What is the best cartridge based on the 7.62 x 51 basic case? Meaning is the .243, 25 souper, 260 Rem, dare I mention the .270/08, 7MM 08, .308, .338/08, or .358, and yes even he .375/08... Opps I forgot the .22 Cheetah. Got any opinions?????

Sure that could start a fight. If anyone was dumb enough to argue for any cartridge other than the 260.

How could you forget the 8mm-08? I thought it was the best.

A guy could fall asleep shooting or even thinking about a 308 or any 308 based wildcat.

I'm very sorry about the ommission, but I am also rather prejudiced in favor of the 30 bore... What's a 260 anyway, it's horsepower???

other than the 358 based , the 708 wildcat , i am not certain what you are talking about...

.243? surely you mean that's 243 grains in bullet weight, like a cast .358 rn....

260? like teh 2.6 oz that three 708's weigh

308? come on... you are thinking someone would WASTE a 358 case by necking it to a medium?

jeffe

That's simple, the 358 win. It is the most versitile NA hunting cartridge With a 225 gr bullet @ 2500 fps, it has flat enough trajectory and sufficient retained velocity for 250 yd shots.

The vast majority of game is taken inside of a 250 yds. Relatively moderate impact velocity, ie less than 2700 fps keeps bullets from doing funny things. Medium bores don't have to rely as much on expansion as small bores, because they start out bigger. Heavier bullets perform more reliably against heavy bone.

Since it is a 35 bore, one can choose from 110 gr bullets for plinking, or 310 gr solids if penetration is called for. Combining pistol and rifle molds, the largest selection of bullet molds is made in 35 cal. For jacketed bullets, there are 110, 125, 158 and 180 gr in pistol bullets, in rifle bullets there are 180, 200, 225, 250, 270, 280 and 310 gr.

Can you tell I like 35 bores

Yeah, and a bad guy could fall over DRT.

Sure it could start an argument, but you won't drag me into it. I know better. It ranks right up there with discussions on Leupold scopes and Savage rifles. Too many fanatics out there. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Is This an anti "Short necks SUCK thread?" roger

Perhaps my choice of word, "arguement" was a bit rash, certainly inflamitory. For this I apologise. It was my musings about the wonders of this medium action length, nearly universaly available case which were not put forth quite as directly as should have been. Point to be made is more of a survey as to what caliber is prefered and why when joined with a case of this capacity?

I have never owned a .308 and (fortunatly) only one .243 but I have several 7-08's and have just had a rifle rebarreled to .260. I think the 7-08 is an ideal cartridge for the one rifle hunter. I will quickly admit there are several others that would perform just as well.

Depends on what your definition of "BEST" is! Best for what? I'd say from the standpoint of flexibility and applicability, that the .308 and the 7mm'08 are probably the most versatile, being useable on a wider variety of game, plus both have about the best selection of bullets of all them.

But for some purposes, you can't beat a .358, or a .338/'08 either. Hell, they're ALL plenty good!!

left brain(LB) - This guy is just looking for a fight!
right brain(RB) - No! It is fine discourse on ballistic minutae!
LB - Aw, you friggin' right wing fascist!
RB - That was uncalled for! Perhaps it is you that...
LB - Oh shut up Hitler, bullets is bullets!
RB - Really, okay Ms. Fienstein, explain BC to me!
LB - Blow me!
RB - You shriveled old...
LB - Why do you always scream?
RB - Don't!
LB - DO!!!
RB - DON'T!!!
LB - You hit me!
RB - Yeah, and it felt really good!

Yes, it obviously CAN start an argument. We thank you for the chance to join in!

www.TheTwoFaces.OfDan

Bah.. no point in a 308 at all. Just get a good ol '06 and download it if yer a wuss.

Ian

358 bore. I didn't think there was any other caliber that would be useful from such a dinky case.

RobertD

Are you kidding.........if you drop two rocks on the ground gun nuts can find a eason to argue about it.
.260 Rem.

Best, in terms of what?

For 'chucks and predators, I'd pick the .243. Anything smaller, I'll use a .17 or .224 centerfire.
For white-tails, sheep, caribou, average-sized black bears, I'd take the 7-08 or .308. Anything bigger, and I'll use a magnum from 7mm up.

George