“5 reasons to handload”

Released in 1980, the 7mm-08 Remington would go on to be considered one of the best deer cartridges ever conceived, and the gamut of 7mm bullets available make it extremely flexible.

The Turkish-made Viper G2 Camo offers great value in a dedicated turkey autoloader. It fits well, carries easy, and is wonderfully effective.

Leupold’s VX-3HD riflescopes are lightweight, rugged and well balanced, and included in the line may be the best value for a hunter looking to cover all the bases: the 4.5-14x40mm. With its 30mm main tube, this scope offers a wider range of elevation adjustment than its 1-inch counterparts, as well as better light transmission.

While there is a lot of overlap in the .30-caliber cartridge lineup, and many great choices available, you’d be hard-pressed to find a cartridge with a better blend of powder efficiency, low recoil, quick cycling and striking power than the .308 Winchester.

With respect to overall performance and ammunition availability, here are the five best all-around cartridges for North American big-game species.

Let’s take a closer look at how various barrel lengths, from rimfires to safari guns, play a role in a rifle’s performance.