What Is The Best Hunting Cartridge To 500 yds.

[Ernie]

Basically any short action (Creed/308/250 Savage families) or LA cartridge that is legal to use in your state.
Biggest issue is ones capability to shoot (good shot placement) under pressure or on demand at the further distances from field positions, combined with dealing with terrain and wind.

 

[sturner]

308 is about the easiest to load for pick a bullet drop in varget and shoot

 

[Will Gray]

375 of any variety

 

[Doginab]

I know 500 isn't long-range for some of you but due to my ability, it's my self imposed a limit for shooting game.

The best combination of rifle portability, power, trajectory, reloading components and or ammo selection.

I like the 300's for an all around meat gun. Short, long range plus bullet selections. The energy difference on a 600 yd. gong is very noticeable.

 

[RetiredSniper]

I still trust my 308 with 165 to 168 grain bullets! For closer range my 35 Remington will down just about anything excluding Dinosaurs!

 

[jmason59]

308

 

[jrkotz]

Kind of what I was thinking between 270 and 280ai

should have prefaced I have:
450 nitro
375hh
300wm
7mm rem mag

I wasn't trying to get suggestions about how to fill the gap.

Just curious on opinions on what cartridge we think fits the bill.

Was thinking North America.

With that inventory, you need a 6.5

 

[PNWdude67]

With a 500 yard limit and portability, available components, etc A short action fits the bill. Something new? 6.5 Creedmoor.... something old? .308 win....
both good enough for govt work so they will be around a long time.

 

[jd5521]

270 Sherman

 

[FatGuy]

For deer and antelope I love my 7mm-08. I took this antelope last month at 430 yards. I feel like another 70 yards would not have been a problem. 120gr nosler ballistic tips over 45 gr of varget I can shoot 1/2 moa groups.

 

[PawneeStrider74a]

Where there are Grizzly Bears in the area I would say .338 Winchester; where little chance of encounter with Griz the .270 Winchester would be my choice. To actually hunt the Brown Bear a .375 H&H Magnum in a real Mauser action with iron sights (peep OK). That was what I used for over 30 years living in Alaska, eh?

 

[skipglo]

Any 30 caliber....by far greatest bullet selection...and as folks are saying...no such thing as any one best....it's all personal choice
...

 

[RidgeReaper208]

300 Remington Ultra Mag, go big or go home...shooting a large animal with a small caliber is unethical. The only shot that matters is the 1st shot, if you can't make it count your not hunting responsibly or ethically. Continuing to put lead/cooper down range because your 1st shot didn't make it's mark means you need to spend more time in the off-season preparing. Excuses are like booty holes, we've all got one...if your going to shoot extended ranges know your weapon and it's capabilities. Test yourself and practice on cold, wet, windy days...put yourself in compromised situations when practicing so you will know how to handle a comparative situation should Big Hank walk out in front of you at 500+ yards and there is no shooting bench to set-up on! Keep calm and carry on folks.

 

[Tatsnscoots]

I'm becoming a huge fan of 6.5 PRC. I reload, but it seems most rifles shoot Hornady factory ammo pretty well and it's not outrageously priced.