Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ultimate big game caliber

300 win mag

For me it’s the simple little old 308 WCF with a dozen or so bullet weights for any occasion with very few exceptions. Sales and use are still tremendously strong after 70 years and with today’s powder and bullet technology it’s better than ever. The standard issued 1-10 twist causes no discomfort to shoot 110-208 grain weights.

.30 cal good fkn lord

.54

I’m going with .308 Win over .308” just to frustrate Shag

Yep.

‘Big Game’ is ambiguous. Big game in the USA starts with Pronghorn Antelope where I live, and goes up from there. ‘Small Game’ is squirrels, rabbits and such.

However, Big Game in Africa refers to the Big 7 generally (Elephant, Hippo, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, & Crocs). The rest are considered ‘Plains Game’. The OP did not state just the USA, nor did he include Africa.

For America, I like the 35 Whelen. For Africa, I like the 9.3x62. I’m speaking cartridges, not simply caliber, because I cannot say 35 caliber, as it would include the 35 Rem. and lesser .35 rounds I would not choose. Likewise with the 9.3 rounds.

Then there’s the law to consider, which in Africa includes footpounds of energy (or joules). The 9.3x62 is legal in many countries, but the 375 H&H is even more accepted, so there’s that.

If the OP wants only America, I would choose the 35 Whelen ‘cartridge’.

For Africa included, or ‘the world’ in general, I would personally choose the 9.3x62, but the 375 would probably be a better choice considering the laws.

Like another poster stated earlier, I have many rifles in many ‘calibers’. I prefer to pick and choose from all of them for the animal(s) I am hunting. I do not believe in one rifle/caliber to hunt the world, even if it can be done, and it most certainly can. There are simply better tools for the huge variety of game in the world.

But the question is a good one and always arouses great discussions!

Results thus far


6.5............................0 votes
270...........................1 vote
7...............................10 votes
30.............................16 votes
Bigger than 30.........19 votes

Ultimate big game caliber came out in 1905.

9,3x62


9,3x62, 30-06, 8x57, 6,5x55, 308

.30 gov't-06. Plain and simple.

I think everyone is completely missing the boat on this.
Obviously, the ultimate cartridge is the 7x57! Just ask Bell.
It's the Elephants man, the Elephants!

I shot a deer this fall with my 9.3x62. Results as expected. Caliber sized entry and half dollar sized exit with total ruination in between. Massive spray on far side and a short run to a crash finish. No bruising to speak of and total satisfaction as usual.

Personally, the 7mm PRC looks about perfect but a 300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag would be easier to find ammo, anywhere!

Sounds exactly like the results I got with my 7-08 shooting 160's.

Agreed

OP asked for ultimate big game CALIBER, and then said a separate thread for ultimate CARTRIDGE.

For me, the CALIBER has to come down to a race between .30 and 7mm. I am interpreting the term "ultimate" as what calibers have had the biggest impact on the shooting industry and hobby over the years into current times, and what would have the greatest range of use. View of this would also differ depending on soley US viewpoint or world viewpoint.

-.30 caliber includes:
.30 carbine, 30-30, .308, .30-06 and the various .30 magnums and others I've missed

7mm caliber includes:
7mm Mauser, 7-08, .280 and the various 7mm magnums.

To me .30 wins.
The 30-30 was widely popular for decades, augmented and then replaced by the .30-06. Plus the .308 and .30 mags are widely popular.

Also the wider availability of bullet weight and design favors .30.

.30 for me but can only imagine what magic a sweet (and currently nonexistent) .29 could be

I net a retired PH in RSA who used a 7x57 to back up clients even on dangerous game.
He had been mauled by a leopard though TWICE during his career.

I got it done with a fast twist .280AI but in my opinion the bullets and rifle matter way more than headstamps. Why the .280AI? Because it is plenty powerful enough and produces all the recoil I can handle in an 8-pound rifle.