Unfortunately not everyone can build huge stables of hunting rifles. Thus, the 30-06 is by and far the ubiquitous deer cartridge for a myriad of reasons. North Woods guys like it because they have big bodied deer that even with proper shot placement seem to absorb energy. They also like it because they can take it after bear or moose with the same loads. It works down south great as well where brush is thick and we don’t want deer to run far. If recoil is too much drop to 165 or even 150gr, especially for deer those are perfect in the ‘06 for deer. It’s still in the top 3-5 calibers taken to Alaska. As to the potential for a new 25 cal. For a little over 2 years now Hornady has offered their ELDx in .25 @ 110gr. Very curious projectile considering that no current factory chambered rifle has a fast enough twist rate to properly stabilize that heavy and long. I’ve long suspected that Hornady has a 257 PRC in the works.
Been using the old .270Win since 1965 down here in New Zealand. I'm 77 y/o now and my Carl Gustaf .270 is still my favourite by far. Thanks for a great show.
Long action calibers are pointless for any reason . It is not 1965 we do not have to play with calibers that never added up in the first place and still use a magnum action to even work them without any benefits of an actual magnum . Not for me.
Those 1970's carl gustaf rifles are a gem of a rifle. Accurate, well proportioned, and with excellent hunting triggers from factory. You have an heirloom grade piece there!
Because most hunters are fudds, not an insult, that's just true. I'd wager that most replies came from people over the age of 45 (with a possible exception of the 6.5 Creedmoor and the .350 legend) The newer cartridges do the jobs of older cartridges better while also allowing better selection of projectile styles and often more efficiently. The only benefit of more "established" cartridges is that USUALLY the ammo is more available. Notice that I said "usually". I can't find .30-06, .270, or 7mm-08. But I CAN find 6.5 Creedmoor, all of the PRC cartridges, and most of the Nosler cartridges. Literally no one I know below the age of 50 owns a .270 or .30-06, the only reason I have one is because it inherited it from my grandfather and I'll never use it because I can't get replacement parts for it and it's already damaged (not seriously, and nothing that would cause a safety issue, but I'm not eager to make it any worse either) it's a mantelpiece now. Older cartridges will still stick around for a long time because they are already "established" ("entrenched" would be a better word) but newer cartridges do everything they can do better. Most of it isn't marketing hype, these new cartridges are actually better than the older designs, so much so that rifle manufacturers have had to move away from SAAMI specs for old cartridges to make them competitive (Browning offering X-Bolts in faster twist rates for legacy cartridges) our modern cartridge choices are designed specifically for newer long, sleek, high BC bullets, BUT they can still shoot older bullet designs just as well as the older cartridges. Older cartridge designs don't have that compatibility built in without building a custom rifle.
@@Kross8761 You know what's better than a newly celebrated cartridge that you can find at your local store, and the average age of whatever fudds you're referencing? Making a firearm you already have, chambered in an "entrenched" cartridge more accurate. Free float the barrel. Change the stock. Get a trigger job or replacement trigger. Use better brass, and build custom handloads. Expensive? Not nearly as much as buying a whole new factory platform in a newly celebrated cartridge which provides nearly no guarantee you'll have better accuracy than the thing you already have. There's a dozen factors related to performance of "fudd cartridges", none of them cartridge-related, that can contribute to better accuracy and performance and none of them solved by changing the whole platform to a new caliber/cartridge. Need proof? There's muzzle loader people getting sub-MOA at long range on a regular basis, none of it having anything to do with cartridges. People are always looking to name excuses to spend heaps of money to bypass working on themselves, on their platform improvements, to validate the fact they just want whatever the market is cranking out lately.
@@Kross8761 You know what's better than a newly celebrated cartridge that you can find at your local store, and the average age of whatever fuddoes you're referencing? Making a firearm you already have, chambered in an "entrenched" cartridge more accurate. Free float the barrel. Change the stock. Get a trigger upgrade. Use better brass, and build custom handloads. Expensive? Not nearly as much as buying a whole new factory platform in a newly celebrated cartridge which provides nearly no guarantee you'll have better accuracy than the thing you already have. There's a dozen factors related to performance of "fuddy cartridges", none of them cartridge-related, that can contribute to better accuracy and performance and none of them solved by changing the whole platform to a new caliber and cartridge. Need proof? There's muzzle loader people getting sub-MOA at long range on a regular basis, none of it having anything to do with cartridges. People are always looking to name excuses to spend heaps of money to bypass working on themselves, on their platform improvements, to validate the fact they just want whatever the market is cranking out lately. Low drag projectiles is the result of radar-based R&D at manufacturers, and it requires fast-twist. Also propellants have improved. Otherwise, all other ballistic factors were figured out a century ago. One cannot forget, all cartridges were "new" at some point, you're just observing whatever is new to you, as nothing is inherently that new. Appreciate the history of how everything got here, and what are the best designs from over 100 years ago, and why they haven't gone anywhere. Finally, learn animal anatomy (talk to taxidermists and butchers), learn what it takes to get a swift clean ethical kill on game, it's mostly not what the industry has entrenched everyone to think it is. Caliber means little. Cartridge means little. If you can deliver a projectile to the right spot at a chosen range, the rest isn't really all that hard.
As a Northwest Piedmont NC hunter, most shots are inside 150 yards, with the majority of those at 80 yards or less. The areas I hunt are in heavily wooded areas with some areas also having an open field. It is my experience that this is the norm in many areas up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Therefore, flat shooting long range cartridges aren't as important here as they are in states with a wide open topography. The exception being long open areas underneath power lines, and the Eastern NC corn & soybean fields which sometimes can be several hundred yard wide. Therefore the standard cartridges (30/30, 243, 308, 270, 30-06) work just fine. You have a fantastic channel and I enjoy each and every presentation!!
In Canada the 303 British still has a historic hold on big game hunting. It’s not flashy but it’s a reliable deer killer. Lots old sporterized Lee enfield are still in the hands of deer hunters of the north
My '43 No 4 Mk 1 is the most requested gun for visitors to shoot. Love the sights but the battle/base aperture zeroes at ~ 300 yd. No prob, as raising the ladder and setting it to 100 puts it right in the bull there. I use a slip on pad to gain LOP and hope to mod a mag follower to limit capacity to 3 or 4 rounds.
For my then young son, I bypassed the 243 and went with a 6.5x55 Swedish. Light recoiling and yet with enough sectional density in the 140 gr to make sure it makes an exit wound. The 6.5 Creedmore is similar and a little faster as factory loaded but wasn't available then. The Swede never failed to get the job done.
I seriously was considering getting one until I realized that x55 SE is different than x55 Swedish and ya can't really tell if the ammo you're buying is for the older pressure chamberings or not because both seem to say '6.5x55 swedish' on the boxes of ammo, so I let it be. It's a darling lil' cartridge from everything else I've seen.
@@zebrobson2639 If used in a modern (non miltary) rifle, there is no concern. If you have an old milsuplus rifle, stick to mild 6.5x55 loads. I have a Model 70 Fwt. No problem with any factory loadings.
@zebrobson2639 Those are the same. "SE" is just the abbreviation for Swedish. It's the 6.5X55 "Scan" that is loaded to higher pressure. You usually have to look for load data from European sources to find that. But if you have a modern manufactured firearm you don't have to worry. It will easily handle the higher, modern pressure. The lower pressure rounds were for the old, original rifles. Find a Tikka, Sauer, Sako or some limited run Rugers and load with Scan data and you will have a great All Rounder.
@@zebrobson2639I’ve got a 6.5 Swedish Carl gustav made. It was sporterized wth a new stock, and made so you can mount normal stops to it on top of the action, and had a new barrel added to it. I can’t remember the name, but I was told it had a really good barrel. The action is the old, apparently the best ones Carl gustav. Best steel and stuff. Apparently . What I was told. My dad haad old rounds when I was a kid that had a round nose. Nowadays I buy ammmo I iust always buy the stuff that says x55 Swedish. It’s pointy. So I noticed it looked different. Should I not be using this? I assumed where it said Swedish it was good? Can someone update me? Can I use modern 6.5x55 Swedish rounds? I was always told the guys used to hand load them and make them quite quite hot! And that it was the best steel, Carl gustav. Are these older guns made for new rounds?
I've been a 30.06 man since my youth. My grandfather gifted my father a Remington 721 upon marrying my mother in 48. I've hunted with it all my life. Plenty accurate! Never attempted any shot past 300yrds because there wasn't any need for it! Never needed any fixing other than regular cleaning after use. I've kept because it seemed a shame to put away a perfectly good tool for another just because of the shine. Me and the grandsons still hunt with it now.
I’m a traditionalist. Walnut stock 308 and 30-06 rifles just seem like classic deer hunting rifles to me. And 308 and 30-06 ammo have greater versatility, selection, availability, and affordability than most of these other calibers. Anyway, that’s why for a “deer rifle,” I went with a Bergara B14 Timber in 308.
Ueah man, Im in the Pacific Northwest.30-06 has been used in my family for deer and elk for at least 100 years. I now have my Grandfathers as my pop is in his late 70's and passed it on.
7mm Mauser I've experience with and its great. 7-08 is nearly a duplicate given you hand load the mauser. So for deer 7-08 for the win. Big .270 fan, used it a lot. Muzzle blast can be bothersome for some. 6.5 is solid. 243/6mm can be great on deer but use the right bullet. Partitions are superior in it. Great article here. The great thing about deer hunting is deer are reasonably easy to take given reasonable shot placement with a decent bullet. This allows the forever argument regarding best cartridge because many work well. It also allows the hunter to go with what they enjoy and that's a great thing.
We owe a lot to the 30-06. The 270 is a necked down 30-06, so is the 25-06. The 280 AI is an Ackley Improved 280 Remington, which is a necked down and stretched out 30-06. I favor the 280 AI due to superior bullet availability in the 7mm (0.284") caliber. The 270 is right there behind it; hindered mostly by bullet availability in 0.277". Maybe the new 6.8 Western will revive bullet Manufacturers to step up options in 0.277".
western not received even mediocre support from industry in 3 years big hope. I think a great option for variety of uses but requires reloading gear, factory ammo and a much bigger varied rifle options. my opinion. Take a 280AI and add a 6 creed that covers so much for a hunter unless specialised requirements. factory ammo options for 6.8 western not being supplied by the ones that so many want.
With the XM7 being chambered in a 0.277" round, 6.8×51 (277 Fury), renewed interest in the caliber seems inevitable. Nearly every US service rifle cartridge going back to the 45-70 has become a popular civilian round, the exception being the short lived 30-03 (the 30-40 Krag is waning in popularity now, but was big in its time).
My dad bought both his boys (me and my brother) Remington 700's in .243 with 4x scopes in the 60's . He said these bullets are crazy fast and the rifle won't kick much. He was a smart man.
As a PA woods deer hunter, its always been 30/30, 308, 270, 30-06, 243. Thats mainly all i ever seen and known guys to use. Any ammo store always has those in large amounts. They work extremely well. 25-06 is up there, maybe some 7 rem mag in farmlands. Flat shooting stuff. But most dont shoot over 100-150 yrds here if not hunting ag fields. So none of the fancy stuff is needed. That said i hunt with mostly unconventional stuff lol 28 nos, 300 wsm for ag fields. 458 win for woods. 6mm rem or 257 bob for light duty
@@ShopHumor my late father only ever carried one firearm.. his Winchester model 70 chambered in 30-06 Springfield! He'd grumble every time I purchased another firearm.. he definitely didn't agree with having multiple firearms for deer hunting 😁 Waste of money in his eyes.. he did like the 270 Winchester as well.. that's what my grandfather always carried :)
pop set me up on 243. one of my favourites of all time. best cartridge imo for smaller boys or wives/gfs etc. super zoom and low kick. lots of kill poetention as long as you hit. just got to respect that its 24 cal vs 30 cal power. 243 is speed, not force. awesome round. very accurate.
Ive had both the .243 and 6.5 creedmoor, and I think the 6.5 creedmoor has replaced the .243 as the best beginner gun. The 6.5 has just as little recoil, shoots bigger bullets, and it more capable at long range. That being said, the .243 is such an amazing deer cartridge because it wastes so little meat and it forces you to be a good shot.
I was shocked .243 wasnt on there also. For deer, yotes, and hogs i use a Redington 660 6mm rem and its always worked shooting a 85gr sierra gameking bthp.
6 ARC in a Howa mini action in the hands of my 11 yo is an absolute death stick on eastern whitetails… 95gr LRX with 32.5 gr of LVR is running just a hair under 3K. Extremely underrated cartridge from a public perception standpoint I feel like. I’ve had a gas gun for yotes for a couple of years now and I think everyone still thinks of it as an AR first round, but reloading it for a bolt gun is THE WAY.
Love the 270. I remember Jack O’Connor. Very effective on Red Deer, Sika deer and Fallow deer here in Ireland. I have a 308 win calibre (Benelli ARGO S/A) rifle for driven Boar hunting in other Euro countries. Great video.
I think the reason 30/06 is so popular is it's a do everything Caliper you can take whitetail in the deep South and also perfectly able to take a elk and other large game.
I saw someone load 120 grain bullets in 30-06 and get over 3,200 fps. From that, all the way up to 220 grainers, it locks it in as a top choice for another 100 years.
Its outdated . The .308 WIN is the same rifle caliber and is short action goodness. The 8mm variants are to old and are not worth buying new anymore . If you find an old -06 and like it that is one thing but if you are buying rifles in 30-06 in 2024 you are making a huge mistake.
@@jesusoftheapes It depends. .308 is a fantastic cartridge. However, if I want to load something about 180 grains, the case volume of 30-06 is much larger. It also has a long neck compared to the .308. With modern powders, I can be on the heels of 300 Win Mag, using the same bullet weight as the magnum, where the .308 can’t get anywhere near that. In the 150 to 180 grain range, they’re about equal. Above that, you’re not loading 212 to 220 grain bullets in a .308 case.
As a new hunter who has yet to go out on his first hunt, I went with 308 for my first hunting rifle. I mainly was listening to the wisdom of an experienced friend who’s logic was: “Its not the best cartridge at anything but its availability and versatility is what makes it the best choice. You can walk into any tiny little hunting supply store hundreds of miles away from the city and be almost certain that they will stock 308. Its big enough to take larger game but also fine for smaller stuff and the price per shot is about as good as it gets for a cartridge of that size”
I'll bet a lot of money that you won't ever regret the purchase. You may branch out over time out of curiosity or other reasons, but you'll never regret having the 308.
I’m sure you will be happy with your choice. Anecdotally, during ammo shortages, I have almost always been able to find 270, even when 308 is sold out.
I have 12 boxes of 35rem and the ability to reload. 35rem is my go-to for anything over 150 pounds . I do wish they would bring out a new stainless lever in 35rem
Good video, interesting to see the choices that represent guys around the country. Something not mentioned- 30-30 is a good deer gun for still hunting especially in thicker woods. The short length is great for quick sighting. My 336 marlin is great, but my Winchester 94 trapper is the most comfortable and fun gun to carry in the woods. Great job!
Top Five is more unambiguous. In no particular order; 30-06, 270 Win, 308 Win, 30-30, 243 Win, bonus 6.5 Creed. I don’t think anyone can really argue much with those.
I'm new to hunting and picked the 270. I didn't see anything wrong with other cartridges and was originally going to get a 7mm-08 because of Ron Spomer but came across a great deal on a .270. Flat shooting and ammo isn't insanely expensive.
Youll love it. If some day your going to hunt in some thick stuff with less than 75 yard shot all around then get some heavier ammo for that situation. You will get better expansion with it at close range. Never hurts to keep some heavier shells around. Just dont mix em up
@@billgates3776 lighter bullets will always expand more than heavier bullets at the same distance. There is no need to ever carry two different weight bullets.
As a handloader I can tailor all the rounds in your favorites list,but my favorite is 7mm Mauser in my M70 featherweight. Working like magic since 1892!
the .270 and all long action non magnums are all antique rounds that could go away in truth . Better rounds have been invented since and these are just old and dumb.
@@samstone6267 debatable. Hunting - meh, sort of. You should see the large groups of hogs we encounter in Texas. Self defense - trend in America is for 3+ attackers. Rather have more capacity and quicker shots in a gun fight
@@andrewwarren3891 I have one and if is awesome . For deer, I load it light for less recoil. For my Nilgai hunt, it will be loaded to nearly 7 PRC velocity.
I own one and I use it every month. And PO Ackleys gun shop was inSLC UT I remember seeing it when I was a kid . I like it for reloading. And it shoots great I have shot rock chucks at 960yds
I didn't vote but I am looking at the 280AI myself. I have a 7mm/08 and a 7mm Rem mag. Reason why I am looking at it is it's easier on the brass to reload than the 7 mag/less recoil and gives more punch/range than the 7mm/08. It's a logical choice for me to consider. As far as shooting one, no I haven't but I also have bought other calibers before ever shooting them and been happy with them. I'm not sure if you are knocking the 280AI but if you aren't happy with it tell us why.
243 not being on the list is criminal. People think its too small to kill a 150 pound deer but theyll give their kid a .243 or even a 223 to hunt deer. If its big enough for a 10 year old to kill with, why is it too small for you?
@ I used to. I need to start up again. Midwest is about the only outfit I’ve been able to consistently find ammo at. It ain’t cheep but I love this rifle and how it and Hornady ELDX performs.
Depending on distance : 30-30, 6.5 creed, 308, 270. They are all probably the cheapest too. They are also common for a reason. All these new exotic cartridges are a waste of money for the same effect, just less availability. Not worth it.
@@SammyMoore-tg5gsI’ve burnt out a magnum barrel and quite frankly don’t like the fact that I’m worried about burning barrels on the others I’ve got. When a good carbon barrel is $800 plus gunsmithing, I’d much rather get 3000-5000 rounds than 1500-2000 out of it. Not only is there cost, you then have to develop a new load which may or may not be the same or even similar to the previous barrel. The non-magnum that I know like the back of my hand is worth more to me than the magnum that I only shoot to zero and get the absolute minimum amount of DOPE. There’s absolutely a place for a magnum in every serious hunter’s safe, but you’re not going to get any advantage out of one unless you’re routinely shooting over 400 yards which most people have no business doing at live game.
@@SammyMoore-tg5gs Not about me burning out the barrel, its about my grandkids burning a barrel. I have a 1955 m70 that still shoots 3/4 inch on a bad day.
Good list of options. Horses for courses. Not the same shooting a small blacktail or whitetail inside 100 yards as a 300+ pound muley at 500 yards or more. I use a 300WM most often when deer hunting in B.C. Not because I need it for deer, but sometimes I'm hunting moose, elk, or bear at the same time and also often have the potential for Grizzly encounters. The 22CM or other small cartridges are not going to cut it then, for me. 😅 Nice to shoot small cartridges when you can though.
Love the content on this channel. Im a 308 guy all day specially in 1:8 twist. 110gr vmax, 130gr ttsx, 150gr sst, 168 eld-m, 178 eld-x & 194gr lehigh max expansion subsonic
I know you absolutely hate to hear it...but all you need for North America is a 30/06. Never failed me, and I harvest more game than 95% of your readers over the last 50 years. Literally hundreds of deer and 12 black bears.
6mm remington was better and is still better. The marketing failure of 6mm remington does not mean it is a bad caliber though. The 6mm is a great deer caliber if you do not like blood trails . But they kill great and normally do not wound deer.
This list is showing that the people that watch this channel are all a bunch of gun nerds like myself 😊 all of them are great, and work like a charm on deer.
Great list. I have hunted with 30-30s, 5.56, and 308 (ar10) in WI, and both Winchesters were flawless. Since moving to AZ, the ballistics and lighter recoil of the 6.5s, 7mm-08, and the 270 have me wanting to try them, too. I reload, so I think they're all great additions. They're like chips... you can't have just one...😂
The .270 130 for deer 150 for elk. My brother got an elk at almost 400 yard in an snow storm so bad we thought he missed because the carcass was nearly covered by the time we got to it.
@@John_439 I get that, I guess it’s just how one decides to set his life up. For instance I commercial fish most of the year then guide in the off season.
I am now 77 have been taking my buck in the Adirondacks nearly every year for over 60 years with a Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage. Guess that qualifies as my personal favorite.
All in all good list. I like the fact 243 wasn't on it. From all I've seen it just doesn't have the power. Last year my sister used her 243 when 2 deer walked into her sights. She hit both in the shoulder blade, (not the best shot i know) but right at the heart and both ran. The one found my other sister with a 12gauge and the 243 didn't penetrant the shoulder. The other we tracked all night with micro drops and a week later brother shot with 6.5 creedmoor, and Again had a big black hole on its shoulder but didn't go through the cartilage of the shoulder. So I'm going to stick with my 30-06 with 180grain. As my grandpa said no such think as overkill as long as it's a kill.
A grandson took a doe today using 350 Legend from my CVA Scout. 75 yards. Sub-X took her heart and opposite leg out of service, but she still ran 65 yards.
@@Drakehilt I shot one end of last season, 1st of this year, with Win CopperXP at the same distance - almost exact spot- and it whent down like a 16 ton weight fell on it, not even a twitch...high shoulder puts their lights right out. The 65 yard run took an hour of chopping through briars to get to her. I think the grandson will try to keep his next shot in the high shoulder.😉
I picked the 6.5CM when putting together my own deer rig. It hit the sweet spot between established cartridge (been around for 17 years now), available ammo (I've never been anywhere that doesn't stock it), and new/cool factor for me. Factory loads really aren't more expensive than 308 factory hunting loads, especially considering I don't stock 1000s of rounds. Maybe this will change decades down the road, but so far I have no regrets.
Hi Jim, your videos are entertaining and informative. However, simply put, the best deer cartridge is the one a Person is the most confident and accurate with. Regardless of caliber from .25 cal and up. The next factor is cost, not every one can afford the high end rifles in a special or popular caliber. Staying within personal limitations for accuracy and taking ethical shots also factors in. Keep making the great videos. Thanks.
The best rifle for deer is the one I ironically tape to a truck grill before going to my favorite hunting spot.... next to the "beware of deer crossing" sign. Honestly, the insurance companys public records for deer related auto claims may in fact be the most comprehensive "hunting" guide ever published.
30-06 with a 25 inch match barrel, my load is measured at 3015 fps 165 grain Speer spitzer, bc of 5.2. It is perfect for deer, and elk. 100 yards 2832 fps, energy is 2937. at 400 yrds energy is 1978, and drop is about 24 in. That works for my hunting.
300 WSM, 243, 28 Nosler. but I have cleanly killed black tails with 556 even.... so it's all preference and state laws, and distance to what you guys choose. Great show, as always. Thank you.
Here in Atlantic Canada, we don't have that many long range opportunities. Our mature bucks field dress at over 200 pounds. I also consider 243 as minimum for our big deer. Then if you look at factory load availability that pretty much eliminates everything on your list except 30-30, 270 Win, 25-06, 6.5 Creed and 6.5 PRC. All of the eliminated calibers have traditional popular calibers that best them. I understand you want something with lighter recoil for deer, but something like 22 Creed is far from ideal for bigger deer. I could understand if you want less recoil than a 308 Win and flatter trajectory than 30-30. That's the beauty of 7mm-08. You like to use 150 grain loads in your tables, but 120 or 140 grain bullet will do the job on deer and have less recoil. Back east, we don't have the luxury of broadside shots very often or even dialing a scope and setting up a solid rest. You will often have an angled snap shot and then you want penetration. So any of the traditional calibers between 243 and 30-06 will do the job and you pick the most powerful you can still shoot well in a light handy rifle and you're good to go.
I think it really comes down to where you live and hunt. For me here in Appalachian Kentucky we have a lot of steep hills and thick underbrush and my preference is slinging a boat anchor ( 444 Marlin) . Our hunting around here 100 yards is a long shot. Lol, that always does the job and no tracking required.
Other than recoil the 7mag beats it in every way. Man love your content but you are definitely hung up on the latest and greatest. All the pistol grip stocks with flush cups and recoil pads and new cartridges that you always talk about I reckon are nice but my 1992 savage with my cheap Remington ammo seems to work good for the 5-10 deer I shoot a year and haven’t tracked a deer in 11 years🤷🏻♂️.
I've been hunting since 1982.. and have used several different cartridges for deer hunting. 1) 303 British 2) 30-06 Springfield 3) 7mm-08 Remington 4) 350 Remington Mag 5) 350 Legend 6) 358 Winchester The deer never knew the difference between them.. and I believe that it's truly a choice. If I picked my favorite whitetail deer cartridge.. it would be the 7mm-08 Remington. Packaged in a short lightweight handy rifle topped off with a low power variable scope ❤ I have only hunted in Pennsylvania .. public land! Mountains and heavily wooded habitat.. where most shots are inside 75 yards! That's the reason I picked up the 350 Legend in 2019.. I use both Winchester and Federal 180 grain loads! Both will completely pass through any whitetail deer in the woods.. leaving an amazing blood trail ❤
I agree that the 30.06 is a little to much power for a deer but not putting it on a top 10 list is a insult to the world of firearms and a insult for the past over 100 years that it has gone through two world wars and has taken just about almost every animal that walks the earth. This is like saying the 1911 does not deserve to be on the top 10 handguns ever created. The 30.06 does not need to prove itself anymore than it already has, a lot of people list the 30.06 as "the legendary whitetail cartridge" that's all I have to say about that 🤣🤣
Very cool video. My 22 caliber is 22-250. My 25 cal is 25-06 and is actually a re-purposed 30-06 so I didn't need a new bolt. 26 cal for me is 6.5 creed; mostly for great ammo prices. 30 cal for me is 308, and 33 cal is 338WM. Some of my rifles I've had since the 1980s. I like these more modern cartridges but already own all the reloading equipment for my listed cartridges. Strangely I have nothing in 28 cal but that's not on purpose. That's just how life panned out for me.
I own and have hunted a 30-30, 25-06, 270, 6.5 cm and 308 and I have narrowed my deer gun down to a 308 Remington 700 I custom built. No matter what else I have shot, I always come back to the 308 for deer and have exclusively shot that for deer for the last few years. It’s a hammer, it’s accurate at distance, and it suppresses well without losing the accuracy. Ammo is easy to get and reloading it is the best to dial it in. I use the same gun to target shoot 400 yards sub MOA. The only complaint I have is the weight, but I’m walking a relatively short distance to a blind anyway.
My first deer rifle was a sporterized Mauser 98 chambered in 7x57 Mauser when I was 14yrs. old in 1983. Bought it myself with my farming money as well as a Bushnell 3-9x32 scope for it. I just used Rem Core Lokt 140gr factory loadings. It wasn't the best grouping rifle in the world but it averaged 1.5"-1.75" at 100yds. It was very well used, but safe to use. All I know is it was like magic pills those 7MM bullets. I dropped many deer with that rifle growing up until I had enough money and bought a Remington 7600 pump action in .270 Win. Honestly being a pump action it didn't really group any better than the old Mauser bolt gun, but it dropped a ton of deer too for many years. I loved the extra flat shooting range it gave me using 130gr bullets in those days. No fancy scopes or rangefinders in those days. If we wanted to know how long a field was or practice certain ranges we paced it off..lol! I liked 270 a lot as it shot flat like a 7 Rem Mag without the expense of the ammo or heft of a 24" barreled bolt gun back then. 7 Rem Mag is an awesome caliber in its own right however I goofed and sold my Remington Model 7 stainless in 7MM-08 a few years back. It was a great all around lightweight mountain rifle for deer hunting. Been using just a plain old .308 Win. in a TC Venture 2 and a Savage 110 Tactical bench rifle bolt gun ever since as it was the most available ammo around here for a few years. I've never had a deer walk away from a hit with that caliber either. 9 times out of 10 it dropped mature northern bucks in their tracks with boring old .308 according to some writers these days, and if you know your drops it doesn't really matter if its a little more or less in normal hunting ranges as long as you know where your bullets are hitting, its on you, not the caliber. All the standard calibers will get the job done I guess is what I'm saying. Shoot what you like and have and practice with it at all ranges you could possibly shoot while hunting to know your drops and hold as well as learn your wind drifts, or lead if needed and it will get the job done.
Have 2 Marlin 336's. One in 30-30, but that one usually sat at home. My second favorite was the 35 Remington, reloaded with a Speer 180 gr Grand Slam. Also occasionally carried the 30-30, or my older Ruger Model 77 with the tang safety in 30-06. My number one choice, originally being from the southern part of the Lower Peninsula in Michigan, is 12 guage.
My old JM stamped 30-30 will ALWAYS be my go-to. Our stands are permanent, private, and never require a shot over 100yds. Heck, usually not more than 75yds. It's a tried and true freezer filler and has taken more deer in this country over the last 150yrs than anything else, and it's not even close. (The 30-06 is the obvious #2 over that span) We FINALLY have some cooler weather here for the last 5 days of rifle season, so I'm hoping my son and I will be able to add to the legacy. Happy hunting everyone!
Waiting for that 280AI video thats coming. I have the 7mm Rem mag and 7mm/08 but once I get myself a 280AI I will let the other two go. I have noticed there doesn't seem to be a lot of middle ground when it comes to the 280, it seems to be either budget or top of the line. I would love the see the T3x have it.
@@kylecomeaux7880 reloading, a lot easier to reload without the belt. 280AI is more than enough to take elk, less recoil. 280AI, while not quite as much punch as a 7mm rem can be close if reloaded towards the upper end. On average 2” shorter barrel, plus in a T3x with laminated stock is lighter than my Weatherby Vanguard.
@@MegaLostOnei mean i guess, im one of those crazy mofos that has enough bullets to outlast the gun barrels life though 🤷🏻♂️. So reloading aint a big deal to me.
@@kylecomeaux7880 I understand. I guess that's why they make so many different flavors. Besides it's only a dream on my part for the T3x to be offered in it and I have considered getting a long action and having it rebarreled in it. Who knows what manufacturer it will be that he shows until it is uploaded.
Well I know I’m late to the show but just let me throw this one out there my all time favorite deer cartridge is the 250 Savage 😳, I see you picked the 25 Creedmoor on your list (a wildcat) I can’t wait for Hornady to standardize it, I’m going to build one , 308 used to be my go to then 30 years ago I picked up a 250 Savage and fell in love!😳🤣🦌
I've yet to go hunting, but I'm eager to try out the bolt action 30-30 my fiance recently got a couple of weeks ago. At the range though it's a beautiful work of art, kicks slightly more than my 300 B.O. and is absolutely accurate with the iron sights ❤️
That was awesome to hear you talk of the .243 !!!!!! I have said for many years I think it is the best for deer. That being said. I built a 24 Nosler on a AR-15 frame for deer and it is crazy good !!! I only live 25 miles from you if you ever want to see it :)
Great review Jim! I missed the live feed but I would have said the 30'06 because I love my Model 70 Winchester, Mannlicher stocked! It's taken a lot of deer and hogs over the years. That said, I love the .270 Winchester too, and of course for Elk I'd prefer the Weatherby 300 mag. If I were a couple decades younger, I'd certainly buy a nice quality 7 mm 08!
6.5 grendal reached 350 yds to take my 8 pt buck in Colorado. No recoil either. Which 6.5 are you talking about. Deer go down easy even with a 22 rimfire if ya know what your doing.
Missed your survey, but I actually agree with your responders about the 243. Yes, I've shot one, and I've reloaded for it. Does it work? Definitely. But I've also got to say it "doesn't do anything for me" in the overall scheme of things. For #1 & #2, the 30-06 vs. the 358 Winchester. They alternate depending on when you ask. #3 is the 308. #4 is the 6.5 CM. #5 the 38-55. #6 is the 44 mag. #7 is the 30-30. #8 is the 25x45 Sharps. #9 is the 7.62x39, and #10 is the 270. The reason for the 7.62x39 is because it is essentially another 30-30, and pretty much everyone who uses a 30-30 already knows what can be done with it. The reason the 270 is last is because it has so much more muzzle blast. I don't care for that, but the cartridge works. One consideration for me is how far I have to track after making the shot. As a thumb rule, the less tracking I have to do, the higher I'm going to rank a cartridge.
Your videos are always interesting...I'm watching your comparison numbers and can't figure out why your velovity is sooo low for the 308 but is outperforming at long ranges, but it's for the PH 178gr, not 168gr as stated. Simple mistake. I think the 30-06 hangs in there in these surveys due to the large numbers of Rem pump and semi tifles chambered in 30-06. My top 2 picks for the NE Canadian bush in order are 35 Rem and 308
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Unfortunately not everyone can build huge stables of hunting rifles. Thus, the 30-06 is by and far the ubiquitous deer cartridge for a myriad of reasons. North Woods guys like it because they have big bodied deer that even with proper shot placement seem to absorb energy. They also like it because they can take it after bear or moose with the same loads. It works down south great as well where brush is thick and we don’t want deer to run far. If recoil is too much drop to 165 or even 150gr, especially for deer those are perfect in the ‘06 for deer. It’s still in the top 3-5 calibers taken to Alaska.
As to the potential for a new 25 cal. For a little over 2 years now Hornady has offered their ELDx in .25 @ 110gr. Very curious projectile considering that no current factory chambered rifle has a fast enough twist rate to properly stabilize that heavy and long. I’ve long suspected that Hornady has a 257 PRC in the works.
@backfire 6.5-300 weatherby is the flattest factory cartridge 13” drop at 400yd when zeroed at 200 there is significant more recoil than a 22 creed
My go to is 270. I don’t care if it’s seen as “outdated” by some hunters it’s a legendary deer cartridge.
100% the best all around cartridge for anything.
Don't worry, It's younger than the 30-06If it gets the job done, stick with it👍
I don’t think anyone has ever said that.
@@WillyK51Ballistically .270 Win beats 30-06 Springfield in everyway.
Best
Not surprised the .270 won. More surprised the .243 didn’t make the top 10 though
Been using the old .270Win since 1965 down here in New Zealand. I'm 77 y/o now and my Carl Gustaf .270 is still my favourite by far. Thanks for a great show.
Using the 1952 Mannlicher Schonauer 270 win in the central North Island. 50s Redfield 4 - 12 on top...
Long action calibers are pointless for any reason . It is not 1965 we do not have to play with calibers that never added up in the first place and still use a magnum action to even work them without any benefits of an actual magnum . Not for me.
@jesusoftheapes Tell me you know nothing about rifle actions without saying it...
Those 1970's carl gustaf rifles are a gem of a rifle. Accurate, well proportioned, and with excellent hunting triggers from factory. You have an heirloom grade piece there!
7mm-08 is like a hidden treasure here in the northeast. Oddly seems to be more of a regional popularity. Glad this is now my main deer cartridge.
I have one but never use it because ammo is so scarce.
It's become my go to in CO as well!
Almost bought one recently. The more I read about it the more I wish I had.
My favorite handload.
Definitely a great deer cartridge...if you can find it.
And I'm over here still rocking the 30-06 with modern bullets.
Exactly !
Ya....these lists are so dumb. Needs some new video ideas.
Yup Hunt uncles farm in Nebraska. Went to 150 soft points. Fly out to 400 yards effectively. Yet do a clean job at 50 yards.
30-06 with 180 grain Remingtin core locks do the job for me
-06 with 150 Speer boat tails
270 win works for me. Have taken deer bear pigs and Elk with no problems 👍🏼
My old man took a moose with his as well
This list shows that people aren’t drinking the industry kool aid. That’s a good thing.
Maybe not in rifles, but in handguns? They can't manufacture kool-aid fast enough.
Because most hunters are fudds, not an insult, that's just true. I'd wager that most replies came from people over the age of 45 (with a possible exception of the 6.5 Creedmoor and the .350 legend)
The newer cartridges do the jobs of older cartridges better while also allowing better selection of projectile styles and often more efficiently.
The only benefit of more "established" cartridges is that USUALLY the ammo is more available. Notice that I said "usually".
I can't find .30-06, .270, or 7mm-08. But I CAN find 6.5 Creedmoor, all of the PRC cartridges, and most of the Nosler cartridges. Literally no one I know below the age of 50 owns a .270 or .30-06, the only reason I have one is because it inherited it from my grandfather and I'll never use it because I can't get replacement parts for it and it's already damaged (not seriously, and nothing that would cause a safety issue, but I'm not eager to make it any worse either) it's a mantelpiece now.
Older cartridges will still stick around for a long time because they are already "established" ("entrenched" would be a better word) but newer cartridges do everything they can do better. Most of it isn't marketing hype, these new cartridges are actually better than the older designs, so much so that rifle manufacturers have had to move away from SAAMI specs for old cartridges to make them competitive (Browning offering X-Bolts in faster twist rates for legacy cartridges) our modern cartridge choices are designed specifically for newer long, sleek, high BC bullets, BUT they can still shoot older bullet designs just as well as the older cartridges. Older cartridge designs don't have that compatibility built in without building a custom rifle.
@@Kross8761 You know what's better than a newly celebrated cartridge that you can find at your local store, and the average age of whatever fudds you're referencing?
Making a firearm you already have, chambered in an "entrenched" cartridge more accurate. Free float the barrel. Change the stock. Get a trigger job or replacement trigger. Use better brass, and build custom handloads.
Expensive? Not nearly as much as buying a whole new factory platform in a newly celebrated cartridge which provides nearly no guarantee you'll have better accuracy than the thing you already have.
There's a dozen factors related to performance of "fudd cartridges", none of them cartridge-related, that can contribute to better accuracy and performance and none of them solved by changing the whole platform to a new caliber/cartridge.
Need proof? There's muzzle loader people getting sub-MOA at long range on a regular basis, none of it having anything to do with cartridges.
People are always looking to name excuses to spend heaps of money to bypass working on themselves, on their platform improvements, to validate the fact they just want whatever the market is cranking out lately.
@@Kross8761hahahaha someone has FEELINGS. Looks like I struck the nerve of a kool aid drinker.
@@Kross8761 You know what's better than a newly celebrated cartridge that you can find at your local store, and the average age of whatever fuddoes you're referencing?
Making a firearm you already have, chambered in an "entrenched" cartridge more accurate. Free float the barrel. Change the stock. Get a trigger upgrade. Use better brass, and build custom handloads.
Expensive? Not nearly as much as buying a whole new factory platform in a newly celebrated cartridge which provides nearly no guarantee you'll have better accuracy than the thing you already have.
There's a dozen factors related to performance of "fuddy cartridges", none of them cartridge-related, that can contribute to better accuracy and performance and none of them solved by changing the whole platform to a new caliber and cartridge.
Need proof? There's muzzle loader people getting sub-MOA at long range on a regular basis, none of it having anything to do with cartridges.
People are always looking to name excuses to spend heaps of money to bypass working on themselves, on their platform improvements, to validate the fact they just want whatever the market is cranking out lately.
Low drag projectiles is the result of radar-based R&D at manufacturers, and it requires fast-twist. Also propellants have improved. Otherwise, all other ballistic factors were figured out a century ago. One cannot forget, all cartridges were "new" at some point, you're just observing whatever is new to you, as nothing is inherently that new. Appreciate the history of how everything got here, and what are the best designs from over 100 years ago, and why they haven't gone anywhere.
Finally, learn animal anatomy (talk to taxidermists and butchers), learn what it takes to get a swift clean ethical kill on game, it's mostly not what the industry has entrenched everyone to think it is. Caliber means little. Cartridge means little. If you can deliver a projectile to the right spot at a chosen range, the rest isn't really all that hard.
As a Northwest Piedmont NC hunter, most shots are inside 150 yards, with the majority of those at 80 yards or less. The areas I hunt are in heavily wooded areas with some areas also having an open field. It is my experience that this is the norm in many areas up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Therefore, flat shooting long range cartridges aren't as important here as they are in states with a wide open topography. The exception being long open areas underneath power lines, and the Eastern NC corn & soybean fields which sometimes can be several hundred yard wide. Therefore the standard cartridges (30/30, 243, 308, 270, 30-06) work just fine.
You have a fantastic channel and I enjoy each and every presentation!!
Same here in North Georgia. Those are absolutely the most popular cartridges here.
In Canada the 303 British still has a historic hold on big game hunting. It’s not flashy but it’s a reliable deer killer. Lots old sporterized Lee enfield are still in the hands of deer hunters of the north
@@DireWolf28 my three brothers and I.. all harvested our first deer with the 303 British :)
Still a great choice for deer hunting 😁
My '43 No 4 Mk 1 is the most requested gun for visitors to shoot. Love the sights but the battle/base aperture zeroes at ~ 300 yd. No prob, as raising the ladder and setting it to 100 puts it right in the bull there. I use a slip on pad to gain LOP and hope to mod a mag follower to limit capacity to 3 or 4 rounds.
@@johncmitchell4941 nice 🙂
My father's is the Jungle Carbine.. with the peep sight and ladder as well. It's my younger brother's now ❤️
@@blackie1of4 got to love the enfields! Accurate, superbly reliable, and still very affordable when compared to modern rifles.
@@johncmitchell4941 I have a few sporterized no 4's. Love them
For my then young son, I bypassed the 243 and went with a 6.5x55 Swedish. Light recoiling and yet with enough sectional density in the 140 gr to make sure it makes an exit wound. The 6.5 Creedmore is similar and a little faster as factory loaded but wasn't available then. The Swede never failed to get the job done.
I seriously was considering getting one until I realized that x55 SE is different than x55 Swedish and ya can't really tell if the ammo you're buying is for the older pressure chamberings or not because both seem to say '6.5x55 swedish' on the boxes of ammo, so I let it be. It's a darling lil' cartridge from everything else I've seen.
@@zebrobson2639 If used in a modern (non miltary) rifle, there is no concern. If you have an old milsuplus rifle, stick to mild 6.5x55 loads. I have a Model 70 Fwt. No problem with any factory loadings.
@@zebrobson2639 SE means Swedish so it is the same cartridge
@zebrobson2639 Those are the same. "SE" is just the abbreviation for Swedish.
It's the 6.5X55 "Scan" that is loaded to higher pressure. You usually have to look for load data from European sources to find that.
But if you have a modern manufactured firearm you don't have to worry. It will easily handle the higher, modern pressure. The lower pressure rounds were for the old, original rifles.
Find a Tikka, Sauer, Sako or some limited run Rugers and load with Scan data and you will have a great All Rounder.
@@zebrobson2639I’ve got a 6.5 Swedish Carl gustav made. It was sporterized wth a new stock, and made so you can mount normal stops to it on top of the action, and had a new barrel added to it. I can’t remember the name, but I was told it had a really good barrel. The action is the old, apparently the best ones Carl gustav. Best steel and stuff. Apparently . What I was told. My dad haad old rounds when I was a kid that had a round nose. Nowadays I buy ammmo I iust always buy the stuff that says x55 Swedish. It’s pointy. So I noticed it looked different. Should I not be using this? I assumed where it said Swedish it was good? Can someone update me? Can I use modern 6.5x55 Swedish rounds? I was always told the guys used to hand load them and make them quite quite hot! And that it was the best steel, Carl gustav. Are these older guns made for new rounds?
I've been a 30.06 man since my youth. My grandfather gifted my father a Remington 721 upon marrying my mother in 48. I've hunted with it all my life. Plenty accurate! Never attempted any shot past 300yrds because there wasn't any need for it! Never needed any fixing other than regular cleaning after use. I've kept because it seemed a shame to put away a perfectly good tool for another just because of the shine.
Me and the grandsons still hunt with it now.
the 721 and 722 were way better built actions than the 700s their fit and finish was far superior and they shot great.
Tried n true cartridge..
💯
Nothing wrong with your deer rifle also being your elk rifle. The fun really starts when your grandsons get into reloading.
And when it hits, it puts it down.
I’m a traditionalist. Walnut stock 308 and 30-06 rifles just seem like classic deer hunting rifles to me. And 308 and 30-06 ammo have greater versatility, selection, availability, and affordability than most of these other calibers. Anyway, that’s why for a “deer rifle,” I went with a Bergara B14 Timber in 308.
German cartidges are 8x 57 ls, or 9,3 x 62. In Classic break action rifles also other german cartidges appear, if 6,5 or larger.
I hunt mainly whitetail mule deer and elk so I chose 30-06 just because of how my targets ranged in size and strength
Ueah man, Im in the Pacific Northwest.30-06 has been used in my family for deer and elk for at least 100 years. I now have my Grandfathers as my pop is in his late 70's and passed it on.
7mm Mauser I've experience with and its great. 7-08 is nearly a duplicate given you hand load the mauser. So for deer 7-08 for the win. Big .270 fan, used it a lot. Muzzle blast can be bothersome for some. 6.5 is solid. 243/6mm can be great on deer but use the right bullet. Partitions are superior in it. Great article here. The great thing about deer hunting is deer are reasonably easy to take given reasonable shot placement with a decent bullet. This allows the forever argument regarding best cartridge because many work well. It also allows the hunter to go with what they enjoy and that's a great thing.
We owe a lot to the 30-06. The 270 is a necked down 30-06, so is the 25-06. The 280 AI is an Ackley Improved 280 Remington, which is a necked down and stretched out 30-06. I favor the 280 AI due to superior bullet availability in the 7mm (0.284") caliber. The 270 is right there behind it; hindered mostly by bullet availability in 0.277". Maybe the new 6.8 Western will revive bullet Manufacturers to step up options in 0.277".
I hope so on the 6.8 helping .277!
western not received even mediocre support from industry in 3 years big hope. I think a great option for variety of uses but requires reloading gear, factory ammo and a much bigger varied rifle options. my opinion. Take a 280AI and add a 6 creed that covers so much for a hunter unless specialised requirements. factory ammo options for 6.8 western not being supplied by the ones that so many want.
With the XM7 being chambered in a 0.277" round, 6.8×51 (277 Fury), renewed interest in the caliber seems inevitable. Nearly every US service rifle cartridge going back to the 45-70 has become a popular civilian round, the exception being the short lived 30-03 (the 30-40 Krag is waning in popularity now, but was big in its time).
The 7x57 gave birth to them all
@@recurrenTopologymeh . It doesn’t do anything that’s mind blowing . I think it will fade away . stupid of the military to do that
Unfortunately, a lot of states don't allow .22 caliber rifles for big game. .243 is the minimum in many states.
My dad bought both his boys (me and my brother) Remington 700's in .243 with 4x scopes in the 60's . He said these bullets are crazy fast and the rifle won't kick much. He was a smart man.
both of those guns still kicking?
@@thegamingfish547 I had to sell both of them a few years back. They were both in excellent condition.
And how many deer did y'all lose?
@@cjr4497 Are you sure he lost any? Why, if you didn't take the shots? Just curious.
@@cjr4497.243 is a excellent deer cartridge. Just gotta be competent.
As a PA woods deer hunter, its always been 30/30, 308, 270, 30-06, 243. Thats mainly all i ever seen and known guys to use. Any ammo store always has those in large amounts. They work extremely well. 25-06 is up there, maybe some 7 rem mag in farmlands. Flat shooting stuff. But most dont shoot over 100-150 yrds here if not hunting ag fields. So none of the fancy stuff is needed. That said i hunt with mostly unconventional stuff lol 28 nos, 300 wsm for ag fields. 458 win for woods. 6mm rem or 257 bob for light duty
My list goes from .30-30 to .30-06 because that’s all I’ve got 😂
That's all you need
👍
Exactly the two that I have!
Love them both
@@ShopHumor my late father only ever carried one firearm.. his Winchester model 70 chambered in 30-06 Springfield!
He'd grumble every time I purchased another firearm.. he definitely didn't agree with having multiple firearms for deer hunting 😁
Waste of money in his eyes.. he did like the 270 Winchester as well.. that's what my grandfather always carried :)
No .243 Win? This speaks to the age of your audience.
pop set me up on 243. one of my favourites of all time. best cartridge imo for smaller boys or wives/gfs etc. super zoom and low kick. lots of kill poetention as long as you hit. just got to respect that its 24 cal vs 30 cal power. 243 is speed, not force. awesome round. very accurate.
@@augustshades compared to my compound it hits like a howitzer
Ive had both the .243 and 6.5 creedmoor, and I think the 6.5 creedmoor has replaced the .243 as the best beginner gun. The 6.5 has just as little recoil, shoots bigger bullets, and it more capable at long range. That being said, the .243 is such an amazing deer cartridge because it wastes so little meat and it forces you to be a good shot.
Varmint round more than it is a whitetail round
@mikebeaudette2902 thats funny ive killed over 30 deer with a .243. I guess you are one of those guys that shows up with a .300 win mag for whitetail
I was shocked .243 wasnt on there also. For deer, yotes, and hogs i use a Redington 660 6mm rem and its always worked shooting a 85gr sierra gameking bthp.
6 ARC in a Howa mini action in the hands of my 11 yo is an absolute death stick on eastern whitetails… 95gr LRX with 32.5 gr of LVR is running just a hair under 3K. Extremely underrated cartridge from a public perception standpoint I feel like. I’ve had a gas gun for yotes for a couple of years now and I think everyone still thinks of it as an AR first round, but reloading it for a bolt gun is THE WAY.
Love the 270. I remember Jack O’Connor. Very effective on Red Deer, Sika deer and Fallow deer here in Ireland. I have a 308 win calibre (Benelli ARGO S/A) rifle for driven Boar hunting in other Euro countries. Great video.
I think the reason 30/06 is so popular is it's a do everything Caliper you can take whitetail in the deep South and also perfectly able to take a elk and other large game.
I saw someone load 120 grain bullets in 30-06 and get over 3,200 fps. From that, all the way up to 220 grainers, it locks it in as a top choice for another 100 years.
The 26-06 is ideal@@michaelsinclair7253
Its outdated . The .308 WIN is the same rifle caliber and is short action goodness. The 8mm variants are to old and are not worth buying new anymore . If you find an old -06 and like it that is one thing but if you are buying rifles in 30-06 in 2024 you are making a huge mistake.
@@jesusoftheapes It depends. .308 is a fantastic cartridge. However, if I want to load something about 180 grains, the case volume of 30-06 is much larger. It also has a long neck compared to the .308. With modern powders, I can be on the heels of 300 Win Mag, using the same bullet weight as the magnum, where the .308 can’t get anywhere near that. In the 150 to 180 grain range, they’re about equal. Above that, you’re not loading 212 to 220 grain bullets in a .308 case.
350 is the no.1 gun
As a new hunter who has yet to go out on his first hunt, I went with 308 for my first hunting rifle.
I mainly was listening to the wisdom of an experienced friend who’s logic was: “Its not the best cartridge at anything but its availability and versatility is what makes it the best choice. You can walk into any tiny little hunting supply store hundreds of miles away from the city and be almost certain that they will stock 308. Its big enough to take larger game but also fine for smaller stuff and the price per shot is about as good as it gets for a cartridge of that size”
exactly why works for many but not for long years unless minor hobby.
@@ryancooper3629 good first rifle choice, it’s like the 3006 very versatile.
I'll bet a lot of money that you won't ever regret the purchase. You may branch out over time out of curiosity or other reasons, but you'll never regret having the 308.
I did the same. Don't regret the decision at all! It's such a flexible caliber.
I’m sure you will be happy with your choice. Anecdotally, during ammo shortages, I have almost always been able to find 270, even when 308 is sold out.
My old 35 Remington
I miss this round so much. I want it to come back
@@brent2455where did it go? I got one and a few new boxes of ammo with the ability to reload.
It's a weirdo caliber .
I have 12 boxes of 35rem and the ability to reload.
35rem is my go-to for anything over 150 pounds .
I do wish they would bring out a new stainless lever in 35rem
@@bearindawoods6399 I'm using a 113 year old Remington model 8 recoil operated semi auto.
Good video, interesting to see the choices that represent guys around the country. Something not mentioned- 30-30 is a good deer gun for still hunting especially in thicker woods. The short length is great for quick sighting. My 336 marlin is great, but my Winchester 94 trapper is the most comfortable and fun gun to carry in the woods.
Great job!
Top Five is more unambiguous. In no particular order; 30-06, 270 Win, 308 Win, 30-30, 243 Win, bonus 6.5 Creed. I don’t think anyone can really argue much with those.
@@JimYeats It's the internet, so someone can argue, but I think you nailed it. Those are the best.
Love my 6.5 creedmoore
I'm new to hunting and picked the 270. I didn't see anything wrong with other cartridges and was originally going to get a 7mm-08 because of Ron Spomer but came across a great deal on a
.270. Flat shooting and ammo isn't insanely expensive.
Ron spomer is a joke
Youll love it. If some day your going to hunt in some thick stuff with less than 75 yard shot all around then get some heavier ammo for that situation. You will get better expansion with it at close range. Never hurts to keep some heavier shells around. Just dont mix em up
@@billgates3776 lighter bullets will always expand more than heavier bullets at the same distance. There is no need to ever carry two different weight bullets.
Flat estimate shooting round I've seen
As a handloader I can tailor all the rounds in your favorites list,but my favorite is 7mm Mauser in my M70 featherweight. Working like magic since 1892!
Amen. We could've stopped making new cartridges when that one came out. It is my favorite as well
7x64 brenneke is better
.264 Win Mag better than both. 🎉@@Simobunjevac
257 Roberts. I've harvested both elk and deer with no issues.
Good to see the 270 on the list
Glad to see the .270 get some love!
the .270 and all long action non magnums are all antique rounds that could go away in truth . Better rounds have been invented since and these are just old and dumb.
1. 7mm-08 Remington
2. 30-06
3. 270 win
4. 35 whelen
5. 308 win
6. 25-06
7. 6.5 PRC
8. 6mm CM
9. 243 win
10. 45-70
7mm-08 is the GOAT
Yes, I am going to change from 30'06 to a 25'06. As I get older recoils bother me.
300 savage and 35 Remington
Glad to see someone else giving the shoutout to 35 whelen, .45-70. .35 Remington is another one of my favorites
@@markwilsdon9141 the need to try the Hornady 125 gr. SST Custom Lite # 81066
Hi from Australia, we have a tendency to go for 308 for just about everything.
Love your show
@@davidcoleman4941 do they allow you to hunt down under? Thought you guys had your guns taken from you?
@@samstone6267they use mostly lever, bolt, and pump action to hunt in Australia. No semi autos allowed
@staywoke2198 all ya need.
@@samstone6267 debatable.
Hunting - meh, sort of. You should see the large groups of hogs we encounter in Texas.
Self defense - trend in America is for 3+ attackers. Rather have more capacity and quicker shots in a gun fight
@staywoke2198 couldn't agree more. I know I won't run out.God bless the USA!
270 is a fantastic choice for deer 🦌
I bet 99% of the people who put the 280 AI probably haven’t even shot a 280 AI
@@andrewwarren3891 I have one and if is awesome . For deer, I load it light for less recoil. For my Nilgai hunt, it will be loaded to nearly 7 PRC velocity.
Never shot a AI but own a 280 Rem and it's my #1 so it only makes sense a 280 AI would be on here too...
I've never seen it tbh..
I own one and I use it every month. And PO Ackleys gun shop was inSLC UT I remember seeing it when I was a kid . I like it for reloading. And it shoots great I have shot rock chucks at 960yds
I didn't vote but I am looking at the 280AI myself. I have a 7mm/08 and a 7mm Rem mag. Reason why I am looking at it is it's easier on the brass to reload than the 7 mag/less recoil and gives more punch/range than the 7mm/08. It's a logical choice for me to consider. As far as shooting one, no I haven't but I also have bought other calibers before ever shooting them and been happy with them. I'm not sure if you are knocking the 280AI but if you aren't happy with it tell us why.
270. has taken a lot of deer. Some might say it's "outdated" but last i checked the deer ain't changed any more than the round has.
243 not being on the list is criminal. People think its too small to kill a 150 pound deer but theyll give their kid a .243 or even a 223 to hunt deer. If its big enough for a 10 year old to kill with, why is it too small for you?
Then they updated the cartridge and gained 200fps and now everyone is flocking to it again. Thanks 6 creed
Love my 270wsm. Deer, elk, hogs, it hasn’t failed me yet.
Do you reload or can you find ammo?
@ I used to. I need to start up again. Midwest is about the only outfit I’ve been able to consistently find ammo at. It ain’t cheep but I love this rifle and how it and Hornady ELDX performs.
The .284 projectile is the king from way back !
I run a 243! Love it. Agree with everything you said about it. Also double as a good coyote or variant gun.
Depending on distance : 30-30, 6.5 creed, 308, 270. They are all probably the cheapest too. They are also common for a reason. All these new exotic cartridges are a waste of money for the same effect, just less availability. Not worth it.
unless you reload this has always been true.
As I was looking into building a rifle, I was *amazed* at the ammo prices AND barrel life for the 30-06 cartridge… that’s why it’s the greatest.
How many barrels have you burned out?
@@SammyMoore-tg5gsI’ve burnt out a magnum barrel and quite frankly don’t like the fact that I’m worried about burning barrels on the others I’ve got. When a good carbon barrel is $800 plus gunsmithing, I’d much rather get 3000-5000 rounds than 1500-2000 out of it. Not only is there cost, you then have to develop a new load which may or may not be the same or even similar to the previous barrel. The non-magnum that I know like the back of my hand is worth more to me than the magnum that I only shoot to zero and get the absolute minimum amount of DOPE.
There’s absolutely a place for a magnum in every serious hunter’s safe, but you’re not going to get any advantage out of one unless you’re routinely shooting over 400 yards which most people have no business doing at live game.
@@SammyMoore-tg5gs Not about me burning out the barrel, its about my grandkids burning a barrel. I have a 1955 m70 that still shoots 3/4 inch on a bad day.
Good list of options. Horses for courses. Not the same shooting a small blacktail or whitetail inside 100 yards as a 300+ pound muley at 500 yards or more. I use a 300WM most often when deer hunting in B.C. Not because I need it for deer, but sometimes I'm hunting moose, elk, or bear at the same time and also often have the potential for Grizzly encounters. The 22CM or other small cartridges are not going to cut it then, for me. 😅 Nice to shoot small cartridges when you can though.
The 257 Bob is my go to, its old but its a shooter and doesn't ruin meat
My personal fav as well. 100gr at 3000 dead right there
Love the content on this channel. Im a 308 guy all day specially in 1:8 twist. 110gr vmax, 130gr ttsx, 150gr sst, 168 eld-m, 178 eld-x & 194gr lehigh max expansion subsonic
I know you absolutely hate to hear it...but all you need for North America is a 30/06. Never failed me, and I harvest more game than 95% of your readers over the last 50 years. Literally hundreds of deer and 12 black bears.
Thanks for the 243 callout. One of the best calibers of all time
6mm remington was better and is still better. The marketing failure of 6mm remington does not mean it is a bad caliber though. The 6mm is a great deer caliber if you do not like blood trails . But they kill great and normally do not wound deer.
This list is showing that the people that watch this channel are all a bunch of gun nerds like myself 😊 all of them are great, and work like a charm on deer.
My list is a little different.
1. 270win
2. 6.5 prc
3. 7mm-08
4. 308win
5. 7rem mag
Mags have no place for Deer. Magnum calibers are for dangerous game and do not belong on any list for deer. PERIOD.
Great list. I have hunted with 30-30s, 5.56, and 308 (ar10) in WI, and both Winchesters were flawless. Since moving to AZ, the ballistics and lighter recoil of the 6.5s, 7mm-08, and the 270 have me wanting to try them, too. I reload, so I think they're all great additions. They're like chips... you can't have just one...😂
The .270 130 for deer 150 for elk. My brother got an elk at almost 400 yard in an snow storm so bad we thought he missed because the carcass was nearly covered by the time we got to it.
You are spot on.
I just split the difference and use the 140 for both deer & elk. One load I have to buy components for, and one load I have to sight in.
My tier list
1. 308 (Can't fail with this)
2. 30-06 (Too powerful sometimes but nothing it can't kill)
I literally don't know what the rest are
Where’s my 6.5 prc or creed?
@@Freedommanbutthesecond2 Left on the shelf where it should be.
@@tehclefty5317 too good to use
Yah most of us can't afford 10 different hunting rifles. 308, 3006, 270 all can shoot almost anything
Gotta work hard to play hard.
and a deer or hog won’t be able to tell the difference.
@@CamBrann you gotta work hard just to afford a house and raise a family. Play comes like 5th on the list of importance
@@John_439 I get that, I guess it’s just how one decides to set his life up. For instance I commercial fish most of the year then guide in the off season.
as long as you're 150 yards and in, just about anything will get the job done.
I am now 77 have been taking my buck in the Adirondacks nearly every year for over 60 years with a Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage. Guess that qualifies as my personal favorite.
I share your love of the 99/.300 Savage.
Col. Townsend Whelen said, "The .30-'06 is never a mistake."
I'm from the midwest
1- 30-06
2- 308 win
3- 300 WSM
4- 243 win
5- 6,5 CM
6- 25-06
7- 7mm REM Mag
8- 260 Rem
9- 220 swift
10- 22-250
why magnums ? Magnums are NOT good deer calibers and are made for much larger game. They are not deer calibers.
Taken several deer with 270Win. Can confirm, excellent for deer.
Same, the 270 is a legendary round
the 303 Brit kills about the same as the 270 too. Just because it works does not mean it belongs on a list.
It wasn't on the list. It topped it.
All in all good list. I like the fact 243 wasn't on it. From all I've seen it just doesn't have the power. Last year my sister used her 243 when 2 deer walked into her sights. She hit both in the shoulder blade, (not the best shot i know) but right at the heart and both ran. The one found my other sister with a 12gauge and the 243 didn't penetrant the shoulder. The other we tracked all night with micro drops and a week later brother shot with 6.5 creedmoor, and Again had a big black hole on its shoulder but didn't go through the cartilage of the shoulder. So I'm going to stick with my 30-06 with 180grain. As my grandpa said no such think as overkill as long as it's a kill.
Took my buck this year in SC with 350 legend. With how dense the areas the deer live here are, 350 legend is perfect. The shot was at about 30 yards
A grandson took a doe today using 350 Legend from my CVA Scout. 75 yards. Sub-X took her heart and opposite leg out of service, but she still ran 65 yards.
@williamgaines9784 mine went about 100 yards but it stepped and turned as u shot so it won't from a broadside shot to a hard quartering away
@@Drakehilt I shot one end of last season, 1st of this year, with Win CopperXP at the same distance - almost exact spot- and it whent down like a 16 ton weight fell on it, not even a twitch...high shoulder puts their lights right out. The 65 yard run took an hour of chopping through briars to get to her. I think the grandson will try to keep his next shot in the high shoulder.😉
I picked the 6.5CM when putting together my own deer rig. It hit the sweet spot between established cartridge (been around for 17 years now), available ammo (I've never been anywhere that doesn't stock it), and new/cool factor for me. Factory loads really aren't more expensive than 308 factory hunting loads, especially considering I don't stock 1000s of rounds. Maybe this will change decades down the road, but so far I have no regrets.
Hi Jim, your videos are entertaining and informative. However, simply put, the best deer cartridge is the one a
Person is the most confident and accurate with. Regardless of caliber from .25 cal and up. The next factor is cost, not every one can afford the high end rifles in a special or popular caliber. Staying within personal limitations for accuracy and taking ethical shots also factors in. Keep making the great videos. Thanks.
The best rifle for deer is the one I ironically tape to a truck grill before going to my favorite hunting spot.... next to the "beware of deer crossing" sign. Honestly, the insurance companys public records for deer related auto claims may in fact be the most comprehensive "hunting" guide ever published.
That's seriously creative thinking! 😎
30-06 with a 25 inch match barrel, my load is measured at 3015 fps 165 grain Speer spitzer, bc of 5.2. It is perfect for deer, and elk. 100 yards 2832 fps, energy is 2937. at 400 yrds energy is 1978, and drop is about 24 in. That works for my hunting.
I can use every one of them. Max distance is 200 yards. Currently using 270. Works like a charm. All i have hit, dropped on the spot
Love my 270 with 130gr tsx. Browning xbolt hells canyon. Topped with leupold vx3hd.
Tough to beat!
300 WSM, 243, 28 Nosler. but I have cleanly killed black tails with 556 even.... so it's all preference and state laws, and distance to what you guys choose. Great show, as always. Thank you.
Here in Atlantic Canada, we don't have that many long range opportunities. Our mature bucks field dress at over 200 pounds. I also consider 243 as minimum for our big deer. Then if you look at factory load availability that pretty much eliminates everything on your list except 30-30, 270 Win, 25-06, 6.5 Creed and 6.5 PRC. All of the eliminated calibers have traditional popular calibers that best them. I understand you want something with lighter recoil for deer, but something like 22 Creed is far from ideal for bigger deer. I could understand if you want less recoil than a 308 Win and flatter trajectory than 30-30. That's the beauty of 7mm-08. You like to use 150 grain loads in your tables, but 120 or 140 grain bullet will do the job on deer and have less recoil. Back east, we don't have the luxury of broadside shots very often or even dialing a scope and setting up a solid rest. You will often have an angled snap shot and then you want penetration. So any of the traditional calibers between 243 and 30-06 will do the job and you pick the most powerful you can still shoot well in a light handy rifle and you're good to go.
I think it really comes down to where you live and hunt. For me here in Appalachian Kentucky we have a lot of steep hills and thick underbrush and my preference is slinging a boat anchor ( 444 Marlin) . Our hunting around here 100 yards is a long shot.
Lol, that always does the job and no tracking required.
Other than recoil the 7mag beats it in every way. Man love your content but you are definitely hung up on the latest and greatest. All the pistol grip stocks with flush cups and recoil pads and new cartridges that you always talk about I reckon are nice but my 1992 savage with my cheap Remington ammo seems to work good for the 5-10 deer I shoot a year and haven’t tracked a deer in 11 years🤷🏻♂️.
After reading some of the comments i think a lot of people have not hunted enough to be making a good decision.
My go to is the 257 WBY Mag. Roy got it right with the speed demon!!!
I've been hunting since 1982.. and have used several different cartridges for deer hunting.
1) 303 British
2) 30-06 Springfield
3) 7mm-08 Remington
4) 350 Remington Mag
5) 350 Legend
6) 358 Winchester
The deer never knew the difference between them.. and I believe that it's truly a choice. If I picked my favorite whitetail deer cartridge.. it would be the 7mm-08 Remington.
Packaged in a short lightweight handy rifle topped off with a low power variable scope ❤
I have only hunted in Pennsylvania .. public land! Mountains and heavily wooded habitat.. where most shots are inside 75 yards!
That's the reason I picked up the 350 Legend in 2019.. I use both Winchester and Federal 180 grain loads! Both will completely pass through any whitetail deer in the woods.. leaving an amazing blood trail ❤
I agree that the 30.06 is a little to much power for a deer but not putting it on a top 10 list is a insult to the world of firearms and a insult for the past over 100 years that it has gone through two world wars and has taken just about almost every animal that walks the earth. This is like saying the 1911 does not deserve to be on the top 10 handguns ever created. The 30.06 does not need to prove itself anymore than it already has, a lot of people list the 30.06 as "the legendary whitetail cartridge" that's all I have to say about that 🤣🤣
Hey , dont interrupt this creedmore comercial with logic.
Very cool video. My 22 caliber is 22-250. My 25 cal is 25-06 and is actually a re-purposed 30-06 so I didn't need a new bolt. 26 cal for me is 6.5 creed; mostly for great ammo prices. 30 cal for me is 308, and 33 cal is 338WM. Some of my rifles I've had since the 1980s. I like these more modern cartridges but already own all the reloading equipment for my listed cartridges. Strangely I have nothing in 28 cal but that's not on purpose. That's just how life panned out for me.
I agree. 243 is fantastic
I own and have hunted a 30-30, 25-06, 270, 6.5 cm and 308 and I have narrowed my deer gun down to a 308 Remington 700 I custom built. No matter what else I have shot, I always come back to the 308 for deer and have exclusively shot that for deer for the last few years. It’s a hammer, it’s accurate at distance, and it suppresses well without losing the accuracy. Ammo is easy to get and reloading it is the best to dial it in. I use the same gun to target shoot 400 yards sub MOA. The only complaint I have is the weight, but I’m walking a relatively short distance to a blind anyway.
I have or have had just about everything. But my favorite is 257 Weatherby for open country or long range and the 35 whelen for everything else.
My first deer rifle was a sporterized Mauser 98 chambered in 7x57 Mauser when I was 14yrs. old in 1983. Bought it myself with my farming money as well as a Bushnell 3-9x32 scope for it. I just used Rem Core Lokt 140gr factory loadings. It wasn't the best grouping rifle in the world but it averaged 1.5"-1.75" at 100yds. It was very well used, but safe to use.
All I know is it was like magic pills those 7MM bullets. I dropped many deer with that rifle growing up until I had enough money and bought a Remington 7600 pump action in .270 Win. Honestly being a pump action it didn't really group any better than the old Mauser bolt gun, but it dropped a ton of deer too for many years. I loved the extra flat shooting range it gave me using 130gr bullets in those days. No fancy scopes or rangefinders in those days. If we wanted to know how long a field was or practice certain ranges we paced it off..lol! I liked 270 a lot as it shot flat like a 7 Rem Mag without the expense of the ammo or heft of a 24" barreled bolt gun back then. 7 Rem Mag is an awesome caliber in its own right however
I goofed and sold my Remington Model 7 stainless in 7MM-08 a few years back. It was a great all around lightweight mountain rifle for deer hunting. Been using just a plain old .308 Win. in a TC Venture 2 and a Savage 110 Tactical bench rifle bolt gun ever since as it was the most available ammo around here for a few years. I've never had a deer walk away from a hit with that caliber either. 9 times out of 10 it dropped mature northern bucks in their tracks with boring old .308 according to some writers these days, and if you know your drops it doesn't really matter if its a little more or less in normal hunting ranges as long as you know where your bullets are hitting, its on you, not the caliber.
All the standard calibers will get the job done I guess is what I'm saying. Shoot what you like and have and practice with it at all ranges you could possibly shoot while hunting to know your drops and hold as well as learn your wind drifts, or lead if needed and it will get the job done.
Have 2 Marlin 336's. One in 30-30, but that one usually sat at home. My second favorite was the 35 Remington, reloaded with a Speer 180 gr Grand Slam. Also occasionally carried the 30-30, or my older Ruger Model 77 with the tang safety in 30-06. My number one choice, originally being from the southern part of the Lower Peninsula in Michigan, is 12 guage.
My old JM stamped 30-30 will ALWAYS be my go-to. Our stands are permanent, private, and never require a shot over 100yds. Heck, usually not more than 75yds. It's a tried and true freezer filler and has taken more deer in this country over the last 150yrs than anything else, and it's not even close. (The 30-06 is the obvious #2 over that span)
We FINALLY have some cooler weather here for the last 5 days of rifle season, so I'm hoping my son and I will be able to add to the legacy.
Happy hunting everyone!
For me, 243 is a top gun for whitetail.
If I still had bear dogs where sometimes things get a little western I would have a 760 game master barreled in 35 whelen A.I..
Waiting for that 280AI video thats coming. I have the 7mm Rem mag and 7mm/08 but once I get myself a 280AI I will let the other two go. I have noticed there doesn't seem to be a lot of middle ground when it comes to the 280, it seems to be either budget or top of the line. I would love the see the T3x have it.
Same
Why would you get rid of the 7 rem mag, when its ballistics stomp the .280 AI in every category???
@@kylecomeaux7880 reloading, a lot easier to reload without the belt. 280AI is more than enough to take elk, less recoil. 280AI, while not quite as much punch as a 7mm rem can be close if reloaded towards the upper end. On average 2” shorter barrel, plus in a T3x with laminated stock is lighter than my Weatherby Vanguard.
@@MegaLostOnei mean i guess, im one of those crazy mofos that has enough bullets to outlast the gun barrels life though 🤷🏻♂️. So reloading aint a big deal to me.
@@kylecomeaux7880 I understand. I guess that's why they make so many different flavors. Besides it's only a dream on my part for the T3x to be offered in it and I have considered getting a long action and having it rebarreled in it. Who knows what manufacturer it will be that he shows until it is uploaded.
My coworker sold his rifles and uses a muzzleloader exclusively, we have an early and late muzzleloading season in my part of the country.
Well I know I’m late to the show but just let me throw this one out there my all time favorite deer cartridge is the 250 Savage 😳, I see you picked the 25 Creedmoor on your list (a wildcat) I can’t wait for Hornady to standardize it, I’m going to build one , 308 used to be my go to then 30 years ago I picked up a 250 Savage and fell in love!😳🤣🦌
I've yet to go hunting, but I'm eager to try out the bolt action 30-30 my fiance recently got a couple of weeks ago.
At the range though it's a beautiful work of art, kicks slightly more than my 300 B.O. and is absolutely accurate with the iron sights ❤️
Thanks for featuring my comment/vote on the .270... made my day
That was awesome to hear you talk of the .243 !!!!!! I have said for many years I think it is the best for deer. That being said. I built a 24 Nosler on a AR-15 frame for deer and it is crazy good !!! I only live 25 miles from you if you ever want to see it :)
Best woods 150 yard rifle is the 35 Remington.
Great review Jim! I missed the live feed but I would have said the 30'06 because I love my Model 70 Winchester, Mannlicher stocked! It's taken a lot of deer and hogs over the years. That said, I love the .270 Winchester too, and of course for Elk I'd prefer the Weatherby 300 mag. If I were a couple decades younger, I'd certainly buy a nice quality 7 mm 08!
For deer
0-150yards
My top picks are
30-30 ,
223
300 BO
7.62 Russian
6.5 grendle.
0 to 500 yards my top picks are
25-06
308
270
280 AI
7 rem mag
In the Commie bullet I'm assuming that's the x39 flavor not the x54 right?
@@stinkyfungusI'd like to try my Mosin.
25-06👍
My fav deer cartridge top 10..
3030
32 special
243
308
30-06
270
280
45-70
35 Rem
6.5x55
My personal fav:
*** 280 Rem.
243 second,
45-70 third
Picking the 6.5 over the 7-08 for deer hunting is criminal.
For some reason it’s what the majority of the people think so let’s leave it at that
The problem is more about ammo availability than anything. Developing more .25-06 and 7mm-08 ammo would put them in the hands of thousands of hunters.
Also, when you walk in the gun store and 80% of the rifles are 6.5 CR may have something to do with it. Surely people vote for what they have.
Amen!! I’ve been a 7.08 guy for over 25 years!
6.5 grendal reached 350 yds to take my 8 pt buck in Colorado. No recoil either. Which 6.5 are you talking about. Deer go down easy even with a 22 rimfire if ya know what your doing.
My family’s top 5 is 1. .257 Roberts 2. .243 3. .308 4. .270 5. .6.5
Love my savage 99 lever in 300 savage.
Missed your survey, but I actually agree with your responders about the 243. Yes, I've shot one, and I've reloaded for it. Does it work? Definitely. But I've also got to say it "doesn't do anything for me" in the overall scheme of things.
For #1 & #2, the 30-06 vs. the 358 Winchester. They alternate depending on when you ask. #3 is the 308. #4 is the 6.5 CM. #5 the 38-55. #6 is the 44 mag. #7 is the 30-30. #8 is the 25x45 Sharps. #9 is the 7.62x39, and #10 is the 270.
The reason for the 7.62x39 is because it is essentially another 30-30, and pretty much everyone who uses a 30-30 already knows what can be done with it. The reason the 270 is last is because it has so much more muzzle blast. I don't care for that, but the cartridge works.
One consideration for me is how far I have to track after making the shot. As a thumb rule, the less tracking I have to do, the higher I'm going to rank a cartridge.
Your videos are always interesting...I'm watching your comparison numbers and can't figure out why your velovity is sooo low for the 308 but is outperforming at long ranges, but it's for the PH 178gr, not 168gr as stated. Simple mistake.
I think the 30-06 hangs in there in these surveys due to the large numbers of Rem pump and semi tifles chambered in 30-06.
My top 2 picks for the NE Canadian bush in order are 35 Rem and 308