“8mm remington magnum”

Here are five cool wildcats that ammunition aficionado Philip Massaro has come across in his years as a gun writer.

Philip Massaro reveals just which rifle cartridges are among the most sought after in the industry.

The Rigby and Remington variants of the .416 bore diameter are undoubtedly the top dogs, but which of the two has the ultimate advantage?

Based on the full-length .375 H&H belted case, the 8mm Rem. Mag. was the first commercial 8mm magnum cartridge to be introduced by an American firm, using bullet weights between 125 and 220 grains.

Released in 1980, the 7mm-08 Remington would go on to be considered not only an excellent target cartridge, but one of the best deer cartridges ever conceived, and the gamut of 7mm bullets available make it extremely flexible.

There’s a good reason that the .22 LR is often a hunter’s first rifle; it’s the perfect blend of low report, complete lack of recoil and affordability.

Hunters who enjoy using cartridges that aren’t among the most popular should consider a rifle chambered in .358 Norma Magnum. It’s a flat shooter—mimicking the trajectory of a .30-06 with heavier bullets—and is a fully capable all-around choice.

The cartridge’s sheer size, steep shoulder and Rigby name all add up to a century-plus-old classic that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

The .30-30 Winchester remains a top-seller, and new rifles are continually produced for the veteran cartridge. Why? It’s a simple design, easy on the shoulder and wallet, and very effective inside of 200 yards.