What calibres would choose to future proof against ammunition supplies

I think the 243 in England and Wales could be under threat. A lot of them with 80 grain bullets may not be big deer legal and there are better/cheaper alternative cartridges for small deer. Granted, not many people are going to check their factory copper loads over a chronograph but if enough do and raise questions to their FEOs (as some like to do) it may become an issue.

It used to make sense as a crossover cartridge for fox/vermin and all deer but with the majority of copper bullets able to be stabilised for the 243 being 80 grains or thereabouts it doesn't make as much sense as other 6mm or 6.5mm cartridges.

Personally I'd stick with

A fast twist 223
A 308 (probably a 6.5 Creedmoor if it wasn't for the plains game)
Ive never planned on dangerous game but I'd probably choose something manageable that came as a nice double rifle to be used here as well so probably a 375H&H
I'd second @BigT's 3 and I've been firing solely TTSX copper for a long time now, including a deer legal .243 80gr TTSX load from a 20" Sako 75 (see solid copper thread). No experience directly of big game (and no interest) but I doubt too that .375 HH will disappear either.
 
Pedantic, but correct.
What cartridges in what calibre would you choose my friend?
Far from being pedantic, the two terms have entirely different meanings.

If what you are seeking is which cartridges are likely to be more readily available in the event of an ammunition shortage then my suggestions would be without resorting to handloading that the following should cover all the bases -
12 Gauge
.22lr
.223Rem /5.56mm
.308Win / 7.62mm
.375H&H

This of course will depend on what part of the world you find yourself in but you could also consider the following as they are well represented in many countries usually bearing in mind past colonial associations or being previous military cartridges used by those countries.
7,62x39
7.62x54R
.303Brittish
.30-06
.30-30
6.5x55
9.3x62
8x57is
 
As good as the 7x57 is, I can't say that I'd fancy facing off with "dangerous Game" with a 7x57 ?
W.D.M. Bell, who hunted over 1,000 elephants, became a legendary figure in part due to his success with the .275 Rigby (7 x 57 Mauser).
 
W.D.M. Bell, who hunted over 1,000 elephants, became a legendary figure in part due to his success with the .275 Rigby (7 x 57 Mauser).
From what I've read his choice of rifle was more dictated by limited ammunition availability. Plus he cheated and crept right up on the elephant and virtually stuck the rifle in the elephant's lug hole. The guy must have had some cahoonas! :)
 
As good as the 7x57 is, I can't say that I'd fancy facing off with "dangerous Game" with a 7x57 ?
Ever heard of Bell, hundreds of Elephants, buffalo's, Rhino's with 7x57,.303, even 6.5x54 (256 Gibbs). Shot buffalo with .22 to make herd stand then cut loose with 303 for skins to make donkey saddles for tusks. But those days Men were Men.
 
308, the creedmores, especially the 6,5, 22 lr, maybe the prcs, let's see. Maybe the 300 win mag too. Of the european ones the 7x64 and the 9,3 x62 will likely also stay popular.
That is what i think might stay popular and easyishly gettable in shops. As some has already mentioned, if the market was rationality driven, a lot of the old european cartridges, made for long for caliber bullets with long throats and pretty low twist rates barrels, like the 6.5x 55 or 57 and the 7x57 should also really fit the non lead era well, but i just doubt they'll become popular. Let's see if there isnt soon a 7 mm creedmore, to try and kill of the 7mm08 and 7x57.
 
From what I've read his choice of rifle was more dictated by limited ammunition availability. Plus he cheated and crept right up on the elephant and virtually stuck the rifle in the elephant's lug hole. The guy must have had some cahoonas! :)
Crept right up, I think if you look into it you will find that Bell was an uncannily good shot, I knew one or two PHs in my youth and they were a;so uncannily good, but they would admit that by all his contemparies standards he was outstanding in his field. He used the Rigby and other rounds using long solid rounds which had very high penetration.

David.
 
I would look at cartridges that either are, or closely based on the military cartridges in use in the country or region you are in.
 
what's wrong with just placing an order with the manufacturer through a RFD for whatever ammunition you want?
facotry ammo wise i find that most RFDS will not order in ammo specifically unless in big lots / numbers as not worth their while on costs

reloading different .


Paul
 
As above.
Assuming you do not reload. It has become clear that certain calibres are becoming very hard to source ( factory). ammunition in. PRC and the Creedmoor offerings are now more readily available
than old staples like 30/06 and 6.5 swede.

What calibres would you be putting on your ticket to safeguard against future supply issues if you had the choice?

What do you think will become the new norm. in calibres with copper just around the corner?

Choices of critirea would be:

Small deer and vermin
Large deer and plains game
Dangerous game

Please try to choose one or more for each caragory.

Thanks
That’s simple dont do vermin -

7x57end of , no then for a hep of rifles clogging up the cabinet.

Dangerous game got no interest absolute zero interest in doing it so that’s really am no starter
 
NOTHING under .300" would be entertained by me except, of course the .22" centrefires that will remain lead legal. Even .284" (aka 7mm) I would be wary of. But then I have always believed that a minimum bullet weight of 150 grains (just shy of 10 grams) is required as an "all around" bullet weight capable of all species of UK deer by me and me and my fellow Mr Average stalker.
7x57 I shoot a 7 mm 150gn bullet at 2350 ft./s killed everything I’ve poked it at, 18” barrel too and after harvest when I can get to my range, I’m going to get 150gn copper running through it too
 
facotry ammo wise i find that most RFDS will not order in ammo specifically unless in big lots / numbers as not worth their while on costs

reloading different .


Paul
My local RFD is pretty good and will add almost anything to an existing order he's got upcoming. Granted, it's not worth ordering just two boxes of ammo to be delivered but if he's putting in an order with say GMK in a mo th he'll happily add on 2 boxes of something they stock and hold it for me.
 
My local RFD is pretty good and will add almost anything to an existing order he's got upcoming. Granted, it's not worth ordering just two boxes of ammo to be delivered but if he's putting in an order with say GMK in a mo th he'll happily add on 2 boxes of something they stock and hold it for me.

I'd say your quite lucky in that they will do this for you....
Alot won't

Paul
 
Rifle would be .308W, .223Rem & .22LR. Shotgun 12g. Basically because the two c/f rifle cartridges are civilian versions of military ones, .22LR is the most prolific of the rim fire cartridges & ditto the 12g for shotguns.

first response by someone who actually read the question !

he did not ask what your favourite cartridge is , he asked about future proofing his choices
 
Ever heard of Bell, hundreds of Elephants, buffalo's, Rhino's with 7x57,.303, even 6.5x54 (256 Gibbs). Shot buffalo with .22 to make herd stand then cut loose with 303 for skins to make donkey saddles for tusks. But those days Men were Men.

Yes, Jura mentioned him a couple of posts earlier, followed by more info by 8x57.

So my question, is if YOU found yourself confronted with a lion, elephant, or buffalo etc', who was about to charge/attack, would a 7x57 be the rifle you'd choose to protect yourself, or those around you ?
 
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