Rank These Calibers (As Objectively as Possible)

[R.W.Dale]

For this exercise, I'm completely discounting handloads since, like One_Jackal, I don't do it and have no intentions of starting. Hence, I'm just interested in factory loads for this thread.

I do wonder why the 8mm is so underloaded, though... I don't know much about loading, but I always assumed that 8x57 would be a very large bullet requiring a lot of powder. Since it performs not very powerfully relative to the others, I'm just assuming that it isn't loaded fully. Why do they do that? Would it just be a very heavy-recoiling round if they did?

Also, availability isn't a primary concern in the exercise, either... But I did exclude some ultra unavailable rounds and/or those that are too pricey (based upon my arbitrary cut-off).

Its a long story but basically it goes back 120 years when the German army decided to make a bore change of .005" and didn't convert a few dozen older guns. There's also an element of white English speaking ammo makers not trusting a caliber with X in the name to not spontaneously blow up.

Believe it or not 7.92x57 or 8mm Mauser if you will as loaded in WWII was more powerful than 30-06

Now one flaw in your latest comparison is you need to make sure you're comparing the same bullet type because at long ranges the difference between a PSP and a Poly tipped boattail can be quite profound

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

jmr40,

I realize that. I just chose a load that was available for most of the ones I had listed as a constant. The one I chose is like Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt, which is basically the cheapest stuff I saw by Remington at Cheaper Than Dirt.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Sellier and Bellot and Prvi Partisan sell much hotter 8mm loads

If ammo availability and only factory loads factor into it then the .270, .308 and the .30-06 are the only ones really worth fooling with. The 7mm-08 almost, but doesn't make it based on ammo availability.

Sure you can get plenty of cheap surplus FMJ 7.62x54R..but not at the mom and pop store.

Other than hand loading, you will never reach the full potential of the rest on the list.

 

[Ar180shooter]

All else being equal, none of those rounds have a significant advantage over the other at 4-500yds. With a well built hunting rifle, they should all be able to hold close to MOA, and with proper bullet selection, they will all be able to humanely take game at those ranges.

Some rounds like the .270 win and 6.5 Swede will shoot flatter than many of the others, but they will be using lighter bullets. Ammunition like .308 win or 30-06 will be affordable and available anywhere, whereas 7.5mm Swiss or 8mm Mauser will be more difficult to find if you don't handload. There are pros and cons to each calibre. The .30 cal cartridges (.308 dia.) will have the widest bullet selection and will have readily available components for loading. Appropriate bullets for hand loading .303 Brit, 7.62x54R (both .311), 8mm Mauser and even 6.5 Swede will be harder to find, and generally more expensive. If this is not an issue to you, then choose purely on long range ballistics. If you do not hand load or are on a budget (can't afford $40/box for high quality hunting ammo), them maybe go for a more available cartridge.

My $.02

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Now one flaw in your latest comparison is you need to make sure you're comparing the same bullet type because at long ranges the difference between a PSP and a Poly tipped boattail can be quite profound

I didn't use PSP or boattail. I used the same (at least, I believe I did) bullet type... Soft Point Core-Lokt. A couple of those listed may not have had this available, but just used what was available. I'm aware that those may not have been representative of the round's typical performance, but I went with it because they were rarer rounds anyways. If I'm looking at what you typically find, it makes sense that there might be 6 types of .308 to choose from, but only 1 type of .303.

 

[batmann]

As general hunting rounds----
.30-06
.270
.308
7/08

I could add a couple more, but these will do for about anything I care to hunt.
I might add the .30-30, but it is more rifle specfic.

 

[wlewisiii]

Just because I want in on the fun,

7x57 Mauser
7mm-08 Remington
6.5x55 swede
8mm mauser
.30-30 winchester
.270 winchester
.308 winchester
30-06 springfield
7.62x54R
7.5x55 swiss
.303 british

Yes, I know two of those aren't in the original.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

wlewisiii, you think the .30-30 performs better than the .270, .308, etc?

 

[meanmrmustard]

wlewisiii, you think the .30-30 performs better than the .270, .308, etc?

He thinks the 7.62 Russian bests the Swiss! Not surprising.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

So does anyone have any response to the 7mm-08 coming out on top of the others with typical, low-cost, factory loads? No one (I think) mentioned that it would maintain the greatest impact at the farthest distance, myself included. Even with the other loads listed in 7mm-08 and the others, the 7mm-08 comes out on top.

 

[meanmrmustard]

So does anyone have any response to the 7mm-08 coming out on top of the others with typical, low-cost, factory loads? No one (I think) mentioned that it would maintain the greatest impact at the farthest distance, myself included. Even with the other loads listed in 7mm-08 and the others, the 7mm-08 comes out on top.

I'd put it pretty darn even to .270 myself.

 

[Kachok]

7-08, 270, 30-06, and 6.5x55 all deliver a killer blow out to ranges that I would never dare shoot live game, the 270 does it the flattest, the 30-06 does it with the most authority, the 6.5x55 does it with the least recoil/muzzle blast, and the 7-08 does it in the smallest rifle, take your pick they are all a fine choice, or do what I do and vote "all of the above"

 

[wlewisiii]

For me, in real world hunting. On the other hand, for me 200 yards would be an insanely long shot in these woods. But that's why I just wanted to remind you that not everyone looks at them the same way.

For what it's worth, I have multiple 7x57 rifles & 1 .30-30. I've never felt the need for any other caliber though I might get a .38-55 for the fun of it.

 

[meanmrmustard]

For the Military calibers (30/06 modern loads aside) I put the 7.5 ahead of the .303, 7.62R, and 8mm.

 

[mshootnit]

Sounds like fun!

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

1. 270 for flattest longest on deer
2. 30-06 next best (should be obvious)
3. 7.62X54R (most capacity of whats left)
4. 6.5X55 (6.5mm allows a flatter cartridge of whats left)
5. 7mm-08 (7mm allows this cartridge to be flattest of whats left)
6. 7.5X55 Swiss (hotter than a 308)
7. 8mm Mauser (I confess it could be bumped up but I am not that familiar)
8. 308
9. 303 british

 

[rcmodel]

I think the rifles available in the calibers listed should be equally as important as the caliber.

Say what you will about the 7.62x54R, or .303 British, or 8mm Mauser, or 6.5x55.

You ain't gonna find a modern optics ready 500 yard capable hunting rifle at Bass Pro Shop for any of them.

And banging away at a deer at 500 yards with an old iron sighted military rifle is just plain unethical hunting.

rc

 

[mshootnit]

rc weren't there some rugers in 6.5?

I agree about the others but I think you can scope a 8mm mauser and get right out there , I saw a vid on that once.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I think the rifles available in the calibers listed should be equally as important as the caliber.

Say what you will about the 7.62x54R, or .303 British, or 8mm Mauser, or 6.5x55.

You ain't gonna find a modern optics ready 500 yard capable hunting rifle at Bass Pro Shop for any of them.

And banging away at a deer at 500 yards with an old iron sighted military rifle is just plain unethical hunting.

rc

Easily disagree. I find hunting anything at or over 500 yards unethical really, but a scoped milsurp is as effective if practiced with as any modern rifle. MOA is MOA, at an inch or a mile away. If my Ruger .260 rem can do it, and my K31 can do it, then the deer is dead regardless of WHAT rifle shot it.

 

[rcmodel]

But I wasn't talking about scoped mil-sups.
I said iron sighted mil-sups.

I shoot a scoped 03A3 Springfield in 30-06, and a scoped 98 Mauser in 25-06 I built myself.

I am fully aware of what either of them are capable of at 500 yards.

I have killed coyotes with both of them at 400+ numerous times.
A deer at 500 wouldn't be much harder.

rc

 

[meanmrmustard]

But I wasn't talking about scoped mil-sups.
I said iron sighted mil-sups.

I shoot a scoped 03A3 Springfield in 30-06, and a scoped 98 Mauser in 25-06 I built myself.

I am fully aware of what either of them are capable of at 500 yards.

I have killed coyotes with both of them at 400+ numerous times.
A deer at 500 wouldn't be much harder.

rc

I'm aware of what you said, and I find most milsurps to be quite accurate regardless.
You have bad eyes? 500 for some iron sighted weapons, with practice, isn't unethical (to me anyway) nor a challenge to anyone seasoned. I wouldn't go that far (making it unethical FOR ME), but a milsurp in good repair with precise adjustment ability, knowing your load, PRACTICE...not a walk in the park but doable. So, scoped or unscoped, any caliber listed with the proper load and training can take deer at 500 cleanly (iffy myself on the 7.62 R only because I'm not that good with a Mosin) sans optics.

I'm guessing, now is a good time for us to agree to disagree on hunting ethics. There'll be no winner.

 

[mavracer]

They're all very close and properly applied can all handle any north american big game. The 06 has a pretty good edge on the 6.5 in power but you pay for that in recoil.

 

[Kachok]

No deer I ever shot could tell the difference between my 30-06 and 6.5x55, they only get so dead, beyond that you are just blowing up more meat. That said if we were talking trophy elk I am bringing my 06 loaded with 200gr Accubonds.

 

[CB900F]

Freedom;

Here's the addy of a much better ballistics calculator: www.jbmballistics.com. If you'd care to go back, you'll notice where I got the information I posted: The sixth edition of the Hornady Handbook Of Cartridge Reloading, volume 2, and relevant pages cited.

FWIW the 6.5 Swede is rather severly underloaded in factory ammo these days. Too many lawyers on staff afraid of the strength of older guns. Also, FWIW, Carlos Hathcock won the Wimbledon Cup 1000 yard competition with a model 70 Winchester in .30-06. He was a Marine and the gun was thoroughly worked over by USMC armorers, but nonetheless.

900F

 

[Kachok]

Factory loads for the sweed are between 2500-2550fps with a 140gr, handloaders can exceed 2900fps with modern powders/actions. Those high performance loads have vastly better ballistics then any 308 load and are nipping at the heels of the 300 win mag. So when you talk about the 6.5x55 you are really talking about two totally different spectrums of performance slow mo factory fodder and what you can do with it if you roll your own

 

[HOOfan_1]

rc weren't there some rugers in 6.5?

I agree about the others but I think you can scope a 8mm mauser and get right out there , I saw a vid on that once.

Sako, Tikka and CZ sell rifles in 6.5x55. Tikka's are available intermittently though.