09/16/2026
Do you need a magnum to hunt the West? No. So why do I prefer one?
Part 2 of The Western Setup — The World According to Paul: Cartridge Selection.
The 6.5 Creedmoor, .308, .270, .30-06, and 7mm-08 are all great hunting cartridges. They’re simply not my top choices when we’re talking about long-range big-game hunting out West.
For me, cartridge selection comes down to terminal-performance margin.
We’re not just ringing steel. I want adequate impact velocity, bullet performance, and downrange energy for the animal I’m hunting—with the goal always being a one-shot, ethical harvest.
That’s why I tend to favor cartridges like the 6.5 PRC, 7mm Rem Mag, and the relatively new—and very exciting—7 PRC.
More capability doesn’t give us permission to take marginal shots. It gives us more margin when the conditions and the shot are right.
That same philosophy guides the Ready-to-Hunt systems we build at Precision Hunting Supply: matching the cartridge to the game, expected distances, and the shooter’s ability to manage it well.
What cartridge are you carrying on your Western hunts—and why?
Let’s hear it in the comments.
Next up: Part 3 — The Stock and Rifle Fit.