My Favorite Cartridges Ken Waters Having come with the holiday season, our editor's suggestion that this article be about my favorite centerfire rifle cartridges was a welcome respite from my usual impartial stance, for now I could be as biased as a politician (well almost); subjective, that is, so long as I remain factual. After all, gun writers have their preferences just like everyone, and now I was free to join the hot stove league and argue for my pet rounds. Comparisons with other calibers will not be with derogatory intent, but rather to illustrate what I consider superior selections. My cartridges of choice cover four categories in the field: (1) small bore varmint and deer, (2) the popular all-arounder, (3) medium bore and (4) the heavy medium bore. The Small Bore For this first slot, I'll nominate the .257 Roberts. Over the past 47 years, I haven't been without a rifle in .257 Roberts. Sometimes there have been as many as four in my battery, which is an indication of the high regard in which I hold this cartridge. Ken's favorite loads in the .257 Roberts include the (1) Winchester factory load with a 100-grain Silvertip, (2) Nosler 100-grain Ballistic Tip, (3) Nosler 115-grain Partition, (4) Hornady 120-grain hollowpoint and (5) Remington factory load with 122-grain Extended Range. It was in 1949 that I acquired my first .257 Roberts, a Christmas present from my wife. Vermont gunsmith Floyd Butler had built it on an Enfield action &endash; a common occurrence following World War II when a shortage of commercial rifles (at least in the less popular calibers) motivated the conversions of military actions to sporters. Following rebarreling with one of John Buhmiller's reliable tubes, Butler had done an uncommonly good job stocking it, and I wanted a year-around rifle to serve for varmints as well as deer. Possibly the best combination cartridge for such diverse game, the .257's strong point is its versatility. Always good in those respects, with the appearance of flat-shooting spitzer bullets (the Extended Range, for example), it has gotten better, easily equaling the .243 Winchester's trajectory and less subject to wind deflection than most .22 calibers over long ranges. Remington offered the first commercial chambering of the .257 Roberts in their Model 30-S Express rifle starting in 1934. By mid-1935, Winchester had begun chambering the Model 54 for the cartridge, and in 1936, dropped the Model 54 in favor of their new Model 70. In adopting the round, Remington steepened the case's shoulder angle from 15 to 20 degrees and changed the name from .25 Roberts to .257 Roberts. Originally underloaded in deference to custom rifles built on Model 1893 and 1895 Mauser actions with only double locking lugs, the .257 Roberts suffered from ballistic comparisons with the newer .243 Winchester and 6mm Remington. With the passing of that practice however, higher pressure levels have become acceptable. Postwar medium- to slow-burning powders have helped in this regard with their lower pressure-to-velocity ratio. The resulting improvements have not gone unnoticed. Popularity of the .257 Roberts appears to have taken an upturn with the realization that not only velocities with 100-grain bullets are substantially higher than formerly, but of especial importance, heavier bullets of 115 to 120 grains can be loaded to give this round a distinct advantage over the .243s/6mms for use in taking larger deer and caribou. It may prove more reliable in brush as well. Some .257 Roberts rifles don't stabilize the long 120-grain spitzer boat-tails adequately, (an example was a 1981 era Model 70 Winchester which, while spreading those handsome projectiles around disappointingly, would spin the shorter, flatbase 117-grain Sierras with minute of angle accuracy, and grouped extremely well with 75-grain Sierra and Hornady hollowpoints). Our old Model 54 and early Model 70 Winchesters stabilize the 120 grain with aplomb however, displaying no tipping or yawing tendency. This .300 H&H Magnum line-up includes (1) Winchester 180-grain Silvertip factory load, (2) Sierra 180-grain boat-tail, (3) Nosler 200-grain Partition, (4) Nosler 165-grain Ballistic Tip and (5) Sierra 220-grain softnose. For that matter, most .257s in my experience, made smaller groups with 75-grain hollowpoints or 100-grain spitzers than with 87-grain bullets. Why this is so I don't know, but before branding the .257 Roberts as lacking accuracy, be sure to try bullets of different weights, makes and shapes. You may well be surprised. Nor should a .257 Roberts hunter be too quick to abandon 100-grain bullets for deer. A properly constructed 100-grain is entirely adequate for most situations. For those who favor heavier slugs, however, a 120-grain spitzer boat-tail with a muzzle velocity of 2,750 fps shoots flatter than a 150-grain spitzer from a .308 WCF and has about the same remaining kinetic energy at 300 yards as that great deer slayer, the .300 Savage with a 180-grain bullet. My present .257 Roberts rifles include a prewar Model 70 Winchester with a 24-inch barrel, a Model 54 Super Grade (also 24-inch barrel) and a Mannlicher-Schönauer carbine of 1952 vintage with 20-inch barrel. The Model 70 and Mannlicher wear scopes in Griffin & Howe mounts, while the Model 54 has a Lyman 48 receiver sight &endash; all excellent hunting rifles. My favorite .257 Roberts loads with different bullet weights are listed in Table I. I once said that if I had to reduce my battery of centerfire rifles to three, the .257 would be one of them to stay, and that's still the case. An alternate cartridge and rifle in this category is the 6.5x55 in a Model 70 Winchester sporter with standard weight barrel. The Popular All-Arounder An all-arounder from deer to elk, the .280 Remington offers all the benefits of the famous .270 Winchester, plus an ability to handle heavier bullets for the larger game species. It is the all-around finest deer cartridge in my estimation, having given me the quickest kills. Introduced by Remington in 1957 as a commercial load, the .280 Remington is, of course, an offspring of the .30-06 necked down for 7mm (.284 inch) bullets; in effect, a standardized version of the old wildcat 7mm-06 but with 2.54 inch case length like the .270. The .338 Winchester Magnum line-up shows the (1) Winchester 225-grain softpoint, (2) Nosler 250-grain Partition, (3) Speer 275-grain semispitzer, (4) Nosler 200-grain Ballistic Tip and (5) Winchester 230-grain Fail Safe. Initially its reputation was impaired because factory round pressures were held to 48,000 psi &endash; far below those of the .270 Winchester &endash; to suit the Remington autoloader and thus produced lower velocities. Handloads in bolt rifles soon established its actual superiority with 150-grain bullets however, as verified by Norma factory 150-grain loads that exceeded R-P factory rounds by a thumping 150 fps. Also, a false rumor to the effect that the .280 Remington wasn't a true .284 inch in groove diameter slowed acceptance until it became known that Remington specifications call for a minimum groove diameter of .2837 to .284 inch, the same as other 7mms. Probably intending to undo the resultant public relations damage, Remington in 1979 changed the cartridge's name (but not its dimensions) to 7mm Express Remington for a brief time, but that only raised more questions among shooters, and Remington wisely reverted to the original name of .280 Remington. Adaptable to all standard-length bolt actions, this cartridge is capable of driving 120-grain bullets to 3,160 fps, 139 to 140 grain to 2,990 fps, 160 grain to 2,875 fps and 175 grain to 2,750 fps, all with reasonable recoil and fine accuracy. What finer nonmagnum rimless cartridge of under .30 caliber is to be found? Eminently more suited for varmints and deer than a 7mm Magnum and, with its heavier 154 to 175-grain bullets preferable to a .270 Winchester for elk, the .280 Remington is an ideal cartridge for handloaders who wish to take advantage of the wide assortment of available bullets and seek to learn the preference of their individual rifle as to bullet weights, makes and types. For varmints there is a fine 110-grain Speer TNT hollowpoint. Bullets weighing from 139 to 145 grains of several makes are hard to beat for deer and pronghorn, and if taking on larger game such as elk with a .280, I'd go for a 160 or 175-grain bullet at lower velocity but deeper penetration, like a Nosler Partition or Speer Mag-Tip or Grand Slam. Powder choices are H-414, IMR-4350, IMR-4831 and Norma MRP. Due to differences in case capacities, Remington and Norma cases are best kept separate. Favorite loads with different bullet weights are summarized in Table II. Following a surprisingly accurate Remington 760 slide action, my first .280 Remington bolt rifle was a very nice Model 725 that I foolishly allowed a friend to have. Bad mistake! It was a nicely turned-out hunting rifle. Later, in the 1980s, I worked with a Model 700 7mm Express Remington. Best of all is my Ruger No. 1 single shot. An early issue, this superbly balanced Plains rifle with 26-inch barrel brings out the best of the .280 Remington cartridge, both as to velocity and accuracy &endash; the very essence of an all-around flat-shooting rifle and cartridge for most U.S. hunting needs. Alternate cartridge and rifle in this category is either my Rigby 7x61 S&H or a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 Super Grade .270 Winchester. A Medium Bore The .300 H&H, most efficient of the .300 magnums, is my long-time favorite cartridge. Introduced in 1925 by Holland &Holland, it is a necked-down version of their enormously successful .375 H&H Magnum and, like that great cartridge, a belted rimless round. Originally, it was known as the "Super .30," and with good reason for that's precisely what it is. Although adopted almost at once by the Western Cartridge Co., only custom rifles for the .300 H&H were made here until Winchester added it as a chambering in their new Model 70 rifle commencing in 1937. Noted for its superb long-range accuracy (rifleman Ben Comfort used this cartridge to win the 1,000-yard Wimbledon Match in 1935), high velocity and flat trajectory, the .300 H&H became the forerunner of a voluminous number of American wildcat and factory .300 magnum rounds. Ballistic facts show why. It moves same weight bullets 150 to 200 fps faster than a .30-06, shoots 17 percent flatter and hits harder. Wind deflection is some 10 percent less. Perhaps of most importance to a big game hunter, the .300 H&H drives 180-grain bullets at close to the same velocity as the lighter 150 grainer from a .30-06, resulting in a retained energy of almost 2,000 foot-pounds at 300 yards. Colonel Whelen said of the .300 H&H that it is "about 100 yards superior in terms of sure hitting and killing range." Critics will point to its heavier recoil and longer bolt throw, both of which allegations are true, but higher performance always exacts a price. Kick from most .300 H&H rifles is no greater than that of a 7-pound, 12-gauge shotgun with 3 1/4 to 1 1/4 field loads &endash; hardly insuperable for a warmly dressed big game hunter's shoulder. For those occasions on which full power isn't needed, the .300 H&H can readily and successfully be loaded down to .30-06 levels or below. In the opposite direction where larger game is sought, controlled expansion bullets of 200 grains or more, such as Speer's 200-grain Grand Slam or Nosler's 200 and 220-grain Partition, provide heavy impact and deep penetration. Some years ago, case design of Winchester .300 H&H brass was improved by extending the solid base section above the belt, reducing expansion at that point and increasing case strength. In this modern brass, .300 H&H ballistics can approximate those of the newer .300 Winchester Magnum. Neck sizing only (of cases fired in a single rifle) will reduce case stretching. To those who deride the .300 H&H as "only a Super .30-06," I consider that praiseworthy since that's what it is and accounts for my choice by extending the bounds of a cartridge we all respect. Suitable powders include IMR-4350, Norma 204, IMR-4831 and H-4831. Selected loads are listed in Table III. My older rifle in this caliber is a Browning FN Safari grade with 24-inch barrel and Weaver 3x Wide Field scope that has been carried on many a hunt and never failed me. I can count on it to down whatever game I'm after if I do my part, and it's that trust which makes it outstanding to me. Considerably more attractive (but no more accurate) is a Holland & Holland Best grade Mauser with 24-inch barrel, quarter-rib multiple folding-leaf sight and bolt head peep sight. I couldn't bring myself to drill and tap its receiver and bridge, but I'm used to shooting iron-sighted rifles as long as the front bead is big enough to pick up quickly. The folks at Holland & Holland were pleased that I chose their H&H chambering, and so am I. It's an ideal marriage of cartridge and rifle. A Heavy Medium Nothing complicated here. Despite the presence in my gun cabinet of a fine .340 Weatherby Magnum and an equally splendid Browning FN Mauser of Medallion grade in .375 H&H caliber, for a heavy medium rifle of diverse capabilities, I chose the .338 Winchester Magnum. Ken's rifles that are chambered for his favorite cartridges include (left to right) a Winchester Model 54 Super Grade .257 Roberts, a Browning FN Mauser Safari grade .300 H&H Magnum and a Winchester Model 70 (pre-64) .338 Winchester Magnum. Considering all pertinent factors including high retained bullet energy, penetration, adequately flat trajectory, accuracy and outstanding brush-bucking ability, all with tolerable recoil, the .338 Winchester Magnum is probably the best round between the .300 magnums and the great .375 H&H. It offers big game hunters heavy-for-caliber, strongly constructed bullets with 20 percent greater cross-sectional area than a .30 caliber and a high sectional density with bullets weighing 250 grains or more. Striking energy at 200 yards with that bullet figures out to 17 percent more than a 220-grain, .300 Winchester Magnum bullet and 40 percent over a .30-06 with 180-grain bullet. Yet it can be loaded down with 200 to 225-grain bullets for deer-size game without excessive meat destruction. For most big game species, 250-grain bullets if properly constructed are adequate, besides offering superior ballistics. For deeper penetration on the large bears, a 275-grain Speer Grand Slam penetrates as deeply as a 300 grainer of ordinary lead core construction, yet can be given 100 fps higher velocity. Medium-slow burning powders are most often used in my handloads of this cartridge, especially IMR-4350 and IMR-4831. Load data for the .338 Winchester Magnum is listed in Table IV. My .338 Winchester Magnum is a pre-64 Model 70 with 25-inch barrel and a Weaver (Blount) K-4 scope in Weaver mounts. An alternate cartridge and rifle in this category is a Browning FN Mauser Medallion grade in .375 H&H Magnum, just as good or better on the heavy caliber end, but somewhat less versatile with lighter bullets. Now I know beyond the shadow of a doubt, someone will say, "OK, so those are your four favorite rifle cartridges, but let's suppose you were limited to just one. What would it be?" Brace yourself, friend, it's none of the above! Just as so many of our fellow hunters &endash; maybe even readers of this piece &endash; have done, experience inevitably brings me back to that steadfast, almost all-around cartridge &endash; the .30-06. No matter what rifle I've used for different game, I can't think of a single head I couldn't have taken cleanly with a well-placed, properly constructed bullet of correct weight from a .30-06. Anyway, that's one man's selection. Table I .257 Roberts bullet powder charge primer velocity (grains) (grains) (fps) 75 Sierra jacketed hollowpoint IMR-4064 40.0 W-W 120 3,051 75 Hornady jacketed hollowpoint IMR-3031 41.0 Federal 210 3,214 100 Speer jacketed hollowpoint IMR-4350 45.5 W-W 120 2,996 100 Nosler Solid Base IMR-4350 46.0 W-W 120 3,077 115 Nosler Partition MRP 49.0 Federal 210 2,865 117 Sierra spitzer boat-tail H-414 45.0 2,937 120 Hornady hollowpoint IMR-4350 43.0 2,733 120 Nosler Solid Base W-760 41.5 2,720 Note: All velocities chronographed from a Model 70 with a 24-inch barrel. Table II .280 Remington bullet powder charge primer velocity (grains) (grains) (fps) 115 Speer hollowpoint IMR-4350 56.0 W-W 120 3,100 120 Sierra spitzer H-414 53.0 Remington 9 1/2 3,025 130 Speer spitzer IMR-4350 55.0 W-W 120 3,048 139 Hornady Spire Point IMR-4831 57.0 Remington 9 1/2 M 2,990 140 Nosler Partition IMR-4350 54.0 W-W 120 2,933 145 Speer spitzer boat-tail IMR-3031 45.0 Remington 9 1/2 2,800* 154 Hornady Spire Point IMR-4831 54.5 Remington 9 1/2M 2,850 160 Speer Grand Slam MRP 56.0 Remington 9 1/2M 2,800 175 Speer Mag-Tip IMR-4831 52.0 Remington 9 1/2M 2,698 * This is a light deer load. Note: All velocities chronographed from a 26-inch barrel. Table III .300 H&H Magnum bullet powder charge primer velocity (grains) (grains) (fps) 150 Nosler Ballistic Tip IMR-4350 70.0 Federal 215 3,150 165 Sierra hollowpoint boat-tail Norma 204 68.0 3,032 180 Nosler Partition H-4831 73.0 CCI 250 2,925 180 Speer Grand Slam IMR-4350 67.0 2,890 200 Nosler Partition IMR-4831 68.5 2,800 220 Sierra roundnose softpoint IMR-4831 66.0 Federal 215 2,650 Note: All loads chronographed from a 24-inch barrel. Table IV .338 Winchester Magnum bullet powder charge primer velocity (grains) (grains) (fps) 200 Hornady Spire Point IMR-4831 75.0 W-W 120 2,950 210 Nosler Partition IMR-4350 71.0 2,850 225 Hornady Spire Point RL-19 75.0 WLR 2,825 250 Nosler Partition MRP 74.0 W-W 120 2,746 275 Speer semispitzer IMR-4350 67.0 2,550 Note: All loads chronographed from a 25-inch barrel. Be alert! Publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors in published load data. Copyright 1997 Mark Harris Publishing Associates, Inc.