“Can a bullet well-suited for coyotes be calamitous when fired at elk? The answer is yes, and it has been proven time and again in the field. There are many cartridges that group well downrange and have pleasant recoil qualities that fail miserably when put against the dense bone, muscle mass, and athleticism of large-bodied game. The consequence of inappropriate calibers goes beyond a missed shot. It can lead to a wounded animal and a failed harvest. “
In today’s world of hunting, ethics and ballistics converge. The bullet’s design is constantly evolving, but the laws of physics always set the limits of how well they can hit their mark. The energy, penetration, and bullet construction must correlate to the game’s anatomy. As the great Colonel Townsend Whelen said, “The required impact energy of a deer-sized game is about 1,000 ft. lbs, while twice as much is needed to knock down an elk.” The following list considers the seven most common rifle calibers, all of which, despite their merits in other circumstances, have always failed to deliver in a situation where the prize is several hundred pounds of game.
1. .223 Remington: Precision Without Punch
“The reputation of the .223 Remington for flat trajectories and gentle recoil is well-deserved in varminting circles and on target ranges.” Its 55-grain bullet, exceeding 3,200 fps, offers about 1,280 foot-lbs of energy at the muzzle – sufficient for small game but insufficient for deep penetration on an elk or a moose. Even with bonded or monolithic bullets, this cartridge is inadequate against heavy bone and muscular tissue.
Even though it is true that some hunters have used a .223 effectively to harvest deer, its trajectory energy at a distance of 500 yards is considerably less than half of a .308 Winchester. There is no substitute for on-game terminal ballistics, and a .223 cannot provide it at any distance when hunting large game.
2. .22-250 Remington: Velocity Isn’t Enough
It shines with its rapidity, frequently topping 3,800 feet per second with lightweight bullets, and sports a trajectory so flat it would be ideal for coyotes and prairie dogs. However, kinetic energy is generated not only by the speed of a bullet but by its weight as well, so because of its lightweight bullets, .22-250s lack the punch to penetrate deeply into game.
Even with designed controls for expansion rate, the rapid expansion can still produce shallow WCs on large game. This negatively impacts both ethical take and recovery. It’s excellent for predators but a problem animal in elk country.
3. .243 Winchester: Deer Welcoming
The .243 Win is popular not only due to its mild recoil but also due to its effectiveness in hitting deer-sized game with accuracy. Loaded with 90 to 100 grain bullets, it is effective in dropping whitetail deer and pronghorns at ranges of around 150 to 200 yards. However, when it comes to elk or moose hunting.
A heavier bone structure and more substantive muscle demand a heavier sectional density and more power than the .243 has. It may shoot true at close range by punching right into the kill zone, but in practical hunting scenarios, when it’s not always a perfect shot, .243 simply doesn’t provide enough leeway.
4. .30 Carbine: outdated for big game shooting
The .30 Carbine, originally introduced on the WWII M1 Carbine, fires a 110-grain projectile at about 1,990 fps, which has a trajectory much like that of a potent handgun cartridge, rather than a hunting rifle. The cartridge has poor range and penetration qualities, which will limit it to small to medium-sized game.
It may be satisfactory on deer, but in a bear or elk hunt, its inability to provide power and bullet integrity to ensure humane kills will prove a concern. Hunters may want to look to more modern offerings in the realm of intermediate calibres for their compact rifles used in hunting game.
5. 7.62x39mm: Reliable but Short-Legged
Known by the AK-47’s cartridge name, the 7.62x39mm is famous for being extremely reliable with moderate recoil. Its 123-grain bullet is shot at 2,350 fps, creating 1,500 foot-pounds of force at 100 yards. This is enough to harvest deer in close-range shooting, but not beyond 150 yards.
At long ranges on larger game, the bullet’s low speed and moderate sectional density do not result in deep penetration. At 300 yards, its retained energy is less than some dedicated large game rounds deliver at 150 yards. This makes the 10mm a poor choice against elk or moose.
6. 5.56 NATO: Military Pedigree, Hunting Limits
Ballistically equivalent to the .223 Remington but with higher pressure cartridges, the 5.56×45mm NATO has marginally higher velocity. When used as a military or defensive round, the low recoil and high magazine capacity are advantages. As a safari or big game round, the deficiencies are the same as the .223 Remington family.
Though it carries heavier 77-grain bullets, the penetration and kinetic energy are not adequate even for an elk or moose. Though it is legal for deer hunting in various states, it is illegal in many agencies for bigger game, which speaking frankly, indicates its limited range.
7. .17 HMR: Rimfire Precision, No Big Game Potential
The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire offers excellent accuracy and no recoil, making it very popular for taking small game. The 17-grain bullet traveling at 2,550 fps has just over 250 ft lbs of muzzle energy, which is several orders of magnitude too low for larger game. Compared to any larger predator such as a fox, it is merely a pellet and has little hope of penetrating beyond the outer layers when pitted against something larger than a fox. Several states have already declared it illegal to hunt deer, elk, or similar animals with a .17 HMR. Caliber selection can be an art that involves just as much foresight as dexterity.
All these calibers perform capably in their respective roles to varmint control, target practice, or predator hunting at close range but inadequately so once the target tips the scales at a couple of hundred pounds. The proper caliber for the practice of clean big-game hunting will always involve objects that can project enough power and penetration for a swift and clean kill. Yet leaving such a caliber behind would be no compromise but a badge of respect.
