“the 300 h&h magnum”

Among the selection of cartridges that will handle larger North American big game, these two have undoubtedly risen to the top, yet there are many who fervently choose one over the other. We took a closer look at each to determine which has the ultimate advantage.

Between the 7mm Rem. Mag. and the .300 Win. Mag., which offers the best performance for the hunter? Contributor Philip Massaro takes a closer look at what makes each cartridge tick.

The second cartridge to bear the Precision Rifle Cartridge moniker, Hornady’s new .300 PRC is a beltless non-rebated .30-caliber magnum rifle cartridge designed for extreme performance at long range.

Based on the 6.8 SPC cartridge, the .224 Valkyrie is designed to give excellent long-range ballistics from an AR platform with little recoil. Loaded with 60- to 90-grain bullets, the cartridge makes a sound choice for deer and varmints alike.

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.

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.