Classic Cartridges for Backcountry Hunting

Aug 5, 2022

Are classic cartridge suitable for backcountry hunting? You bet they are—and some are particularly good at it. This episode takes a detailed look at several of the best. We list top bullet choices and favorite rifles, and discuss what each cartridge is really good at. 

Criteria for inclusion: 

• Must be old (youngest cartridge discussed is 97 years old)
• Must be capable on deer-size game and up
• Must be dominantly popular in at least one significant region (such as the far north or Scandinavia)
• Must be useful for backcountry hunting in mountain country

Cartridges included: 

• 6.5-55
• .270 Winchester
• 7x57 Mauser
• .30-06 Springfield
• .300 H&H
• .375 H&H 
• Bonus: One world-class dangerous-game stopping cartridge

Downsides of classic cartridges

• Low-performance factory loads
• Out-of-date reloading data
• Tolerances in vintage rifles
• Few high-performance modern hunting projectiles
• Have to be careful hunting with valuable vintage firearms

ENJOY!

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