Thread: Is the .223 the most versatile cartridge?

I'm looking for advice, I'm loosing an SKK in 7.62x39 and looking for a good caliber for knocking down goats and deer on farm. For smaller critters I'll use the ruger 10/22 or shotgun. Also looking at a semi auto in 22wmr for goats. I like the 7.62x39, and had thought about buying a bolt action in that calibre, but once the SKK is gone I'm open to all options. I don't reload, what's the best calibre for general pest control/occaisonal hunting, that is cheap to buy off the shelf?

yes they are very versitile......so is a .12ga shotgun......just at much shorter range. Ive shot heaps with my .223 including two large boars this year...the one yesterday was far from ideal as Id just filled mag with varmit loads and didnt have time for a switch....did the job but definately not ideal...had I put a ttsx in as did a couple of months ago it wouldve gone down so much faster.

7.62x39mm and use hornady 50 pack sst loads...job done Ben

I'd go with 223 for bulk buying if you're not into reloading.

Got much 7.62x39 ammo left? if so, a bolt gun in that cal is a no brainer.

A suppressor on it will help too.

Last i checked up on it the 762x39 ammo was getting harder to come by, esp with all the sanctions on russian made ammo? Haven't looked in a while though as don't shoot it anymore.

300blk is in the same ball park as 762, however you get the added benefits of shooting subsonic hunting rounds. Also much more projectile selection if you were to delve into reloading, or knew someone that ran the calibre to load for you?

Else if you want versitility, ammo availibility and huge variety off the shelf then i'd be going for a .308. There not as good as a 300blk with subsonic ammo, however you can do it, and you can stretch your shooting range out much further with them. When Hornady does finally get there A into G, and start producing enough of the SubX projectiles to sell them for reloading then the .308 would be awesome with them loaded up.

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

I'm looking for advice, I'm loosing an SKK in 7.62x39 and looking for a good caliber for knocking down goats and deer on farm. For smaller critters I'll use the ruger 10/22 or shotgun. Also looking at a semi auto in 22wmr for goats. I like the 7.62x39, and had thought about buying a bolt action in that calibre, but once the SKK is gone I'm open to all options. I don't reload, what's the best calibre for general pest control/occaisonal hunting, that is cheap to buy off the shelf?

Last i checked up on it the 762x39 ammo was getting harder to come by, esp with all the sanctions on russian made ammo? Haven't looked in a while though as don't shoot it anymore.

300blk is in the same ball park as 762, however you get the added benefits of shooting subsonic hunting rounds. Also much more projectile selection if you were to delve into reloading, or knew someone that ran the calibre to load for you?

Else if you want versitility, ammo availibility and huge variety off the shelf then i'd be going for a .308. There not as good as a 300blk with subsonic ammo, however you can do it, and you can stretch your shooting range out much further with them. When Hornady does finally get there A into G, and start producing enough of the SubX projectiles to sell them for reloading then the .308 would be awesome with them loaded up.

Dublin...no issue getting x39mm ammo,reloading subsonic is piss easy too...... agree .308 is another good option...goats are easy with .223 very easy.

The correct answer to the original question has already been given. But I'm gonna give it again.

I currently own .223, .243, 6.5mm, .308. I've owned a few others in the past, .25, 7mm, .204... others I've forgotten.

I'll give you some clues...

Which cartridge in the above list is the original crossover multipurpose do-it-all, designed from the get go as a genuine deer / varmint cartridge?

Released by Winchester in 1955.

Inspired by Warren Page's .240 Super Pooper.

Took the shooting world by storm.

Popular from the day it was released to the present day, selling hundreds of thousands every year, chambered by every major manufacturer.

I'm getting a stiffy...

It's the two for free ear burrowing rat gun of course.

There can be only one "most versatile", and that's it. Versatility is its middle name.

No point arguing.

@Dublin good point about 7.62x39 supply. It will still live on here as a bolt calibre, but whether it is well supplied or not is anybody's guess.

I'd say so yes. You can buy a 1000 round tin of locally made ammo that will kill pretty much anything in the country. Cheap enough to shoot rabbits and goats and wallabies with. Powerful enough to kill bigger game when used within the capability envelope of the shooter/cartridge. If you save the brass from bulk ammo and reload it, divide the cost again. But it's cheap enough that I don't bother anymore.

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

I had my first hunt with my new .223 Howa Mini today and it got me thinking. After having shot a .22, 8x57, .303, .308, .270, .44mag, 30/30, 7mm08 I’ve come to the conclusion that the .223 is probably about the most versatile cartridge out there.

When you think what you can effectively use it for; everything from small game to med (large?) game it certainly seems to punch above its weight. Plus; the amount of factory ammo (and economy of shooting) and projectiles for reloading is pretty awesome. It’s seemingly inherent accuracy, and range of rifles it’s chambered makes it a pretty compelling little cartridge…..

I know you technically use any cartridge for the above uses, but for sheer practicality it would be pretty hard to usurp the .223…. It’s sorta the Swiss Army knife of cartridges; sure many specialist cartridges (knives) can do things better; but the 223 does most things more than adequately…

Maybe it’s just a case of my infatuation with a new rifle?

Attachment 109948

Yep, would have to agree. As far as shooting the full spectrum across all wild species in NZ, the .223 covers them the best. Obviously you'd have to vary all the projectiles you'd choose to fit the type of game your after.

Biggest limiter with the .223 would be range. But on the same token the vast majority of experienced hunters i've ever talked too (when there being honest), have rarely shot deer outside of 100m anyway. 80-90% is the general ratio given of the deer shot inside 100m. The old argument of, your going to have to walk to the animal to recover it so what difference does it make.

I appreciate all the other arguments for various calibres and the increased popularity of long range shooting (now that we've got access to tech to enable it with much greater success). Also your area would play a part in the type of calibre that suits you best.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

agree .308 is another good option....

Probably the most versatile medium/big game cartridge. Maybe closely followed by the 30-06?

Keep 'em coming folks!

Originally Posted by Dublin

Biggest limiter with the .223 would be range. But on the same token the vast majority of experienced hunters i've ever talked too (when there being honest), have rarely shot deer outside of 100m anyway. 80-90% is the general ratio given of the deer shot inside 100m. The old argument of, your going to have to walk to the animal to recover it so what difference does it make.

Really? Not here it ain't, unless you're only a thick bush stalker. Are you in Aus? In the Vic High Country most of the deer I shot or watched shot were quite far away, like 200m++, or much further, very similar to here, glassing faces, waiting.

No.

270 is the most versatile caliber