Top 5 Underrated Rifle Cartridges

by
posted on February 9, 2015
top5ammo.jpg

We all have our darlings. You know, those cartridges that our fathers, uncles, grandfathers and heroes have used, and have been written about for decades. But what about some of the former greats that seem to have been forgotten? Someone must champion the unsung heroes. I volunteer to be that someone.

While the .30-’06, .270 Win. and .375 H&H Mag. are favorites, I have a flair for the obscure or obsolete—those cartridges that perform well but are becoming increasingly rare. Here’s my list of the top five most underratedcartridges.

.30/40 Krag 
America’s love affair with .30-caliber cartridges started right here, with the Krag. Until the Aught-Six tackled the shooting world, the Krag wore the .30-caliber crown. What few shooters realize is the Krag still makes for a great hunting rifle. Its performance falls smack in the middle of the 30/30 Win. and the .30-’06, and that’s not a bad place to be. It makes a great choice as an all-around North American rifle cartridge and is perfect for African plains game. Plus, it comes in the uber-cool Winchester 1895 lever-action and Ruger No. 3 falling-block, so you can be doubly stylish.

.257 Roberts 
Necking the 7x57mm Mauser down to hold .257-inch-diameter bullets was a fine idea, and it produced one of the most useable quarter-bore rifles around. Velocities are better than the .250-3000Savage, yet not quite as hot as the .25-06 Remington or .257Weatherby, giving shooters a cartridge that will perform well with standard cup-and-core bullets but still deliver the flat trajectories we like. The “Bob,” as its aficionados refer to it, is a light-recoiling option that is just about perfect for deer and antelope anywhere. The fact that the Winchester Model 70 and Ruger Model 77 both have models chambered for it is just a bonus.

6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser 
To me, there is something magical about 6.5mm bullets. Long and lean, with a high ballistic coefficient that rivals a .30-caliber bullet’s wind-bucking ability, they are the stuff of legend. From Scandinavia to South Africa, many hunters have relied on the 6.5s. The Swede dates back to the late 19th century, and the moderate velocity of that time period is part of the successful equation. I like the 160-grain round-nose bullets at around 2,400 fps (an almost magical velocity when it comes to bullet performance), as they will handle both deer and black bear here in my native New York quite well. Look long and hard at the Norma Oryx 156-grain load at 2,560 fps, which will handle everything up to moose and elk.



9.3x62mm Mauser
Metric cartridges have long perplexed American shooters, but this one needs to be considered. The 9.3s shoot .366-inch-diameter bullets, and shoot them well. The 9.3x62 has a case based on the .30-'06, and it is to the .366 bore what the .35 Whelen is to the .35 bore. But, unlike the Whelen, the 9.3x62 shoots 286- and 300-grain bullets to speeds adequate for all game, save Cape buffalo and elephant, and in some African countries it is legal for those as well. The lighter 250-grain bullets make a superb choice for elk and moose, as well as bears and hogs. Oh, and all this performance comes in a standard long-action rifle.

.218 Bee
Finishing up with the smallest of the lot, the .218 Bee is a rimmed varmint cartridge that was originally chambered in the Winchester Model 65 lever gun and suffered from a lack of accuracy in that rifle. That accuracy problem didn't show itself in the Ruger No. 1 that I carried for a couple of years as 3/4-inch groups at 100 yards weren't a problem, recoil was nearly nonexistent, and the report was a pleasure compared to my .22-250. The Bee will push 45-grain pills to 2,700 fps, and that makes it a perfect varmint rifle out to 250 yards. The Bee runs on very little powder and does the job well, though the coyotes weren't big fans!

If you're after something a bit different, that will still be totally useful, give these cartridges a look, and have some fun!

Latest

001 4BBT Holster 01
001 4BBT Holster 01

4 Reasons Big-Bore Revolvers Are Still Ideal Trail Guns

Although semi-automatic pistols have a place in the trail gun line up, revolvers still have their advantages.

First Look: Rise Reliant Bolt-Action Trigger

Rise Triggers has entered the bolt-action market with its first-ever trigger for the Remington 700 platform: the Reliant Hunter and Reliant Pro triggers.

NRA Announces New Club Leadership & Development Online Course

The National Rifle Association of America is pleased to announce the release of its newly revised edition of the NRA Club Leadership & Development Online Course.

USDA Order is a Win for Wildlife

Late last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a memorandum to conserve and restore wildlife habitat connectivity in the United States, directing agencies within the USDA to consider habitat connectivity in planning and programs in a manner that recognizes State and Tribal authorities and respects private property rights.

Review: Beretta BRX1

Beretta calls the BRX1 the fastest manually operated repeating platform on the market. Quick barrel, bolt and magazine swaps and adjustable ergonomics make it a distinct alternative to the classic turn-bolt for just about anyone, and ambidextrous controls make the rifle an attractive choice for lefties.

Are Premium Steel Waterfowl Shells Worth the Price?

With prices approaching those of bismuth—a superior shot-making material—are top-tier steel loads worth the cost? Here is what you need to know to make an informed decision.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.