After 7 years of living in Europe and a lifetime of reading hunting magazines and books I have a fairly good idea of all the more important cartridges in Europe.

But I'd like to know what everyone uses, if for nothing else than to kick start some new conversation.

We need something that won't bring on the next war.

Question:
What caliber do you use most, and if you don't have one of these what is your favorite?

I didn't include the 9.3, 9mm, or anything larger as most folks who shoot something like that also hunt Roe with a smaller rifle. I also didn't include the 7x57 or it's rimmed buddy, if this is your favorite round please post it below.

Choices:
8x68S
7x66 Vom Hoffe
7x64 or 7x65R
6.5x57 or 6.5x57R
6.5x65 or 6.5x65R
8x64
6x63 Freres
8x57R or 8x57
6.5x68
30 R Blaser

 

I voted 8x57 as I have a very nice mauser sporter made by an unmarked Euro maker. Next time I am home I'll post photos of it.

I do very much like the 8x68S, but I don't own that caliber.

I really like this 8x68S rifle, if I can't find a reasonable priced Sauer 90, I am thinking about stretching my money out on this one.

I voted 7x65R as it's the only one on your list I own. I bet if you'd included 308 and 30-06 one of those would win the poll.


cheers,
stu

D99

the poll did not allow multiple choise so here goes:

6,5x57R
7x57R
7x65R
8x57R
9,3x74R

best

peter

None of those apply to me!
so heres my history
1. 22WMR BSA 1215 converted
2. Hornet Stevens
3. 222 CF2
3. 308, winchester 1400 semi auto( fantastic)
4. 25-06 several
5. 264 winmag model 70 stunningly accurate.
6. 264 winmag Savage 112 bvss
7. 7mm rem mag 700pss
8. next acquisition 6.5-06

regards
griff

PS forgot to add a brief encounter with a
mini-14 and a G93 and an 1894 in 30-30.

I´m with Griff

22-250 ( Tikka Continental,long gone)
243 Win. (Rem. Seven, history)
25-06 (Rem 700, my son got it)
270 Win (Ruger No1, sold)
308 (several, present Kimber Montana)
30-06 (several, none at the moment)
338 Winmag (several, none at the moment)
35 Whelen ( Ruger M77, my go to big game rifle!)
375H&H (several, none at the moment, my son got the last one)
375 Ruger ( Ruger Hawkeye, my latest addition)

Sorry D99, but can´t find a single metric on my list

Neither can I, Yankees don't go home!

Regards,

Amir

(Very smug and happy 30.06 shooter)

I voted 8x68 but also have a 6.5x68. Both on Blaser R93

My two most used European calibers are 9,3x62 Mauser and 7.5x55 Swiss.

I've also used the 8x57 off/on for 10 years.

My most use American calibers are 22LR and 270 Winchester.

You omitted 300 Winchester Magnum which is also a very popular European cartridge. Especially in self-loading sporting rifles.

Well here in Iceland the 10 most popular cartridges are the following according to the latest survey available:

N.b. the first 4 are overwhelmingly the most popular.

.243 win
6.5x55
.308 win
.270 win
7mm rem mag
30-06
300 win mag.
6.5x284
7mm-08 rem
7x64

P.s. I participated in a shooting match for medium and big bore rifles the other day and more than 50 % of the participants used the 9.3x62 just to have an idea how popular that cartridge is around here for the big stuff.

I did'nt vote although I used many of the cartridges mentioned above while hunting in the six countrys of Europe that I've hunted in. I'm just not a European so I'll stay out of the vote.

I'm not surprised that the 7x64 is in the lead. I've sure seen a lot of hunters useing both 7x64 and 7x65 while I hunted there.

Who built the beautifull Mauser above? It sure has all the earmarks of Ferlach.

6,5*55 is my only european cartridge.

.308w is my most used one.

Most popular in Sweden is.
6,5*55
308w
3006
222r

10/22 for rats, mostly, twice monthly.
CZ .17HMR for rabbits, two or three nights weekly.
Tikka M595 .223 Rem, Geese, & foxing two or three nights weekly.
Sako finnbear .270Win, deerstalking, as & when funds allow!.
Howa/Hogue 7mm WSM, Hogs / long range shoots, as above.
Marlin 45/70Govn'mt,stainless GG, for Hogs (when it arrives!).

22/17/223/243/270/308/375 no culture or class just dead animals!

Of the Euro calibres listed, I have previously used the 7x57 to good effect.

quote:

Originally posted by Boghossian:
22/17/223/243/270/308/375 no culture or class just dead animals!

Of the Euro calibres listed, I have previously used the 7x57 to good effect.

Don't think I have ever taken an animal with a "Euro" calibre, off the cuff I have used:

222rem (the most)
22/250
243win
260rem
270win
308win
30/06

On the last trip I borrowed Tommo's Win M70 30/06, don't get much more "Yank" than that.

Nearly forgot - I've also borrowed a 7x64 once! Used the SPCE ammo which cuts neat and round entry wounds that bleed too. Forget the make.



I've always wondered why the 7x64 isn't more popular in the UK, it is a fine calibre. I guess it is too close to the .270/280 to make a difference? Apologies in advance if I am being a ballistic dummy here.

here in N.Ireland the most popular Euro cal would be 6.5x55
everything else goes to the yanks
222
223
22/250
243
308
270
and a few 30-06
243 prob the most popular of all

Finally, he admitted it!

Here is data from Slovenia:

Hello Judging by the size of the red deer I saw in your wonderful country I am not surpirse what you have posted. I am at Gaj this weekend. Anytime drop by and we will meet up for a drink.

I must confess I love hoarding rifles and calibers and I have a good lawyer friend keep telling my wife not to divorce me since my guns are worth nothing.

When it comes to real hunting I always comes back to one caliber that I started with 6.5 x 55

For those who knows me personally I had a little accident on a range recently and I have an opportunity to change barrel hence cabiler.

Again after tormenting over various combinations with my friends I decided finally to reorder another barrel in 6.5 x 55.

It really is magically and drops everything I pointed at.

Here in Norway it is the

22-250

6,5x55

308,

30-06

243 Win

270 win

9,3x62

9,3x74 R

7x64 RWS,
6,5x57R , combo, drillings

7x57 , 7x57R


8x68S
8x57 IS¨

9,3x57 for some

338 win Mag,

300 win Mag

7mm Rem Mag

375 H&H

223 Rem

222 Rem

plus the bigbores . And 6mm BR Norma for enthustiast, 358 Norma Magnum, is a popular cult cartridge .

Also for long range hunters and shooters, 6,5x284, 338 Lapua

These are just in some of the rounds that are highly spoken of and rembered from articles, conversations etc

My choices

6mm BR Norma

358 Norma

.404 Jeffery

.450 Nitro Express,

338-378 Imp

soon 6,5x55

and 30-06 or .280 Ackely Imp.

A little bit enthustiastic around various rounds, but liek to try diffenrent and see where they are useful , and plain fun .

quote:

Finally, he admitted it!

Just because it's popular doesn't mean anything! this wee small country is full of people that don't know what they are doing! (or being sold!)

At least I can find my deer when I shoot them!

I use the following calibers :

- target : .222 Rem, 7,5x55 & 308 Win
- stalking / still hunting : .30-06 & .300 Win Mag
- drive hunting : 9,3x74R & 9,3x62