Best Way to Select Big Game Cartridge

[rasterman77]

Originally Posted by SwedeSteve

This has been one of the better threads!

Agreed! I always look forward to the next post here!
I really like it when someone posts the real odd ball calibers (wildcats), creates the need for research.

[SwedeSteve]

I hate it when they do that when I'm getting ready to hit the rack! Lost a lot of sleep over those posts!

[Ron AKA]

Originally Posted by SwedeSteve

Actually, the "Best Way to Select Big Game Catridge" is to go get your rifle, read the barrel, and Select only that cartridge!
Dutifully Yours,
Swede

Yep, good for the barrel, and the wallet!

[MOD 70]

Originally Posted by rasterman77

Agreed! I always look forward to the next post here!
I really like it when someone posts the real odd ball calibers (wildcats), creates the need for research.

Couldn`t resist telling you about our choice of calibers for the last hunt of the season last year.Just "because we could" ,416 RIGBY ,375 H@H and 338-378 WEATHERBY. B.C. safari if you choose.Deer were luckier than us except for a nice 4 point that stayed in his bed a little to long and never got up.The former made sure of that from around 375yrds through the snow/rain/40km wind at 1 C.Good drag,good friends,good memories.No wasted meat.Hey,it`s all good and I enjoy your comments.I`m just stirring the pot must of the time!Looking forwards to more conversations.Let`s do a real technical rant soon.May start one soon myself.May be a little bizzare,you up for it?

[thebigitch62]

I noticed that the first list has the .300 RUM but the second list doesn't. just wondering why as this round has more energy than most on the second list.

[win39]

In my area a few years ago, we all ran out and bought the Remington Classic in the 350 RM. and worked up loads using a 158 Gr.HP pistol bullet. I did kill a deer with it about 75 Yrds. All that was left to use was the hine quarter. The deer looked like it was hit with a sledge hammer the way it went down. That was the first and last time I used that bullet for hunting. But I did love the 350 RM I was a lot of fun.

[Ron AKA]

Originally Posted by thebigitch62

I noticed that the first list has the .300 RUM but the second list doesn't. just wondering why as this round has more energy than most on the second list.

It was just a fluke and the result of the Remington loads I based the list on. See the link to the Remington cartridge catalogue in the initial post. Remington seem to have a strategy in some cartridges to provide 3 load levels. I forget what they call them, but essentially light, medium, and heavy. One of the light loads happened to fit into the energy slot (1550-1750), I was doing the first list screen on.

On the second list I recall that the RUM loads were either too light or too heaving to fit the energy screen (1750-1950). A handloader of course could make one to fit the slot, or perhaps other manufacturers provide a load. I only used the Remington list.

It does make a good point, which I was going to discuss. My thoughts are that when you go to pick a cartridge from the short list (whichever one you think is right), the load should be one of the heaviest ones for the cartridge. That way, you can load the cartridge down with smaller bullets and loads for smaller game; deer, coyotes... The 300 RUM would be an example of the opposite of that. It was the very lightest load, and I recall all other alternatives were much heavier -- well beyond 2000 ft-lbs at 300 yards.

The 264 is one example the other way. The 140 grain is the typical heaviest load that it pushes, and it can be loaded down to 120, 100, and 85 grains for other game. The 270's typically go down to 100.

Ron