Bryce Towsely explores elk cartridges that are going to give you an edge in elk hunting. This—you can be sure—is not an article about “adequate” elk cartridges.
Engineers at Browning and Winchester teamed up to create a cartridge that offers magnum performance with a modern high-BC projectile, yet is chambered in a short-action rifle for shorter bolt throw and less weight. The 6.8 Western was designed to be the ultimate long-range cartridge that is capable in any big-game hunting scenario as well as long-range target shooting.
Coyote hunting is a great late-season activity, and if you’ve ever seen a live deer, with its hocks and haunches bloodied and half-eaten, you’ll have little issue in pursuing these creatures to the ends of the earth. Let’s take a look at Phil Massaro's personal top five choices for a coyote cartridge, in no particular order.
Other than the feral hog, the whitetail deer covers more diverse types of terrain than any other game animal, leading hunters to have a wide variety of favorite cartridges. Additionally, whitetail hunters are perhaps the most fervent defenders and proponents of their chosen cartridges, which can range from the .22 Hornet to the .45-70 Government—not to mention the shotgun crowd. How do you even begin a "Top 5?"
Despite the lack of factory-loaded ammunition, a competent handloader can provide a lifetime’s worth of hunting ammunition without much trouble, and the ballistic formula provided by the .284 Winchester leaves very little to be desired.
What makes a magnum? Does a magnum cartridge need to be belted? What are the advantages/disadvantages of both designs? Contributor Philip Massaro takes a closer look at each to help you make a more informed decision.