What we think of as full power rifle rounds came are derived from the technology of 130 years ago.
Around the turn of the last century smokeless powder technology matured and, a lot of new rifle cartridges were developed by militaries around the world (8mm Mauser, 30/06, 6.5 Swiss, 303, etc.). They were developed to compliment the heavy machine guns of the era and expected to engage targets at several hundred yards.
They were used in battlefield rifles to simplify logistics, not because soldiers needed the power at ranges that were realistic with iron sights. As a result, they tend to be about as heavy a round as you can reasonably expect a person to shoot repeatedly for an extended period in a rather heavy bolt action rifle
After WWII most countries recognized that bolt actions were obsolete on the battlefield and advances in powder technology would allow shorter versions of rounds with similar performance (30/06 and 308). Tons of bolt action guns hit the market at bargain basement prices and the cartridges became popular choices for hunting. Many gunsmiths modified existing designs by increasing or decreasing the projectile diameter and the best became standardized, each slightly better or worse than another for a specific task, but still in the same power class.
If it has the same head size as a 30/06 (308, 300 sav, 243, 25/06, 270, etc.) its probably more than needed for a white tail at less than 200 yards, and will have noticeable kick in a lighter rifle.
Of the older military rounds and their derivatives, it's hard to beat the 30/06 and 308 for availability, reloading data, and projectile choices. If you need flatter shooting drop in projectile diameter and weight. If you want less recoil drop projectile weight and increase the weight of the gun.
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The 223 and 7.62x39 were developed as militaries recognized a need for a semi/full auto personal arm for urban combat. Rifles with "full power" cartridges were too heavy and awkward for the task. The projectile weights are much lower than the previous generation of cartridges and the powder charge is reduced as well. They are still more than adequate for white tail at reasonable ranges, but are not good choices for long range work on large game in open country. Necked up rounds with heavier projectiles are a better choice for brushy country. These rounds are in the "development phase" and clear winners in the consumer market are starting to rise to the top. Be carefull about selecting the flavor of the week in this class of shells, because it may be next weeks ugly duckling.
Around the turn of the last century smokeless powder technology matured and, a lot of new rifle cartridges were developed by militaries around the world (8mm Mauser, 30/06, 6.5 Swiss, 303, etc.). They were developed to compliment the heavy machine guns of the era and expected to engage targets at several hundred yards.
They were used in battlefield rifles to simplify logistics, not because soldiers needed the power at ranges that were realistic with iron sights. As a result, they tend to be about as heavy a round as you can reasonably expect a person to shoot repeatedly for an extended period in a rather heavy bolt action rifle
After WWII most countries recognized that bolt actions were obsolete on the battlefield and advances in powder technology would allow shorter versions of rounds with similar performance (30/06 and 308). Tons of bolt action guns hit the market at bargain basement prices and the cartridges became popular choices for hunting. Many gunsmiths modified existing designs by increasing or decreasing the projectile diameter and the best became standardized, each slightly better or worse than another for a specific task, but still in the same power class.
If it has the same head size as a 30/06 (308, 300 sav, 243, 25/06, 270, etc.) its probably more than needed for a white tail at less than 200 yards, and will have noticeable kick in a lighter rifle.
Of the older military rounds and their derivatives, it's hard to beat the 30/06 and 308 for availability, reloading data, and projectile choices. If you need flatter shooting drop in projectile diameter and weight. If you want less recoil drop projectile weight and increase the weight of the gun.
.
The 223 and 7.62x39 were developed as militaries recognized a need for a semi/full auto personal arm for urban combat. Rifles with "full power" cartridges were too heavy and awkward for the task. The projectile weights are much lower than the previous generation of cartridges and the powder charge is reduced as well. They are still more than adequate for white tail at reasonable ranges, but are not good choices for long range work on large game in open country. Necked up rounds with heavier projectiles are a better choice for brushy country. These rounds are in the "development phase" and clear winners in the consumer market are starting to rise to the top. Be carefull about selecting the flavor of the week in this class of shells, because it may be next weeks ugly duckling.
