salukipv1

.223 .220 Swift
.243 6mm Rem.
.257 ?
.264 6.5 WSM (we need this one)
.277 .270 Win.(didn't need to fix it with the .270WSM)
.284 ? (7mm-08 maybe?)
.308 .300 WSM(plenty of great .30's though)
.323 ?
.338.340 Wby. (.338 RUM & Dakota both nice though)
.375 .375 Ruger
.416 .416 Ruger (until available .416 Rigby)
.458 .458 Lott(don't even consider the .458 win mag)

*Bold indicates clearly the best.

salukipv1

.257 Wby ....#1 by default, .25-06 doesn't beat a 6mm or .270 in any respective category.
6.5 WSM......wildcat for now? not much comp here either.
.270 Win. wasn't broke, why fix it with a .270 WSM?
.308 quite a few good ones in this category, hard to pick a #1

Pavomesa

I would rank the .257 Wthby as the #1 barrel eater.

Your definition of "best" almost seems to be which gun can squeek out the most fps regardless of the cost in powder, brass and barrel life.

I look at "best" far differently. Best to me is the most versatile and efficient.

I'm amused at everyone's love affair with the 7/08 when this cartridge is virtually identical ballistically to the 7X57 that has been around for longer than most here have been alive.

CommonSense

You chose the .375 Ruger over the established .375 H&H? I think that in itself says a lot about your intelligence.

SwampCollie

Dude really we've had enough of this kind crap around here lately. Just please give it a rest this time.

SwampCollie

We need a .17, .20, .358, 405 as well.....


And the quintessential .223 cartridge is the .22 LR.... as well as the .30/06 taking the 30 cal class, the 8mm Rem Mag (as I'd sooner shoot a standard K-98 than the 325 WSM), the 330 Dakota is the undisputed king of the .338s, and how can you put the .375 Ruger in front of the .375 H&H... yes I know its a shorter round, and beltless and offers a bit more ummppphhh, but I would sooner trust my freedom to Hillary Clinton than my life to anything with the Ruger name on it. When someone else makes a rifle in that caliber, I'll give it a nod. (note... I do like the .204 Ruger though...)

bronko22000

I guess that is why there are so many different cartridges of the same caliber. We all have our opinions on what is "best". My opinion is anything 30 cal and under there is no need for a 'magnum'. So that leaves my choice of magnums in the .323 (8mm) up to .375. No need for anything bigger.

salukipv1

.375 Ruger is a better round than the .375 H&H. Even Craig boddington agrees. The first new .375 to come along that has a legit chance to dethrone the h&h. I think it's here to stay, people set in their ways may not buy one, but all the new .375 guys should be buying it over the h&h. I'm just waiting for it to be available in nicer factory rifles, it'll happen. In a few years maybe 5, you'll be seeing alot more of the .375 Ruger.

bigbulls

Well, now that Craig said it itmust be true.

I bet the guy that flys to Africa with a new .375 Ruger that has his ammo getlost on the flight probably wouldn't think that the new Ruger version is better than the H&Hwhen he tries to buy some amunition for it and all he can find is H&H. I think the H&H version would be much better to have.

There is no best cartridge for everything. Most of your "best" cartridges seem to stem from highest velociy attainable from any given bore diameter.

Take the 308 bore diameter. A 300 superdupermag may push 3500 fps with a 180 grain bullet out of a 26" barrel bolt action but it certainly wouldn't be best for a guy hunting in the swamps and pine thickets in Florida. A 30-30 would be far superior to any 300 magnum.

Bottom line is there is no best.

ncpreacherboy1

my thoughts in red