How to Choose a Hunting Rifle/Cartridge: Guide to Ballistics and Ammo

[@rogerramjet7567]

3006, over 100 years old, STILL DOING IT ALL VERY WELL !!

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

Hard to argue against the -06. It's got to be the longest-standing do-everything cartridge. And the fact that the military developed (the predecessor to) the .308 in the 1950's to save weight with a shorter action without sacrificing much in ballistics is not lost on me. It's possible that with modern powders and bullets the .308 can do it all just as well; and that being said the .30-06 can now also be pushed a little faster. I went back and forth between the two for my go-to hunting rifle and leaned toward slightly less weight and recoil with the .308. Can't go wrong with the -06!

[@propertycaremaintenance2808]

Some of the best no nonsense information I have seen. Good job.

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

Thanks. We appreciate it.

[@mccallan2798]

Lot of old fashion, good old common sense in just one video. Well done.

[@The_Draque]

30-30, 308, 30-06, or 300 WM. Cant really go wrong with any of these theres a reason they have all been so popular for decades. Maybe 7mm-08 or 270 or 7mm RM for lighter recoil.

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

Exactly. There's no one right answer. In reality, there are probably too many choices. But the firearms manufacturers need new things to sell...

[@jamesmdriskell4861]

Well done video and very informative. Easy to listen to. Keep up the good work.

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@Gmny1MOA]

I started deer hunting at 12yrs old w a 7mmrem mag...in my teens and 20s I kind of wore the tough guy badge w these big rifles...I've got 300wms down to 223 and the smaller varmint rounds...now I'm 32 yrs old and ok w just a 308 or even 762x39...the big rounds have blown my ears out and given me a flinch even after all the yrs of using them...now I get headaches after a cpl rounds...that said my fav big rifle will always be 300wsm...it has taken all of my largest trophys

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

I agree, the 300 WSM is a great cartridge, and it has some tradeoffs as you point out with extra recoil and/or noise. A brake helps with recoil but makes it even less tolerable with noise. Perhaps a suppressor would help but that's more weight and expense. I inherited a 7MM Rem Mag (also a great round for deer and elk) when I was young and carried it around the hills for years but got tired of carrying a heavy rifle.. The .308 is not sexy but it gets the job done and is easier on the ears and body and wallet. A cartridge on the lighter side that does not cause a flinch will likely win the race at the end of the day.

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

If you want a deer round, the 7mm-08 does it all. Low recoil and flat. I'm a .308 guy myself.

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

I also like the 7mm-08. Although it seems more difficult to find ammo sometimes and it's usually a little more expensive than .308. But I agree it's a great deer cartridge with a little less recoil than the .308. Maybe a bit on the light side for elk..

[@joelmacha1454]

You can't maintain good marksmanship if the recoil is uncomfortable. It doesn't matter what game you're after, even paper targets. Every shooter has their threshold for recoil tolerance. Find that, and then pick your caliber.

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

Yes. We need confidence in both our rifle and our ability to shoot it. Without both of those it doesn't work. I always suggest to start lighter and form as good of habits as possible. Shot placement is key, and as you suggest the level of recoil (and recoil tolerance) plays into that quite a bit.

[@willerama]

good vid, new subscriber, thank you

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@willg5013]

Disagree that 7mm are limited! The .277 bullets yes that is true. Inside 300yards the 308 checks all the boxes for elk, but so does the 7mm-08, and 270win. Any of these you do your part will kill an elk just as dead as the other. 308's only real advantage is ammo commonality, but I never walked into a place that carried 308 and didn't carry 270win.

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

The first rifle I bought with my paper route money was a .270. Great rifle. Then I inherited a 7MM and hunted with it for several years. Also a great rifle. My short comment about 7MM and .270 being a little limited was reference only to the available bullet weights as compared to the vast range of bullet weights in 30 caliber. Some of the longest shots I made were with the 7MM Rem Mag. I ultimately got tired of carrying around a few extra pounds of steel that happened to be associated with my rifle, in search of something a little lighter in weight and recoil, which was advantageous to me. I still have the .270 Model 700 Mountain rifle and the 7MM in a custom build with a model 70 action and love those rifles. Not limited in their ability whatsoever.

[@texczechbohunk2143]

How about a vid on under 300 yards and over… vs the animal.

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

Good idea. You mean the differences in cartridge selection for close and long-range for deer, elk, etc? Personally, I enjoy the challenge of getting in close so don't intend to shoot real long range. As you suggest, things start to change beyond 300 yards. Faster, flatter bullets don't drop as much but they still drop so I feel it comes down to really knowing your ballistic chart for your round (which can be calculated online using muzzle velocity, bullet weight, and ballistic coefficient) and paying attention to energy and terminal ballistics. After 300 yards wind can start to have a significant effect on trajectory and it is a much more dynamic situation where cartridge selection is just one of many factors to consider.

[@RAYANDERS-w4t]

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ajb8381]

Where can i find the energy chart shown in the video? Checked the links listed and couldnt find it i. The article. Thanks!

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

I think it only exists as a chart we made for the Awaken the Hunter course. You’ll just have to sign up for the course.. ;) Send us your email on our contact page of our website and we’ll try to get you a copy.

[@LuffyGames367]

Well this is the first time ive been first to comment on anything. Cool video man keep it up

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

Thanks for commenting and watching!

[@jeffrhorer1811]

30/30

[@davidtart2976]

No love for 6.5 grendel?

[@humannaturehuntingschool]

I am not familiar with this one. I looked it up and it sounds like a nice cartridge. Do you hunt with it? Deer? Elk? Maybe on the lighter end for elk..?

[@dannyf100]

I am so sick of all the questions and new answers you writers have on guns and cartridges ! the guns and cartridges used to take THE SAME GAME more then a hundred yrs ago will Still do the SAME TODAY ! If it ain't broke don't fix it ! End of story ! Leave it alone !