Rank These Calibers (As Objectively as Possible)

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Objectivity might be tricky here as the differences between some of these might be tiny or not even exist. However, I'm just wondering which of these calibers have the greatest range, flattest trajectory, and are most likely to take down deer at the furthest distances.

I know this is a strange question as I do NOT plan on shooting anything animals even close to these distances, nor do I have the skills to do so. I'm mostly just trying to see if there is a general consensus. So, how would you rank these rounds, 1-9:

.30-06 springfield
.308 winchester
.270 winchester
.303 british
8mm mauser
7mm-08 remington
7.62x54R
7.5x55 swiss
6.5x55 swede

Are some of these more inherently accurate than others? Do some lose fragmentation around certain distances? In other words, which one is the most likely to cleanly take a deer at the furthest distance? Which one is least likely to do it? Where do the other 7 rank relative to those 2?

Just assume typical hunting rounds in a typical rifle. I know a lot depends upon those kinds of factors. I'm just trying to figure out, all else as equal as possible, which perform the best. Like I said, I'm also aware that this could be impossible to know for sure. I'm just curious.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Man....is that ever a loaded question...LOL...where's the beer and peanuts?

 

[meanmrmustard]

Listed, in my opinion, first to last in terms of ABILITY based on what knowledge I have of these.

6.5x55 swede
30/06
.270
.308 Tied. With. 7.5 Swiss
8mm
.303 British
7mm/08
7.62 R

Notice I said ability, which is OPINION. I've shot all of these.

Side note as of responses below, some folks haven't either shot all of these, or have handpicked favorites. Your answers will vary, and gauntlets will most likely be thrown.

 

[unwise11]

Being a big fan of the .308
I would say get one..
I reload everything and I know it doesn't shoot as flat as the 7mm and 6.5mm cartridges, but I prefer the 30 cal bullet and the short action rifles..
I know this doesn't really answer everything.. but I don't have experience outside of .308 and .223 for rifles, I feel like I can take those two rounds and shoot and hunt anything except bear.

 

[R.W.Dale]

In factory loadings (if you're asking you don't handload) 30/06 dominates your list as it will launch the heaviest hunting bullets with the highest BC faster than the others.

Then comes
270
308
7/08

The others as factory loads don't even rank in the same class. I personally wouldn't use them as factory loaded past 200yds on game.

This takes no account for the platforms the respective cartridges are avalible in and assumes a modern hunting bolt action rifle.

Least powerful would be 8x57 merely because of the laughable degree factory ammunition is underloaded followed closely by 7.62x54r due to the primitive bullets that's avalible as factory loadings.

Handloads change my above response greatly

 

[meanmrmustard]

In factory loadings (if you're asking you don't handload) 30/06 dominates your list as it will launch the heaviest hunting bullets with the highest BC faster than the others.

Then comes
270
308
7/08

The others as factory loads don't even rank in the same class. I personally wouldn't use them as factory loaded past 200yds on game.

This takes no account for the platforms the respective cartridges are avalible in and assumes a modern hunting bolt action rifle.

Least powerful would be 8x57 merely because of the laughable degree factory ammunition is underloaded followed closely by 7.62x54r due to the primitive bullets that's avalible as factory loadings.

Handloads change my above response greatly

Depends on hunting, what animal I'm after, and the range. For large game at and under 400 yards weighing 400 lbs or more, I'll take a .30 cal, not necessarily the /06. Past that on medium game, such as deer, antelope, black bear...I'll take the superiority of the Swede over them all.

My new pet: 7.5 Swiss. Digging it, and does what the .308 win does. But costs alot. I'll reload it though by golly.

 

[tahunua001]

your 270 is probably one of the greatest deer rounds ever. it is a great long range round and packs a lot more punch than any deer can handle. I am a little disappointed that the 243 did not make the list. it is my go to deer gun and is without a doubt my favorite long range shooter. 303 brit is rapidly becoming a fan favorite of mine however but I know without a doubt that it is not as good as 270.

 

[rcmodel]

Do some lose fragmentation around certain distances?

Hopefully, none of them have fragmentation at any range.

That is not what kills a game animal.

A perfectly performing big game gullet will expand or mushroom to about 1/3 larger dia, while retaining all of the bullet weight for deep penetration and possibly an exit hole which will bleed out the animal much faster then the entry hole.

If the bullet fragments, you will have a shallow surface wound only.
And the game will proceed post haste as far as it can get before it dies a slow lingering death.
Where you probably will not recover it.

Of the calibers you listed, the 30-06 followed by the .308 & .270 will shoot flatter and hit harder further then any of the others.
The 7mm/08 will run very close behind.

However there is not enough real difference between the four to tell the differance.

None of the others are in the running due to lack of good factory loaded hunting bullets and downloaded ammo performance..

rc

 

[jbkebert]

My no question go to rifle for anything in the lower 50 is the .270win

IMHO it has the flattest trajectory out of the rounds listed.

2. 30/06 larger selection of bullets is really the only advantage over a .270
3. .308 win a proven long range bullet
4. 7/08-6.55 swede neck in neck strong performers
5. 7.55 and 7.62x54r old school loads but very effective
6. 303 bit and 8mm Mauser would bottom my list

I have taken deer or a hog with the following calibers on your list.

30/06. .303 brit, 7mm/08, .270 win, 6.5x55 swede, .308 win, and on with a 7.62x54r

Given my choice nothing puts deer down like a .270win. Time and time again what ever I hit falls down either right now or within a few yards.

 

[303tom]

.30-06 springfield -1
.308 winchester -8
.270 winchester -2
.303 british -9
8mm mauser -3
7mm-08 remington -4
7.62x54R -5
7.5x55 swiss -7
6.5x55 swede -6

 

[Kachok]

6.5x55 and 30-06 are both capable of the minimums (1800fps and 1000ft/lbs) out to 700 yards so I put them in a class well above the others though neither has a top notch trajectory with those heavy, high BC bullets.
270 win has the tighter trajectory with it's light 130gr bullets but they loose alot more speed over distance so their maximum range is reduced.
308, 7.62x54, 303....etc are not in the same class as the 6.5x55 or 30-06 for long range work, they are either limited by small powder charges, loose twist rates or other factors that prevent them from being a superb long range hunter.

 

[CB900F]

Freedomfreak;

I shoot both the ought-6 & the Swede. I'd reverse Mrmustard's top two, & don't really give a hoot about the rest. Both cartridges, in quality built rifles, can be outstandingly accurate. Both have won various thousand yard competitions over the years.

A figure commonly used to determine effective lethality on North American deer is 1000 ft lbs. of energy. Which is certainly not to say that many, many, deer haven't been harvested with bullets carrying less energy. However, the point is that it's a common yardstick to use to determine a range at which a humane kill can be performed on a deer sized animal. Using Hornady 6, volume 2, pages 147 and 234, I looked at some figures. They were for the 6.5 Swede using the 140 gr Hornady SST at a muzzle velocity of 2700 fps, and the .30-06 using the Hornady 150 gr boat tail spire point at 3000 fps muzzle. Both carry over 1000 ft. lbs. of energy to 500 yards, with the Swede doing slightly better. If you use the .30 caliber SST, the ought-6 then gets the nod.

My personal Swede is more accurate than my best .30-06. But that's only those two guns. And the Swede should be, it's a full custom rifle, but the ought-6 aint no slouch either.

900F

 

[meanmrmustard]

Freedomfreak;

I shoot both the ought-6 & the Swede. I'd reverse Mrmustard's top two, & don't really give a hoot about the rest. Both cartridges, in quality built rifles, can be outstandingly accurate. Both have won various thousand yard competitions over the years.

A figure commonly used to determine effective lethality on North American deer is 1000 ft lbs. of energy. Which is certainly not to say that many, many, deer haven't been harvested with bullets carrying less energy. However, the point is that it's a common yardstick to use to determine a range at which a humane kill can be performed on a deer sized animal. Using Hornady 6, volume 2, pages 147 and 234, I looked at some figures. They were for the 6.5 Swede using the 140 gr Hornady SST at a muzzle velocity of 2700 fps, and the .30-06 using the Hornady 150 gr boat tail spire point at 3000 fps muzzle. Both carry over 1000 ft. lbs. of energy to 500 yards, with the Swede doing slightly better. If you use the .30 caliber SST, the ought-6 then gets the nod.

My personal Swede is more accurate than my best .30-06. But that's only those two guns. And the Swede should be, it's a full custom rifle, but the ought-6 aint no slouch either.

900F

Past 500?

 

[Walkalong]

.30-06, .308, & .270. Available everywhere in more than one bullet weight and all fine calibers. With a runner up to 6.5X55 Swede, a fine caliber as well, just not quite as available, at least around here.

My favorite is .308.

 

[meanmrmustard]

.30-06, .308, & .270. Available everywhere in more than one bullet weight and all fine calibers. With a runner up to 6.5X55 Swede, a fine caliber as well, just not quite as available, at least around here.

Availability wasn't a factor in the OP, though. Just saying.

 

[Walkalong]

It was a factor in my opinion. Take it for what it is worth, which is just one opinion among millions.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Man....is that ever a loaded question...LOL...

I'm not sure what you mean by loaded question. I take "loaded question" to mean that I must already know the answer(s). If that's what you meant, then I assure you I don't. I'm only trying to seek knowledge on the subject that seems to be mostly subjective.

 

[meanmrmustard]

It was a factor in my opinion. Take it for what it is worth, which is just one opinion among millions.

I took it as performance, not ease of purchase. Sorry.
I, personally, don't choose only cartridges that I can get at Walmart. But, as you say, take it for what it is.

 

[Kachok]

I like the fact that I would not HAVE to handload my 308, 30-06 or 270 but my 6.5x55 is still my favorite even if it needs to be hand rolled. The 6.5x55 has a slight edge on the 06 in longer barrels but in regular sporter length rifles you would be hard pressed to notice the difference between them (except for recoil of course)

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I am a little disappointed that the 243 did not make the list.

Perhaps I erred in assuming it wouldn't hold up to the others as far as power at farther ranges. If you guys can confirm that it is up to par with the other ones, then I'll gladly look at it as well.

I excluded some rounds (.30-30, ie) that I knew wouldn't hold up down range and others (.260 rem, ie) because of $$$.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Perhaps I erred in assuming it wouldn't hold up to the others as far as power at farther ranges. If you guys can confirm that it is up to par with the other ones, then I'll gladly look at it as well.

I excluded some rounds (.30-30, ie) that I knew wouldn't hold up down range and others (.260 rem, ie) because of $$$.

.260 rem ain't that bad. It's a competitor for sure.

 

[rcmodel]

No, you are correct in assuming the .243 Win is not in the running power wise at long range.

At 500 yards it has about 2/3 the remaining energy of the top four you listed.

rc

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Kachok:

6.5x55 and 30-06 are both capable of the minimums (1800fps and 1000ft/lbs) out to 700 yards so I put them in a class well above the others though neither has a top notch trajectory with those heavy, high BC bullets.

CB900F:

A figure commonly used to determine effective lethality on North American deer is 1000 ft lbs. of energy. Which is certainly not to say that many, many, deer haven't been harvested with bullets carrying less energy. However, the point is that it's a common yardstick to use to determine a range at which a humane kill can be performed on a deer sized animal. Using Hornady 6, volume 2, pages 147 and 234, I looked at some figures. They were for the 6.5 Swede using the 140 gr Hornady SST at a muzzle velocity of 2700 fps, and the .30-06 using the Hornady 150 gr boat tail spire point at 3000 fps muzzle. Both carry over 1000 ft. lbs. of energy to 500 yards, with the Swede doing slightly better. If you use the .30 caliber SST, the ought-6 then gets the nod.

I'd like to learn more about numbers used in these two comments. So, 1800fps and 1000ft/lbs is considered a "benchmark" of sorts for effectiveness against deer? And assuming perfect conditions (remember, I'm more interested in theory on this topic since I'm incapable of remotely approaching what we're discussing), whichever caliber can achieve these benchmarks at the furthest distance would be the "winner" of this exercise? Is there some kind of list of these numbers for each round that I can reference to?

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Fantastic information, everyone!!!

 

[Walkalong]

I took it as performance

Hmmm. The 6.5X55 Swede & .30-06 are awfully good critter killers. Along with the .308 and .270, they are very accurate as well.

and are most likely to take down deer at the furthest distances.

They can all do this.


This is all very subjective.