Looking for my ideal cartridge

[PlayMaker]

Hey guys, I don't know much about ballistics and all that so I thought I'd come here and get it from the experts.

I'm looking for an ideal cartridge for a semi rifle that has extremely low recoil as possible, exceptional penetration within 50 yds, and good accuracy up to 300 yds.

I don't know if such a cartridge exist or if it is even realistic but any advice or information is welcomed and appreciated, thanks.

 

[Myself]

.223

 

[JesseL]

Define "exceptional penetration", and you'll get a better answer.

Are you planning on using the rifle for hunting (what game?), punching paper, home defense, etc.?

 

[PlayMaker]

okay, what I mean by exceptional penetration is the ability to pierce hide, muscle, and maybe bone of the biggest toughest animal out there in case of a charge.

I plan to use for home defense against werewolves

 

[JesseL]

okay, what I mean by exceptional penetration is the ability to pierce hide, muscle, and maybe bone of the biggest toughest animal out there in case of a charge.

In that case, you're looking at a direct trade-off between terminal performance and recoil.

For the penetration you're looking at, cartridges in the .375 H&H Magnum range and up, none of which are remotely close to low recoil.

For werewolves, I'd look for a 12-gauge Saiga loaded with silver 000 buckshot or slugs. Read Monster Hunter International for more tips.

 

[PlayMaker]

I was just kidding about the werewolves. I'm really looking for a rifle cartridge for home defense that has very low recoil, enough power to penerate a lions skull or chest muscles within 50 yds, and good accuracy up to 300 yds.

I know the lion situation isn't realistic but I'm scared of lions so please play along.

basically I'm looking for is the most powerful carbine with the least amount of recoil with good accuracy.

 

[Firepower!]

Welll that bullet would that of a .243!

Trust me you wont go wrong with it given your criteria. Other's can comment on it.

 

[jrfoxx]

5.56/.223 with green tip penetrator ammo? I'd have to think it would do pretty well on bone if it can go through body armor and armor plate (the spec for armor plate I'm currently looking at is: 3.5 mm thickness placed at a distance of 625 yards(570 meters) from the muzzle. no idea what that translates to for bone at <300yds). It also covers the low recoil and accuracy to 300yds pretty well.

 

[db_tanker]

hmm...this is an interesting question.


As others have stated, go with the 5.56/AR platform...that will cover the low recoil and 300 yard accuracy.

And if you are REALLY worried about the lion thing, then later on, save some cash and pick up a 50 Beowulf or 458 SOCOM upper.


Any tigger that comes around will not like you too much then.

 

[woof]

Why would anyone play along with a ridiculous question? No cartridge can have that kind of penetration and still have low recoil and you should know that much before buying any gun.

 

[rangerruck]

if you want to afford the ammo, 223. if that is no prob, then a 243, or 6.5 grendel, would really do the trick.

 

[MCgunner]

505 Gibbs....exceptional penetration

 

[Ridgerunner665]

6.5 Grendel is as close as it gets to what you are asking for.

 

[ThomasT]

Since the OP said he wanted a semi auto rifle i don't think the 375 or 505 Gibbs are available in that type of rifle.

A Remington 7400 or whatever they are calling it now would be a good choice. A 308 or 30-06 with top shelf bullets should kill a lion just fine. Any of the military rifles chambered in 308 would work.

Where do you live? Africa? Close to a Safari Park? If not i don't think you have a whole lot to worry about from lions.

I saw a black Panther once. They wasn't anyway to get a shot at him. He was apparently late to where ever he was supposed to be and was making very good time getting there. I had nothing to fear from him.

 

[Schleprok62]

Interesting, the OP is worried about lions adn werewolves... but not zombies??

I'd suggest a .260 Rem...

 

[highorder]

my stock answer always seems to be the .257 Ackley Roberts, but not in a "semi rifle."

But the question as posed is a bit silly.

 

[Avenger29]

.223/5.56 is a good cartridge with low recoil. The AR-15 platform has excellent flexability and ergonomics.

 

[rcmodel]

Sounds to me like Playmaker is arming up for some video game or other.

What he needs is a TackyCool 10/22 Ruger loaded with Aguila Super-Sniper 60 grain ammo.

(Well O.K.! The 300 yard part is gonna be tough!)

rcmodel

 

[JesseL]

Since the OP said he wanted a semi auto rifle i don't think the 375 or 505 Gibbs are available in that type of rifle.

You wouldn't think so, would you?

http://www.vigilancerifles.com/HOME__PAGE.html

 

[Art Eatman]

PlayMaker, you wiped yourself out with your first two requirements. Low recoil requires either low velocity or very small projectiles. Neither of these factors give the sort of penetration you're requiring.

Accuracy to 300 yards depends on many other factors than the cartridge, as most cartridges can be made to provide tight groups within 300 yards.

 

[rcmodel]

How about a GyroJet?

rcmodel

 

[JesseL]

D'oh! The answer is obvious! PlayMaker needs a recoilless rifle.

Gar-own-teed to stop a lion.

 

[Schleprok62]

JesseL:

YUP!!! That would do the trick for Lions, werewolves AND zombies...

 

[ThomasT]

Well JesseL i stand corrected. Just goes to show you should never assume anything in the shooting world.

I bet it has more recoil than the OP wants. LOL

 

[Jim Watson]

I think Ridgerunner is right.
A lot of armies and a lot of hunters have found the various 6.5s to be a good compromise between power and recoil. In an auto that leaves the 6.5 G or maybe the 6.8 Rem.