The most efficient big game cartridges you didn't know you needed!!!

[thriller]

G'day gents,

Lately, I've been humming and hawing about the most logical spread of big game cartridges to own for one's collection. After much deliberation, I've decided to create a spreadsheet calculation of the efficiency percentage of all the most popular hunting cartridges. Why should we worry ourselves about the most "efficient" cartridge? Efficient cartridges can output more energy to the bullet with less powder consumed, less recoil and less muzzle blast to the shooter which will improve his performance as a hunter.

90 per cent of the numbers for my data come from NORMA, I don't have reloading books at this time to add their data as well. Generally, I have tried to pick common bullet weights and powders with the least amount of powder used for the highest velocity for any one cartridge. This Data is not complete nor should my results be taken as absolute fact or definitive but as a general overview. I have learnt that reloading data if anything is more finicky and speculative rather than scientific and precise, even from reloading companies.

Cartridge	bullet weight GRAINS	Powder weight	powders energy ft/lbs	Velocity	Energy of bullet ft/lbs	Efficienty of bullet %
30-06 Springfield	180	53.4	10680	2723	2963.020762	0.2774364009​
7x57mm Mauser	160	46.3	9260	2556	2320.644353​	0.2506095414
308 Winchester	180	41.7	8340	2553	2604.600032	0.3123021621​

Firstly I would like to start comparing some plain game cartridges and I have to say the 308 is the KING baby, with 31 per cent efficiency it is 3 per cent higher than 30-06 and 7 percent more than 7mm Mauser. The 308 also has the least amount of powder burnt and theoretically the least amount of muzzle blast, (comparing similar barrel length ofc). If you want a smooth shooter with plenty of killing power the 308 is the answer.

Next Dangerous Game

Cartridge	bullet weight GRAINS	powder weight	powders energy ft/lbs	Velocity FPS	energy of bullet ft/lbs	efficienty of bullet %
416 Remington Magnum	400	73.4	14680	2346	4887.456598	0.3329330107
404 Jeffery	400	81.5	16300	2371​	4992.177357​	0.3062685495​
375 Remington Ultra Magnum	300	88	17600	2720	4927.492474	0.2799711633
375 Holland & Holland Magnum	300	64.5​	12900​	2520	4229.502082	0.3278683785
375 Weatherby Magnum	300	81.8​	16360	2720​	4927.492474	0.3011914715​
416 Rigby	400	94.3	18860	2356​	4929.211697​	0.2613579903​

I just want to say ouch!!! The 416 Rigby is a cartridge built for the cameras, not built for work! The 404 Jeffery data I had to get from Barnes because Norma only had data for the 450grain bullet which has quite poor performance. The 416 Remington Magnum was the most efficient of the bunch with 33 percent efficiency!!! Right behind it was the 375 Holland & Holland Magnum with 32 per cent. Even though the Remingtion is burning a lot more powder it's still more efficient than the 375 H&H. I believe it is because the 416 Remington Magnum case design is more efficient with its 25-degree shoulder angle allowing it to impart more energy into the bullet. The 375 Weatherby Magnum was also surprising in that it wasn't less efficient in keeping up with the 404 Jeffery and not too bad compared to its smaller bore (which means less surface area to impact energy on the bullet) and same powder charge, an efficient case design!

P.S It might be even more efficient with the 40degree straight shoulders of the AI version

Cartridge	bullet weight GRAINS	powder weight	powders energy ft/lbs	Velocity FPS	energy of bullet ft/lbs	efficiency of bullet %
375 Weatherby Magnum	270	81​	16200	2864​	4916.733831	0.3035020883
338 Winchester Magnum	225	63.7​	12740​	2786​	3877.141481	0.3043282167
7mm Remington Magnum	160	58.6	11720	2949	3089.131775	0.2635777965​
300 Winchester Magnum	180	71.3	14260	3025	3656.707057	0.2564310699

Lastly, I wanted to create this table, to ask one final question. If you have a 375H&H improved does it even make sense to own these other calibres? The bullets all have similar sectional densities! and the trajectories will all be close enough its not going to bother the average hunter! And yet two of them are extremely inefficient (300 Winchester Magnum & 7mm Remington Magnum) 25 and 26 per cent respectively. The 338 Winchester Magnum and 375 Weatherby Magnum is much better at 30 per cent but only the 375 is legal to hunt dangerous game. I feel these other calibres don't have enough positives over the 375 to justify getting them especially if you have limited space in your gun case!

But if you don't like recoil and muzzle blast and don't mind adjusting your scope for bullet drop, just stick with the 375 H&H.

375 Holland & Holland Magnum

270​

66

13200

2625

4130.373127​

0.3129070551

For now, that is all, thank you for reading and if people want I'll do a part two of the larger cartridges.

Welcome to the forum you know how to jump in with both feet I see good luck

 

[CBH Australia]

And, this is the article, from Rifle Shooter - March / April 2005
View attachment 665891
View attachment 665892

Now I seem to think I need a 7x57 Ackley improved.

I wonder if the extra efficiency of that cartridge will equate to economy in field use.

If it is more efficient it might be worth building one to save money. Plus it would be a cool cartridge to have.

 

[ftrovato]

I've had the revelation that I need a Single Shot Falling Block 22 Hornet.

Currently I go from 22LR to 22-250 Remington.

Therefore I must fill that gap! ;-)

 

[IvW]

Now I seem to think I need a 7x57 Ackley improved.

I wonder if the extra efficiency of that cartridge will equate to economy in field use.

If it is more efficient it might be worth building one to save money. Plus it would be a cool cartridge to have.

No just use the standard with 170gr bullets sorted

 

[MS 9x56]

G'day gents,

Lately, I've been humming and hawing about the most logical spread of big game cartridges to own for one's collection. After much deliberation, I've decided to create a spreadsheet calculation of the efficiency percentage of all the most popular hunting cartridges. Why should we worry ourselves about the most "efficient" cartridge? Efficient cartridges can output more energy to the bullet with less powder consumed, less recoil and less muzzle blast to the shooter which will improve his performance as a hunter.

90 per cent of the numbers for my data come from NORMA, I don't have reloading books at this time to add their data as well. Generally, I have tried to pick common bullet weights and powders with the least amount of powder used for the highest velocity for any one cartridge. This Data is not complete nor should my results be taken as absolute fact or definitive but as a general overview. I have learnt that reloading data if anything is more finicky and speculative rather than scientific and precise, even from reloading companies.

Cartridge	bullet weight GRAINS	Powder weight	powders energy ft/lbs	Velocity	Energy of bullet ft/lbs	Efficienty of bullet %
30-06 Springfield	180	53.4	10680	2723	2963.020762	0.2774364009​
7x57mm Mauser	160	46.3	9260	2556	2320.644353​	0.2506095414
308 Winchester	180	41.7	8340	2553	2604.600032	0.3123021621​

Firstly I would like to start comparing some plain game cartridges and I have to say the 308 is the KING baby, with 31 per cent efficiency it is 3 per cent higher than 30-06 and 7 percent more than 7mm Mauser. The 308 also has the least amount of powder burnt and theoretically the least amount of muzzle blast, (comparing similar barrel length ofc). If you want a smooth shooter with plenty of killing power the 308 is the answer.

Next Dangerous Game

Cartridge	bullet weight GRAINS	powder weight	powders energy ft/lbs	Velocity FPS	energy of bullet ft/lbs	efficienty of bullet %
416 Remington Magnum	400	73.4	14680	2346	4887.456598	0.3329330107
404 Jeffery	400	81.5	16300	2371​	4992.177357​	0.3062685495​
375 Remington Ultra Magnum	300	88	17600	2720	4927.492474	0.2799711633
375 Holland & Holland Magnum	300	64.5​	12900​	2520	4229.502082	0.3278683785
375 Weatherby Magnum	300	81.8​	16360	2720​	4927.492474	0.3011914715​
416 Rigby	400	94.3	18860	2356​	4929.211697​	0.2613579903​

I just want to say ouch!!! The 416 Rigby is a cartridge built for the cameras, not built for work! The 404 Jeffery data I had to get from Barnes because Norma only had data for the 450grain bullet which has quite poor performance. The 416 Remington Magnum was the most efficient of the bunch with 33 percent efficiency!!! Right behind it was the 375 Holland & Holland Magnum with 32 per cent. Even though the Remingtion is burning a lot more powder it's still more efficient than the 375 H&H. I believe it is because the 416 Remington Magnum case design is more efficient with its 25-degree shoulder angle allowing it to impart more energy into the bullet. The 375 Weatherby Magnum was also surprising in that it wasn't less efficient in keeping up with the 404 Jeffery and not too bad compared to its smaller bore (which means less surface area to impact energy on the bullet) and same powder charge, an efficient case design!

P.S It might be even more efficient with the 40degree straight shoulders of the AI version

Cartridge	bullet weight GRAINS	powder weight	powders energy ft/lbs	Velocity FPS	energy of bullet ft/lbs	efficiency of bullet %
375 Weatherby Magnum	270	81​	16200	2864​	4916.733831	0.3035020883
338 Winchester Magnum	225	63.7​	12740​	2786​	3877.141481	0.3043282167
7mm Remington Magnum	160	58.6	11720	2949	3089.131775	0.2635777965​
300 Winchester Magnum	180	71.3	14260	3025	3656.707057	0.2564310699

Lastly, I wanted to create this table, to ask one final question. If you have a 375H&H improved does it even make sense to own these other calibres? The bullets all have similar sectional densities! and the trajectories will all be close enough its not going to bother the average hunter! And yet two of them are extremely inefficient (300 Winchester Magnum & 7mm Remington Magnum) 25 and 26 per cent respectively. The 338 Winchester Magnum and 375 Weatherby Magnum is much better at 30 per cent but only the 375 is legal to hunt dangerous game. I feel these other calibres don't have enough positives over the 375 to justify getting them especially if you have limited space in your gun case!

But if you don't like recoil and muzzle blast and don't mind adjusting your scope for bullet drop, just stick with the 375 H&H.

375 Holland & Holland Magnum

270​

66

13200

2625

4130.373127​

0.3129070551

For now, that is all, thank you for reading and if people want I'll do a part two of the larger cartridges.

How can you make a chart of cartridge efficiencies and not have one of the all time most efficient cartridges in existence on it ? The 9.3x62.