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Complete Book of Rifles and Shotguns, With a Seven-Lesson Rifle Shooting Course
Excellent comprehensive book on Rifles and Shotguns with an in-depth shooting course. A good book for home defense instruction and hunting.
- GenresOutdoors
476 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
26 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Jack O'Connor
81 books18 followersJack O'Connor was best known as a writer for Outdoor Life, magazine, where he served as Shooting Editor for 31 years.
Jack O'Connor taught English at the University of Arizona, and became its first journalism professor. His first love was the outdoors and writing about hunting, firearms, and the natural history of big game animals. As the longtime firearms editor for Outdoor Life magazine, O'Connor hunted and collected trophies throughout the world, and introduced millions of readers to hunting and firearms. O'Connor moved to Lewiston, Idaho in 1948 and he lived there until his death in 1978.
O'Connor was well known among shooters and hunters as a proponent of the .270 Winchester and 7x57mm Mauser (.275 Rigby) cartridges. His knowledge of hunting and shooting was extensive, and he had a firm opinion on everything. He was one of America's greatest hunting and gun writers of the twentieth century.
Jack O'Connor authored over a dozen non-fiction books including "Game in the Desert" "The Rifle Book" "The Complete Book of Rifles and Shotguns" "The Big Game of North America" "The Art of Hunting Big Game in North America," and "Sheep and Sheep Hunting" He also wrote two western novels, "Conquest," and "Boom Town," and the autobiography of his formative years: "Horse and Buggy West: A Boyhood on the Last Frontier."
According to his son Bradford, in an introduction written for the 2004 book, "The Lost Classics of Jack O'Connor," Jack wrote more than 1200 articles for hunting and fishing magazines, and also wrote romantic novellas and articles for Redbook, Mademoiselle, Reader's Digest, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, the literary magazine Midland, and other magazines popular in the 1930s and 1940s.
Thanks to his education and teaching experience O'Connor's writing skills and style were far above the norm for outdoor magazines. An O'Connor story always taught the reader something about hunting, shooting, or sportsmanship. He had the ability to make the reader feel as if they were right there with him, and he usually closed a hunting story with a bit of humor or an exclamation by one of the characters, leaving the reader eager for more.
Jack O'Connor taught English at the University of Arizona, and became its first journalism professor. His first love was the outdoors and writing about hunting, firearms, and the natural history of big game animals. As the longtime firearms editor for Outdoor Life magazine, O'Connor hunted and collected trophies throughout the world, and introduced millions of readers to hunting and firearms. O'Connor moved to Lewiston, Idaho in 1948 and he lived there until his death in 1978.
O'Connor was well known among shooters and hunters as a proponent of the .270 Winchester and 7x57mm Mauser (.275 Rigby) cartridges. His knowledge of hunting and shooting was extensive, and he had a firm opinion on everything. He was one of America's greatest hunting and gun writers of the twentieth century.
Jack O'Connor authored over a dozen non-fiction books including "Game in the Desert" "The Rifle Book" "The Complete Book of Rifles and Shotguns" "The Big Game of North America" "The Art of Hunting Big Game in North America," and "Sheep and Sheep Hunting" He also wrote two western novels, "Conquest," and "Boom Town," and the autobiography of his formative years: "Horse and Buggy West: A Boyhood on the Last Frontier."
According to his son Bradford, in an introduction written for the 2004 book, "The Lost Classics of Jack O'Connor," Jack wrote more than 1200 articles for hunting and fishing magazines, and also wrote romantic novellas and articles for Redbook, Mademoiselle, Reader's Digest, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, the literary magazine Midland, and other magazines popular in the 1930s and 1940s.
Thanks to his education and teaching experience O'Connor's writing skills and style were far above the norm for outdoor magazines. An O'Connor story always taught the reader something about hunting, shooting, or sportsmanship. He had the ability to make the reader feel as if they were right there with him, and he usually closed a hunting story with a bit of humor or an exclamation by one of the characters, leaving the reader eager for more.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 5, 2014
A classic reference book for rifles and shotguns. Well written, easy to follow and not weighed down by the writer's ego. Though fifty-two years old much is still applicable in 2013. Highly recommended. Lavishly illustrated with photos, diagrams and line drawings.
June 8, 2022
A wonderfully awesome book in its time
I'll give a list of my preferences, and a general strength chart for people
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My personal list:
22 LR K0.8
204 Ruger K4.4
22-250 Rem K8.0
240 Weatherby K25
257 Weatherby K33
308 Marlin Express K38
6.5x65 RWS K39
303 British K49
270 Weatherby K54
30-06 Springfield K55
7mm Blaser K58
30R Blaser K68
300 Blaser K71
300 H&H K87
300 Weatherby K91
338 Blaser K94
8.5x63 REB K108
375 H&H K129
375 Blaser K136
378 Weatherby K187
416 Rigby K225
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a few thoughts
The 204 Ruger - it replaces all the 17 rifles, and people can shoot tiny boars in African with it, the closest thing to it might be the 17 Remington Fireball which some rank highly for delicate pelts of tiny things like foxes and such, but i think the right bullet tip might be the main factor.
The 22-250 Remington - i think if you have this, one doesn't need a 223 Remington, unless you have some military rifles, but the 22-250 is the 223 on steroids
The 240 Weatherby - basically an improvement of the 243 Winchester, which can be marginal after 200-300 feet where it lacks some knockover power, and the 243 was well loved by the light deer people (though the 22-250 could be a lite deer rifle under ideal conditions). The Weatherby's will always give people that extra distance, more knockover power, and straighter bullet flight.
The 257 Weatherby - probably Roy Weatherby's favorite rifle of all time. Basically it does most everything the famous 7x57 Mauser did, and the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, or German 6.5x57 which were all quite similar. I would say that the 7mm-08 Rem is the best of those others. And the 7mm-08 Rem can be about 20% more powerful than the 257 Weatherby with handloading to the max and with heavier bullets.
The 308 Marlin Express - Marlin created two totally wonderful cartridges for lever rifles, the 308 Marlin Express and the 338 Marlin Express, which probably offer the least kick, while getting the maximum performance.
The 6.5x65 RWS - this i believe is probably the ultimate 6.5mm choice, it does everything the 7x57 Mauser did, or the 6.5x55 SE, the 6.5x57, the 270 Winchester, the 7mm-08 Rem, it basically succeeds where the 264 Winchester failed (a fave of Craig Boddington, and the 7mm Rem (aka the Super 7) basically put the 264 to an early sleep. You get slightly harder hitting (more killing power) or K-numbers with a 7mm bullet than a 6.5mm, yet you get higher sectional density with the 6.5mm. It doesn't do what the 6.5mm-300 Weatherby can do (which is assumed to be a barrel burner, but then again so was the 264 Win), but I think the 270 Weatherby is much saner than the 6.5mm-300 Weatherby. But i think you get just as much killing power from a 370 Weatherby, or a lite 7mm Blaser/Remington/Weatherby bullet. Personally i think if you like the 257 Weatherby or the 270 Winchester, the 6.5x65 RMS is probably the way to go. I thought for years i would prefer the 7x64 Brenneke as the ideal lite rifle, much better than the 7x57 or the 6.5x55 Swedish. But the 270 Winchester and World War I, basically prevented the 7x64 Brenneke from conquering the world. And well the 6.5x65 RWS compared to the 7x64 Brenneke is like comparing the older 7mm STW, to the newer 6.5mm STW. Layne Simpson created his version of the super super 7 rifle which was only like 2% stronger than the Weatherby, if that, but decades later decided to go with the sectional density and bullet stabilization kick and went with the 6.5mm.
The 303 British - old fashioned and inelegant to some, yet elegant for those victorian types. Probably the nicest rifles were the last production for the Irish Army. I remember Peter O'Toole talking about going to John Huston's estate and upon waking, Huston shared some whisky for breakfast and they drank so much, they spent all afternoon, on horses hunting for a rabbit for dinner wearing their pyjamas drunk each carrying a British 303. It'll do what a 243 Win will do, and everything a 30-06 Springfield will do. Though i think with the Boer War, the 7x57 Mauser had more distance, and thus was superior in some conditions over the British 303.
The 270 Weatherby - Why not get a straighter shooting 270 Winchester, with the strength of a 308 Winchester or a 30-06 Springfield?
The 30-06 Springfield - inspired by the 8x57 IS Mauser, which later became the World War I and World War II rifle, this was the American choice for both wars.
The 7mm Blaser - I think it's more accurate and superior to the 7mm Remington (more powerful) and the 7mm Weatherby (slightly less recoil). This was the absolute hardest of the magnum line that Blaser had to tweak for trying to get the ultimate accuracy out of the round. It's like Goldilocks not too soft, not too hard. And with different bullet weights, does everything a 308 WIn or 30-06 Springfield will do. If you added a 240 Weatherby you got close to near ideal 2 gun battery (or a 240 Weatherby and a 6.5x65 RWS with a 7mm Blaser Magnum). Blaser chose the 139 and 180 grain for a killing power of K38 and K58.
The 30R Blaser - If you wanted a 2 shot hunting rifle, this is probably the most powerful if you wanted something a touch more than the 30-06 Springfeld. I would say that this cartridge probably would be the perfect one medium rifle for most all needs for a hunter. It is i think better than having a classic 1930's 348 Winchester, or the 1920s 35 Whelen, or most any 7mm Magnum. I would say that if you need a 35 Whelen, get a 300 Winchester/Weatherby (for a high dose 35 Whelen or a 338 Marlin Express (for a milder 35 Whelen). So if you want to be a 1920s romantic and carry a 300 H&H rifle (in a mild load) from 1925 London, or you want to hunt with a mild 7 Magnum, the 30R Blaser is a great round, and get a Bavarian cheek piece.
The 300 Blaser - accuracy that matches the 300 H&H. Blaser chose the 165 180 200 grain for a killing power of K53 K67 K71.
The 300 H&H - one of the most accurate rifles of the 1920s, and even today. Holland and Holland were the only maker from 1925 to 1937 and then people started using it, and it was known i believe as the 'Super 30' in America before World War II. It was the mildest of the 300s
The 300 Weatherby - one of the most liked Weatherby's, and 20 years later Winchester decided to make a cheaper rifle with slightly less killing power in the early 1960s. I think to some degree Craig Boddington feels this is generally the strongest rifle he needs for most 'normal purposes'.
The 338 Blaser - Blaser scientifically picked 200, 210 and 230 grains for Killing Power numbers of K74 K89 K94 respectively
The 8.5x63 REB - Walter Rebb basically designed one of the nicest 338 caliber cartridges known. It's believed to have better pressure and better accuracy than the 338 Remington. I believe this to be superior to the 9.3x62. I would choose this over a heavy bullet in a 45-70 Government rifle, and I would feel this replaces in most cases the 35 Whelen, 9.3x62, 340 Weatherby, 338 Winchester, 8x68 Schuler, 300 H&H or 300 Winchester. Yardley would pick a 300 Winchester and a 375 H&H, but i think this is the ideal goldilocks rifle in between cartridge that can go as mild as a 270 Winchester (but more kick with the fat bullet) or maybe a 7mm Rem, or 300 Win, or a lite-338 Winchester.
Killing strengths for Walter Rebb Cartridge?
105 K32
140 K45
180 K59
225 K76
250 K87
275 K94
300 K103
The 375 H&H - probably the finest one-shot bear rifle. If you had the scariest bear, this will do it. It'll probably kill everything on Africa, with extremely precise shot placement too. I tend to think the 375 caliber is the most one will need. But i think theoretically a 416 Rigby, 400 H&H, or 416 Weatherby or the 378 Weatherby will be the strongest a sane person would want. The 375 H&H would be ideal for the Victorian Lion or Tiger hunter, but probably the safest thing in the world for a dangerous bear. I would get a Mauser 375 H&H or a Blaser R8 in 375 H&H and/or 375 Blaser. I think it's worth the extra weight of the Mauser to make this a soft shooting rifle. Reviews i've read say that it felt like firing a 30-06 Springfield, which caused them to fall in love with this heavy beast. I believe in the Blaser push system which is so ergonomically superior to any bolt action rifle.
The 375 Blaser - Blaser chose the 270 and 300 grain for killing power of K110 and K136. Do we need anything much more powerful? Blaser dared to improve the 375 H&H.
The 378 Weatherby - basically a super heated 375 H&H that operates like a 416 Rigby. It lacks the theoretical wider bullet for most blood vessel damage though, and i know one person who loved the 9.3x62 rifle for black bears and in his retirement, decided to go heavy-duty and astonishly chose a 458 Winchester. (it was like a cheap Rigby to him, and the person mastered being immune to recoil, by practicing very slowly, going up the calibers, so any rifle was fine for him). The 1950s 1960s boxes of Weatherby 378 ammo has a tiger on the cover, though i think a 375 H&H is more suitable. The 50s Weatherby's had a poor barrel profile that gave it like a 71 pound recoil, but the modern ones have a much better barrel design so it's much less like a Saturn V rocket.
The 416 Rigby - I think that for all the people who love the 404 Jeffery Rifle, you might as well buy a Rigby and just shoot a lighter bullet for the exact same ballistics. And i believe Chuck Hawks fell in love with the ballistics of the 400 H&H cartridge and rifle which he thought was sensible for a heavy duty rifle. However it's merely one bullet weight with the Holland, and it's merely a touch softer than the Rigby. I like the Weatherby 416 for the stock, but not for the muzzle brake, and you can get 85% as strong as the Weatherby if you handload high-pressure loadings for the Rigby. Yes you can load a 416 Wby to perform like a 416 Rigby. And you can handload a 416 Rigby to 416 Weatherby pressures. I would prefer the 416 Remington in a Blaser with the push bolt, but you'd need a dedicated Blaser for the heavy barrel. Ideally the best path would be the Mauser 416 Rigby, heavy like a brick, no loud muzzle brake like Weatherby, and best of all, you can get the heavy barrel for the Mauser 416 Rigby for even less recoil. The only minus is the Rigby is a big cartridge so you get one bullet less than the Remington and 1 or possibly 2 less than the Weatherby. At least you can use light bullets with a Rigby. So the heavy barrel Mauser 416 Rigby is the best path i feel, but a 375 H&H will kill everything, but maybe not as 'fast' in some cases. I convinced myself the 375 H&H is enough for 'everything', and i was amused that within a year, Boddington believed more in the 375 H&H for Africa, and i guess felt it was doing as much as the 458 Lott, or the 416 Ruger/Rigby.
Normal Handloads for a Rigby
300g K140 (nearly as strong as a 300g Blaser 375 K136 and a max load 375 H&H K129)
350g K165
400g K183 (The 400 H&H is K180)
410g K189
High Pressure Handloads for a Rigby
325g K177
350g K184
400g K225
410g K185 (diminishing returns)
Killing Power of the 416 Weatherby
300g K161 (hot load K168)
325g K191
350g K198 (hot load K205)
400g K232 (hot load K238)
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Year of Introduction
1887
22 LR K0.8
1889
303 British K49
1906
30-06 Springfield K55
1911
416 Rigby K225
1912
375 H&H K129
1925
300 H&H K87
1937
22-250 Rem (known originally as the 22 Varminteer) K8.0
1943
270 Weatherby K54
1944
257 Weatherby K33
300 Weatherby K91
1953
378 Weatherby K187
1968
240 Weatherby K25
1988
6.5x65 RWS K39
1992
30R Blaser K68
2004
204 Ruger K4.4
2007
308 Marlin Express K38
2009
7mm Blaser K58
300 Blaser K71
338 Blaser K94
375 Blaser K136
2010
8.5x63 REB K108
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For a more mainstream list
one that greatly influenced me
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Mike Yardley: My Top Ten Rifle Cartridge Calibres in the World
1. 22 Long Rifle (1887)
2. 22-250 Remington (1937)
3. 223 Remington (1964)
4. 243 Winchester (1955)
5. 308 Winchester (1952)
6. 30-06 Springfield (1906)
7. 300 Winchester Magnum (1963)
8. 375 Holland & Holland (1912)
9. 416 Rigby (1911)
19. 500 Nitro Express (1895)
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Mike Yardley: My Top Ten Rifle Cartridge Calibres in the World
1) .22 – The world’s favourite cartridge, the.22 rimfire must be one of the most underrated of all rounds, available in all sorts of versions – .22 short and long rifle being the primary modern variants. There are BB caps, the old long and .22 magnums too, not to mention, highly effective subsonics. The cartridge originated with Flobert and was first seen commercially as far as I am aware in the .22 rimfire pistol that was the first major product of messrs. Smith & Wesson in the US civil war (and became a popular hide-out pistol). The bullet is the same diameter as the case. Some say it is good in Long Rifle form for 150 yards, I would say 100 was a more sensible (less in subsonic), but it is one a great game getter and less sensitive to cleaning than the newer 17s. When zeroed at 100 yards a standard 40 grain bullet goes about a 3” high at 50.
2) .22-250 – My own experience is that this is one of the best varmint, small deer, and kangaroo cartridges of all time. The .222 is also brilliant, but I have never failed to be impressed with nearly all of the 22-250 rifles that I have shot. It is soft, flat shooting, and very accurate. It is capable of velocities over 4000fps and may be used in short actions. It is based on a necked down .250 Savage case. Typical bullet weight for the excellent .22-250 is 40-65 grains. Velocities can run as high as 4,200 fps, with the 55 grain running just under 3,800.
3) .223 – properly the .223 Remington is very similar but not identical to the 5.56x45mm NATO round (but do not assume interchangeability – there are potential safety issues as the peak pressures of the two cartridges are different). It was introduced in 1964 and designed for the then new M16 designed by Eugene Stoner. Bullet weights range from 30-90 grains with 55 grains being the most popular. The cartridge, like the .222 is excellent, where legal, for small to medium sized game.
4) .243 Winchester – One of the most popular cartridges in Britain, a necked down .308, it has never been a favourite of mine because of its muzzle blast, though potentially very accurate. I have shot several that managed ½ MOA or even 1/4 MOA in sporting configuration. For foxes try the 55 grain Winchester Silver Tips. [Perhaps, though, we should put the venerable and much loved .270 in this spot instead of the .243, it has never been a personal favourite in truth but Jack O’Connor amongst many others loved it. There was a time when a pre ’64 .270 Winchester was THE gun. For British deer the 130 grain is the flat shooting is the way to go and you can step up to a 150 grain Nosler Partition for Africa.]
5) .308 Winchester – If you are in the market for a stalking or survival rifle and are not sure what to get, you will not go far wrong with the .308 Winchester aka 7.62 NATO. An amazingly versatile round, I have shot more bigger game with this than any other, though I tend to prefer the .300 Win Mag for work abroad these days. Bullets range from 150 to 180 grain, though I prefer 150 and 168 grain, managing 2,800 fps, and 2,650 fps respectively. One world one rifle – this is probably going to be the cartridge for it.
6) .30-06 – The old US standard military round – or, 30-06 Springfield to give its full title – is tremendously versatile like the .308 (but more so) and available with a vast number of bullet options from 125 to 220 grain. What the .308 is in the UK the .30-06 is in the States. In Africa you will find it is about 50:50 .308./30-06. I have also noted the 30-06 is extremely popular with hunters in the Balkans. With heavy bullets, it is good for boar (though not my favourite). Like the .308 it is banned for hunting in France as a military cartridge. Folly, but, that’s barmy bureaucracy, we all suffer it.
7) .300 Win Mag – My favourite all round cartridge with a 180 grain bullet (although heavier options are available). I like the .300 for its knock down power. Once in Namibia I shot 6 beasts with a .308 and 6 with the .300 Win Mag. All the former walked on, none did when shot in the same place with the latter. It’s only disadvantage is a bit of recoil, but it’s a corker. 168 grain Barnes TSX copper bullet with polymer tip also works well, and, I have great results with Winchester and Rottweil rounds too.
8) .375 H&H – Many call it the do anything cartridge with bullets from 200 grains upwards. Introduced in 1912 by the illustrious London firm, I think it an amazing calibre but have never had much luck with the lighter bullets on the accuracy front. I stick to 270 and 300 grain pills will great results. The new .375 Ruger also warrants serious attention. As for rifle the standard Sako Model 85 Hunter in .375 is one of the best buys on the market.
9) .416 Rigby – 10.6x74mm – was designed by John Rigby & Co in 1911 (a year before the great .375 H&H, though no Rigby guns were actually made before 1912). I think it is the best killing cartridge of all for larger and dangerous game – it combines power with penetration. It is a cartridge and calibre that inspire confidence and no one who goes to Africa with a .416 Rigby has made the wrong choice. I have shot small antelope with it as well as buffalo. It is a decisive round that does the business consistently. A favourite of Harry Selby, John Pondoro Taylor, and, not least, my chum, Paul Roberts. I have had terrific results with Federal Trophy bonded Bear Claw 400 grain.
10) 500 Nitro Express – 470NE used to be the pro’s choice, and it is a great cartridge still, but the latest fashion, one re-invented, is for the 500. I have never shot a beast with it yet, but was so impressed with a 500 NE I tested at the Holland & Holland ground that I am now building one for myself. Unlike the .577 and .600, the recoil is manageable, even when launching a 570 grain bullet. This is serious medicine for serious, up close and personal, situations.
One come back kid that did not make it into my list was the 6.5 Swedish (6.5 x 55). It is very popular now and may shoot bullets from 100-160 (though I would go for the 120). I have found the recoil on the 6.5 a little greater than some of it fans may suggest, but 6.5s of all sorts are very fashionable. The 7x57 (aka .275 Rigby) is another great round that didn’t quite make it. 9.3x74R certainly deserved a place here if you are keen on boar shooting with a double rifle. But, heck, we said 10 so you got 10!
Mike Yardley
Positive Shooting
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I'll give a list of my preferences, and a general strength chart for people
---
My personal list:
22 LR K0.8
204 Ruger K4.4
22-250 Rem K8.0
240 Weatherby K25
257 Weatherby K33
308 Marlin Express K38
6.5x65 RWS K39
303 British K49
270 Weatherby K54
30-06 Springfield K55
7mm Blaser K58
30R Blaser K68
300 Blaser K71
300 H&H K87
300 Weatherby K91
338 Blaser K94
8.5x63 REB K108
375 H&H K129
375 Blaser K136
378 Weatherby K187
416 Rigby K225
---
a few thoughts
The 204 Ruger - it replaces all the 17 rifles, and people can shoot tiny boars in African with it, the closest thing to it might be the 17 Remington Fireball which some rank highly for delicate pelts of tiny things like foxes and such, but i think the right bullet tip might be the main factor.
The 22-250 Remington - i think if you have this, one doesn't need a 223 Remington, unless you have some military rifles, but the 22-250 is the 223 on steroids
The 240 Weatherby - basically an improvement of the 243 Winchester, which can be marginal after 200-300 feet where it lacks some knockover power, and the 243 was well loved by the light deer people (though the 22-250 could be a lite deer rifle under ideal conditions). The Weatherby's will always give people that extra distance, more knockover power, and straighter bullet flight.
The 257 Weatherby - probably Roy Weatherby's favorite rifle of all time. Basically it does most everything the famous 7x57 Mauser did, and the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, or German 6.5x57 which were all quite similar. I would say that the 7mm-08 Rem is the best of those others. And the 7mm-08 Rem can be about 20% more powerful than the 257 Weatherby with handloading to the max and with heavier bullets.
The 308 Marlin Express - Marlin created two totally wonderful cartridges for lever rifles, the 308 Marlin Express and the 338 Marlin Express, which probably offer the least kick, while getting the maximum performance.
The 6.5x65 RWS - this i believe is probably the ultimate 6.5mm choice, it does everything the 7x57 Mauser did, or the 6.5x55 SE, the 6.5x57, the 270 Winchester, the 7mm-08 Rem, it basically succeeds where the 264 Winchester failed (a fave of Craig Boddington, and the 7mm Rem (aka the Super 7) basically put the 264 to an early sleep. You get slightly harder hitting (more killing power) or K-numbers with a 7mm bullet than a 6.5mm, yet you get higher sectional density with the 6.5mm. It doesn't do what the 6.5mm-300 Weatherby can do (which is assumed to be a barrel burner, but then again so was the 264 Win), but I think the 270 Weatherby is much saner than the 6.5mm-300 Weatherby. But i think you get just as much killing power from a 370 Weatherby, or a lite 7mm Blaser/Remington/Weatherby bullet. Personally i think if you like the 257 Weatherby or the 270 Winchester, the 6.5x65 RMS is probably the way to go. I thought for years i would prefer the 7x64 Brenneke as the ideal lite rifle, much better than the 7x57 or the 6.5x55 Swedish. But the 270 Winchester and World War I, basically prevented the 7x64 Brenneke from conquering the world. And well the 6.5x65 RWS compared to the 7x64 Brenneke is like comparing the older 7mm STW, to the newer 6.5mm STW. Layne Simpson created his version of the super super 7 rifle which was only like 2% stronger than the Weatherby, if that, but decades later decided to go with the sectional density and bullet stabilization kick and went with the 6.5mm.
The 303 British - old fashioned and inelegant to some, yet elegant for those victorian types. Probably the nicest rifles were the last production for the Irish Army. I remember Peter O'Toole talking about going to John Huston's estate and upon waking, Huston shared some whisky for breakfast and they drank so much, they spent all afternoon, on horses hunting for a rabbit for dinner wearing their pyjamas drunk each carrying a British 303. It'll do what a 243 Win will do, and everything a 30-06 Springfield will do. Though i think with the Boer War, the 7x57 Mauser had more distance, and thus was superior in some conditions over the British 303.
The 270 Weatherby - Why not get a straighter shooting 270 Winchester, with the strength of a 308 Winchester or a 30-06 Springfield?
The 30-06 Springfield - inspired by the 8x57 IS Mauser, which later became the World War I and World War II rifle, this was the American choice for both wars.
The 7mm Blaser - I think it's more accurate and superior to the 7mm Remington (more powerful) and the 7mm Weatherby (slightly less recoil). This was the absolute hardest of the magnum line that Blaser had to tweak for trying to get the ultimate accuracy out of the round. It's like Goldilocks not too soft, not too hard. And with different bullet weights, does everything a 308 WIn or 30-06 Springfield will do. If you added a 240 Weatherby you got close to near ideal 2 gun battery (or a 240 Weatherby and a 6.5x65 RWS with a 7mm Blaser Magnum). Blaser chose the 139 and 180 grain for a killing power of K38 and K58.
The 30R Blaser - If you wanted a 2 shot hunting rifle, this is probably the most powerful if you wanted something a touch more than the 30-06 Springfeld. I would say that this cartridge probably would be the perfect one medium rifle for most all needs for a hunter. It is i think better than having a classic 1930's 348 Winchester, or the 1920s 35 Whelen, or most any 7mm Magnum. I would say that if you need a 35 Whelen, get a 300 Winchester/Weatherby (for a high dose 35 Whelen or a 338 Marlin Express (for a milder 35 Whelen). So if you want to be a 1920s romantic and carry a 300 H&H rifle (in a mild load) from 1925 London, or you want to hunt with a mild 7 Magnum, the 30R Blaser is a great round, and get a Bavarian cheek piece.
The 300 Blaser - accuracy that matches the 300 H&H. Blaser chose the 165 180 200 grain for a killing power of K53 K67 K71.
The 300 H&H - one of the most accurate rifles of the 1920s, and even today. Holland and Holland were the only maker from 1925 to 1937 and then people started using it, and it was known i believe as the 'Super 30' in America before World War II. It was the mildest of the 300s
The 300 Weatherby - one of the most liked Weatherby's, and 20 years later Winchester decided to make a cheaper rifle with slightly less killing power in the early 1960s. I think to some degree Craig Boddington feels this is generally the strongest rifle he needs for most 'normal purposes'.
The 338 Blaser - Blaser scientifically picked 200, 210 and 230 grains for Killing Power numbers of K74 K89 K94 respectively
The 8.5x63 REB - Walter Rebb basically designed one of the nicest 338 caliber cartridges known. It's believed to have better pressure and better accuracy than the 338 Remington. I believe this to be superior to the 9.3x62. I would choose this over a heavy bullet in a 45-70 Government rifle, and I would feel this replaces in most cases the 35 Whelen, 9.3x62, 340 Weatherby, 338 Winchester, 8x68 Schuler, 300 H&H or 300 Winchester. Yardley would pick a 300 Winchester and a 375 H&H, but i think this is the ideal goldilocks rifle in between cartridge that can go as mild as a 270 Winchester (but more kick with the fat bullet) or maybe a 7mm Rem, or 300 Win, or a lite-338 Winchester.
Killing strengths for Walter Rebb Cartridge?
105 K32
140 K45
180 K59
225 K76
250 K87
275 K94
300 K103
The 375 H&H - probably the finest one-shot bear rifle. If you had the scariest bear, this will do it. It'll probably kill everything on Africa, with extremely precise shot placement too. I tend to think the 375 caliber is the most one will need. But i think theoretically a 416 Rigby, 400 H&H, or 416 Weatherby or the 378 Weatherby will be the strongest a sane person would want. The 375 H&H would be ideal for the Victorian Lion or Tiger hunter, but probably the safest thing in the world for a dangerous bear. I would get a Mauser 375 H&H or a Blaser R8 in 375 H&H and/or 375 Blaser. I think it's worth the extra weight of the Mauser to make this a soft shooting rifle. Reviews i've read say that it felt like firing a 30-06 Springfield, which caused them to fall in love with this heavy beast. I believe in the Blaser push system which is so ergonomically superior to any bolt action rifle.
The 375 Blaser - Blaser chose the 270 and 300 grain for killing power of K110 and K136. Do we need anything much more powerful? Blaser dared to improve the 375 H&H.
The 378 Weatherby - basically a super heated 375 H&H that operates like a 416 Rigby. It lacks the theoretical wider bullet for most blood vessel damage though, and i know one person who loved the 9.3x62 rifle for black bears and in his retirement, decided to go heavy-duty and astonishly chose a 458 Winchester. (it was like a cheap Rigby to him, and the person mastered being immune to recoil, by practicing very slowly, going up the calibers, so any rifle was fine for him). The 1950s 1960s boxes of Weatherby 378 ammo has a tiger on the cover, though i think a 375 H&H is more suitable. The 50s Weatherby's had a poor barrel profile that gave it like a 71 pound recoil, but the modern ones have a much better barrel design so it's much less like a Saturn V rocket.
The 416 Rigby - I think that for all the people who love the 404 Jeffery Rifle, you might as well buy a Rigby and just shoot a lighter bullet for the exact same ballistics. And i believe Chuck Hawks fell in love with the ballistics of the 400 H&H cartridge and rifle which he thought was sensible for a heavy duty rifle. However it's merely one bullet weight with the Holland, and it's merely a touch softer than the Rigby. I like the Weatherby 416 for the stock, but not for the muzzle brake, and you can get 85% as strong as the Weatherby if you handload high-pressure loadings for the Rigby. Yes you can load a 416 Wby to perform like a 416 Rigby. And you can handload a 416 Rigby to 416 Weatherby pressures. I would prefer the 416 Remington in a Blaser with the push bolt, but you'd need a dedicated Blaser for the heavy barrel. Ideally the best path would be the Mauser 416 Rigby, heavy like a brick, no loud muzzle brake like Weatherby, and best of all, you can get the heavy barrel for the Mauser 416 Rigby for even less recoil. The only minus is the Rigby is a big cartridge so you get one bullet less than the Remington and 1 or possibly 2 less than the Weatherby. At least you can use light bullets with a Rigby. So the heavy barrel Mauser 416 Rigby is the best path i feel, but a 375 H&H will kill everything, but maybe not as 'fast' in some cases. I convinced myself the 375 H&H is enough for 'everything', and i was amused that within a year, Boddington believed more in the 375 H&H for Africa, and i guess felt it was doing as much as the 458 Lott, or the 416 Ruger/Rigby.
Normal Handloads for a Rigby
300g K140 (nearly as strong as a 300g Blaser 375 K136 and a max load 375 H&H K129)
350g K165
400g K183 (The 400 H&H is K180)
410g K189
High Pressure Handloads for a Rigby
325g K177
350g K184
400g K225
410g K185 (diminishing returns)
Killing Power of the 416 Weatherby
300g K161 (hot load K168)
325g K191
350g K198 (hot load K205)
400g K232 (hot load K238)
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Year of Introduction
1887
22 LR K0.8
1889
303 British K49
1906
30-06 Springfield K55
1911
416 Rigby K225
1912
375 H&H K129
1925
300 H&H K87
1937
22-250 Rem (known originally as the 22 Varminteer) K8.0
1943
270 Weatherby K54
1944
257 Weatherby K33
300 Weatherby K91
1953
378 Weatherby K187
1968
240 Weatherby K25
1988
6.5x65 RWS K39
1992
30R Blaser K68
2004
204 Ruger K4.4
2007
308 Marlin Express K38
2009
7mm Blaser K58
300 Blaser K71
338 Blaser K94
375 Blaser K136
2010
8.5x63 REB K108
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For a more mainstream list
one that greatly influenced me
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Mike Yardley: My Top Ten Rifle Cartridge Calibres in the World
1. 22 Long Rifle (1887)
2. 22-250 Remington (1937)
3. 223 Remington (1964)
4. 243 Winchester (1955)
5. 308 Winchester (1952)
6. 30-06 Springfield (1906)
7. 300 Winchester Magnum (1963)
8. 375 Holland & Holland (1912)
9. 416 Rigby (1911)
19. 500 Nitro Express (1895)
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Mike Yardley: My Top Ten Rifle Cartridge Calibres in the World
1) .22 – The world’s favourite cartridge, the.22 rimfire must be one of the most underrated of all rounds, available in all sorts of versions – .22 short and long rifle being the primary modern variants. There are BB caps, the old long and .22 magnums too, not to mention, highly effective subsonics. The cartridge originated with Flobert and was first seen commercially as far as I am aware in the .22 rimfire pistol that was the first major product of messrs. Smith & Wesson in the US civil war (and became a popular hide-out pistol). The bullet is the same diameter as the case. Some say it is good in Long Rifle form for 150 yards, I would say 100 was a more sensible (less in subsonic), but it is one a great game getter and less sensitive to cleaning than the newer 17s. When zeroed at 100 yards a standard 40 grain bullet goes about a 3” high at 50.
2) .22-250 – My own experience is that this is one of the best varmint, small deer, and kangaroo cartridges of all time. The .222 is also brilliant, but I have never failed to be impressed with nearly all of the 22-250 rifles that I have shot. It is soft, flat shooting, and very accurate. It is capable of velocities over 4000fps and may be used in short actions. It is based on a necked down .250 Savage case. Typical bullet weight for the excellent .22-250 is 40-65 grains. Velocities can run as high as 4,200 fps, with the 55 grain running just under 3,800.
3) .223 – properly the .223 Remington is very similar but not identical to the 5.56x45mm NATO round (but do not assume interchangeability – there are potential safety issues as the peak pressures of the two cartridges are different). It was introduced in 1964 and designed for the then new M16 designed by Eugene Stoner. Bullet weights range from 30-90 grains with 55 grains being the most popular. The cartridge, like the .222 is excellent, where legal, for small to medium sized game.
4) .243 Winchester – One of the most popular cartridges in Britain, a necked down .308, it has never been a favourite of mine because of its muzzle blast, though potentially very accurate. I have shot several that managed ½ MOA or even 1/4 MOA in sporting configuration. For foxes try the 55 grain Winchester Silver Tips. [Perhaps, though, we should put the venerable and much loved .270 in this spot instead of the .243, it has never been a personal favourite in truth but Jack O’Connor amongst many others loved it. There was a time when a pre ’64 .270 Winchester was THE gun. For British deer the 130 grain is the flat shooting is the way to go and you can step up to a 150 grain Nosler Partition for Africa.]
5) .308 Winchester – If you are in the market for a stalking or survival rifle and are not sure what to get, you will not go far wrong with the .308 Winchester aka 7.62 NATO. An amazingly versatile round, I have shot more bigger game with this than any other, though I tend to prefer the .300 Win Mag for work abroad these days. Bullets range from 150 to 180 grain, though I prefer 150 and 168 grain, managing 2,800 fps, and 2,650 fps respectively. One world one rifle – this is probably going to be the cartridge for it.
6) .30-06 – The old US standard military round – or, 30-06 Springfield to give its full title – is tremendously versatile like the .308 (but more so) and available with a vast number of bullet options from 125 to 220 grain. What the .308 is in the UK the .30-06 is in the States. In Africa you will find it is about 50:50 .308./30-06. I have also noted the 30-06 is extremely popular with hunters in the Balkans. With heavy bullets, it is good for boar (though not my favourite). Like the .308 it is banned for hunting in France as a military cartridge. Folly, but, that’s barmy bureaucracy, we all suffer it.
7) .300 Win Mag – My favourite all round cartridge with a 180 grain bullet (although heavier options are available). I like the .300 for its knock down power. Once in Namibia I shot 6 beasts with a .308 and 6 with the .300 Win Mag. All the former walked on, none did when shot in the same place with the latter. It’s only disadvantage is a bit of recoil, but it’s a corker. 168 grain Barnes TSX copper bullet with polymer tip also works well, and, I have great results with Winchester and Rottweil rounds too.
8) .375 H&H – Many call it the do anything cartridge with bullets from 200 grains upwards. Introduced in 1912 by the illustrious London firm, I think it an amazing calibre but have never had much luck with the lighter bullets on the accuracy front. I stick to 270 and 300 grain pills will great results. The new .375 Ruger also warrants serious attention. As for rifle the standard Sako Model 85 Hunter in .375 is one of the best buys on the market.
9) .416 Rigby – 10.6x74mm – was designed by John Rigby & Co in 1911 (a year before the great .375 H&H, though no Rigby guns were actually made before 1912). I think it is the best killing cartridge of all for larger and dangerous game – it combines power with penetration. It is a cartridge and calibre that inspire confidence and no one who goes to Africa with a .416 Rigby has made the wrong choice. I have shot small antelope with it as well as buffalo. It is a decisive round that does the business consistently. A favourite of Harry Selby, John Pondoro Taylor, and, not least, my chum, Paul Roberts. I have had terrific results with Federal Trophy bonded Bear Claw 400 grain.
10) 500 Nitro Express – 470NE used to be the pro’s choice, and it is a great cartridge still, but the latest fashion, one re-invented, is for the 500. I have never shot a beast with it yet, but was so impressed with a 500 NE I tested at the Holland & Holland ground that I am now building one for myself. Unlike the .577 and .600, the recoil is manageable, even when launching a 570 grain bullet. This is serious medicine for serious, up close and personal, situations.
One come back kid that did not make it into my list was the 6.5 Swedish (6.5 x 55). It is very popular now and may shoot bullets from 100-160 (though I would go for the 120). I have found the recoil on the 6.5 a little greater than some of it fans may suggest, but 6.5s of all sorts are very fashionable. The 7x57 (aka .275 Rigby) is another great round that didn’t quite make it. 9.3x74R certainly deserved a place here if you are keen on boar shooting with a double rifle. But, heck, we said 10 so you got 10!
Mike Yardley
Positive Shooting
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July 6, 2019
Like talking with a rifle master
I like the conversational style of writing used by Jack O’Connor. He gives useful information mixed with examples and stores to illustrate what he is explaining.
I like that he doesn’t limit his examples to perfect shots and prize winning trophy animals, but to small game and missed shots too.
I like the conversational style of writing used by Jack O’Connor. He gives useful information mixed with examples and stores to illustrate what he is explaining.
I like that he doesn’t limit his examples to perfect shots and prize winning trophy animals, but to small game and missed shots too.
May 12, 2021
I read and reread this as a teenager. I must have lost my copy of it over the years.
April 7, 2022
Dated but worth reading g.
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