I saw a post on Nitro-Express talking about Rifleshooter Magazine's article posted on the magazine website titled "What Is the ‘Best’ Magnum Cartridge". If you look at the article you will see the manufacturer's names are linked to the manufacturer's website. All, that is, except Holland & Holland. Could there possibly be some sort of bias in the article to include some magnum cartridges that most people would never consider as the best just to get advertising income through the link?

So, let's rule out any possible commercial bias and see if we can determine the ‘Best’ Magnum Cartridge. The list is the same as Rifleshooter's list but YOU can only pick one!

Question:
What Is the ‘Best’ Magnum Cartridge?

Choices:
.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire
.222 Remington Magnum
.257 Weatherby Magnum
.264 Winchester Magnum
.270 Winchester Short Magnum
7mm Remington Magnum
7mm Weatherby, Winchester Short Magnum, Remington Short Action Ultra Mag (Lumped together)
7.82mm (.308) Lazzeroni Patriot
.300 Holland & Holland Magnum
.300 Remington Short Action Ultra Mag
.300 Winchester Short Magnum
.300 Ruger Compact Magnum
.300 Winchester Magnum
.300 Weatherby Magnum
.300 Remington Ultra Mag
.338 Ruger Compact Magnum
.325 Winchester Short Magnum
.338 Winchester Magnum
.338 Remington Ultra Mag, .338 Lapua Magnum (Lumped together)
.375 Holland & Holland Magnum
.375 Ruger
.416 Remington Magnum
.416 Ruger
.458 Winchester Magnum

 

The epitome of efficiency was left off the list: the 308 Norma Magnum... absolutely the most accurate and most efficient mag ever developed!

I didn't vote but I've killed elk with 7mm, 300wm, and .338wm. They all did well so what do you mean by "best"? I'm gonna guess that the 7mm is the most popular.

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:
I didn't vote..... so what do you mean by "best".

Here is the criteria Rifleshooter Magazine used: "What is “best”? That depends on your viewpoint. It could be best in category, best all-around, most powerful, fastest, coolest, whatever......I leave it to you to weigh in on what magnum cartridge you think is “best.”"

Please vote and tell us what you based your opinion on. I hope it isn't just because you think one is the most popular.

Only Magnum I have is a .308 Norma Magnum - and its not on your list . So I shall vote for the 300 Win Mag which is nearly a . 308 Norma anyway .....

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
The epitome of efficiency was left off the list: the 308 Norma Magnum... absolutely the most accurate and most efficient mag ever developed!

+1

A truly phenomenal calibre that for some inexplicable reason just seems to have gone out of fashion.

But you missed all the Norma Magnums out.

I voted for the 375 H&H.
I don't own one and don't aspire to own one.
I do have a 375 Whelen I'm amazed at the accuracy and to punch it developes.
The H&H should be even better.

Jim

.375 H&H Magnum by a long shot.

Isn't this kind of like asking what or who is the best women.

300 Win Mag comes close, but my vote went to the 375 H&H Mag, from those on the list.

The Magnums I own are the 22, 300WSM, 375 H&H, and the .41. Of those, the one that has always over achieved has been the 41. Mag. For some reason, for game up to and including mule deer and other deer species, my Model 57 has always been deadly accurate. The .41 never was very popular, except with shooters that bought them.

Wow! It looks like what is by far the oldest cartridge on the list is still the clear winner.

The first question is: for what? I chose the most versatile: .416 Rem. Mag. It will do it all.

I'm a firm believer in hunting with the rifle that is more than adequate for the biggest game you may encounter. The .416 fits the bill. Plus, it will reach out there if necessary. I've shot everything from buffalo to Grant's and impala in Africa and whitetails to turkey here in Texas with mine. Longest shot (on a hartebeest) was 300 yards, which I admit was stretching it.

Well Lavaca, my thoughts are somewhat the same as yours;versatility.Thus I go with the .375 H+H.I not only think this,I live it.It is the one calibre worldwide that will do everything I require.It is not the only one I own,but is the one I trust the most.Remember the old scenario? If you could only have one,what it be? Well,there's my answer.

I own both a .375 H&H and a .458 Win Mag.

Both are fine calibers in their own right, but the .375 H&H trumps because it is more universal, while the .458 is a more specialized caliber, IMO.

That said, I'd have to agree with some of the participants above in that the .308 Norma Mag is a genuinely great but under-appreciated chambering. The first magnum caliber I owned, back in 1974, was a .308 Norma. It got me not only into magnum shooting but also was my (by necessity) introduction to handloading.

I wish I had that rifle back--but then, I wish I had back just about every gun I've sold or traded over the years.

Those Cartridges are all very good, but my vote goes to the 450/400 3 1/4" Nitro Express Magnum, in a Double rifle of course...

I have not voted yet as the 416 Rigby is not listed. It might not have the name Magnum Attached but it is a magnum.

Well I love the 450-400 + the 416 Rigby as well + have them. I guess that makes me a gunaholic. I have a friend in A.A. that says if you love vodka you are a alky.I guess that places me in the gun realm.There are so many great calibres to choose from.Thus, I presented as that;if I could only have one,what would it be? (lets hope we never find out!)Interesting discussion,this.

Norman,

I've got to agree with you. Either the .375 or the .416 would do it all.

It's all about the confidence you have in the rifle. My .416 is a one hole rifle at 100 yards off the bench. It is not at all finnicky about ammo -- a 400 grain bullet is a 400 grain bullet and it will put just about anything in the same group, or at least close.

If I could have only one rifle, well, it would be easy.

Best overall magnum Africa?
Best overall magnum rest of the world?

Would this make a difference in your choice?

Read the top post. The list is the same as Rifleshooter magazine's list and "Best" is best, period. Please vote your "Best" from the list.

However, you are welcome to tell us what your best for Africa or the rest of the world is, especially if it is not on the list.

Good effort ! "We" don't reflect rifles afield, ammo or reloading die sales for sure.
300 RCM beats 300 WSM ? Not in the real world.
Voted for 375 H&H as you can hunt anything anywhere with it.

The 375 H&H.

Nothing else is even close. It may not be optimum for any specific discipline, but it shines at everything, varmint hunting excluded.
Even at that, a good 250gr hard cast gas-checked bullet at 2100fps will do a pretty good job.

I owned a Sako Mannlicher stocked, 20"bbl 375 once. With magna-port, it was a bit loud; but I never felt the need to go back to the vault for something "better" if I was hunting.

I'll be 64 next month, and "uncle arthur" has come to stay at my house. That's "Uncle Arthur-itis".

Lord willing, I will make one more trip to RSA in the late summer. The hard case will hold a rather nice old model 70 I found this spring, in 300 H&H. I simply want to hunt it in Africa.

The antidote for anything in the world will be next to it. A very nice custom 375 H&H (imp) built last year on a commercial FN Mauser action.

no worries with the 375 in hand...

If I was only allowed to own just one of the listed, it would have to be the 375 H&H.

But I would be biased, having owned and shot 5 different ones. And Loved shooting them all.

But then in my book if it shoots and groups inch or less, its a great gun!

xgrunt: Nope. Still the 375 H&H.

A rifle is a beloved tool but a tool none the less. You don't take a knife to a gun fight. You also don't take a 22 mag to a Cape buffalo fight but you could take a 375 H&H to a prairie dog fight so my vote goes to the 375. I might feel a little overdressed in prairie dog town.

EASY choice... 375 H&H.

Lady's + Gents,the jury rests.....on truth. 375 H+H.