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.

 

[HWL]

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.

You can scrap all your stuff and all your thoughts and hunt with the .416 Rigby for the rest of your life...

HWL

 

[Tug]

@Tom Leoni Thank you for your comment, I agree with everything you have written. As to the efficiency of black Nitro? I do not have a clue and I think this is the fun part of doing all these data tables, are all the surprises you get when everything is done and you can compare them.

If you have any load data for the black Nitros, I'd be happy to add them as well for future posts.

I think the historical appreciation part of the hobby or passion is very important because without it we would have no traditions to fall back on or direction for the future. I do not fault anyone for enjoying a historical cartridge my analysis is for people who are new or limited for one reason or another and want to make the most from the least.

@bakerb Great suggestions, I'll be sure to add some of these aspects to the next post I will do. I was never planning to cover all bases just focus on one area, but it seems most people want more variables accounted for!

 

[Tug]

I consider "efficiency to be more important in the bullet than in the cartridge. The bullet is the only thing that touches the animal. For example you can have a very efficient cartridge shooting poor, inefficient bullet and your net result is inefficiency.

Also , your comment about needing to adjust your scope. for bullet drop I assume, when shooting a 375?
I think that your whole post is a "Tempest in a Teapot." No offence intended, just trying to be realistic.

No tempest in a Teapot intended. I seem to have been misconstrued a lot by people. Also, my writing is a bit ruff as well.

Basically, I just wanted to highlight that laser beam trajectory cartridges(300WIN MAG 7mm REM MAG) aren't as necessary as they used to be for hunting nowadays. Because we have laser ranger finders and advanced optics with great tracking. which means you can just get by with the 375 H&H sedate trajectory and still burn the same(relatively) amount of powder, and have MORE energy. But have a cartridge that can legally kill all game on the planet. Seems like a bargain to me, should be more popular!

 

[Tug]

A .308 Winchester is a fine white tailed deer cartridge.

Have you ever used it for very large animals? (I doubt it, because most rifles will not stabilize heavy bullets)



To use a little Native American lingo, it is "low on the totem pole" compared to the .30/06, .300 WM, .300 Weatherby Mag and several newer cartridges

Please post your picture of an eland, taken with a .308....

Have you ever hunted big-game animals???

Honestly, I don't think you read my post at all. because I don't understand what you are trying to infer.

My post was about cartridge groups compared to each other. Which made the most power/energy for the least amount of energy input/ powder

I am NOT trying to infer that everything can be killed with the 308 Winchester nor did I ever write that! If you read the rest of my post you will find that I said both the 375H&H and 416 Rem are wonderful efficient cartridges. I would of course pick my 375H&H to hunt big game which is why I brought it.

 

[Tug]

G'day @JG26Irish_2

Great post thanks for posting this!

For example the first set of the 30-06, 7x57 and 308 lists the 308 as most efficient. If the premise is that this leads to better performance in the field? Then I sincerely and respectfully doubt this. Recoil for example: If I blindfolded you and handed you identical rifles in each caliber and had you fire each one three times all while mixing them up along the way,

I think if you did this experiment you would be absolutely correct, once fired I would have no idea.

But I think if you did the experiment where you had 3 groups of people. One with the 30-06, one with the 7x57 and one with the 308 and if the group spent the next 2 weeks training to be marksmen or hunters. Then at the end of training did a course of fire to examine who is the best. I have no doubt the 308 group with the less recoil and muzzle blast would perform the best.

For the military, it makes a difference
For a new shooter, it makes a difference
For the experienced hunter who is shooting less, probably not a lot of difference. (but we don't know because only military studies have been done)

For your second paragraph 100% agree bullet is the most important variable bar none but of course is a lot harder to study!

A .458, 500g slug expanded to 1.6x or 0.732" or a .375, 300g slug expanded to 2.2x or 0.825"? The only real advantage the bigger, heavier bullet has is if you had to shoot the buff in the ass. And even then it is marginal.

Honestly, this is such a complicated subject and is fluid dynamics with metallurgy and cavitation science and I am not smart enough to make a bullet table to see which one converts the most energy into work. The 500g slug probably does have the momentum advantage and sectional density of .341 vs .305. The 458, 500g is the best bullet for the worst-case scenario which is the most important thing to consider. However, not many people can shoot with that much recoil. Which might cause the worst-case scenario to happen in the first place. I've never tried a .458 but the .375, 300g is fine for me off the bench.

BTW - data compiled by one of our PH's here on the forum from actual Cape Buffalo hunts over several years show that the 375HH was the most likely to result in a 1 shot kill than ALL the other larger calibers with 80% rate. Why? Not because it is all that much better. But, I would suggest that it was mostly because statistically the hunters are more likely to hit the buff in the right place with the 1st shot using the 375 than the other heavy hitters.

I read that study, thank you for mentioning it and I think it's great! It highlights that our egos can be our worst enemy sometimes. People are just not afraid of the 375 and shoot it a lot better, it's probably in some kind of Goldilocks zone.

In 1909, the British Textbook of Small Arms stated, "that recoil velocity should not exceed 15 fps; above that velocity, a gun-headache was very likely to occur."

I think maybe it's because of its low recoil velocity! Which is 16.3 Fps in a 9-pound rifle(300 at 2530) , make it 10 pounds and it's perfect! The 404 Jeffery (400 at 2170) 16.1 at 10.25- pound rifle. And 10 pounds is about what "Mr average" can carry all day as well!
for reference 416 Rigby (400 at 2400) is 19.3 Fps at 10 pounds.

 

[Safari Dave]

My apologies.

I misunderstood

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Are all cartridges using the same powder? If not, comparing powder weights for efficiency is apples and oranges.