“behind the bullet”

Though the .223 Remington has stolen the limelight—military adopted cartridges tend to do that after all—we owe a debt of gratitude to Mike Walker and his development. Without the .222, there would be no .223.

There’s no denying that the .270 has been getting the job done for over 90 years, with very few complaints.

The 6.5 Creedmoor makes for an excellent hunting cartridge for almost all game south of elk and moose. There’s something to be said for a short, efficient case for someone who shoots often and at high volumes, and the 6.5 Creedmoor is definitely that.

While the .30-06 Springfield has been a father to many successful cartridges, it remains the cartridge by which all others are measured.

Charles Newton and A.O. Neider had a great idea when they mated the .25 caliber bullets with an ’06 case. Over a century after its introduction, hunters are still taking the .25-06 Remington afield to fill their freezers and feed their families.

If you’re looking for a rifle of larger diameter than your deer gun, which will complement the 7mms and .30s well, the 9.3x62mm Mauser should be a definite contender.

If you’re looking for something out of the norm, which can be housed in a handy rifle that hits hard, give the .338-06 a look. If you spend a bit of time with it, you’ll become a fan rather quickly.

Released in 2006, the .338 Federal may be one of the wisest choices the big-game hunter who likes a lightweight, sweet-shooting, short-action rifle could make.

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.