{"id":13451,"date":"2016-06-06T13:10:03","date_gmt":"2016-06-06T13:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/?p=13451"},"modified":"2021-02-09T15:39:35","modified_gmt":"2021-02-09T15:39:35","slug":"one-cartridge-for-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/one-cartridge-for-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"One Cartridge for the World"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-5.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13452\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-5.jpg?resize=800%2C316\" alt=\"308-5\" width=\"800\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-5.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-5.jpg?resize=300%2C119&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you were going to create one big game cartridge for the world\u00a0how would you codify the creation? Well, how about this?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The cartridge should be able to push a bullet fast and flat enough to limit trajectory as much as possible.<\/li>\n<li>The bullet should provide enough penetration to pass through the vitals of any animal we shoot, while expanding to increase tissue destruction.<\/li>\n<li>Ideal external and terminal ballistics should be provided without excessive recoil.<\/li>\n<li>The cartridge must fit in a repeating rifle, compact and light enough to carry all day, with a reasonable magazine capacity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-3.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13453\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-3.jpg?resize=799%2C398\" alt=\"308-3\" width=\"799\" height=\"398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-3.jpg?w=799&amp;ssl=1 799w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-3.jpg?resize=300%2C149&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>With that settled, let\u2019s try to get a little more specific:<\/p>\n<h4>Trajectory (external ballistics)<\/h4>\n<p>An eight-inch kill zone is reasonable for most\u00a0big game animals all over the world. The perfect big game cartridge should allow you to hold in the center of this kill zone out to around 300 yards and still get a hit, even in a moderate cross wind.<\/p>\n<h4>Penetration \/ Expansion (terminal ballistics)<\/h4>\n<p>Given reasonable shot angles, for a bullet to pass through the vitals of all but the largest and most dangerous game, it should be capable of penetrating 18 to 20 inches in 10% ordnance gelatin. To maximize tissue destruction the bullet should also expand between 1.5 and 2 times its original diameter.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13460\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13460\" style=\"width: 799px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-6.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13460 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-6.jpg?resize=799%2C318\" alt=\"308-6\" width=\"799\" height=\"318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-6.jpg?w=799&amp;ssl=1 799w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-6.jpg?resize=300%2C119&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13460\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Hornady&#8217;s ELD-X, used in their Precision Hunter ammo, is one of the first near and far bullets created. It will provide lethal terminal performance up close and at distance.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4>Recoil<\/h4>\n<p>How hard a rifle kicks is subjective and somewhat dependent on rifle design. That said, most hunters &#8211; if they would tell the truth &#8211; find that a rifle\/cartridge combination producing a free recoil energy of more than 20 pounds to be moderately uncomfortable to shoot.<\/p>\n<h4>Cartridge\/Rifle Size<\/h4>\n<p>Long cartridges increase rifle length and weight. Fat cartridges diminish magazine capacity. Long and fat cartridges do both. And, some magnum cartridges need long barrels to really be <em>magnums<\/em>. What\u2019s ideal? Eight pounds is a good target weight for a field ready rifle, seven or less is much better. You must shoot once and a coup de grace might be needed. You also might miss so you need at least three shots. And, since you never want an empty rifle, capacity should\u00a0be four or more.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13454\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13454\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-2.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13454 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-2.jpg?resize=800%2C526\" alt=\"308-2\" width=\"800\" height=\"526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-2.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-2.jpg?resize=300%2C197&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13454\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">This Montana elk was taken with sone shot at about 340 yards with a .308 Winchester.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Is there a cartridge that fits these specifications or do we really have to build one from scratch?<\/p>\n<p>The first that comes to mind is the boring .308 Winchester. It will work splendidly on whitetails \u2013 I\u2019ve done that \u2013 and its sufficient for moose \u2013 I\u2019ve done that too. It\u2019s compact and allows for a properly sized rifle with an ample magazine capacity. With good bullets like the Hornady ELD-X, 20 inches of penetration with good expansion is easily obtained, even beyond 300 yards, where you can still hold dead on. And, even in a six-pound rifle it will generate less than 20 ft.\/lbs. of free recoil energy. You can also find 308 ammo almost anywhere and in a larger variety than with any other chambering.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13455\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13455\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-1.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13455 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-1.jpg?resize=800%2C533\" alt=\"308-1\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-1.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13455\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">The rumor is African animals are tougher than those in North America. This is not true and a .308 will work in Africa just like it does in Montana.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The search, as they say, is over.<\/p>\n<p>The .308 Winchester might just be the perfect, general-purpose cartridge\/rifle combination. One of the greatest firearms experts and teachers conceived this combination 50 years ago. COL Jeff Cooper originated the scout rifle concept just for world-wide general\u00a0purpose use and selected the .308 Winchester as the cartridge for it. You might opine the .308 not adequate for hunting all of North America and you have a right to your opinion. I do not share it; I\u2019ve seen the .308 employed with sensational success in North America and Africa on animals large and small.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13456\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13456\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-4.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13456 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-4.jpg?resize=800%2C410\" alt=\"308-4\" width=\"800\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-4.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/308-4.jpg?resize=300%2C154&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13456\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\">Sometimes hunters must pass on shots or shoot at long range. A 308 loaded using\u00a0Hornady Precision Hunter ammo but this Idaho bear down at about 400 yards.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The .308 Winchester is boring, but it\u2019s also boringly effective. Its not my favorite rifle cartridge\u00a0but that does not stop me from using it most of the time.<\/p>\n<!--YouTube Error: bad URL entered-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you were going to create one big game cartridge for the world\u00a0how would you codify the creation? Well, how about this? The cartridge should be able to push a bullet fast and flat enough to limit trajectory as much as possible. The bullet should provide enough penetration to pass through the vitals of any animal we shoot, while expanding to increase &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2522,3024],"tags":[671,910,587,134],"class_list":["post-13451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hunt","category-scout-rifles","tag-308-winchester","tag-best-big-game-cartridge","tag-hunting-cartridges","tag-hunting-rifles"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5hujZ-3uX","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15812,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/picking-your-expert-cartridge\/","url_meta":{"origin":13451,"position":0},"title":"Picking Your Expert\/Cartridge","author":"gunwriter","date":"January 3, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"I\u2019m not a rifle hunting cartridge expert. In fact, I\u2019m not sure how that qualification could even be obtained. I am however often asked for advice when it comes to cartridge selection. Because of its nonpartisan stance, my answer\u2014my standard answer\u2014never satisfies.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Empty Cases Exclusive&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Empty Cases Exclusive","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/empty-cases-exclusive\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/BB-1.jpg?fit=1000%2C591&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/BB-1.jpg?fit=1000%2C591&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/BB-1.jpg?fit=1000%2C591&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/BB-1.jpg?fit=1000%2C591&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7930,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/enough-gun-or-something-like-it\/","url_meta":{"origin":13451,"position":1},"title":"Enough Gun or Something Like It","author":"gunwriter","date":"January 3, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"A couple years back I ordered a full-custom rifle. I had many decisions to make concerning the rifle and one of the hardest was what cartridge to have the rifle chambered for. The rifle was to be used mostly for whitetails were I spend the most time hunting them: Here\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \".223 Remington\"","block_context":{"text":".223 Remington","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/tag\/223-remington\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Select a cartridge you can shoot comfortably and then learn how to shoot your rifle.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/30-AR-150-Accubond-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6979,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/ballistic-excitement\/","url_meta":{"origin":13451,"position":2},"title":"Ballistic Excitement","author":"gunwriter","date":"May 21, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Look what the UPS man delivered today. (Every time he delivers me ammo he asks, \"How do you get all this ammo? Know where I can get some small rifle primers?\") It helps to know important people and I know this guy named Randy Grove who works for Remington. In\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;HUNTING&quot;","block_context":{"text":"HUNTING","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/hunt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/30-AR-Hog-Hammer-1-300x268.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":8414,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/ar-15-cartridges-part-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":13451,"position":3},"title":"AR 15 Cartridges &#8211; Part 2","author":"gunwriter","date":"February 24, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"The recent polls conducted on AR 15 cartridges yielded some interesting information. Obviously, these were not scientific polls but given there were in the neighborhood of 700 responses we could say they are an indication of trends. Without question it seems obvious that the .223 Remington is thought to be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;DEFENSE&quot;","block_context":{"text":"DEFENSE","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/defense\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"30AR-7","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/30AR-7-1024x704.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/30AR-7-1024x704.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/30AR-7-1024x704.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8802,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/pf-vs-crf-the-easter-bunny\/","url_meta":{"origin":13451,"position":4},"title":"PF vs. CRF &#038; The Easter Bunny","author":"gunwriter","date":"April 19, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 One of the longest running rifle debates is the control-round-feed (CRF) vs. push-feed (PF) argument, which is primarily focused on rifles for dangerous game. Conventional wisdom dictates when a fellow is confronted with a critter that might stomp him into a blood puddle, rifle reliability is paramount. Some believe\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;HUNTING&quot;","block_context":{"text":"HUNTING","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/hunt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"CRF-2","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRF-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRF-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRF-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/CRF-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13160,"url":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/the-escadrille-best-ar-cartridge-ever\/","url_meta":{"origin":13451,"position":5},"title":"The Escadrille &#8211; Best AR Cartridge Ever!","author":"gunwriter","date":"April 1, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Not too long ago I decided all this silliness with trying to invent a new and better AR cartridge needed to stop. So, I decided to devise the best solution to the problem with a goal that the new cartridge must utilize standard AR-15 magazines, while maintaining standard capacity. That\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;EDITORIAL&quot;","block_context":{"text":"EDITORIAL","link":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/category\/editorial\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"311-3","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/311-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/311-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/311-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/311-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13451"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13462,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13451\/revisions\/13462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empty-cases.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}