What are the most EFFICIENT rifle cartridges?

[Rez Exelon]

The 375 winchester is about the winner .It pushes a 220 gr bullet at 2400 fps with about 37 grs powder .I love this little cartridge in win 94 bb weighing only 6 pounds with very little kick .The 338 federal is also another one 50 grs powder to move a 200 gr bullet 2600 fps .

I keep seeing 375 win references recently. I really need to get mine out and shoot it the first time. I just recently came into some really nice leather for it too --- scabbard to hold it and a cartridge belt that works great with it. But I've never shot it in the three-ish years I've had it. Just not ready to add a new project to the pile of projects I've not completed.

 

[Daryl S]

Good luck with it. I assume it's an angle eject model?

 

[mgstucson]

Both of my 9.3x62 rifles leave fired brass with .454" shoulder dia., not .441" of the 'Whelen" and other .30/06 cases.
.454" is the Ackley Improved shoulder, BTW. Both 9.3x62 rifles leave brass with 78 to 80gr. water capacity.
My best loads with light bullets in the .375/06IMP using 225gr. Hornady and Speer 235gr. was 2,865fps and 2,840fps respectively.

My 35 Whelen AI (.454) and 375 Whelen AI (.453) are both .450+ shoulders. The G&H 400 Whelen was always a .458 shoulder. Of course fired cases are a bit more. That is indeed the best way to make the 30-06 case the most efficient. Of course Herr Bock knew that a century ago. He also made the case head a few thousands bigger also.

 

[Daryl S]

I find your dimensions interesting. I'd always thought the .400 would have the standard .454" Ackley shoulder. My..375 follows more the Arch I think shoulder, at .460" on fired brass with a .470" base.

 

[Woodcarver]

Interesting thread. Someone else wrote a book on it, so I don't need to. In answering the OP's original question of "What is the most efficient rifle cartridge?", @One Day... answered the question; it is the 9.3x62 Mauser, and its inspiration, the 9.3x74R. For those who wonder why, get a copy of The 9.3x62 Mauser Journal, it's a fascinating read that fully explains why it is the most efficient rifle cartridge, and why it's important to not get lost in the math....

 

[Daryl S]

Interesting that it's factory ballistics are so low, compared to what the ctg. is capable of, especially with heavies bullets, like the 300 and 320gr.

 

[DaddyFlip]

Interesting thread. Someone else wrote a book on it, so I don't need to. In answering the OP's original question of "What is the most efficient rifle cartridge?", @One Day... answered the question; it is the 9.3x62 Mauser, and its inspiration, the 9.3x74R. For those who wonder why, get a copy of The 9.3x62 Mauser Journal, it's a fascinating read that fully explains why it is the most efficient rifle cartridge, and why it's important to not get lost in the math....

Both are fine cartridges and any discussion of efficiency today without the math is either opinion or anecdote, as the book indicates it is. The x62 is no slouch in its class to be sure; the x74 doesn't quite match up, but it's a beautiful round. The book Sample makes it look like a good read anyway; I might have to get a copy!

"The list of contributors to the 9.3 Journal, reads like an All-Star movie cast."

"This is a celebration of the 9.3 X 62 Mauser – that old, grand old work horse that covered generations of hunting years and still does. Its adherents are diehards who refuse to budge from the classic, old-style rifle. It is great for African plains game or deer hunting in America, with its superb accuracy and light recoil. The variety of game animals and settings makes this one of the most interesting cartridges ever produced."

"This book is a must for all serious enthusiast who own or shoot the 9.3 x 62 Mauser Cartridge, and will become an important reference for the avid hunter of big game around the world who want to hunt with bullet to stop a charge!"

 

[Daryl S]

Well, I guess if that book says so, it must be true. Is the author or are the authors talking about the ridiculous ballistics of the ctg. when it first came out or the raised ballistics of, what was it, 1923 which are still somewhat beneath it's capabilities of 40 or 50 years ago?
Here I thought it was just a good plains game hunting rifle. I didn't know it was also a stopping ctg.

 

[BFaucett]

I thought this article might be of interest.

Efficient Cartridges​

by John Barsness​

Handloader Magazine #216, April-May 2002​

(8 pages)​

Attached is a file containing a scan of the article in pdf format.

John Barsness and Eileen Clarke
https://www.riflesandrecipes.com/


Cheers! Bob F.