Best all around elk/deer caliber?

[MikeC]

All right folks I would love to hear opinions.  I mostly hunt elk here in WA and in MT.  I do a little deer hunting as well and hope to expand to other game. Currently I own a 50 cal. muzzle loader and a 300 RUM. I am looking into getting an all around rifle and have got a few answers from different gun counters but would love to here your opinions. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Seven millimeter magnum!

[Crunchy]

Another vote for the 7mm Mag

[gaddy]

30/06 or 270?

[bobcat]

Your 300 RUM is a great all around rifle. I can't imagine anything it wouldn't do. But I guess you must be looking for something lighter, and perhaps with less recoil?

I would go with a 270 Winchester or maybe a 30/06.

You really can't beat the 30/06. But if you want a little less recoil then get the 270.

[JPhelps]

7mm mag.  Great Bullet selection, great ballistics and middle of the road recoil.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

You've already got an unbeatable combo, what more do you want? 338 rum?

[sirmissalot]

300 weatherby should do the trick real nicely

I can't add those cool smilies and stuff using tapatalk otherwise I would have inserted one of those little chuckling guys.

[MikeC]

Thanks for your quick replies, my buddy is looking for a rifle as well so I will share with him. Most common response seems to be 7mm and 270. Would you prefer standard or wsm? I love my 300 RUM but it beats the hell out of me and I think it causes me to jerk some of my shots.  I was thinking of having a muzzle brake installed on it here soon.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Thanks for your quick replies, my buddy is looking for a rifle as well so I will share with him. Most common response seems to be 7mm and 270. Would you prefer standard or wsm? I love my 300 RUM but it beats the hell out of me and I think it causes me to jerk some of my shots.  I was thinking of having a muzzle brake installed on it here soon.

Don't ever put a brake on a hunting rifle! Your ears will hate you!! But your buddies won't be hunting near you either so it's a catch 22 ; )
 If you think they kick hard I take back the 338 suggestion, what are you running through it and what kind of stock is on it?

[Bob33]

By the time this thread reaches seven pages you will start to see some patterns. In reality any caliber from 25-06 on up to about 338 can be considered the best "all around" caliber. If recoil is a consideration I would stay with 30 caliber or smaller options. 7MM, 30-06, 270, 270 WSM are all good choices. The 300 magnums shoot harder and flatter but have more recoil. To master a caliber like the 300 RUM will take some dedicated practice to overcome flinching.

[wildweeds]

Another vote for the old school 7MM rem mag,that said my buddy shot plenty of deer and elk with his .270 and piled em up dead,same goes for another buddy who shoots a .280.

[dvolmer]

Stick to the basics.  243, 270, 30-06, 7MM, or 300 Win Mag (ammo is cheap and easy to find, plus they are prooven to do the job day in and day out).  If I was getting a gun for all you cant beat a 7MM (but I still tell my brother it a "Ladies Magnum" just to bug the crap out of him) and I don't own one myself.  If you are getting one for deer and one for elk, the 270 along with a 300 Win is a great pair of rifles.  I have two 300's, two 30-06's, a 270, and a 243 and love them all for many different reasons.

[RB]

.300 Win Mag for me have not had to shoot anything more than once (unless I missed completely) including approximately eight Deer, one Bear, and one Elk (dropped him in his bed). Premium bullets, a muzzle brake, and a decelerator pad did wonders for the gun
 

[RadSav]

Best All Around caliber = 30

I too am a fan of the 7 Mag.  But, I still think if we are talking best All Round Elk/Deer caliber it has to be the 30. 

If we start talking cartridge that's a different debate.  I'd still probably swing to either the 30-06 or 300 Win Mag.