Most versatile rifle caliber for handloaders

[kaferhaus]

NECESSARY requirment for taking 99% of game animals is that the bullet hold together long enough to reach vitals, while not wasting energy by sailing clean though.

While I agree completely with your opinion I do differ on the above. I'd much rather have pass through. Every animal is different in how they react to being shot even through the vitals. Some fall over, some stagger a bit and some will run 50yds with a exploded heart. I've seen all the above and variations on it every way you can imagine.

Especially when hunting heavy cover, a blood trail is often your only hope of recovering a animal.

I've never shot a deer sized animal with anything smaller than a .223 but even at 200yds a 63gr semi point or Nosler 60gr partition has no problem destroying the boiler room and going on into the next county on moderate sized deer (200lbs).

My buddy shoots them with 55gr game kings and has also never recovered a bullet.

problem is as you allude too.... the words "hunter' and "marksman" can seldom be accurately used in the same sentence....

So therein the 30-06, 30-30 etc is usually the "recommended" deer caliber.

Can't tell you how many shoulder or diaphram shots I've seen on deer that were taken at 40-50yds with those same large bores.

 

[kludge]

I just got some intresting feedback from our local firearms expert/hunting expert/state champion shooter. In his oppinion the .270 WSM is the most versitle caliber in the lower 48 states. ... I know I will catch a TON of flack for putting this out there since alot of hunters HATE the idea of short mags and basicly any new caliber...

No flack from me, I'll take the 7mm WSM, but yes, if you think you need to go long range then the WSM does it very well.

When I had my wildcat barrel made, I kept the 7mm WSM barrel just in case.

.270 WSM seems to be doing better in the market place.

 

[USSR]

Quote:
NECESSARY requirment for taking 99% of game animals is that the bullet hold together long enough to reach vitals, while not wasting energy by sailing clean though.

While I agree completely with your opinion I do differ on the above. I'd much rather have pass through.

+1. You need to ventilate big game animals such as deer for reasons such as to promote blood loss and leave a good blood trail.

Don

 

[Kachok]

I will error on the side of penatration 99% of the time. Over penatration is actualy ideal, under panatration is always bad news. Long high SD bullets are the specality of 6.5, .270, 7mm bullets, and 30 cal bullets