your rifle is dialed in for. 99% of the hunters I talk to say that they take shots under 200 yards.
Amen to that. I love shooting on the crappiest weather days as possible within reason. My dad would always take us to the range on really windy days and bad weather days as well and as a kid I never understood why and dreaded the weather, but now I am thankful he did that. The weather here in Eastern MT can be very unforgiving and to be successful, you have to be able to adapt.
100% in agreement, gentlemen. The '06 is still widely respected here in the UK and I have used my old Sako 75 to take everything from muntjac to moose throughout the European continent. A 165 TSX or Interbond at over 2900 for stags, boar and elk or a 130 TTSX at 3200-ish for roe and fallow using Viht and Ramshot propellants respectively, seem to keep the old war horse in the fight! Across the pond, we tend to use the spot and stalk method, such that 250 metres is the maximum practicable distance I would personally entertain, leaning against a tree or standing with sticks. I also shoot competitive F-Class, so am conversant with wind doping and elevation, but ethically, would not exceed my abilities in the field. In summary, it all comes down to trigger time and familiarity with your rifle. I don't hold with the "golf club" approach, frankly, despite the fact that I do have another 7 rifles to play with! Respect from these shores.
I am a traditionalist. Really there is no need to look beyond .25-06, .270, 7mm-08, 7mm Rem Mag, .30-06 for almost all N. American game, most African sans dangerous game. I would even suggest 6.5x55mm Swede as another great all-around hunting cartridge. Ridiculous marketing trends suggest using long-range paper target cartridges [Cringe Moor] or short stubby [failure to chamber] rounds that are no substitute for REAL PROVEN CARTRIDGES [RPC not PRC]. Throw out the magnum recoil excess barrel length, weight and muzzle blast 'cause if you know how to shoot, and hunt that extra 50 yards of zero is not going to help.
I was a bit of a gun junkie for years and have most of the calibers from .17 to .338 chambered in one or more rifles. It’s always fun figuring out the one optimal cartridge for the game you’re hunting. These days I’m older and have broken it down like this… Coyote- .17/.204/.223 Hunting club- 26-06/7-08 Paid hunt- 7mm rem with 160 Accubonds and my .300wm with 180 Accubonds. With these 2 I’ve made 1 shot kills on game from antelope to elk, from 50 to 450 yards. If I’m paying todays rates for a hunt and your dream animal only gives you a few seconds and at a less than perfect angle, these 2 will reliably hit vitals through bone and thick muscle. Especially if you’re hunting mulies or elk in the mountains. Another thing many people forget about is ammo availability. The 6.5 whiz bangs, Weatherby’s and PRC’s are wonderful and I have more of these than I need. But I’ve been on more than one hunt where a hunter forgot his ammo, got it separated and lost in flight or shot up way more than he figured zeroing in at camp because the scope was off. Finding ammo is hard enough these days without needing specialized ammo. I haven’t been out west this year, but always in the past you can usually go in any hardware or grocery store in Montana and come up with 270, 30-06, 7mm rem and 300wm.
Don't forget gas stations. I grew up in Big Sky Country, and you could always find .30-30, .22LR, .30-06 and maybe 7mm Rem Mag in most quick stop stores. I really miss Montana.
The 7MM Rem Mag shooting 160 Nosler Partitions or Accubonds as an all around choice. For deer and antelope I would choose a 280 Remington shooting 140 Accubonds. A rifle for just for bull elk would be a 300 Win Mag shooting 180 Nosler Partitions or Accubonds. EDIT: I forgot sheep. The 270 Winchester shooting 130 Nosler Partitions since Jack O’Connor said so.
I feel like everybody just hates on the 243 but I've shot and killed deer that have ran just as far as my grandfather shot them with his 30-06 its just a personal preference when it comes down to it and the biggest animal I have to hunt where I live is a whitetail so there's really no need to use a bigger caliber.
I live in Canada in Grizzly Country....it's not the calibre you need for the game you're hunting, it's the caibre you need to protect you from what's hunting you! .30'06...but I use 300 wm
.308 and 30-30 and 22-250. Never had a problem with any round from coyote to bear. I live out in Idaho. Wild west wolves, lion, sheep, bear, mule and whitetail, elk. If you know the environment and what will take it down. All you need is to know your Kentucky windage
My choices are simple: 22-250...priaire dogs, coyotes 25-06....coyotes, mule deer .300 win mag...mule deer, elk Of critical importance is bullet selection, which I find many hunters sadly lacking in knowledge.
270 win, 7mm rem mag, 30 - 06, 22 - 250 rem, 243 win, 308 win are the best calibers ever made.. just my opinion, the rest of these calibers are subordinate to these, but I'm an American apple pie guy.
