6 Underrated Hunting Cartridges

[@markmcg777]

I started using a 25-06 in 1993. Great caliber for whitetail. I bought my son one. Minimal recoil. Sight in 2.5 inches high at 100 and your MPBR is about 300 yards.

[@kirkmartin2223]

25-06 is a sleeper especially if you reload! Bullet weights from 75gr to 135gr. With the standard 10tw and an 87gr Bullet you can extend that mpbr out to 400yds on a 4" target an have a coyote killing lazer. Step up to a 7.5tw and the 130gr bullets and you have a mile target rifle for banging steel or a 800yd pronghorn/whitetail load. Disadvantage is that a 25-06 is very overbore and really shines with a 26" or longer barrel and slow burning magnum powders that are hard to find lately.

[@bruce6099]

​@@kirkmartin2223 I've got a tikka t3x lite stainless with a 22 in barrel in 25-06. 100grn speer btsp at 3234fps and 80grn mono's at 3500fps using AR2209 (H4350).

[@kirkmartin2223]

@@bruce6099 I have a Howa with a 26" preferred barrel blanks barrel. 75gr vmax @ 3675fps. MPBR is 410yds on a 4" target and it will cut a coyote almost in half lol. It will run them up to 3735fps @40°f but that's on the extreme upper end bordering disaster. Shoots factory Remington 120gr coreloks sub 3/4". Been thinking about a tikka build with a switch barrel setup for a 1:10tw and a 1:7.5tw. 10tw with a #2 sporter and the 7.5tw with a medium Palma. If I bought 2 more barrels they'd be 25-06AI or 25 Sherman for more speed.

[@bruce6099]

@Kirk Martin The one thing that would worry me about building a fast twist on a tikka is mag length for the longer projectiles. That wouldn't be a problem if you used an ai mag system, though. If i ever burn the barrel out on this tikka, I'll probably go to a 24-inch barrel just so i dont have to push the loads so hard to get the velocity.

[@toronadogofast7868]

The good thing about took a is they offer one actin length. The bolt stop and bolt can be special ordered for different calibers. Oregon mountain does a lot of work on them and have barrel blanks to fit. If the bit face hasn't been altered, then it is a simple screw in barrel change.

[@knoxoswald]

For how great of a mid to low end of big game the 7mm .08 should be way more popular

[@Mountain-Man27]

Pretty sure it’s the 7th best selling hunting cartridge as of a year or so ago. It’s more popular than most people think but it doesn’t seem to get much press

[@randallwhite9015]

I have hunted with 7mm-08 for years Yes I tried others" I have always came back to the 7mm-08, it's all I hunt with now.

[@stuckgrenadepin.225]

It would be more popular if manufacturers made less expensive AR10 barrels for it. That’s one of the reasons 6.5 creedmoor blew up.

[@Kurtdog63]

I think a lot of people are afraid to get stuck with a rifle that has a "new and improved" cartridge they can't now, and eventually never, find ammo for, and if they can find it, it is an insane price.

[@HA51971]

Enter 6.5 CM

[@D_Boone]

@@HA51971 Right, but compared to any cartridge that is actually popular, the 6.5CM isn't all that popular or have that many rifles chambered in it. Plus, it benefits from basically existing in other forms for 100+ years.

[@chrishayes8197]

owners of the old 257 roberts that are still around are feeling seen right now ;)

[@ryancrazy1]

@@D_Boone not sure where you got the idea that 6.5 creedmoor isn't popular? backfire had a article that said 6.5 creedmoor was #3 best selling cartridge only being beaten by 22lr and 223 by volume.

[@nameshavebeenchangedtoprot2127]

I like my 6.5 CM, but I really love my 7X57 Mauser, it's just plain fun to shoot. Makes stuff take dirt naps like no-ones business.

[@gpearce11]

I definitely think 300 and 338 RCM deserved a lot more love than they ever got, especially 338 RCM. I can distinctly recall a few months ago everyone losing their minds over Weatherby's new 338 RPM, particularly for its ability to be used in a lighter/handier rifle than the 338 Win Mag. Well, 338 RCM was specifically designed to recreate the 338 WM in a 20in short action (instead of a 24in long action), which means it did literally everything people love about 338 RPM over a decade earlier. 300 RCM, on the other hand, was probably never going to take off because it doesn't matter that, other than being fractionally lower performance, it was better than 300 WSM in every way; all anyone cared about is that it had fractionally lower performance than 300 WSM (although I well admit that being a Ruger round didn't help).

[@HitSTXLax]

Love the 6.8 Western! Hope more manufacturers get behind it one of these days 🤞🏻

[@andyL0648]

Just by the looks the the bullet chart you’ve provided, 7 mag still reigns supreme.

[@luchacefox259]

*.264 win mag reigns Supreme, but nobody knows it. 😅

[@jw3946]

My 6mm Creedmoor is my most accurate rifle. I shoot 5 inch group’s regularly at 1000 yards. And my two 6.8 Westerns shoot well at 1000 yards with any bullet. Love these guns. Very happy to have them in my collection.

[@patriotichunter6434]

6.8 western was like metric system in USA, it was hyped up, the day came it launched, then it disappeared. No one promotes it at all now. Haven’t seen a rifle or ammo in long time. Crazy for how good it is ballistically.

[@johnkaraphillis754]

.280AI is an efficient, effective, and recoil very tolerant. Definitely a great cartridge!

[@Accuracy1st]

I have two 280 Remingtons and my first 280AI in process. Both of these should be a LOT more popular

[@davidmartin7479]

Love my 280 rem rifle. Should be alot more popular

[@toddmartin3962]

funny enough, my gun safe is dominated by 6mm Creedmoor and 6.8 Western. The good news is my ammo safe and loading bench are stuffed full of those calibers goodies. my trusted 270 has it's place in the mix, but the other two dominate.

[@mikewilkinsdpm]

Love the 25-06. When the cartridges hit the shelf they go quick. Light bullet screaming fast.

[@cristianespinal9917]

I'm very glad that they're making fast twist rate rifles for .270 Winchester. I don't really care about the 6.8 Western, but I would love to have high-BC, heavy bullets available for my .270 when I eventually get it rebarreled.

[@nuckyduk15]

I'm hoping Browning and Winchester will eventually manufacture ammo with heavier bullets!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

With the 6.5 choices on the left, and the 7mm choices on the right, this is why 6.8 is going to be overlooked.

[@non-binaryjesus]

I really want the 6.8 western take off!!!! I really like it. Haven't been able to shoot it much but the few rounds I've found have been pretty good

[@robertstrong-g5q]

I've had many 270 win rifles and I really like it and if I had one now I wouldn't change but now that I don't have a 270 win I'm definitely interested in the 6.8 western

[@mikecross2435]

You know it's bad when Ruger doesn't even make a rifle chambered in 300RCM. After looking at this, it's a real shame you can't get it anymore. I think IF Hornady could reintroduce this under their name it would do much better.

[@tacticalmattfoley]

Rebrand it as 300 Compact Magnum.

[@mc-nm6ml]

300 HCM

[@rollandklontz]

Ruger makes several rifles in 300 rcm

[@zelenizub2036]

Its obvious 300 creedmoor

[@bobarganbright180]

After thought, the 6c would have made a great military round. I have taken elk, pronghorn, Mule deer, whitetail, and moose with a 30/06. I could have used a 30/30 in all cases with success.

[@outdooraddicts8666]

in canada there are lots of rifles chambered in 6.8 western its the ammunition that is impossible to find

[@bkb5668]

Hello, I own the .300 rcm in the guide gun platform. When I bought my rifle I bought 6 or 7 cases of ammunition, all different styles all hornady made. Every load shot inside an inch at 100 yards, the heavier bullets and copper bullets did better. I have not ever been disappointed with my rifle or ammunition. I do have dies and and what not, but until I run out of factory ammunition, I have no need to reload, and I don't shoot it that much. Thanks for your videos!!!!

[@cbrochu22]

I wish 7mm08 was more popular. You can use it for basically anything with minimal recoil. Where I am I haven’t been able to find ammo for years now in 7mm08.

[@thomasdaniel6495]

I know why everybody wants more speed,and that speed is sexy.But that being said,speed is not always desirable.Here in the southeast,where shots at 300 yards is pretty rare,and the deer are smaller,speed often destroys more meat than desirable.I have shot many deer with 308,30/06,300 win mag and 257 Roberts.I actually prefer the 257,because it's going slower,uses lighter bullets and destroys less meat if you have to take a less than perfect shot broadside.Thus I think the 6.5 cm is better than the 6 cm.Im not one to always jump on the newest bandwagon,but I do think the 6.5 cm fits a perfect niche.Just my thoughts.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

.30-30?

[@gsitzkowitz]

2 things, for a time I hunted with a 25-06. It killed way above its pay grade! The word authority comes to mind when it comes to how it takes down deer and hogs. One of the biggest blunders in ammunition history is the 30 Remington AR. If this cartridge would’ve caught on there would be no 6.5 Grendel or 6ARC or any of these cartridges that have been trying to replace the 5.56, with the exception of the 277 fury. The 30 RAR was truly the cartridge that would make the AR-15 platform a venerable big game platform.

[@danielrobey1759]

Remington blew all their credibility on the debacle of releasing the 6.8 spc

[@fredbalster3100]

​@@danielrobey1759 don't forget the Remington 260 debacle. 😢

[@wintonbaughman6398]

I really wanted the 6.8 Western to take off.

[@davejones67]

We have both 7mm wsm and 300 and no issues with feeding. Most of the time it’s the operator.

[@bcjdwbiernfjherwfbowfib]

Finally someone else agrees! The 6.5 is a decent cartridge but it lacks velocity. The 6 creed/6mm remington both do about the same on game, but going much faster and flatter. If you want a short action that hits like a truck, go 308 or even 300wsm.

[@saltyguerrilla]

We need more 6.8 content.

[@mrhuntinjunkie]

If you dally in the world of 25 cals for long you will fall in LOVE. Been shooting 257 Roberts for my whole life and I have never found a more pleasant cartridge to put a whitetail on the ground with.

[@tylerwhite5982]

Do you worry about ammo availability in the future for the 6.8 western?

[@hoffpbass]

I think going light for caliber is overlooked as an option without requiring a new rifle. A 95 grain 6.5CM is flying 3100 feet/sec. So thats as fast as a 243 Winchester, for example but generally carrying a little more mass. And a 110 grain 308 is screamimg at 3300 feet/sec. Then both those calibers have tons of other load offerings. Just need to resight in for your particular hunt.

[@vancebeach958]

I’m glad you acknowledged this cartridge(300RCM). I have one with a 22” barrel and enough ammo for a lifetime of hunting. If I can keep my powder dry.

[@ernestcardona9131]

I actually agree with you on all of those cartridges. I absolutely love my 25-06. It’s a great round for women and kids to hunt with. We have taken everything from elk to prairie dogs with it. Low recoil, flat trajectory, and fairly decent range of bullet weights. As long as it has 1:10 twist you can do a lot of things with the 25-06. I’ve actually owned two of them and both were extremely accurate and would shoot .25 MOA consistently.

[@dimahunter1797]

300 RCM is good, but I prefer 338 RCM. This is really unique

[@tacticalmattfoley]

Jim, I watched this Hornady podcast and had the exact same thought about 300RCM. I've never had an issue feeding cartridges in my Browning A-bolt 300WSM. Magazines for the X-bolt seemed sketchy, so that might be the reason people are having feeding issues--just a thought. 30TC is the parent case for the Creedmoors, so it seems strange that 30TC has all but been abandoned.

[@OutsidetheEchochamber]

My Xbolt in 300 wsm has never had any feeding issues

[@phild9813]

Never had feeding issues with the Tikka 270wsm but it’s a single stack

[@davidmartin7479]

No feeding issues for my Browning Abolt II in 300 wsm. With either factory or reloaded ammo.

[@TheTonygong]

Great video. I really like my 6.8 Western. Up in northern Utah I see 6.8's on the shelf pretty regularly. Sportsman's has quite a few (40'sh) variations of it now on their site. I hope it doesn't die, but I agree with your assertion. They are BLOWING the marketing campaign tremendously!

[@danielrobey1759]

How’s the ammo situation? That’ll be a huge factor

[@TheTonygong]

@@danielrobey1759 available, but not cheap. Hopefully someone else makes it soon. I heard rumors of Federal, but can't confirm 🤷

[@chrisputman7632]

I love my 6.8 western ammo is plenty in my local sporting shop probably the best gun I have owned

[@traviskuntz7503]

I see 162gr Copper extreme and 170gr Ballistic Silvertip on the shelves around me both for ~$45 per box. I just got my reloader set up and spun up a ladder with a 145 ELD-X in front of Magpro. Now I just need some time at the range.

[@patrickgallagher4344]

I don’t know maybe it’s just me but I think the 270 Winchester with a fast twist barrel makes way more sense than a 6.8 western ever did 🤷🏻‍♂️ heavy bullets in a 270 Winchester make it the ultimate elk rifle in my opinion!

[@grabbag6314]

25-06 is an absolute slayer

[@danollila2428]

I just bought an x-bolt in 6.8 western and what I'm noticing in my area (eastern Wyoming) is that the rifles are readily available almost everywhere I go, but NOT the ammo. I wasn't planning on handloading right away, but I might have to. 😖

[@edwardhoward4708]

Seems like a good cartridge for Wyoming. I am leaning toward a .270 for cartridge availability. Either an old gun or a new build with 1:8 twist.

[@m444ss]

Great review! Makes me wonder: Is .280 AI vs 6.8 Western a useful comparison? Is one generally better than the other in terms of broad application?

[@masone4589]

My 2 favorite cartridges that should be more popular and have factory rifle/ammo support are 280 AI and 7 SAUM

[@landonboomsma2594]

My two favorite as well haha. If I want more rounds in a magazine I’ll go 280 ackley as my all time. If I want a short action I’ll go 7 Saum

[@michaellane1661]

Awesome video Jim!🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@thatguyfishingben4794]

I'll admit I shoot a lot of 6 creedmoor and it makes me happy.

[@biggs8729]

So bummed about the 6.8 western. I love mine. I have enough loaded cartridges, to keep me busy with it for a while and then enough bullets, primers and powder to probably burn out the barrel. If someone would pump out some brass, I'ld be set.

[@dawiebyleveld6913]

Just get the 300 WSM way more popular tan a 300RCM (never heard of it) 243 are one of the classic's my next rifle will be a 6mm creed more

[@johncyr5623]

I hunt with a 338 RCM and have taken 6 or more moose with it. The RCM cartridges are perhaps the best big game ammo that I've taken game with

[@WallyMerc06]

300 wsm is one of my all time favorites

[@northerntier87]

I love the 280 A.I. great round can't wait for hunting season.

[@davidmartin7479]

6.5 CM, 280 rem, 300 wsm are my favs. All 3 have done well for me. And never have had feeding issues in my Browning Abolt II in 300 wsm I bought in 2003.

[@MrJtin69]

❤ hope all is well jim love all the backfire content

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Definitely a great list that you made there. It is sad to see the 300 RCM all but disappear 🫥. Sadly with Winchester and Browning horrible marketing the same might be true of the 6.8 Western. My youngest brother got one in the Browning XBolt Hell Canyon Long Range. Sadly it has been difficult here in the east to find ammo unless it’s the Power Point and maybe Copper Impact. He tried both and they shot terrible. It’s been impossible to find heavy for caliber .277 bullets so he found a good load for the Hornady ELDX 145s essentially making a .270 WSM. Speaking of WSM I do like my 300 WSM. I want to build a 7mm rifle someday to fit in between my 270 Win and 300 WSM, the 280 AI and 7 PRC. As for the 6mm CM, my Dad has a .243 Win so I wouldn’t mind a different 6mm so the 6mm CM fits the bill. The 25-06 is sweet from what I’ve heard and I wouldn’t mind one, but I am leaning toward the 257 Weatherby Mag aka the Death Ray.

[@painterpow9494]

2 of my favorite cartridges are 25-06 6.5x55 Swedish great video

[@Joe-lk6oc]

I have to disagree with you on the 6.8 Western and the 6mm Creedmoor being better than the 270 WSM or 270 Win, or the 6.5 Creedmoor.. I do like the old timer 25-06. It is a good cartridge. As for me, I'm a fan of 7mm Rem Mag, 30-06, 270 Win, 308 Win, 7mm-08. I also like the 6.5x55, 260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor. The little 243 has its place as well. Especially for women and younger kids learning to shoot and hunt. Be safe and good hunting.

[@wesleybrown1853]

I found one and was so glad I bought the rifle and dies to reload for it. It also is so light for having a walnut stock

[@bradleyhughes6853]

I think the 6.8 western lost out because nobody else wanted to load for it. As far as I know only Winchester loads 6.8, not federal, hornady, nosler, remington. I also heard people saying when it came out that, it was just a 270 WSM with a faster twist barrel (I understand twist is not the only thing that changed). Interesting cartridge but it was like a flash in the pan, everybody was talking about it until two weeks later and it was on to the next thing.

[@vincentdimick7012]

I don’t blame Browning for starting to barrel fast twist rifles. It’s only a matter of time until all manufacturers get on board. Ammo availability makes it an interesting proposition for me… I would buy a fast twist .270 rifle over a 6.8 Western simply because of ammo availability in my area… Also, maybe they’ve conceded, given up, that the 6.8 will compete with the PRCs or Creeds… They should’ve named it the 6.8 PRC or .270 Creedmore, prolly would’ve helped.

[@jamiepezoulas4546]

Love your content! 6mm Creedmoor is definitely on my list.

[@keithprinn720]

yes but for massively different needs

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I'd choose it over the .243 Winchester in that caliber.

[@marcmoore4115]

It's not underrated though. Don't get me wrong - My next purchase will most likely be a 6 Creed, to pair a magnum in the future, although for me the 6 Creed would be more match focused, but for Springbok sized game it'd be a great option.

[@jamiepezoulas4546]

@@marcmoore4115 It’s definitely gaining popularity so people are getting on board. Hopefully more ammunition options will become available. It’s tough to find around here.

[@tammyfuller8827]

I remember this caliber well, Hornady and Ruger went after the 300 wsm,Trashed the 300 wsm said it didn’t feed good, I’ve been shooting the 300 wsm for years never had any kind of issues, Hornady wouldn’t make 300 wsm for years, Hornady is still so butt hurt over this, They only offer 300 wsm in 3 or 4 bullets.

[@davidmartin7479]

Spot on

[@msa4548]

I know that they aren't very popular, but at some point I'm going to get rifles in .338 Federal, .300 RCM and a .338 RCM. Even if it means having the rifles I have re-barreled into these cartridges. These just seem like fun, efficient and effective cartridges as long as you aren't shooting ridges out west.

[@bkb5668]

I live out west, and the .300 rcm is a great western ridge rifle as is the .338 rcm, or if you prefer, a bean field rifle back east. The .300 rcm has more ass on it than the 30-06. The 7mm mag. Pushing a 175gr. and .300 rcm pushing a 180gr. are damn near identical in every way except one is a long action, the other short action.

[@msa4548]

@@bkb5668 thanks for the information, I didn't know it was capable of that range.

[@hopefulballistics]

Agree with everything except the 300 RCM. The WSM is the same thing just better and more popular

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

Hornady hater! haha

[@ryguy4067]

The Rifle that should have but never did in the 338 isn't the RCM it's the 338-06. It's an extremely efficient round. I think 338 cartridges flounder a little because I can reload 6mm cartridges (bullet+powder+primer) for less money than just the bullet costs when reloading 338.

[@codyblack1498]

I've been thinking about building a 6mm creedmoor but can't decide if I should go bolt action or AR style. That could make for a pretty cool video... What calibers function better in each for hunting purpose! Another video idea is what calibers work better suppressed and in a bolt action or AR style!

[@madreamer]

30 T.C. is pretty underrated, and it's pretty good.

[@tlloyd9325]

I built a custom rifle in the early 1980’s with a 24” barrel. Nobody sold the ammo. No problem, I handload any way. I bought a 7mag and discovered you need 17gr more powder to get very little improvement in velocity. The 7mag only outshines the 280 is in the heavier 160+ bullets.

[@midwestoutdoorsman]

The 300 RCM has always been my pick for the best big game hunting cartridge since it was introduced. I think if more gun manufacturers chambered for it and more ammo companies beside hornady loaded ammo it would be more popular. Epically since it was designed for short barrels which is in favor today with suppressors. I also have built a 11.3 300 Ham'r so I can hunt suppressed and it's great in a tree stand as well.

[@keithprinn720]

sounds like 6.8 western not supported by manufacturers

[@tammyfuller8827]

I didn’t know Ruger had a ammo company, I remember Hornady and Rugers sales pitch on this caliber, Is faster and better than the 300 wsm they lost.

[@midwestoutdoorsman]

@Tammy Fuller typo hornady loaded the ammo. The sales pitch was not thay it was faster than the wsm it has slightly less case volume so that's wrong. It was that it was designed for short action rifles and designed for short 20 inch barrels also while giving performance greater than 30-06 and coming close to wsm in a 20 inch barrel. It also has no rebated rim so feeds better as well. Design wise it IS a better cartridge I think. The wsm was loaded by all the different ammo manufacturers which is the main reason why it was successful I think. I wouldn't mind a 7mm RCM as well, would be perfect for hunting and long range shooting.

[@jcjustice3786]

25:06 sweet caliber. 👍👍👍👊

[@MedicMe003]

I love the idea of the 300 RCM. I wish it did take off.

[@JAKEfromGEORGIA]

Good stuff Jim! I just got out of a ticket, telling the cop I was paying attention to backfire and he said, “ oh I love jim” and I said phh me too man, and he said actually you just right me a ticket sir! Lmao Have a great day! P.s I got the ticket🥲

[@TheKalkara131]

His talk of the 25-06 got me thinking, I'd sort of like to see a roundup of popular hunting calibers of the 20th century that have fallen off. As much as people are redoing older stuff, it makes me wonder how many calibers got passed over in the past for one reason, but today would do well.

[@bobarganbright180]

I chose the 6 creedmore over the 6.5c with a heavy barrel. It consistantly hits a coyote target at 800 yards. I agree that the 25/06 is a great hunting round but has been limited on the choice of bullets. It has never been considered a compeition round.

[@marcmoore4115]

I wish there were 125-135gr hunting rounds available. That'd make the .25 caliber much more intriguing to me. I think the heaviest currently is 120gr - at least from the major manufacturers anyway.

[@bradpittman5075]

Winchester with the 284 and 6.8w…. I really wish they would have pushed it to the max like Hornady does. Excellent rounds. Poor marketing

[@ILikeCatsMoreThanILikeYou]

Dude, with everything going on in the world and all the craziness of men being women and up being down....sometimes it's really nice to listen to a guy talk about bullets

[@Max-ye9xg]

Many years ago two young Marine Corps snipers were at the air show in California showing their 3 weapons told me the 50 cal they don't use on people mostly engine blocks and equipment to slow down specific transportation

[@nathanbennion6678]

Thanks for the Idaho Falls shout out!!

[@markreaves8086]

204 Ruger I think made it 😊

[@11563Ducati]

Jim, Jim.... load a 105 gr proectile in a 6.5 Creedmoor, over 3,200 FPS... 6.5 Creed all day long. But yes you have load your own ammo.

[@harrypeterson9287]

By using a light for caliber bullet you're losing the only real advantage the 6.5 has over any other short action cartridge in the first place which is a high sectional density and ballistic coefficient. Most people don't even hunt out far enough to utilize the advantage and even if they did it's a bit light by my standards for medium game at that distance.

[@dustinblaz1961]

my ultimate underrated cartridge is the 26 nosler I absolutely love it.

[@REDNECKROOTS]

The 6.5 and 338 weatherby RPM those are the shiznickle

[@arbnorh.910]

The Problem with the 6mm cm is that in Germany and in france u have to use minimum a 6.5mm caliber for "big Game" With the 6mm cm you can just shot deer or fox...

[@bryanshull372]

Talking about under rated cartridges, look into the 25-45 Sharps rifle cartridge and the 460 Rowland 1911 conversion.

[@stevenstembridge4864]

Count me in with those who truly wish the 300 RCM would come back strong!

[@markreaves8086]

I see the impact every time with my 308 Remington bolt action.

[@tonybarnes5309]

You like 25 caliber here, is one of the best lever actions I ever hunted with the 25-35 it would out shoot the 30-30 and knock down deer harder than the 30-30. But it's been declared to small for deer. That gun now it is a family gun past down.

[@hotramen5952]

your missing part of the point of the 6.5 cm. they used to talk about it in the gun rags when we were kids. like the .270 or the .30-06, it offers the dream. you COULD take it to shoot elk. you COULD take it to hunt sheep. one day you COULD join the guys at the 600 yard line. for most deer hunters with family and work and a mortgage, that really is as far as they get outside of a week of deer hunting. they get a happy daydream and occasionally read a story about a hunter using THEIR caliber to go off and take that elk.

[@wildernessgreggoodfellow2269]

I love my 6 creedmoor! Its my go to rifle for coyotes which is my main game most of the year. the 87 grn Vmax hammers them and gives me more wind deflection than the 58 grns. I've taken several shots at coyotes past 350 yards and not a one has budged after impact. One Cartridge that I am not sure if Backfire has gone over is the 6mmARC. That is my AR15 platform and while I am still developing a good load for it ,the accuracy has been sub MOA form all factory offerings. I am exited to see how my handloaded 87 grn Vmaxs do out of it on coyotes but the accuracy is 3/4 MOA or better.

[@felipemartinez3285]

I love my .280 AI Kimber Mountain Accent

[@Bones6987]

I Love the 25-06 but I understand why it never really took off The 30-06 loaded with 125 grain stones is a better use of components and beats the 117 grain 25-06 all the way to 300 yards which I would think most hunters would stop at because anything further than that is a tricky task at best Love the videos as always

[@MrJtin69]

25-06 ai in a 26 inch barrel is a beast

[@ShockerRepair]

Long actions with long barrels isn't what's popular right now, unfortunately.

[@philrizzo]

Amen. And to hell with what’s trendy.

[@stuckgrenadepin.225]

I think 6.8 western isn’t doing as well is because the rifles chambered for them are stupidly expensive. If only a handful of people are buying them there is no point in mass producing the rifles or the ammo.

[@Preying_on_predators]

25-06 rem underrated round that should be more popular! Savage model 10 $600 with a vortex scope. Have you looked into the 6mm ARC? If not do it!

[@MrJtin69]

280 ai is a great do it all

[@TraditionalToolworks]

Face it Jim, you picked a lemon with the 6.8 Western...give it up and chase the 6.5 PRC.

[@AnnLeahy-nh3se]

Jim I have a 300 rcm works great Ed Leahy

[@Redeken666]

You need to look and shoot the European German calibers 9,3x62 and 8x57js 😊

[@sawyerthompson7869]

Haha I just got a 25-06 it looks amazing and I think it'll be great for deer!

[@patmartin4411]

4 person 2 people home tents. Ahahahaaaa!!!!! Love it brother.

[@bullrambler]

I have a few unpopular (or less popular) rifles in different calibers. First the 243 WSSM. I call it the "Little Gun That Could" (95 or 100 grainers). It has taken a lot of deer. Second would be the 9.3x62 - it's has put meat on the table and knocks em down hard. And more recently the 300 RCM - which in considered a great find. I have found ammo so I had it out briefly last spring for initial sight in and, I had it out again yesterday to verify what I sighted in last spring; shooting the 165 SST grain bullets and will try the 178 grainers soon. A few other calibers that I won't go into here. But getting back to the 300 RCM. I'd prefer a longer barrel - like 24 inches. I've always liked the longer barrels on most rifles. I find the shorter barelled rifles has the blast of the ignition closer to the ears then I like. And four inches does make a difference. Ruger should have produced two 300 RCM rifles with two barrel lengths. Namely a 20 incher and a 24 incher. Kinda like what Marlin did with the 30-30 regular 20 inch and a 24 inch XLR. If a guy has problems hunting with a longer barrelled rifle. It's time to go the gym.

[@bullrambler]

Same should be applied to the 338 RCM.

[@davidchase1439]

338 federal one of the best cartridges rarely known hits like a 338 recoils like 30 06

[@E1337Jerk]

Big fan of 6.8 western poor timing to release mid pandemic and right before the 7 prc. It is an amazing cartridge but I don't know if I'll get it just due to the chance of it fizzling and me scrambling to get everything I need to reload for a life time.

[@dennisholle1005]

Great video! thanks for the information.

[@SteveM0732]

The 300 RCM is basically a 30-06 in a short action with a 20" barrel. They should never have called it a magnum as that just makes people either shy away from it or compare it unfairly to the 300WSM and 300WM. I think it is a fine hunting cartridge, but wouldn't buy one unless I knew I could get my hands on a lifetime supply of brass for it.

[@bkb5668]

I compare the .300 rcm to the 7mm mag. I know they are not the same caliber but look up the 175gr. 7mm mag. and compare it to a 180gr. .300 rcm they are near identical to each other.

[@goofysmitt]

I love my 300RCM but because ammo is scarce and the gun is mint I have trouble using it. Ruger needs to make the budget American rifle in the RCM calibers

[@terryhenry8243]

6.8 Western is a dead duck!! Very little manufacturer support. It'll make a nice collector piece in about 50 years😂