Hunting calibers

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Shawnee

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An interesting bit of trivia worth noting ....

If all hunting cartridge development had stopped cold in 1935 (and calibers designed for the military are excluded)... would today's North American hunter be hurting for decent calibers to use ?

After all, we would be limited to...

.22 Hornet introduced in 1930
.220 Swift 1935
.250 Savage (.250/3000) 1915
.257 Roberts 1934
.270 Winchester 1925
.30/30 1895
.300 Savage 1921
.300 H&H magnum 1925
.32 Winchester 1895
.35 Rem. 1908
.35 Whelen 1921
.375 H&H magnum 1912
.404 Jeffries 1909
.416 Rigby 1911
.44-40 1873

The interesting thing (to me) is that - when you take a close look at that list - all of those "old-timers" were/are emminently suited for the types of hunting being done - and usually still being done here.

That (to me) underscores the fact that when hunting cartridge development was largely in the hands of hunters looking to answer the needs of hunters - rather than slipstick engineers being paid to dream up something "new" for the purpose of generating profit - they came up with very good stuff.

Personally, I would suggest that the only really valuable hunting calibers developed since 1935 - the only calibers that have brought truly valuable performance improvements - have been the .22/250 and those calibers based on the .308 case - namely the .243 Winchester, the .260 Remington, and the 7mm/08 Remington.

:cool:
 
The .250-3000 Savage was already being necked down to .224 in the 1930s. Jerry Gebby finally copyrighted the name "Varminter" in, I believe, 1937.

I'd have to browse through Phil Sharpe's "Complete Guide to Handloading" to dredge up the names of many of the wildcat cartridges from the 1920s and 1930s. Lots of busy gunbugs playing around with new ideas...

IMO, the real advances in performance have come from the powder and bullet folks, particularly the latter.
 
WOW !
You left out the .30/06, which a number of the cart. on the list were created to duplicate, such as the .300Savage.

I was beat to it, but yes, the .22-250 existed in wildcat form. Also, many such as the 7mm08 were developed to overcome the old surplus rifle problem with fully loaded ammo. (loaded to full potential, it duplicates fully loaded 7x57).

Also, the .35Rem came out in 1906, same year as the '06. Rifles weren't available till '08, however. Got one of those too!
 
"All the best ones were

30-06
7x57
8x57
7.65x53
6.5x55"

Actually I recall reading somewhere that many of the more successful early calibers were based in varying degrees upon the first three of your list, Krochus. Of course it's hardly a surprise that cartridge wildcatters and developers would select existing rounds (ie. the military being a logical source) to begin their experimenting with.

:cool:
 
For me, nothing beats a sweet 7x57. Seems to do more damage than the ballistics/energy state on paper, but according to many on forums, isn't ethical to use on anything bigger than deer (not elk, not moose).
 
What about .38-55, .45-70, .40-60, .25-20, .32-20, and .38-40? And Euro calibers like 9.3x74R and such? When were all these invented, since you're already researching? :)
 
Not only would we not be "hurting", we would spend more effort on the important aspects of killing game.
We would all do just fine if those were the only calibers available!
 
Hi Sauce...

Most of those are sourced in the 1875-1925 period. Some of them were designed as hunting cartridges (eg. 38/40 and .38/55) and some were intended somewhat more as "anti-personnel" or cartridges with tangent hunting uses (eg. the .25/20 and .32/20). The .45/70 began life as a military brat.

From what I've read, the .38-55 has developed something of a resurrection as people using them for reenactments etc have discovered it can certainly bring home some venison. Imagine that !:what:

:cool:
 
Some how I think we would still find a way to hunt. Give me an old 30/30 and I would still be happy.
 
What about the 'wildcat' .25-06?
Not included because its .30-06 case/military?
I think all of those cals. are more than enough.
 
Good write up Shawnee...

One more round that was worth keeping is another of the 308 based rounds...358 Winchester. It never has been very popular, but it is a powerful game stopper in a small package...not all that far behind the 35 Whelen (similar to comparing the 308 and the 30-06)

I'm happy to say that I own a 358 Winchester...its a Browning BLR...that I decided to keep put up as an investment, not that I didn't like it a lot...just didn't want to wear it out.
 
Well you left out at least one good hunting round. The .280 Ross a great rifle round introduced in an average (sometimes less) rifle.

M'bogo
 
With 1935 being the cut off date the .357 magnum just squeaks in also. It was born in 1935. Its taken its fair share of game over the years in handguns and rifles. Heck the old reliable 44-40 didn't even make the list. I seem to recall a round called the .44 Special putting all sorts of critters down before 1935 also.

M'bogo
 
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