“american eagle”

In spite of the numerous developments in handgun cartridge technology over the last century, it seems that the John Browning designed .45 ACP is as valid and as ever, and we'd bet that assessment will be valid in another 100 years.

Which of these cartridges better serves the hunter looking for a speedy rimfire? Contributor Philip Massaro examines the pros and cons of each.

Accurate, reliable and comfortable to shoot, the new Outfitter G2 break-action single-shot cartridge rifle from Traditions is just pure fun at a budget-friendly price.

The list of advantages held by the .224 Valkyrie starts with ballistic performance that’s more like the .22-250 Rem. than the .223 Rem. Loaded with 60- to 90-grain bullets, the .224 Valkyrie was developed by Federal Premium to bring more power to the AR-15 platform.

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.

A handgun does no good on a shelf back in camp. But the trouble is, handguns chambered for cartridges appropriate for wilderness protection and/or big-game hunting tend to be a bit heavy. It’s common enough to head into the hunt with good intentions, but after a few exhausting days when even your shoelaces become too heavy, you often find a reason to leave the handgun behind.

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.

Despite the magnum moniker, the .327 Federal Magnum is a pleasure to shoot, giving it a lot of flexibility. It is a viable defensive cartridge, and in a hunting rifle, is a great choice for when shot distances are on the shorter end of the spectrum.

If velocity is your thing, and you want the speediest rimfire cartridge currently available, look no further than the .17 WSM.