What Is The Best Hunting Cartridge To 500 yds.

[John Polk]

Gotta be the classic .270 Win. Moderate recoil. Very flat shooting. Elk capable. Heavier bullets for higher BC & bigger game; lighter bullets for deer & varmints. Tons of affordable factory ammo. Chambered in just about any platform one could want (bolt, semi-auto, pump, lever, single shot.) Out to 500 yards, pretty perfect.

Nosler is bringing out a 175 gr. Accubond LR which should cover the heavy bullet requirements. That makes the .270 very viable against anything but dangerous game.

 

[Thescandinavian]

I would say 30-06 and maybe in AI configuration. Good selection of bullets, easy available brass and ago, better wounding than the smaller calibers without producing unmanageable recoil.
I don't have one and mainly because it's too mainstream.

 

[stljc2]

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

My 308 was also easy to work up

 

[zb338]

I don't think cartridges like the Creed have the power to be viable out
at 500 yards. I would rather be using .300 short magnum and up.

Zeke

 

[Bro Dave]

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.

Your my hero. Knowing your limits and readily sticking to them is the key to success regardless of rifle. 500 is a long way under most hunting conditions which are generally less than perfect. All suggestions have been good but I personally like the 30-06 and 7mm/08 approach because of the versatility. If I could only own one rifle it would be an 06.

 

[Gone Ballistic]

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.

If you are looking for something that is flat shooting and ammo is readily available in many variants of bullet weight then, the Remington 7mm Magnum is hard to beat. If recoil bothers you, either add a muzzle break or suppressor and you will be good to go, after you put a good scope on it. Others will argue but, I own and have hunted with rifles of almost every caliber and for me, on large game, it's hard to beat for the reasons I gave you. Availability, shooting, quick killing are what makes a great all-around hunting rifle and this one does the job well.

 

[Gone Ballistic]

I don't think cartridges like the Creed have the power to be viable out
at 500 yards. I would rather be using .300 short magnum and up.

Zeke

Wrong! I just took an elk at 878 yards with my 6.5 Creedmoor with a 140 grain Nosler 3 days ago. One shot kill and he folded up in a heap!

 

[John Klingenberg]

Many will work, but, my wife is pretty fond of her .338 WM. Easily good to 500, I've seen her take game at 400 yards. From mice to moose....it simply works! memtb

How did the taxidermist mount the mouse? Was is it in full rut ,a posed mount? You should share pics.

 

[rbTanzan]

I'm torn between a 270Win in a lightweight rifle like a Tikka for easy carry (especially if limited to deer), (yes, the 7mmRM would work, too)
or a 300 PRC for medium-heavy bullets, keeping velocity up to 3000fps+,
or if including elk, then maybe a 338WM or 338PRC when available, or 33Nosler.

The 338's only need a 10" twist to use the 213gnHH at 3000fps and +. The Barnes 250LRX has a .602 BC, but the 338WM would only push it at 2700fps. The 213HH at 2950fps in a 338WM would have same wind drifts out to 500 yards, literally, but would drop considerably less (-16" vs -21" at 400yards using +2" 100yd sight-in.)
The 270 and 300 would also work in 10" twist, but an 8" twist in 270 would allow the 156gnHH.

 

[John Polk]

Wrong! I just took an elk at 878 yards with my 6.5 Creedmoor with a 140 grain Nosler 3 days ago. One shot kill and he folded up in a heap!

You are a superb shot and very lucky. One gust of wind would have blown your bullet right into its guts and you'd have a disaster on your hands.

 

[Sanford338]

If you don't dial a 257 Weatherby would be hard to beat. If you dial just pick what suits your fancy.

I fully concur! 257 Wby hard to beat, fun to shoot, recoil is minimum. Love shooting my MK5 RC... deadly accurate!

 

[Wyomingmike]

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.

Whatever you shoot the best, pretty simple since there are many calibers to do this with

 

[Lee Goodwin]

300 WM
180 grain bullet MV 2900 fps
@500 yards
2000 fps
1600+ energy
That would be a good hunt load I think.

Then get 300 WM in a Nosler mountain carbine, proof carbon wrap barrel. 6 lb?
3x9 or 4x12 scope will do. Fun!

 

[User4302021]

Ditch the

.308 in favor of the 7mm 08. Its more fun and flatter shooting.

In that post I was referring to bore size in the first sentence.

I know the short action cartridges will probably get it done, but for 500 I would prefer a bit more horsepower. To my thinking the '06 case holds the perfect amount of powder for hunting to 500 yards.