This Classic Whitetail Cartridge Still Reigns Supreme

In another (unsurprising) caliber battle, the greatest whitetail cartridge of all time retains its title by a definitive knockout. The .30-06 Springfield defeated the 6.5 Creedmoor in a landslide victory. It won the vote, tallying 1,701 to the 6.5 CM’s 718. The results leave no room for doubt, except whether there’s a chance that the .30-06 Sprg might ever be dethroned.

But, it didn’t just demolish the 6.5 Creedmoor. It obliterated old-school cartridges like the .243 and .30-30 Winchester, offering better ballistics and versatility than either of its competitors. In fact, its ballistics and versatility were enough to make most voters forget about any recoil associated with this century-old cartridge.

While the overwhelming results suggest that the .30-06 Sprg makes an excellent, proven whitetail cartridge from coast to coast, that doesn’t mean the other cartridges are any less potent when it comes to deer. There are plenty of arguments surrounding shot placement and knockdown power, but the truth is that there are loads of cartridges that make excellent deer hunting rounds. The 6.5 CM certainly deserves its flowers, as do plenty of others.

For now, the .30-06 remains not only the best classic whitetail cartridge but also the best of all time. Looks like it might be a while before that changes.

Photo Courtesy of Rock Island Auction

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