What's best ???

[1armoured]

Obviously we like our bolt actions.
Never really had use for the falling and rolling blocks, but i guess they shoot good off the bench.
I'm not really a great fan of semi's. Fired enough in my Military days.


What I can't get my head around is the constant comparison between calibers, and a 'what's best between ? and ?',
and then all the tables that compare bullet weights, velocities and energy.
Some of us have a safe full of calibers to take on any given hunt.
Others like me just a few.
7mm or 30-06 ? 7mm or .30 cal ?
What's best for whitetail ?
(Maybe it's the favourite rifle in your gun cabinet !)
Then there are all the much heralded fat 'beanfield' cartridges whose stars seem to have faded a bit.
Then there is the obsession with the long range shots at game, and the calibers promoted to succeed.


To me velocity is not as much of an issue as many seem to promote.
I think more in terms of accuracy and adaptability.
I'm not a great fan of recoil, so I do try and minimise it in the .308 if going through a lot of rounds at any one time.
Sometimes we have to live with trajectory, like the .308 at distance, with heavier projectiles.


Some calibers have more and cheaper bulk offerings in the way of components, esp projectiles, which assists in our choice.


Allrounders ?
Depending whether you're hunting the top of the chain or mostly shooting varmints, I guess.
A good allrounder for bear/small game shooters might be a 30-06, which can load down to 110grs, but a bit of a waste of powder and recoil with the lighter pills.


besides the .22r/f,
I use .22Hornet, .222 and .308, which covers a wide range of applications.
Difficult to choose a favourite, but the 3 centrefires are mine.
All can be loaded to shoot well under MOA, and fun to load for and shoot.
The .22Hornet is not just a ladies and youths caliber, it's also a fun tool for us old'uns, and effective out to 200mtrs with todays powders and projectiles.
I used to be one-eyed as far as Fords were concerned but have mellowed with age and besides the Chevy, I would even contemplate a Chrysler !!!
cheers,
SS

[Bart Solo]

Best for what?
 
For whitetail.
 
Two things to know about whitetail.  They don't wear bullet proof vests and they don't shoot back.   A single shot from a 22 lr will kill a whitetail, but for legal reasons or just because we are ethical and believe it is always best to kill quickly and cleanly, most of us want something with more punch than a 22 lr, but what?  That leads to the following questions. 
 
Where do you hunt?
 
In the open something with some real reach.  In the woods something with knock down power.
 
How do you hunt?
 
From a tree over a giant bean field, then your long range favorite is best.
 
Still hunting in the woods, then something light and handy is best. 
 
Some of both, then two guns might be best, or something that can handle both.  The classics include the 30-06, 308, and 270 Winchester. A host of others will do  the job.  I think the 6MM Remington is a great round, but that is just me. 
The 7MM-08 has a lot of fans.  So does the 257 Roberts but they are all getting old.   
 
There is no "best" because "best" all depends on what, where, and how.   
 
 
 
 

[anweis]

I do not start my selection for "best" based on caliber. As long as caliber is adequate for deer and hogs (which is what i hunt), i consider "best" in terms of fit and feel of stock, balance for offhand shots, crisp trigger, moderate recoil, etc. 30-06 would be my upper limit because of recoil, but i ended up with a 7x57, a 6 mm Rem., and a .338 Federal because i really liked the rifles (high quality builds, crisp triggers, mild recoil, nice wood, etc). I would rather see someone shoot deer with a 30-30 that they are competent with that a 7mm magnum that they are afraid off and do not practice with.
What is best? The rifle that one shoots well in hunting situations, never mind the caliber  - as long as it is adequate for deer. As far as what is adequate, i would go 7,62x39, 30-30, 6.5 Grendel, and up. I would not consider the .223 and the likes powerful enough, but they kill nonetheless, in the hands of a skilled shooter who understands the limitations and practices.   

[james]

My favorites are the 6.5x55, 7mm-08, .270, and .308.  They have light recoil and I carried them all when deer or antelope hunting in the past year.   I have the 06, 300 mag and 7mag but they are really unnecessary for deer sized game.  Probably the .270 is the most adaptable for the most species.
A rifle must fit well and be the proper weight for the intended use.  Those heavy barrels are nice and accurate from a bench but when you are a couple of miles from the truck you will wonder why you bought it.  Then when you set up close to the road and drop a lope at 500 yards you'll say I won't have anything but a heavy barrel.  No one gun is always best, and that's why I need so many.

[Don Fischer]

Best is not about a cartridge, it's about being able to deliver a bullet of proper weight and construction to penetrate without falling apart. It's about having whatever the cartridge is, in a rifle that suits you reguardless of what other may think. The least importand thing about determining what is best, is choosing a catrtidge. There's a whole lot of best cartridges!

[scootrd]

Best is not about a cartridge, it's about being able to deliver a bullet of proper weight and construction to penetrate without falling apart. It's about having whatever the cartridge is, in a rifle that suits you reguardless of what other may think. The least importand thing about determining what is best, is choosing a catrtidge. There's a whole lot of best cartridges!

I believe best equates to total package
In the steep mixed terrain I hunt whitetails -  "best" for me is a Remmy mod seven paired with a 7mm-08 140gr Corelokt. Lightweight , compact , low recoil , low mounted 2-7x32 short mag scope,  comfortable sling , efficient cartridge, Great BC, warm boots  , and a thermos of coffee waiting back in the truck at the end of the day  - what's not to love in that package? unless of course your on the receiving end.   

[Swampman]

I see no reason to use anything less than a .30-06.  In fact I'd be comfortable deer hunting with a .375 H&H.  The recoil is modest and it ruins less meat than the smaller calibers.

[1armoured]

Yes, 'Whats best' often equates to the best bullet to do the job with a matched caliber in your gun cabinet.
There are monoliths, frangibles, Super Xplosives, soft points, hollow points, and a host of 'gimmicky' projectiles available out there,
so type and weight selection is part of it.
I think the .308 lends itself well to different loads, from 110gr to 185gr, then the 30/06 carries on a bit heavier.
No doubt there are other calibers that are similar, but .30cal seems to be a good allrounder.


I guess any caliber from 6mm to .30 cal could be loaded to a 'best for whitetail', (and probably a few others as well !)


Many travellers to Africa just shoot the one gun, from small antelope to the dangerous stuff, with a .375 .
Good to get to know the rifle you're going to have to use in a tight corner.
It generally just makes a larger entrance wound, without all the damage on exit.
Bit more expensive on the rounds, though !
The Africans do like their heavier, slower loads for shooting in the bush, and not damaging any meat.
Swampman, I don't know whether I'd call it 'modest' recoil though ?


Yes, Heavy barreled rifles are good off the bench, but a curse to lug about, as well !


As has been noted, it does depend on the application, and the terrain.
Most shots in thick woodland are generally at pretty close range, so no need for any of the 'wonder' new age calibers/cartridges.


Maybe just call me oldfashioned !


cheers,
SS

[Swampman]

I had one that weighed 7.5 lbs scoped and it wasn't bad at all.

[poncaguy]

Always been a fan of  the 270, has been deadly on whitetails. But, here lately, have fallen for the 7mm-08. Less recoil, a little more accurate. My latest is a Remington 700 with a beautiful wood stock. Have 4,   7-08's now, including an Encore rifle and 15" pistol barrel.