Bullet Diameter: .452”
Uses: Hogs, Bears, Deer, Elk, Bison and Moose (with appropriate loads)
Effective Range: 0-300 yds.
Advantages: Hits hard for use on large game. Satisfies the straight wall cartridge requirements in multiple states allowing for use in areas not previously open to rifle hunting.
History: As with most cartridges, the 450 BM was around as a wildcat long before it was officially adopted by SAAMI in 2008. The result of a joint project between Bushmaster and Hornady.
Bullet diameter: .355”
Uses: Hogs, Bears and Deer
Effective Range: 0-275 yds.
Advantages: Packs a punch at appropriate ranges. It rivals the performance of its big brother the 450 yet produces little recoil. It is perfect for the new or recoil sensitive shooter. Satisfies the straight wall cartridge requirements in multiple states allowing for use in areas not previously open to rifle hunting.
History: Released at SHOT Show January 2019 by Winchester/Browning and is intended for use in AR style hunting rifles. Ammo is readily available from other manufactures as well.
Bullet Diameter: .308”
Uses: Hogs, Bears, Deer
Effective Range: 0-300 yds.
Advantages: It scratches the itch for America’s 30 caliber lovers. Offering substantial advantage over the ever popular 300 blk by shooting flatter and delivering more energy on target. Performs very well with 125-150 bullets.
History: Designed and developed by Bill Wilson, specifically with hog hunting in mind. After years of refining and many thousands of rounds live tested on feral Texas hoggs, it was taken to SAAMI for approval in 2020 as a joint venture between Bill Wilson and Sig Sauer.
Bullet Diameter: .308”
Uses: Hogs, Bears, Deer
Effective Range: 0-200 yds.
Advantages: With its “Made in America” .30 caliber diameter, the blackout has captured the hearts of many hog hunters. The 110 gr. Barnes and Hornady copper bullets perform very well in this platform.
History: The 300 BLK was approved by SAAMI in January of 2011 after living another life in the wildcat community as the 300 Whisper. The shooting public in general, picked up on it almost immediately as an inexpensive way to put big holes in paper. Only later would it turn into the fine hog hunting round it is today.
Bullet Diameter: .277”
Uses: Hogs, Coyotes, Bear, Deer and Elk
Effective Range: 0-300 yds.
Advantages: Delivers a wallop to hogs and tough critters. Ammunition is readily available from multiple sources and high quality. The 6.8 SPC II does not have the range of the 6.5 Grendel but bullet performance from the premium manufactures makes it a force to be reckoned with.
History: 6.8 SPC was officially designed in 2003 by Remington and was deemed flawed by the shooting community. The 6.8 SPC II, which we use today followed some years later after being perfected by wildcatters and is today a fantastic chambering.
Bullet Diameter: .264”
Uses: Hogs, Coyotes, Bear, Deer and Elk (at appropriate yardages)
Effective Range: 0-400 yds.
Advantages: Packs a whole lot of punch from an AR15 platform. Ammunition is readily available from multiple sources and high quality. The 6.5 Grendel has the advantage over similar cartridges in that the case is of sufficient size to allow generous amounts of powder and at the same time short enough to allow long, high B.C. (Ballistic Coefficient) bullets to be seated at magazine length.
History: 6.5 Grendel was officially designed in 2003, however, it was long in existence prior to that as various benchrest community wildcats.
Bullet Diameter: .243”
Uses: Coyotes, Antelope and Deer
Effective Range: 0-600 yds./coyotes, 0-400 yds./deer
Advantages: Probably the honey badger of AR15 hunting cartridges. An excellent choice for the larger caliber varmint hunters as well as an incredibly flat shooter for the pronghorn and deer hunting crowd.
History: Released by Hornady in mid-2020. However, as with many cartridges these days it has been around for a long time under another name (6mmAR) within the target shooting
Bullet Diameter: .224”
Uses: Varmints
Effective Range: 0-600 yds.
Advantages: The 224 Valkyries claim to fame is heavy for caliber bullets staying supersonic out to extended ranges. It serves well as both a hunting and a long-range competition round.
History: Released to the public January 2018 by Federal. Its intended use is long-range target but given the right ammo finds a place in hunting as well.
Bullet Diameter: .224”
Uses: Varmints
Effective Range: 0-600 yds.
Advantages: The 223 Remington is the most popular round of modern times with more rounds sold than any other round. Low recoil and readily available ammunition at reasonable prices make this the choice of many.
History: Designed in 1962 by Remington Arms. Its intended market is small arms.
Bullet Diameter: .204”
Uses: Varmints
Effective Range: 0-600 yds.
Advantages: The 204 Ruger is an exceptionally flat shooting cartridge which makes it a good selection for longer shots at unknown distances. Bullets are lightweight and fragile which make them a safer choice when shooting around hunting dogs, farm animals or in areas where neighboring houses are a concern.
History: Designed in 2004 by a joint venture between Ruger and Hornady. Its intended market is Varmints.
For additional or more detailed information about a particular cartridge please pick up a reloading manual or visit one of the major ammunition manufacturers websites such as: Federal, Hornady, Nosler, Remington, Winchester etc.
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