5 Best Cartridges & Calibers for New Hunters

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[@Hunter-mt6uv]

22-250 is a great round I used it to kill many of deer

[@bretnmannn]

Nothing listed accomplishes what a 7-33NOSLER WILDCAT CAN EXAMPLE A 190GRN A-tip seated fits out of the powder column in the shorter fatter nosler case loaded into a AICS detachable magazine thar only has a id length of 3.760" from a 30" barrel the 7-33 nosler launches 190 grn bullets G1 BC .838 at 3,200fps This out does all of the cartridges on this video delivering 1000FPE @1 mile (1760 yards) fact,

[@silaspierre1377]

did you mean 6mm ? instead of 6.5 creedmoor ?

[@OliG-py1dx]

I have a pinned response from a backfire account.. Is it a scam?

[@sergiolazzaro7970]

amigo subtitule en español

[@lomax6620]

We have draw in youth hunts where I live and you should see what the dads bring out for their kids to shoot. 300 mags, 7 mags and all kinds of cannons just to shoot a white tail at no more than 200 yards max. I've seen them drop the gun when it goes off or flinch so bad that they miss by a mile. A .243 or a 22-250 is just about right for young people. Flame me all you want but theres no need in making a kid hunt with something thats gonna punish them.

[@louiscapasso4452]

200 yd Max you are spot on with those two choices. No need to ruin a new Hunter because of dad's ego in needing to have a big cartridge. I ruined my oldest boy for hunting by making him shoot a 30-06. It was just too darn big for him at the time. All because I was too cheap to go buy a new rifle.

[@diggernash1]

Those are great choices. I would add a suppressed(if your state allows hunting with a suppressor)6.5 Grendel in a light bolt action. I have one for my "grandkids" to use, but I may claim it before they are old enough. Around 7 lbs, including the suppressor. The bare gun weighs 4 lb 10 ounces.

[@chrisrowland4279]

That's probably why back in the day, the .30-30 was a lot of people's first deer rifles.

[@Thth-xo7cn]

Why would anyone "flame" that opinion? My first deer gun (6 or so) was a 30.06 and I know it made me flinch as a kid. Any time I shot a .270 or .243 I was more accurate. A few years later on the other hand..

[@tormentorxl2732]

243

[@G19Jeeper]

You are one of the few channels that makes these types of videos based on experience and logic, rather than reading some ads or blog posts and assembling opinions on it so good on you for that.

[@lawnfarmr399]

I have actually had a fair few people ask me this before and my answer is always the same; Tikka T3X Lite with a Leupold 2.5-8*36 chambered in 308. The rifle will be accurate, affordable, unfussy with ammo and 100% reliable with feeding. The scope is rugged, has a dial up turret, has plenty of magnification for a beginner, and prevents the beginner trap of turning the magnification up way too high when shooting. The cartridge is super cheap to shoot and super easy on barrels, which is conducive to the single most important aspect for a beginner; easy to train with. Hornady produce Custom Lite ammo for it which produces just 13ftlbs of energy in a 7.5lb rifle, so you can practice with that all day without damaging your shoulder, wallet or barrel, yet when you want to step it up you can get some Nosler 168gr ABLR ammo or Hornady Precision Hunter and be absolutely lethal out to 500 yards (assuming of course you’ve done that valuable practice). The only other chambering that is nearly as good is the 6.5 Creedmoor, but if elk are on the menu the 308 still has the edge.

[@fordrac1ng81]

If someone doesn't have cash to burn I always suggest 308, 270, 30-06, 6.5 creedmoor, 7mm-08 in that order. If they end up really enjoying hunting and shooting, down the road you can open up to 280AI, 6.5PRC, 7 Rem Mag, etc. If you're just hunting white tails, 243 is also a great way to go.

[@JAEUFM]

I started out with the 30:06 back in '80 when I started deer hunting. When the ammo shortage hit, went with the .308 Winchester,....not a complaint about that cartridge either, can find it nearly everywhere in my neck of the woods, '06, can still be missing from the store shelves.

[@hankhill3417]

.243 win is a great deer cartridge. Necked down.308 . The 30/06 is still the best do all cartridge that is available everywhere

[@thedalillama]

Why would a new hunter buy into an archaic platform?

[@darryljones6129]

@@thedalillama simply because it works and is proven.

[@jackbuendgen389]

My wife is getting into hunting and we picked the 308. Less recoil than a 30-06, still elk capable, cheap to shoot, and it's available

[@beekeeper8474]

Yup cheap plentiful ammo with a nice selection of weights. Buddy spends a bunch on ammo and doesn't really spend much time on the range.

[@Longtrailside]

One serious part you left out was the bullet selection for caliber. Which can regulate the recoil felt. The best all around is the 308. Hear me out. Its not the best at anything, but can do more than most at a low cost of ammo. New hunters can load a 110 grain round and get a deer, black bear. As they grow older they can step up the bullet size and hunt elk, moose. It truley is an all around cheap for cost hunting rifle.

[@HuntingWithSteph]

Could not agree more, 6.5 prc has no business beating out 308

[@brettbaker5599]

Also, cheap practice ammo!

[@Longtrailside]

@@brettbaker5599 And always in abundance in stock, even if its nato rounds.

[@mot0rhe4d40]

@HorchataFan You mean with it's numbers on paper right? Cause new kid on the block has a LOT of catching up to do to reach the dominance that 308 has been dishing out for decades.

[@joeyhunt5512]

I completely agree. The newer stuff is definitely “better” on paper. But you can go from predator/small game to deer and antelope to black bear and sheep to dang elk and moose lol. In the same rifle.

[@richwc1]

My first rifle was a .270. My wife and daughters first were 7mm-08. Hard to beat the 7mm-08 for a first do all rifle. I think the .308 should have stayed in there too.

[@ericstrabel]

Yeah the 308 can shoot very flat with lightweight bullets, flatter than the 6.5 CM of the same weight to distances that a new hunter will likely shoot from

[@ld8095]

If you look at his charts in other videos, he lists the average 308 Winchester load as 202gr at 2491 fps. Using these numbers, I can see why he would throw it out for being too slow. A 150gr at 2800 fps would be a decent load for a beginner.

[@chrisdewet4384]

Me too...308 still most popular in Africa....@2750fps....no problems in shooting anything in Namibia. 308 tamed this country☺

[@chrisdaniel1339]

the 6.5 mm and the 7 mm in 308 length cartridges both outperform the 308 Win in all respect, they have higher BC and SD, carry more energy down range, drift less in the wind and have deep penetration. The .30 cal is just not as efficient in flight, it is just physics.

[@chrisdewet4384]

@@chrisdaniel1339 true, but my rifle and bullets shoot the same speed as my buddy's 260. Will never go for any other option though. Cheers

[@charizardballer6921]

This will be my first year hunting and I got a 270 WIN. Super happy with my pick!

[@nohandle257]

Depends on the rifle and bullet weight. I let my 270 go. Didn't need it for what I shoot and it kicked too much for me. I probably could have solved the problem with a better butt pad. I never tried loading it down and I should have.

[@joecitizen6046]

Great choice!! I have been shooting for about five decades now. I tried just about every caliber over the years up to the 300 Win Mag, and the 270 Win is still my favorite. The newer 6.5CM is almost changing my mind, but when it comes to hunting season, I always seem to go with old faithful 270.

[@GtcoUC]

I am a new hunter and there is something special about a 30-30 to me. I love lever guns and it’s a joy to shoot. The loads aren’t too powerful and training on it is very enjoyable.

[@kencleg7721]

Blr in 7 mm08

[@luchacefox259]

One of my first rifles was a Marlin 336 in 30-30. I killed tons of big pigs and several Deer with it. Never shot anything twice. 200 yards and under its a perfect hunting caliber. The all copper bullets really helped the 30-30 find new life against medium game.

[@DaleMead-wf9xv]

Savage 99c 308 win

[@jeffreykcarlin518]

Another video that gets you thinking. Until recently the 7-08 would be a go to for new hunters. Today I went to 6 sporting goods stores between Tucson and Phoenix and in 7-08 I only found Winchester BST or Vortex ammo, probably less than 20 boxes combined. The 6.5 PRC was in a similar or worse boat. 270, 30-06 and 7mag were a little better but hands down there was 308 ammo in abundance in every store I went to. I haven’t found any of my 308’s particularly finicky on loads and no animal on the planet will ever know the difference between getting hit with a 150 or 165 grain from a 308 or 30-06. I shoot everything on your final 6 list and love them. But in the current market, I would have to go with the 308. My sons have been shooting the caliber since they were around 10 with no brake. Today you can get a pretty good selection of rifles that either come with a brake or are threaded. And a good 308 with a 165 Accubond or Barnes TTSX is pretty good medicine for most any non-dangerous game in the lower 48. Thanks for the video, well thought out!👍

[@QuitoQueso]

As a new hunter, I went with .270 and I've been happy with it, and I don't know if there's a better option for new hunters looking for a "do-all" cartridge (short of handling brown bear). As a more experienced hunter and shooter, I'm now looking at expanding into the magnums with a .300 PRC. With those two I should be good for everything in North America and out to any distance that I can responsibly shoot. A faster twist barrel for my .270 is also in the works so that I can launch heavier monometal bullets.

[@santafecanon]

270 is great. Correct bullet type and shot placement. That is the obvious. Hell, they used to take game with flintlocks. They knew how to shoot well.

[@raymondmathewson4817]

For almost 30 years I shot a 338Winmag for everything! Nowadays I'll grab a 7mm08 for everything and be extremely happy. From antelope to elk. The 7mm08 is a darn fine cartridge!

[@mrmayhemstewart5138]

Spot on mate love the 7mm08 has never let me down cheers Yogi Australia 🇦🇺🤙🤙

[@michaelnelson1911]

My son-in-law asked me this exact question about 6 months ago. We were looking for something with light recoil, ammo availability and low cost, flat shooting and something that could be used on a lot of different game. We ended up choosing the 270 Winchester. This is probably my favorite cartridge and I have taken deer, antelope, elk and my dad has even shot a moose. so it is pretty versatile. This is an awesome first caliber as well as a top hunting and shooting caliber. I am not sure why you dropped the 308, I would have probably replace the 30-06 with the 308. Same bullets, but less recoil. A better choice for a new hunter. I think the 6.5 is great for deer, but lack for larger game. As additional note, I got a 7mm-08 two years ago and I am having a heck of a time finding any ammo. There are 4 stores that sale ammo and I have been checking for over a year and I just don't see any 7mm-08 ammo. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@keithcushing8162]

Try on line

[@Keifsanderson]

Agreed. No reason to put a young new shooter behind a 30-06 before a 308.

[@jayhaddan7927]

30-06 over 308 any day

[@Keifsanderson]

@@jayhaddan7927 Why? Without a qualifying statement, what you said is meaningless.

[@mot0rhe4d40]

7mm-08 factory has been a nightmare to locate even online for the last couple years. Had a few boxes show up locally and the price reflected how hard it is to come by.

[@smoakngun]

The largest game I hunt is white tail deer in South Carolina. I use several cartridges. .25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester and .243 Win. I have had great success with the .25-06. Low recoil, shoots flat, and cheap to shoot.

[@happytrails5400]

I did a similar video a couple of years ago and chose the .308 WIN. Why did I choose the .308 WIN? I like short action rifles, for those who don't reload .308's are easy to find, recoil is still easy enough to handle even in smaller lightweight riles, wound channel's are sufficient, energy level's good farther away than 99% of hunters should shoot, don't like long barrels that add weight and have less maneuverability. The 7mm08 is a great cartridge, but still not the killer like the .308 WIN. Always like your video's Jim.

[@carterthiessen2664]

270 is the way. If they would make newer 270s with 9 or 8 twist barrels, I'd probably buy another one, but mine is currently shooting 145 eldx at 3000 fps over rl19. A 6.5 prc doesn't really outperform it until you get past 4 or 500 yards which is at the ragged edge of ethical hunting distances.

[@Inveniam22]

"Ethical" is extremely subjective and up to an individual. Advantages at 4-500 yards are definitely worth considering for most good shooters.

[@ronhooper5509]

Thanks to RL26, I’m pushing 150gr Accubonds at 3100 with excellent accuracy. Recoil is definitely noticeable lol

[@nohandle257]

Many in the know want the 270 twist rate to be upgraded. Ron Spomer has brought it up. But .... marketing. New rifles, new cartridges. Sales.

[@jaydunbar7538]

What your asking for is a 6.8 western

[@hardball107]

@@micahdunleavy9227 You think so ? I shot National Match for over 25 years so I know how to dope the wind, now I shoot PRS out to 1000 yards. Add to that your shooting position is often compromised while hunting and with a light barreled rifle and a lower power scope it becomes even more difficult to hit that 1moa standard. A recipe for disaster and let's hope it's a miss and not a gut shot animal. I can ring 6" steel at 600 yards like phoning home but hunting isn't off a bench.

[@M.H357]

Absolutely right, 270 win was my first rifle, initially I hated it and my accuracy was all over the place, it took me some time to deal with the flinch. Imagine if that first rifle was 300 win mag or 28 Nosler.

[@etherboy3540]

I agree with your reasoning but I favor the 7mm-08 due to its low recoil and versatility. If I were to put more emphasis on availability I would probably go with the 270.

[@TimBiagi]

I was going to say 308, for all the reasons you mentioned, but then came around to the 270 and I don't even own one. Flat shooting, low recoil and good for everything.

[@hikenmikes8262]

For young newbie’s, 7mm-08 is tough to beat…smacks relatively hard, shoots pretty flat, and is easy on the shoulder. Not to mention, it’s a short chamber.

[@mot0rhe4d40]

Only real draw back is ammo availability over the last couple years. But even before that, it isn't as available as it's parent caliber 308.

[@hikenmikes8262]

@@mot0rhe4d40 so true…in fact, my most recent rifle purchase was a 308, for that very reason. I wanted the 7mm-08, but ammo cinched the deal

[@mot0rhe4d40]

@@hikenmikes8262 I bought my oldest Her own hunting rifle in 243, I find myself second guessing not going 308. While ammo is starting to show up. 308 just has so many perks on its side.

[@joethearcticfox]

7mm-08 if elk is a possibility, 6.5 CM if it's deer and smaller, and 30-06 if you want the widest variety of bullets.

[@Monscent]

6.5 works fine for moose, so i doubt elk is any issue.

[@tesla82111]

7mm08 is trash. Low powered and bad ballistics. 7mm rem mag is much better.

[@Ben-ry1py]

I constantly hear people saying that ammo for the 6.5 prc is impossible to get. Other than that the only problem is... the video is too short. I love this stuff.

[@midwestg4105]

The best new caliber is the one you can readily get ammo for. Unless you handload and get actually get components. .308 Winchester is about the only one that readily comes to mind....

[@dariangerardo2]

i agree

[@Eric-bh7jy]

Just got one for my first rifle. Being off by 30 yards within 300 yards isn’t going to matter much

[@dariangerardo2]

@@Eric-bh7jy awesome, you’re gonna be happy with 308 all around👍🏽

[@williamgaines9784]

And in every platform. It would be just ahead of 270 & 30-06 for a new hunter because of the limited platforms they are currently in. Ammo for .308 is about the lowest priced and most available of them all.

[@Longtrailside]

@@Eric-bh7jy Great choice, 308 hits hard. Get some barnes ttsx bullets and hunt whatever you want within 300yds for proper bullet expasnion.

[@dancrane674]

The venerable ‘06, load it up or load it down no other cartridge has the range of this old guy. Love it, it’s outlasted a ton of newcomers. Come on Jim, give me a break.

[@rollandklontz]

300wm is much more versatile than the 06 if you reload

[@dancrane674]

@@rollandklontz Not sure, just looked at the Nosler Manual, agreed this is just Nosler but loads from 110 gr up to 220, WSM doesn’t go that light.

[@rollandklontz]

@@dancrane674 There is plenty of load data for 110gr bullets and 300wm. But why would anyone want to load 110gr bullets in any 30cal?

[@dancrane674]

Well the first answer is someone thought it worthwhile or there wouldn’t be a 110 gr bullet available. I thought about it for varmints (coyotes) but went with 22-250. Also, loaded my ‘06 with 124 gr Hammer Hunters for deer and antelope this year. The groups and fps is great. WSM is a great short action cartridge no question.

[@rollandklontz]

@@dancrane674 Just to clarify i am talkng about wm not wsm. 30-06 and 300wm are both established and fantastic cartridges and both are incredibly versatile but the 300wm is better with heavier bullets than the 06.

[@PierreG4400]

I decided for my first hunting caliber to go for the .308 Win. Both the .308 Win. and the .270 Win. offer deadly ballistics in shootable cartridges and rifles. The .270 Win. shoots flatter and hits harder, but for an all-around hunting caliber, I’m going with the .308 Win. That’s not because the .30-caliber cartridge is better, but because it’s more versatile. I like all the bullet and rifle options as well as the availability of practice ammunition. I live in South Africa.

[@tannercook4322]

Anything within 200 yards with a 308 for a new shooter.

[@jacobjessop9465]

My first rifle was a 270 and it has been a great rifle. I got a 7mm-08 for my daughter’s first rifle since, I could it in a Ruger American compact.

[@michaelhicks8237]

Shot a bunch of things for 30 years. I absolutely love the 7mm-8. I highly recommended it to most hunters

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

I would say the 270 is best on list for a newbie. Deer elk bear antelope lots of copper bullet choices

[@foubert45]

.308 was mine and what I would recommend to anyone!

[@diggernash1]

Mine (that I owned) as well, shot it from 10 years old to 44 years old. Still take it out for more open areas. Under 200 yards though, it's Grendel for me now. I started chasing deer with a ruger .44 magnum carbine at 8 and killed my first one with it. So both of the above are a power upgrade...lol.

[@AllThingsLoud_]

When I was deciding I narrowed down to 3 calibers .243, .300 bo, and 350 legend. I ended up deciding on the 350 legend. It shoots flat at range, low in recoil, cheaper than most cartridges, and is so readily available I could grab a box at wal-mart. Not to mention it’s a straight wall cartridge so it’ll be one that most people can use in regards to cartridge regulations

[@JackFrostTheDeerHunter]

Eliminate all proprietary cartridges...any company that develops a cartridge and makes the rifle, or develops a new cartridge (hornady and weatherby come to mind) and does not allow ammo to be made without licensing. you get my point. That is why I will stay with the 243, 30-06, 308, 270, 300 Winmag.

[@gunngin3586]

Very interesting to see your thought process. Might i suggest you putting a line through the eliminated options instead of darkening them? Just to make them easier to see.

[@leskrug9266]

243 Winchester or the 7mm08 with a nosler partition bullet or swift A-frame, or a barnes X-bullet.!

[@jeffdavis7616]

257 Roberts it is a great intro cartridge that you can keep for life.

[@nohandle257]

It was the inspiration for so many cartridges to follow. Loved by many. Truly a great cartridge. Should never fallen into the obscurity it has. Not dead though. You can still find ammo.

[@mot0rhe4d40]

300 BLK, 30-30, 350 Legend and 243 are all good starter calibers for deer and hog. My neighbors kids learned on a 25-06. I have no experience with that caliber, but have to chance a guess that it isn't too bad on a young boy and girl. Would think 6.5 grendel and CM would work as well.

[@_emh]

Solid list. I'm a big fan of the 7mm-08 (looking forward to elk season in a few months) but a new hunter can't go wrong with any of your top five (or six). Winchester, Tikka, Savage, and Ruger all make new rifles in 7mm-08 and I'm sure others do too. Ammo is easy to find out east but I can find it at my local Scheel's here in Colorado all the time as well. A novice hunter today could grab a Tikka T3x Lite with a Leupold scope, a nice sling, a decent soft case, and a few boxes of ammo and keep it under or around $1,000. Or grab a Ruger American with a Burris scope and keep it under $700. Lots of options. If the new hunter is only hunting deer and smaller game, then I'd probably have gone .243 Win. Cheers!

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

Just shot my tikka t3 270 today. If u hand load try 4831sc powder in 2506 3006 and 270. If you can get hands on hammerbullets there most accurate all copper bullets i found.

[@sinistersilverado965]

I haven't seen 7mm08 for sale in years

[@hankhill3417]

Weatherby vanguard and Howa 1500 are the best value hands down. Ruger American is cheap feeling .

[@EatingWild]

​@@sinistersilverado965 then you haven't been looking had zero issues finding one here

[@tesla82111]

7mm08 is trash. Low powered and bad ballistics. 7mm rem mag is much better.

[@leemiller4016]

Awesome and timely video-Jim does his research and breaks this subject down. He can’t cover the complete gamut of calibers and game…but he did a great job of being as broad on the subject as he could yet still give solid options.

[@czguy3045]

I know you were trying to cover the entire country and I generally agree with your picks. My first three thoughts were 6.5 Creed, 7mm-08 and 270 Win. To add one more option, I'd probably go with 308 and for one more... probably 243. If I were to remove two of those, it would be the 308 and the 270. I love the 270 but between the longer action and the higher recoil... my top three recommendations would be 6.5 Creedmore, 7mm-08 and 243. Probably in that order. If I had to spell it out for someone, I'd say to get the Creedmore. This is assuming someone without a rifle today probably won't be hunting elk next winter. I think developing good habits with the lighter recoil outweighs the ability to hunt larger game. At least if I were getting someone started. Good vid!

[@chuckminick9511]

After watching my grandson drop several deer I have left the big gun club and now I am a huge fan of the 243 Winchester

[@nohandle257]

Hear ya! I haven't mentioned my 243 up to this point in all the blabbing I've been doing on this thread but with a 100 grain Nosler Partition I'm pretty confident I could kill anything in North America but a Griz. I could kill a Griz but he might get me before he expired so I wouldn't try. ( I miss my 243. It's been at the gunsmith's for like three months trying to get the barrel threaded. That toad probably muffed the job and doesn't want to call me. }

[@thecheapshot1065]

7 mm 08 is probably the best overall low recoil affordable hunting cartridge that you can find in every Walmart. 260 Remington's rate cartridge especially if you have a faster twist barrel and can push some high BC bullets.

[@thecheapshot1065]

As a 270 man I should have said 270. I should have been loyal. Sure it's a longer action cartridge will probably a little more kick than the 308 depending on the bullet size but the downrange devastation should be superior to the 7 mm 08. So why not buy once cry once and gets 270 to start

[@tesla82111]

270 Win is just better than 7mm08

[@jmyers1977jm]

Finally giving a little love to the 270 win? Lol. Thanks Jim for the video.

[@darrylpacholko5495]

New hunter Child, small person or full grown man? Youngster 6.5 Creedmoor or 7mm08. Full grown man 308

[@_emh]

Fair point. Old, out of shape men need the slower .308 rather than its faster 7mm-08 cousin. 😆

[@walterjohnson2031]

Found your choices solid on the overall thought. I have better than sixty years afield and a round that makes you shoot well, that’s flat and fast is always my choice. The 25-06 has one shot kills 90 plus percent of the time. Taken elk, black bear, wild hog, deer of all sizes and all problematic critters. It’s one of those cartridges that performs way beyond paper numbers on game!

[@atomicwedgie8176]

Very underrated, if you have never experienced one.

[@Nick-ih3xg]

270 WIN FTW, good for everything including even moose (shot placement is everything) Flat shooting, just an absolute king of a round. can be reloaded down to shoot varmints or up to 150 grains or more. Point blank accuracy to almost 300 yards

[@joshuavillnave3804]

7mm08 should really be more popular than it is.

[@nohandle257]

I think it would be if we were in anything resembling a normal economy.

[@_emh]

Agree 100%

[@graynotescartridgebox]

It’s a balanced cartridge but if doesn’t do anything any better than those all around it. Just no reason for it to thrive.

[@tesla82111]

7mm rem mag is superior, 7mm08 has trash ballistics

[@joshuavillnave3804]

​@tesla82111 I have both cartridges and agree however it depends on what your using it for. For shorter range deer hunting here in the northeast I will take my 7mm-08 almost always. If you regularly have longer shots, want a long action and are ok with having alot more recoil then the 7 mag is great. They are 2 different cartridges that are good for different things.

[@patchitwood7428]

I am really glad to see the 7mm-08 in your final choices. I made that choice for my son’s first center fire rifle when he was 14. It has served him well in the deer woods. In fact, I find myself using it in lieu of my .30-06 quite a bit when my son is not hunting that day.

[@plstein20]

Good video. Sensible conclusions, though I’m going to disagree a bit. The task is a bit difficult because you’re trying to select a cartridge for a new hunter that’s also capable of taking class 3 game (e.g. elk). I usually think of first hunting rifles as being almost exclusively deer rifles on the order of 243, 25-06, or 6.5 Creedmoor. Those all keep recoil around 12 ft-lbs. I know you said 24-28 ft-lbs is where one has to watch out for a flinch, but I think it’s lower than that for newbies. A 30-06 (20-22 ft-lbs) is a lot of rifle to the uninitiated. Its recoil won’t bother some, but it will affect more newbies (and others) than care to admit it. For new shooters that just have to have an elk-capable rifle, I think the choices are: 308 Winchester, 7mm-08, and 270 Winchester-probably in that order. I share your aversion to using 6.5s on class 3 game. I know they can do it and have since the Swede, but I think there are better choices. Given ammo availability where I live, the 308 tops this list hands down in my opinion. I prefer my 30-06 to a 308, but I spent a lot of time unlearning bad habits the 06 gave me when I first got it (my first rifle). I recommend a 243 or 6.5 Creedmoor first, then a 7 or 30 of your favorite flavor once you’ve got the fundamentals and some confidence shooting game. Just my $0.02.

[@plstein20]

The 270 is a good cartridge. It’s definitely the flattest shooting of these three. I’m a bit sour on it for elk at the moment, however. My brother in law lost one last year on a hunt we did together. Wasn’t the cartridge’s fault. Appears to have been a combination of not ideal shot placement and poor bullet selection (150 SGK). Shot was only at 75 yards. We had good blood and what we think now was a single lung hit. There was a good blood trail in the snow for a while, and we tracked that elk for over a mile over a day. Never found it. Lots of things should have been done differently in hindsight. But that experience reinforced my preference for 30 caliber.

[@plstein20]

@@ronlowney4700 I tapped out my reply earlier from my phone and probably should have just waited. I don't disagree with you at all. When I said I'm "sour" on the 270 for elk, I intended it to come across as I was personally and unfairly dinging a perfectly good cartridge for an anecdotal bad experience that wasn't it's fault. Scores of hunters better and more experienced than I think the cartridge is great for elk. But bad experiences---even vicarious ones (my BIL flubbed the shot, not me)---still tend to leave an impression. Not that I was really considering it before, but I will never be tempted to shoot a cup-and-core bullet at an elk in the future. It may work, but a better bullet is cheap (if imperfect) insurance. We knew to use premium bullets before, of course, which brings me back to the main reason I recommend the 308 for newbies: ammo availability. My BIL's options for 270 bullets last year were several flavors of 130 cup-and-cores, 150 SGKs, or 150 SSTs. None of those are as tough as I'd like for elk. He picked what he thought was best of not-great options. If he'd have been selecting ammo for 308, he would have had more and better choices (at least where we live). This year the discrepancy in options is even worse as 308 ammo choices are almost "back to normal" (except for the price) whereas most everything else is slim picking. There is something for most every major cartridge locally, but that something may not be what you want. Having lived through a couple of ammo droughts now, I tend to keep plenty of powder, bullets, and primers on hand for my cartridges to make it through the lean times. Unfortunately, my BIL did not have anything useful banked for his 270 so he had to buy what he could find. Another of the many lessons learned (or re-learned) on last year's failed hunt. Here's a non-exhaustive list of a few additional lessons learned (or re-learned) the hard way last year: (1) Practice shooting how you hunt. 75 yards offhand is hard to do with adrenaline pumping if you don't ever practice the shot; (2) Don't shoot offhand if you can avoid it. The elk didn't know we were there, we had the thermals going in the right direction, and so we had time to get into a better position and use a tree. My BIL should have done so. He basically panicked and make a snap shot when he didn't have to; (3) Use a premium bullet; and (4) Give the elk some time if they run off. We saw lots of blood at the shot scene and so started tracking almost immediately. Dumb idea. We actually caught up to the elk a little later (he was running with some cows and calves) and busted them out again. I think he had bedded down and we bumped him. If we had waited an hour, I think we would have found him dead right there.

[@plstein20]

@@ronlowney4700 Thank you!

[@PC-vq5ud]

30-06 hands down. Can find ammo for it world wide. If they stock hunting ammo they will have 30-06. 116 years of rifles chambered for it. New hunters should not be taking 500 yard shots at game so the legitimate issues with long range power are not a real issue. Next would be a toss up between 308 and 270. If we have hunting ammo sales in the next couple of months, all the retailers will have lots of these 3 calibers.

[@Saintalexander797]

Great points, and it was my choice as a new hunter and I dint regret it. But I was 20 and had experience shooting. I'd suggest 308 instead to mitigate recoil

[@paulsmith2058]

I’m with you. Most hunters are probably hunting less than 150 yards. Especially here on the east coast.

[@jamiehurtt3530]

If that's the only rifle a new hunter buys then I agree...new hunters eventually become seasoned hunters ..and the 06 is capable of 600 yd shots with the new LR bullets available for it now. It's the one cartrige that will never due

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Not so much availability as the deciding factor. It's versatility. Much of what's available is FMJ imported stuff. Do you really want to go after a deer with a pointy FMJ .30 cal?

[@jamiehurtt3530]

@@ronlowney4700 Depends where you live amd hunt ..if you live in grizz country and hunt deer and elk I think 06 would be a good starter rifle I started hunting at 14 and shot an 06 in alaska been doing it ever since But practiced with 243 before that

[@blackie1of4]

Love your breakdown.. Anytime I'm asked this very same question.. I always say the same three cartridges: 1) the 7mm-08 Remington 2) the 270 Winchester 3) the 6.5 Creedmoor Any one will be an excellent choice for a new shooter ( some new shooters are adults ) If I was concerned about ammo availability.. I'd suggest a fourth! 4) the 308 Winchester That being said.. I'd also say.. this is probably going to be your first rifle.. and you'll most likely aquire another or a few more. Then you get yourself a 7mm mag or 300 win mag. Honestly though.. you should already have a 22 LR :) Inexpensive to shoot and train with. I usually take my 22 LR every range trip. I start shooting it first then step up to my deer/black bear rifles. It's always a great day at the range.. especially with my grandkids!

[@blackie1of4]

@@ronlowney4700 definitely can't go wrong with the 308 Winchester! I tried the 7mm-08 back in 2000 and fell in love with that cartridge!!!

[@chrisdaniel1339]

I’m curious as to why you did not include the 6.5 x 55 Swede and 6.5-284 Norma. The 6.5 mm projectiles are long for caliber and hunting cartridges can take anything from just over 100 gr to 162 gr bullets. The 6.5 mm bullets have a very high BC which carries more energy down range and have less wind drift in flight and have great accuracy. 6.5 projectiles have very high SD and penetrate very deep into large game. The Swede has been used to take Scandinavian Moose, Yukon Moose, elk, and other large game for over 100 years. The famous African hunter W.D.M Bell used Mannlicher-Schoenauer 6.5×54mm and 7×57mm Mauser to kill African Elephants. The Swede and the Norma have light recoil of 12.9 ft. Lbs and 15.4 ft. Lbs respectively which leads to more accurate shooting and a higher likelihood of the person shooting more frequently because it’s enjoyable and not painful. If a hunter feels they need more horsepower there is also the 6.5 Remington magnum, a .264 Win Mag which are still reasonable with recoil under 20 ft.lbs, 26 Nosler and the 6.5-300 Weatherby magnum, both have recoil ovre 20 ft.lbs, all have increased velocities but also come with the penalty of increased recoil and shorter barrel life The fact of the matter is a 6.5 mm projectile has better attributes than any 7 mm or 30 caliber and you can have it from mid to wild. A hunter needs to choose a tough bullet and place it accurately to quickly and humanly harvest game.

[@outinthesticks1035]

The swede is often overlooked

[@wdtaut5650]

My guess is, 1) he didn't think about it, or, 2) ammo availability. If the new hunter has access to a hunter who reloads, the 6.5 Swede or 7x57 are darn hard to beat. For even less recoil, .250 Savage or .257 Roberts.

[@outinthesticks1035]

@@wdtaut5650 I'm in western Canada , the 6.5 and 7x57 are on almost all hardware store shelves. But it would be a issue with 250 and Roberts , it would be a 100 mile drive to get ammo , lot farther for many . I think I've only seen 257 Roberts once in my life

[@ReloadingWeatherby]

I can't believe you left off the 378 Weatherby.... great first cartridge for a new hunter

[@januswestraat2104]

I'm still saying you were unlucky with that wildebeest, I know quite a few guys that hunt them very successfully with 6.5 creedmoor. I agree with your cartridge selection, but I would have kept the 308. New shooters must be careful of the magnum cartridges, try before you buy. Thanks for the great videos.

[@WyitAlan]

The ammo shortages really hit everywhere different 😂 7mm, 6.5prc, and 7-08 in my area is rare as hens teeth, 6.5 cm is hit or miss, 270 and 30-06 are available but quality ammo is hard to find, 6mm cm has been the only thing I can recall seeing constantly over the last 2 years but I can't say I've ever seen a rifle chambered in it on shelves

[@treasurestatetarantulas406]

I just about said that’s how it is here in Montana. I agree.

[@WyitAlan]

@@ronlowney4700 been most everywhere from west of big timber and seen similar selections. I'm talking general box stores, cabelas, sportsmans, and Murdochs generally. The smaller shops are fairing a bit better but still limited unless you're shooting 308 or .223. What is available is 10-20 bucks a box more than it used to be even for stuff like federal blue box. Gun shows have great selections but they are outrageous on prices. I haven't seen a box of 7-08 on shelves in over 2 years and could count on 1 hand the amount of times I've seen new brass. 6.5 prc is only slightly better, I've seen it on shelves every 2-3 months for a day before it's gone and have yet to see new brass for it. 7mm is by far the most available of those 3 and I've only found one spot to have good stuff like Barnes and Hornaday on a constant basis and I wouldn't dare say where 😂

[@chrisdaniel1339]

The 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC are just shorter modern versions of the 6.5x55 and the 6.5-264 Norma, not necessarily better just different. The Swede has about 100 fps advantage on the Creedmoor and possibly more if handloaded and fired in modern rifles. The pressures on the Swede are kept lower because there are so many ex military rifles with varying quality of steels used. The Norma started life as a benchrest competition cartridge but is a great hunting cartridge as well, it has a 250 fps advantage over the Swede and is neck and neck with the 6.5 PRC. Gun and ammo manufacture are just trying to entice the public with new cartridges that have similar ballistics to cartridge that have been around for a long long time. They are just trying to make more money off of you.

[@pedropistolas8497]

I picked .270 for my first bolt action center fire. I picked it for my second one too haha out to 300 it's just plain hard to beat. Add in the availability, load options, chamberings and even nostalgia, I think it becomes the one to suggest even out of the last 3

[@keithellison3901]

.270 all day long. There’s just so many ammo options, and it is a pleasure to shoot all day.

[@bankrss8452]

The .308 shouldn't have been dropped from the list. Get rid of the 6.5's. Our Walmart has 308 and 30-06 ammo in stock all the time, but not the other calibers.

[@JohnDoe-ud2cc]

The people saying that a 300wm is no big deal, are ones that have never taken a light weight hunting rifle without a break and tried to accurately shoot one prone. They are the guys that go out to the woods and shoot 3 rounds at an old TV or something off hand from 50 feet away. For the ones that do shoot one accurately prone, they are shooting a 16lbs precision rifle with a brake.

[@TAWier]

I just received an order of 5 boxes of 160 grain Norma Tip Strike in 7mm-08 Remington. I really wish more ammunitions manufacturers would produce more 160 grain loading in the 7mm-08. My TC Venture and Remington 700 both love this ammo!

[@erickbauer8888]

7.08 is great

[@danielhamilton1341]

My boys both started with 7mm08 now shoot 300wm 7rm I personally like my 6.5PRC it hits steel way harder than 7mm08 sacks deer on the spot

[@langleyj8199]

Good video. My thoughts. Expense wise, 308, 165 grain. 3006 only goes 100 ft per second faster but excellent. 270 love it. Over 300 yards, different story, but really that’s rare. I’ll pull out the 7mm RM.

[@accur81]

Solid list by 6.5 Creedmoor is easily on top - incredibly popular, light recoil, and extremely accurate. The .270 is also a great round but .30-06 or .308 is probably the most versatile hunting rounds ever made. My $.02.

[@hankhill3417]

6.5 is annoying boutique cartridge it’s made for paper target hunting. 30/06 is available everywhere

[@EatingWild]

The 6.5 creed is a lie in a cartridge lol. People are doing way too much things with a 6.5. borderline unethical sometimes. This is coming from a guy who owns one. I'd rather use my 708

[@benturner9246]

270 and 7mm rem mag 🔥 but I would love a 6.5 prc but the bullets are a little expensive

[@louiscapasso4452]

@@ronlowney4700 you are correct with ammo being hard to find. But it is one sweet shooting cartridge. Especially if you hand load, I get consistent 3/4 in groups will the Browning x bolt Western Hunter. Which has a very thin barrel on it. I've got a 30-06 270 6.5 creedmoor and a 308. I always find myself reaching for that 6.5 PRC for both deer and elk.

[@gurpreetgill3197]

308 and 6.5 creedmoor have relatively the same drop out to 500 yards and relatively the same velocity with more stopping power out to 700 yards

[@milkrvr4088]

I started with a tikka 300 mag when I was able to legally hunt now I use a 22-250 for deer 🦌 I have a 7mm mag for elk but everything else is 250 or .243

[@texastomsshavingtips6359]

The following is the EXACT text of The Second Amendment of The Constitution of The United States of America: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.* In My Humble Opinion, based on the Text, History, and Tradition, of The Constitution of The United States of America, and The Second Amendment thereof, I believe the following statements to be true to the intentions of the Framers of The Constitution of The United States of America. As used in The 2nd. Amendment, the phrase "well regulated" means: Well trained in the use of, and maintenance of their arms, and in their ability to follow directions given by a leader. As used in The 2nd. Amendment, the word "Militia" means: An army of trained civilians, being made up of the entire able-bodied male population of a state between eighteen and forty-five years of age, that may be called on to provide military service in an emergency. As used in The 2nd. Amendment, the phrase "the right of the people" means: This right is only for the people, not for the State, and not for the Federal government, and as such it is NOT SUBJECT to ANY Rules, Regulations, or Laws created by ANY government in the attempt to Infringe upon, or to Subvert this CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT. As used in The 2nd. Amendment, the word "keep" means: to have; to own; to posses; etc. As used in The 2nd. Amendment, the word "bear" means: to carry; to bring; to transport; etc. As used in The 2nd. Amendment, the phrase "shall not be infringed" means: That NO Rules, Regulations, or Laws SHALL be made that restrict the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Therefore, Based on the Text, History, and Tradition, of The Constitution of The United States of America, and The Second Amendment thereof, We The People of The Unites States of America are The Militia referred to by, and in, The Second Amendment of The Constitution of The United States of America, therefor, the phrase "shall not be infringed" means EXACTLY THAT‼ * What this means is that without "the right of the people to keep and bear arms", there would BE NO Militia to help protect the security of a free State. We The People Have The Right To Keep And Bear Arms to ensure that we can form a Militia if and or when we NEED to do so, to Protect Ourselves**, our State, and, if the need arises, our Country from ALL THREATS***, FOREIGN or DOMESTIC in nature. ** This means not only ourselves, this will include family and friends, neighbors, all citizens, and even strangers that may need protection. *** Such Threats as, but not limited to, an armed Foreign invasion, or a tyrannical government oppressing it's citizens. The preceding statements, which are based on the Text, History, and Tradition, of The Constitution of The United States of America, and The Second Amendment thereof, are MY opinions and, as such, I understand that it is within the realm of possibility that your opinions might possibly be different from mine‼ Long Live The Constitution of The United States of America‼ Long Live The Second Amendment‼ Long Live The Republic of The United States of America‼

[@durtdyver]

I’m a new shooter and I went with 308 over the craze of the 6.5 creedmor because I will want to shoot elk. I know it won’t be crazy for long range hunting but I will definitely want to start at shorter distances for my first hunts anyway. It will be a fun and cartridge to learn to shoot with and see how far I can stretch it from a bench as well. I also liked the shorter barrel options.

[@yurikfarba7169]

As a new shooter you should go with a 6.5 it has less recoil then the 308 …the 6.5 craze is new here in America but the 6.5x55 Swede has taken more Elk for the past 120 years then the 308 and the 30-06 combined. The 6.5cm is just an upgraded 6.5swede

[@Monscent]

@@yurikfarba7169 Yeah for sure, but a 308's recoil is fine. Put on a suppressor and its next to nothing.

[@yurikfarba7169]

@@Monscent unfortunately I can’t put a suppressor on anything here in NY. It all depends on the rifle too … I have a tikka .308 t3x lite that kicks more then my Benelli R1 300 win mag

[@robertduncan5511]

You'll be fine hunting Elk up to 300 yards with good bullets and proper shot placement. 308 is the best mix of recoil, cost, and energy your can get IMO.

[@Eric--zs6um]

25-06 is flat shooting. I handload so factory cN stay on shelf. It's been around longer than the .270 without the recoil.

[@nohandle257]

I have a 25 06 I found in a gun store a year ago. It was a mint condition Kleinengeunther. ( or spelling to that effect ) The guy was Ray Weatherby's chief designer at one time. It's a Texas thing these Kleinengeunthers. Beautiful gun. Looks like a custom Weatherby. Cloverleafs decent factory ammo. And it's not even free floated. Has little wooden pegs near the front of the fore end supporting its svelte tapered barrel. Soon's it cools down a bit and the pigs come out in daylight I gotta get it out and shoot it.

[@Eric--zs6um]

@@ronlowney4700 Nothing wrong with .270. Not likely going for Elk where I live. Black bear probably biggest animal to be hunted. The 120 partition will do just fine with Lil less recoil. And BC not really that important as shots generally under 200. Still .270 is a great round . Have great day

[@cujo5858]

If you want to hunt, get one of the cartridges you mentioned. If you want to target shoot/ plinking, get a 22lr. Ammunition is cheap

[@johnmurphy6475]

I would of left the 243 on the list

[@_emh]

Agreed. Fantastic, low-recoil cartridge and versatile on any game up to and including deer and antelope. If the new hunter isn't chasing elk or moose, .243 is a fine choice.

[@joshlampe3458]

I already know the 25-06 will miss your list, but it's better than the 6.5 Creedmoor in every way. It's the ideal deer cartridge but most will never know, it's sad.

[@dustinemerson7828]

my first rifle was a ruger m77 mk2 25-06 and I still have it but it's not shooting the amazing groups it use to im thinking bore is shot but I can let it go

[@joshlampe3458]

@@dustinemerson7828 It takes thousands of rounds to shoot out a barrel, even on a 25-06. I recommend taking it out of the stock, deep clean it, reset in the stock and torque the action screws. The remove the scope and retorque everything when resetting. That should fix it.

[@dustinemerson7828]

Well I've had it since I was 12 im 29 now and I used it like a 22 so I'm pretty sure I've hit that couple thousand round mark by now buy ill tare it down and deep clean it and torque it to spec before I take it to a gun smith

[@dmitrikrajec]

New to long range shooting. Just bought the 6.8 western X-bolt. Love it and it’s been easy to stock up on ammo. I am definitely working on a flinch.

[@FreebornOutdoors]

Hurt my heart when you ditched the .308

[@Skank_Hunt42]

270 ftw

[@moe_2412]

Not sure you can compare Africa hunting experience to new hunters. A new hunter looking to go big game hunting is a bit irresponsible in my opinion. I think.243 and 25-60 are excellent first choice for North American hunting. 270/308 are more than adequate for anything in the Western Hemisphere. Love your videos keep them coming.

[@DrewEdwardBacklas]

New hunter needs practice more than anything. 308 practice ammo is half the price of anything on the list. It’s not the flattest or longest effective range out there… but it will do everything in N America short of brown bears if you limit your range to 400 yards (which a new shooter/hunter should). personally I think if you are only going to own one bolt action rifle it should be a 308. I own plenty of others, but I’ll never not own a 308.

[@joesebia6138]

I agree with you except the 25-06. That round is good for game up to elk with 120 grainer. I would have kept that one before the 243. Love the 243 but for game up to elk you get a bigger and faster bullet with the 06. Still pretty sound reasoning in this video.

[@dylanbagdasarian2444]

Question, why is the 6.5 creedmoor not enough for anything more than deer when it mirrors 6.5x55 Swede and that cartridge has been used for a hundred years to kill moose in Europe. I prefer more horsepower as well but to say it isn’t capable I think is false.

[@nohandle257]

Of course I can't post pictures here but a good friend of my good friend killed a 400 lb cinnamon black bear in New Mexico with a 6.5 Creedmoor from 400 yards. Scarry big bear and I have the pic.

[@dylanbagdasarian2444]

@@nohandle257 ex wife shot her elk at 300 and blew through both shoulders hitting the top of the heart with a GMX and dropped it

[@nohandle257]

@@dylanbagdasarian2444 GMX is a deadly bullet.

[@Noonenobodynothing]

On the recoil front, the rifle matters a lot, too. I've got an old Savage 308 lever gun that kicks like a mule. My brother's 30.06 (unsure of make) handles recoil much much better. Then there is my Mother's sweet little Browning 308 that just doesn't kick like a high power rifle at all. And Limbsaver pads tame monster rounds really well. 338 mag a buddy has is a dream to shoot thanks to his Limbsaver.

[@mr.misunderstood2610]

Savage model 99’s do kick hard for some reason. If that’s the same model.

[@robertvasquez240]

Try putting on a good aftermarket recoil pad on your Savage 99: I did on my Savage 99C in .308 WIN, and now it has the same kick as my .270 WIN which is not punishing.

[@jasonlopez4855]

My first round was 300 win mag when I turned 18 birthday I got us too it. It was my go to for 25 years. I put my kid's on a 25-06 Rem for there first Deer 🦌 🔫 in a single shot H&R break action. They have Been using it for years now. With low recoil round for them.

[@208SledHead]

To me, the 6.5PRC makes the Creedmoor obsolete. Creedmoor is a little cheaper but that's it. I think you're spot-on with your "picks." Great video man

[@patrick2657]

Depends where you are but a new hunter is also more likely to be after deer than larger game so I totally agree with the top 3.

[@peterlimburg3872]

I would recommend the 6,5x55 SE. I own a Sabatti Saphire chambered with it and i can tell it is a fantastic beginner cartridge.

[@garyh1449]

The 6.5x55 Swede is go to hunting cartridge for whitetails.

[@joshuaerlandson5623]

I find it interesting that you have a problem with 6.5 prc on elk but not the 7mm-08. I love the 7, it’s my all time favorite, but the prc has practically everything on it and barely more recoil. Feels a little off from you.

[@austinhuber3131]

308. If I could only own one rifle it would be an AR 308. Cheap ammo, widely available, extremely versatile cartridge. Lightweight ammo, heavier big game ammo, subsonic, long range, steel case fmjs, 308 can do all of it. Best at none of these, however.

[@nohandle257]

Too heavy for real field use. JMO

[@austinhuber3131]

@@nohandle257 And that's how I know you haven't used one since the 80s.

[@nohandle257]

@@austinhuber3131 now now ...Sold my gas operated Sig AR10 just 2 years ago.

[@austinhuber3131]

@@nohandle257 As opposed to your solar powered AR-10? They're only like 8 pounds.

[@letsgobrandon416]

Hahaha and here I am with my first hunting rifle being a 300 Blackout 😎

[@letsgobrandon416]

@@ronlowney4700 I chose it because I want to hunt white tails in VA this season. Short ranges and it suppresses REALLY well. Plus it's a Ruger American that takes AR mags, which is cool and lots of fun.

[@louiscapasso4452]

You can't go wrong with that cartridge. Just not going to shoot something very far away. You need to get a suppressor and run some 220 grain subsonic. Those are super quiet!

[@letsgobrandon416]

@@louiscapasso4452 I have it suppressed already. Subs are expensive so I've been plinking with 125g. Even with that, I can have a casual conversation while ringing steel down range. It's not "quiet" like subsonic, but it's only the sonic "crack" that you hear echoing, which mostly goes down range, and thus the gun is phenomenally pleasant to shoot suppressed.

[@diggernash1]

​@@letsgobrandon416 It's even more fun in an AR pistol. I highly recommend it since you already have a suppressor.

[@louiscapasso4452]

@@ronlowney4700 so do I, but you can't go wrong with a 300 blackout. Great for plinking, coyote hunting, you can make your feet hunt interesting and use it there. Suppressed and full auto it is amazing how quiet it can be. Honestly even though they're running thousand feet per second I wouldn't want to get hit by a 220 grain bullet.

[@brianlee6849]

After thinking about it for a little while I think the 6.5 creedmoor is probably the best for a new shooter up to your size game. 7 mm 08 if there's a possibility they're going to hunt elk or black bear. I never knew you used to be a lawyer 👍. Thank you

[@mmorris6341]

I’d agree although I’ve seen several 6.5 creed elk hunts end successfully

[@jameswatson4110]

That is my thinking exactly

[@PoorCoyotee]

Just looked up few days ago even .223 range ammos are 0,5€ at cheapest per round, meaning you buy the huge 1000 round box for 500. Otherwise it starts raising to 0,6-0,7 per round.

[@LastEarBender]

Well reasoned & explained- I think .308 is top 3, myself - especially when you figure in ammo availability and cost. Just sayin

[@brianlee6849]

Those are all great. Personally I think for a new shooter I would suggest 7 mm 08. For myself on that list I would take either the 6.5 PRC or the 270. And I love classic wooden steel so I would choose a Winchester model 70. Thank you 👍

[@nohandle257]

I'm with you on wood and steel. Love my FN 'Winchesters'. I do get tired of babying them however. I should order composite stocks for them.

[@brianlee6849]

@@nohandle257 I wouldn't worry about it. If it gets a ding or something it's just character but I wouldn't be abusive but I wouldn't be overly cautious either

[@TyinAlaska]

Best cartridge for new hunters is green tipped 50BMG.

[@itsjustme8135]

You could be on to something there.

[@matthewcasagrande231]

Somebody get this guy his own show

[@jonfarrar9666]

Your top picks are the same as mine. I own 2 270win rifles and 3 7mm-08 rifles. Sold the 6.5 creedmore. We hunt fields in Maine out to 300yds. Step out of the fields and it's so thick and wet rabbits are backing out of it. We need good blood trails to beat the coyotes to the kill. If left overnight they will have it. Like the 243 the 6.5 needmore would drop deer at 300yds then they get up, run off, and no blood . They often only made it 200yds. but It would take hours to find them. I don't know if it's the calibers or that ELDX bullet but i will never hunt with either one of them again. With the 270 and 7mm-08 deer usually don't make it out of the field and if they do they're not far with plenty of blood to follow. With these calibers i have used a lot of different bullets with great success. For now we are using cx bullets and loving them. I may concider the 6.5prc because it might be the more in the 6.5 needmore. The 130gr. Cx 6.5 prc looks good to me. I also have shoulder issues and can't really handle much more recoil then the 270win anymore but for 20 pluse years the 270win and 7mm-08 has worked great for my family and I.

[@thedirtygot9570]

I started hunting when I was 10 my dad had me shooting a 243, my older brothers laughed at me, so I switched to 30-06 😂 I have never minded recoil! All that said, my shoulder loves my tikka in 6.5 Creedmoor 😂

[@Ben-ry1py]

I've looked at the difference between 308 and 7mm-08 on federals ballistics calculator several times, and I just don't see any advantage of the round within about 500 yards, and that is plenty for hunting IMO. Between rifle availability, ammo availability, ammo selection, and ammo prices I'm going to buy my dream rifle in 308. And the barrel will last forever even if I get around to shooting a lot. I do love cartridge comparison videos though!

[@FreebornOutdoors]

I just got the tikka tac a1 in 308 I’m not disappointed

[@pbbananas]

There’s not a lot of difference between 6.5cm and 308 at 0-500yds for that matter either. Idk why ppl want to ignore this, the data is everywhere. With a practical range cap for a mild short action cartridge, 308 doesn’t give up anything meaningful on a vitals shot on an animal. At 0-500 the real question isn’t trajectory or wind drift between 6.5cm, 7-08, or 308; it’s if a smaller caliber can accomplish the same task with less recoil. The 308 bullet weights just buy you better odds on terminal efficacy on larger animals. Those 165-168g in 308 are stupid versatile at 0-500.

[@Ben-ry1py]

@@FreebornOutdoors congrats, I've been eying the tikkas, really nice rifles. I firmly believe 308 is great from anything in north America excepting the different species of brown bear.

[@Ben-ry1py]

@@pbbananas good points! and I'm in no way a traditionalist. I'm seeing the benefits I listed in my original post and realizing that some other round would be much better for long range target shooting, but for hunting the 308 can do just about anything needed on this continent. Cheers

[@Ben-ry1py]

@@ronlowney4700 Nice, that's most of what the newer rounds are doing anyways. building in room for longer bullets, and upping the twist rate to stabilize them. The shorter fatter cases do make for a bit more efficiency, but that is negligible compared to the factors you solve with a new barrel. And there really isn't much a 270 can't do. I hope the new barrel works out great.

[@MrTacklebury]

I think for your 5 the .30-06 would have to leave before the others. Just me, but it kicks depending on bullet choice, just as much as my 7mm Mag and isn't as good in the long range. I personally wouldn't ever suggest a 7mm Mag to a "Brand new" shooter either. I think the 7mm-08, 6.5 Creedmore and .308 Winchester are the ones most of my neices and nephews have cut their teeth on when asking me about what to get going. My nephew has 1 shot every single doe and buck he's taken since he was 12 with the .308. He only recently jumped into a 6.5 Creedmore to test it some.

[@JaronActual]

I'd agree with .30-06. Not a lot of need for it with .270 as an option.

[@markhansen8078]

My first center fire big game rifle was a Ruger M77 MKII all weather w/ iron sights, synthetic stock in 30-06. It is a very good rifle and the recoil is not terrible. I do not regret getting the 30-06. Since that first rifle I was fortunate enough to acquire several other rifles in various calibers. My thought was to find a rifle / caliber that was very versatile and could be used for multiple situations and game animals. I settled on 30-06.

[@markhansen8078]

@@ronlowney4700 I agree.... I might even go with a 243 or 260. Obviously, I am an adult man.

[@texpatriot8462]

270 is the answer.