243 vs 6.5 vs 7mm-08 vs 308: Not Even Close?

This expert-level analysis ranks seven highly accurate hunting calibers for 2026, drawing on data from match shooters and ballistic experts. It details the origins, performance characteristics, and hunting suitability of calibers like the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, 6.5 PRC, .280 Ackley Improved, 7mm Remington Magnum, and .243 Winchester, highlighting their strengths in accuracy, recoil management, and effective range for various game.

This video compares the performance of .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor at 600 yards using ballistic dummies. The .308 hit the head/neck area, while the 6.5 Creedmoor impacted the chest/shoulder. Both calibers were tested with Hornady Match ammunition on a 600-yard range.

This video explores several rifle cartridges that outperform the popular .308 Winchester for various hunting and shooting applications. It highlights the advantages of cartridges like the 7mm PRC and .300 Win Mag for elk hunting due to superior velocity and energy. For AR platforms, 6mm ARC and 6.5 Grendel offer lighter, more compact deer hunting options. The .280 Ackley Improved, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 7mm-08 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6.5 PRC are presented as superior alternatives offering better ballistics, flatter trajectories, or less recoil.

This video tests ten popular deer rifle calibers using ballistic gel to evaluate terminal performance. The .308 Winchester and 7mm Remington Magnum demonstrated excellent penetration and expansion, while the 6.5 Creedmoor fragmented significantly. The .300 Winchester Magnum over-penetrated, and the .243 Winchester showed the weakest performance.

This video demonstrates the dangerous consequences of firing incorrect ammunition in a .308 Winchester rifle. The host, exhibiting high-level expertise, tests .243 Winchester, .260 Remington, and 7mm-08 Remington rounds, highlighting issues like fire-forming brass, extreme inaccuracy, tumbling projectiles, and significantly reduced velocity due to gas blow-by. While technically possible in a dire emergency, the experiment concludes that using the wrong caliber is ineffective and hazardous.

This test compares the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester at extreme long range, up to 1,200 yards, using a ballistics dummy for terminal effect analysis. While both calibers demonstrate lethality at distance, the .308 Winchester shows superior barrel life (8k-10k rounds vs. 3k for 6.5 CM) and significant bone-breaking power. The 6.5 Creedmoor offers a flatter trajectory and better wind resistance, making it a strong contender for long-range precision.

This comparison tests the .50 AE Desert Eagle against the .44 Magnum in various barrier tests, including wood, steel, sand, and concrete. While both calibers showed impressive power, the .50 AE demonstrated superior performance in ballistic gel with deeper penetration and a larger wound channel. Ultimately, the video questions if the .50 AE's marginal gains justify its significantly higher cost per round compared to the versatile .44 Magnum.

This video provides a detailed comparison between .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO ammunition, demonstrating their performance differences through rigorous barrier testing. While visually identical, 5.56 NATO shows a slight advantage in velocity and energy. Crucially, 5.56 NATO exhibits superior barrier penetration against lumber and steel, whereas .223 Remington struggles. Specialized rounds like M855A1 also show enhanced performance against sand barriers.

This video tests the lethality of various 'less lethal' shotgun rounds, including rubber buckshot, bean bags, and specialized projectiles. The .410 rubber buckshot demonstrated significantly higher velocity and penetration than 12-gauge versions. Bean bag rounds proved to be the most damaging, causing substantial plywood destruction and ballistic gel displacement, leading the host to conclude they are the most lethal 'less lethal' option.

This video compares 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP through various barrier tests including lumber, sand, and concrete, alongside ballistics gel testing. While all calibers performed similarly through most barriers, the .40 S&W showed slightly better penetration and expansion in ballistics gel. The host ultimately favors 9mm due to its lower recoil and higher capacity, despite the .40 S&W's respectable performance.