Most Popular Rifle Cartridges on the Market 

I love how all these new rounds are so awesome, but loads from 100 years ago are still pretty practical.

More than 100 years and the old 30-06 is still kicking, something to consider.

I'd absolutely love to get a 6.5 PRC as my next rifle. But, I'll go with a .308 simply because I can actually get ammo for it.

Fantastic that you show results from more then one pole, multiple perspectives are great and not something many other channels do very well done sir 👏

Good to see my favorite round is still popular! Got to love 30-06!

.308 and 233/.556 is the whole isle of ammo at most the stores around me

Funny fact…if you get on numerous state hunting websites, especially Alaska…they recommend only the most seasoned shooters bring anything more than a 30-06. They highly recommend the 30-06 for all North American game including elk and moose. It’s said that the 30-06 has the most recoil the avg shooter can shoot accurately. Now if you start having a brick of a rifle built, or add a muzzle break that could change that of course. Although, then you have the blast from the muzzle breaks some people can’t take. Which leads to poor shooting. Now days with most scopes having some sort of ballistic turret, a laser beam isn’t really necessary. Even a 30-06 zeroed at appx 238yds can shoot anything 0-275ish yard with no hold overs etc.

I was surprised to see .270 didn’t make the list at all, anywhere

7-08 Remington has been my go to deer rifle for the past 5 years. Love it! Glad it has remained out of the public's eye

I would like to see top 10 cartridges that have the highest sales per state. See how it varies from eastern states, to mid west, south, west, south west, etc.

I can't belive the growth of this channel (well, actually can because of the great content). Been here since 10K subs.

Been doing a lot of research before I buy my first rifle. The .270 seems to be what I’m leaning towards.

With all of the information that you presented, I feel you are right on in our area of central Maine. Great video, thank you.

I love 3006 ,it seemed to hold the middle position consistently

Wonderful data that you posted. Thank you.

I was looking at getting 6.5prc, but worried about how new it is. Glad to see it featured so much, hopefully means it will still be around in the future

I’m just happy to see the .22-250 making a come back into the modern day

My favorite hunting cartridge didn’t make the list, the 270Win. But, some of my other faves made it. I was a hold out for the 6.5cm. I really didn’t want to like it, but have to admit that for my long range shooting, I am a fan. I bought a rem 700 varmint, put it in an mdt chassis with a Vortex scope, leupd base, and I am hooked.

I heard someone ask a guy at the bar "whats the best beer you ever had, guy says simple its the one in my hand". All I can say is when I go to the store, (Cabelas, Walmart, Academy, Bass Pro etc), I consistently see 308 and 270 ammo. That pretty much sums it up. If I were to be in a mood to buy a rifle it would unquestionably be in 308.

Picked up a Tikka CTR in 6.5 creed, with the Hornady 143gr ELD-X that thing is a freaking tack driver. Not disappointed in the slightest. I think my next bolt gun will be a T3X lite stainless in 300 winmag, for when taking shots on bigger game is a bit further out than what I feel comfortable using the 6.5 at.

Excellent summary. The best sleeper round and my favorite deer round is the 7mm-08. It shoots flat with minimal recoil..

The old tried and true 30-06 is still hanging tough! That's God's caliber... 👍

Glad to see the tried and true 243W made it on the final list, but I honestly am surprised that the 300 Norma Magnum didn't make the "custom rifle builders" list.

Currently having 3 rifles made. One long range 7mag, a sporter 30-06, and a sporter 6.5-284 Norma. The 7 mag has a bat action, 30-06 is Borden Timberline, and 6.5-284 is a trued/sleeved bolt rem 700 LA.

I just bought two new bolts. I got a 16.25" barrelled .308 that will be my first suppressed rifle and a .375 Ruger that will be my bear or bigger game, ie moose etc. rifle. I have reviewed 6.5 creedmore and 6.5 PRC and I like some of their points, but don't really need them. My 7mm Rem Mag is my goto long range hunter, I have a 6.5 grendel AR that handles shorter mid range deer and varmints and the 308 is being set up as a do all. I've got loads with 110 gr. shorties that can be used for lighter game, subsonics with 190 gr. for suppressed silent close deer hunting and 200 gr. long range, that work on Elk size up to 450 yards. Light and easy to carry is the main goal with the .308.

Good job Jim

great digging of info, thank you!

I have been shooting a 10lb BSA 30.06 for 47 years , old age & crock right eye , I got three left hand TikkaT3X RIFLES .223 , .243 & 30.06 .i had heard the Tikka T3X boots like a mule & SHOULDN'T buy one because of recoil but it's mild same as my BSA .30.06.THE ONLY 30.06 . I have owned that booted like a mule was a BLR 30.06 ,I DON'T HAVE A MAN BUN BUT I AM 68 / last Friday I shot my first red stag on the run @125 yards left handed , one shot one dead stag, still got it left or right handed ,

I think 6.5 has a really great balance between power and recoil.

It would have been good to have seen a list from reloading equipment and component companies.

Just ordered my 6th 308 last week. Almost went for a 6mm creedmoor but didn't want to start loading for another cartridge. 243 would have been my next choice. Think if I were to get into another cartridge it would be the 6 ARC. In a bolt.

I really hope to see 300prc more and more. Federal and Berger are supposed to have factory ammo coming to compete with Hornady. Really enjoy shooting that cartridge. I love my 6.5 creedmoor, 300 win mag and 308. Ammo for those seem to be no issue really to find

Thanks Jim 👍❤️

Great video, the information is outstanding!!!!

Great data mine. Thank you!

What’s amazing is the 7mm PRC didn’t show up on any of the lists. Another cool fact was how the 6.5 PRC showed up on every single list and was #4 overall. That’s pretty amazing for a relatively new round.

I own and relationship ad for 3 on that list. By the way, keep the videos coming, they’re awesome!

My 28 Nosler rifle is a first team member of my collection, along with its big bore magnum brethren. It is the perfect balance for the round, making it a joy to shoot, and a laser firing my handloads. It's one that I will always shoot and probably never sell.

The fact that 300 Win Mag, 30 06 and 7 mm Rem Mag are on all the lists,,, LOL... the classics for the win... 308 and 243 also...

Interesting and informative as usual sir. My 30 06 is still my go to, yes I'm an old guy lol. It wouldn't be my selection to go grizzly hunting, but I'll take it for moose and pack 220 grain in a spare clip just in case. If I wanted to shoot paper or vermin I would buy a 22-250, or maybe. 223.

I have my favorites. I like shooting 6.5 CM because it shoots very much like .308 out to 3-400 yards but it just so smooth and the recoil is so tame. I love my .308’s because the round is just so good all around for hunting out to 400 yards, has so many offerings from bolt actions to military styled rifles and any shop that has any ammo will have .308. I shoot a lot of 5.56 because I have AR’s and a Mini and is so cheap to shoot. I just got into .300 AAC because it is great in carbines and has a bullet viable for hunting deer and pigs and you can reuse your AR lowers and Mags. It is also a bit more precise than 7.62x39. Lastly 7.62x39 due to my interest in the Russian guns. And it is still cheap to shoot.

Love the video .. different in my area seems like all u can find for new rifles in the store are all 6.5 cm or 6.5 prc or 300 prc . I see maybe 1 300 wm and 1 7 mag in the store

6.5 prc is definitely the new cool kid and well deserving of it, it’s brand new but there is so much to like, it’s a bit of a barrel burner if loading light and fast but is a superb cartridge.

Im shooting the 6 arc as a new cartridge but Creedmoor and 556 are the ones that I have a lot of ammo for as well as reloading surplus. I would say that 300 black out and 300 win mag is the most money sent on ammo resupply for this year.

Good article!

Thanks for another great video. I know RU-vid keeps kicking around gun content channels I hope you can keep putting out content, I enjoy what your doing.

This is one of your best videos. I suspect the 300 PRC would be taking off like the 6.5 PRC if the ammo and reloading components were available. I have a 300 Win Mag and it is my best shooting rifle, but I would gladly buy a 300 PRC if the components were there to reload. The 6.5 PRC is a great cartridge. In fact, I bought one even though I could not get all that I needed and just have to buy things when available. I had to get on a waiting list for brass even though I could buy in bulk, but I don't want that much brass. I reload because factory ammo just does not get the accuracy you can get when you reload. The guns that are cheaper to shoot often end up on a higher scale along with the availability of ammo. We know there are a lot of good guns out there but it's really hard to rate them. You just need the right tool for the right job. Again, nice video it is one of your best.

7-08 needs more love. It just barely noses over 6.5CM in ballistics at shorter ranges. But nearly identical bullet drops with fantastic BC.

I would say 308 is low on the sales list because it's been around for so long and being off a mil spec round (7.62x51) most people have already stocked up.

Another awesome video good job

Stunned and amazed that the 30-30 and .270 Winchesters didn't make any lists. Just a few years ago, they were in the top five and had been for decades. I would really like to hear somebody explain that.

6.8 western might take off due to availability of the 6.8 bullet now that the military just signed the contract for 6.8x51. If 6.8 ever had a chance to take off, nows the time.

300 PRC is high on my wish list and will get one soon as I can. Can't wait to get a ladder going for it and see what I can do to stretch its legs to extended ranges.

I really wanted to get a Savage 110 Ultralight in 6.5 PRC, but who knows when brass or ammo will be available. I ended up reviewing the ballistic calculations and bought a good old .270 win. It's sooo close to the 6.5 PRC ballistically. I think I can deal with a little bit longer throw on the bolt. Really surprised that the .270 wasn't in the top 9 for any of the criterion.

Great content, I love all the data

My two newest cartridges are the 6.5x257 Roberts Ackley Improved Rimmed and a 309 JDJ. Both of them in Encores.

I just picked up a stainless BLR in 6.5creed yesterday. Ammo in my area is spotty as it sells so fast.

Awesome information. Wonder how the 7 PRC is gonna influence this list in the next 2 years. I see it really changing the list drastically.

308 owners such as myself, stocked up on ammo a few years ago. There is a ton of 308 ammo now but it's way expensive. That is the reason 308 sales are down.👍

Haha that's awesome. I still call it the "man bun" cartridge and probably always will, however I have shot one and I honestly can't say I didn't fall in love with it. Definitely will probably end up owning one before my ticker stops ticking 🤙🏻

I acquired a 6.5prc , early in its debut Christianson ridgeline … saying that i’ve been fortunate enough to own several custom built 6.5x284 rifles . And i gotta say , that off the shelf 6.5prc hangs in every way shooting factory 147gr match hornady ammo , with my 5k build rifles.. moral of the story , Hornady did their homework on the development of the 6.5 PRC ….

Killed my elk this year with my new Weatherby in 6.5 PRC. Very pleased with it

Most popular cartridge of the past 116 years is the 30-06. Still the best all round cartridge for everything in Africa excluding the Big 5 even though it's killed everything Africa has to offer. Edit On the farm we had 3 choices in rifles when we hunted. 22LR, 243 Win and 30-06. The 243 Win killed a lot of animals but the 30-06 was my go to rifle. I have killed a lot of game with it and it has never let me down. I own a lot more rifles now but the 30-06 is still the rifle I grab whenever I go hunting. My June 2022 hunt includes springbuck, gemsbuck, warthog and eland. The only rifle I considered was the 30-06. I like my 300WM, 6.5CM etc. but they are safe queens when it comes to hunting. All the new kids on the block will always be measured against the 30-06 but in my (biased) opinion they will always fall short. My wooden stock Sako 30-06 has not let me down in 30 years of hunting African antelope and I doubt that it will start failing me just because there are new calibers. If there is anything that a 30-06 running 165gr Nosler Accubonds at around 2850fps wont kill, I have not encountered it yet.

Love my 300prc in Christensen arms MPR!

I wonder if ammo sales are skewed simply because it’s so damn hard to find much of anything in certain calibers, and/or because hunting seasons are still months away?

if you ever get around to it, could you review a glass bedded M1A Scout Squad used to tag an Elk... if Elk is a bit out of your reach, Deer then. Please cover preferred ammo weight, etc. (lead free) right ? lol

Nice review!

My favorites in order which I reload for are 7 SAUM, 6.5 PRC, 7x57 Mauser, 300 PRC, 308 WIN, 257 Roberts, 6 Creed, 223 REM, 9.3X62, 8 Mauser, and my next will be a custom in 280 AI 🔥 can’t wait

What about that 6.5-300 weatherby in the titanium weatherby for that sheep hunt? The optic is the hardest choice for that. I think there’s a March 3-20 at like 22 oz. You could just stick with a Leupold mark 3 as well to save more weight.

I bought one Browning BAR(classic 1970s Belgium made) in 270 win in mint condition.for $900 CAD, put vortax 4x16 viper, and limbsaver. Getting best group Under 2.5 inch group at 200 yard using 150 grain noslar LRAB. Recoil like little more then 6.5 cm as it is semi auto. Bought many boxes of 150.grain Noslar LRAB and 130 grain NP .So it may be my go to gun this season for Whitetail to Moose and Elk. My only second hand rifle i ever bought, only semi auto in hunting caliber but in 2 months and almost 300 shot various bullets from.140 interlock, 150 RN , 130 ttsx, 130 NP, 150ABLR, , i start loving it most. My longest ever shot was 340 yard for mule deer using 140 Grain ABLR 6.5 cm . And I prefer to hunt under 300 yard , max 400 yard . Though I have many gun in diff caliber but I love one I can shoot 3-4 box in day trip.to range and can take quick second shot if needed.

You do a great job at covering .........!

I was surprised the .270 Win. was no where to be seen .

interesting results based on what I see around my neck of the woods. Almost no rifles in 6.5PRC and zero ammo for them. 6.5 Creed rifles abound, with no ammo to feed them. Loads of 223/556 and 308 ammo, but no rifles to buy chambered in them.

I bought a bergara hmr pro in .308 because that’s the only factory ammo that I was seeing on the selves in my area. I own other rifles in 25-06,257wby,270 wsm and 280 rem. It gets old not being able to find factory ammo for them and when you do the prices are insane. I have been eye balling the 6.5 prc but I am waiting to see how it catches on and if factory ammo is on the selves. I also own a 6.5 creedmoor and while it’s fun to shoot and very accurate l’m just not comfortable with hunting with it anymore.

I'm most happy with the 6.8 western.

28 Nosler with a good brake on it and it’s a pup. I really think the only reason the PRC and Creedmore are so popular is because they seam to be the only thing you can buy. Went into a major sporting goods store the other day. They had a Creedmore section, PRC section, and then everything else. I would say 45% were Creedmores, 30% PRC, 25% everything else.

I'm not surprised that 6.5 Needmore is that high and also that 300WM is that I love my WM I just didn't know it was that popular

Side question, Jim: does the 6.8 Western make your cut for elk? Thank you for your content. Love it!

Time to do an update on this list.

In bolt action Between 223, 6.5 cm, 270 win , 30-06 , 7mm rem mag, and 9.3x62 - under 400 yard 6.5 cm is best for everything. Reloading 120 gn ttsx to 150 grain ABLR . Sometime feel.to keep all aside and get 280 AI as 1 do all.rifle under 400 yard.

Acording to your list based on ammo sales 6.5 Creedmoor is the number 1 center fire cartridge in 2022. Why am I am not surprised. I hand load.

The reason 308 is down in ammo sales, so many 308 users from the past have switched to 6.5 Creedmore, pushing that up and 308 down.

The other most popular calibers you will find ammo and rifles for nearly everywhere are .270 Win, .350 Legend, 7mm-08 Rem, .22-250 Rem, .270 WSM, .300 WSM, .30-30 Win, 25-06 Rem, .17 HMR, .22WMR, .45-70 Gov. Smaller country gun stores, off the beaten path will have most of the calibers you mention, but these are the others on the shelf more often than not.

7mm08 is a wonderful cartridge

6.5 CM showed up on a lot of your charts, and towards the top too.

The 6.5 Creedmoor ammo sales surprised me because I can never find it on the shelf here in Oregon.

That is very interesting. Especially if you consider the age of all of those cartridges.

My wife just got me a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle for Christmas and I absolutely love it, I'm hooked on 6.5 now I can see what all the buzz is about, 6.5 Creedmoor wins it all

EXCELLENT VIDEO! Fascinating. You had me laughing with your hippy cartridge designation. Also, only mildly surprised that the .30-06 is still as strong as it is. Shows the influence of the world wars.

I just added a 6.5 PRC to my collection. Local country gun shop keeps ammo in stock and shoots flatter than a laser beam!

I just got a new 6.5 PRC and am planning on reloading my own

Explanation for low ammo sales for .308. I own a .308. I bought large quantities of ammo previously. I can afford to wait until the price normalizes.

As more people start using the 6.8 Western it will move way up. By far one of the most accurate calibers I have ever shot.

When I had my 6.5 prc I couldn’t find ammo for it so I traded it off, now I see ammo every where. I just picked up a 243 and no one had ammo for it, did score a couple of boxes.

1:08 Just realized you could do a great Dennis Miller impersonation ... speaking of SNL

Good list, it seems not that i was not aware of the popularity of my chosen rifle /ammo..... i have two rimfire rifles both 22lr .......i have 3 centerfire rifles .223, .243, .6.5cm i have nine rifles all up and more than half are on the list the other four r three shotties and an .177 air rifle. Never thought id b a populist. Next rifle either 7prc or 300prc not sure yet...... would like one day to have all prc offerings 6.5prc, 7prc and 300prc all in a hunting /target configurations.

I’m never really looking for a specific cartridge or weapon, I just window shop until something catches my eye. Most of the time I leave with a bit of ammunition or other small purchase, on occasion I leave with multiple new firearms on a whim.

If I were to go custom, 284 win or 7LRM or a 330 Dakota. These of course are for different purposes.

a few surprises for my 'head guess' but most make sense due to usage patterns

Interesting. I would have thought 30-30 Winchester would have been there somewhere. It's taken more deer in North America than any other cartridge according to most sources. I've always had a 30-30 in my collection.