Ron Spomer was recently challenged to name his favorite cartridges for specific animals. The catch? He was restricted to only those cartridges developed and commercially sold before 1950.
In case you don’t have 20 minutes to watch the video, here’s the executive summary (with my very respectful preferences in parentheses):
Elk: .300 H&H Magnum (9.3x62mm)
Mule Deer: .270 Win
Whitetail: 7×57 Mauser
Moose: .30-06 Springfield (9.3x62mm)
Pronghorn Antelope: .257 Weatherby Magnum (.25-06 Remington)
Bison: .375 H&H Magnum
Black Bear: .35 Whelen (.32 Win Special OR .45-70 Govt, depending on the terrain)
Grizzly Bear: .375 H&H Magnum
Elephant: .375 H&H Magnum (.416 Rigby)
And by the way, I have absolutely no argument with any of Ron’s choices. My “alternatives” are a personal preference, no more. (I’d hope that he wouldn’t have a problem with any of mine, in return.)
Of course, I have opined on those wonderful cartridges of yore, and for those New Readers or else Elderly Readers Of Fading Memory, here’s a link to that 2003 post.
2003 post, that was like a Time Machine bringing us to a different era.
That was 1 year before the Clinton “Assault Weapons Ban” ended. Apparently Slick Willy felt that by violating law abiding Americans rights that would somehow bring the criminals to their senses and make everyone else safer. What did he care, all of his bodyguards had magazines over 10 rounds and he was too busy thinking with the other head.
You mentioned 40 S&W and 357 Sig (a 10MM / 40) case necked down to 9MM to try to mimic 357 Mag performance in a semi auto handgun) cartridges. Those are much fewer and far between these days. Not too many manufacturers making guns in 40 any more and far far less making 357 sig guns. Sig themselves and Glock as well don’t make either anymore. Glock recently announced they discontinued those calibers or will be very soon. If these are your choice of caliber in the year 2025 the used market is where you will have to go.
Anyways, the main point, rifle rounds. I have shot the 30.06 but I don’t own one. Nice cartridge.
I have a .270. It’s basic. Got enough power if needed to take care of most anything.
If I ever hit the lottery, I want a few more calibers in the collection. Not too many still
want to keep things simple.
I know this list might be all big bore, but if it’s not how come the 22 LR didn’t make the list of great rifle rounds? Many great 22 rifles in the world.
Your 2003 list had the 22. This guy Spomer, his list did not.
I think your list is better.
I never shot a 7×57 mauser. what is the advantage of that over the 30/06?
Much less recoil, for one thing.
I honestly believe that the best rifle cartridges that solve the “recoil : effectiveness” problem — i.e. “the most effect for the least recoil” — are the 6.5x55mm Swede and the 7x57mm Mauser.
Everything in North America: .348/250
My caliber of choice is 6.8 SPC II in an AR platform. I have it dialed in at 300 yards. There is a 19″ drop at 500 yards from the 300. I still grab my bolt action 30-06 for deer hunting and the bolt action 22LR.