2 Rifles for everything

[magnanimous_j]

Let’s say you wanted to hunt everything in the lower 48 from coyote size up to moose, and you could buy 2 rifles to do all that. What 2 calibers would you pick? The reason I ask, is that I’ve got the trusty old 06, but I may have the opportunity to hunt some Antelope next year and I’m worried that the 06 might blow them apart and (though I’ve never had the opportunity) I’ve thought that the 06 might be pushing it a little for elk.

So I’m considering selling the 06 and buying 2 rifles to replace it.

[kukusya]

308win and 300win mag.
7-08rem and 7mm rem mag.
338fed and 338win mag

[Mike450r]

A man should always have a .30-06

[Taco280AI]

.22
280AI

[Woodchuck]

That 06 will work just fine on anything you can hunt in this country .  Will be a little rough on fur for varmints.
If you are sure you need two. I would suggest a .243 or 25/06 and a 7mm mag or one of the .300 mags.

[MP123]

The '06 and a .22 should cover most all of your rifle needs.

[pianoman9701]

A man should always have a .30-06

 

Get a .243, too. Good antelope gun

[bobcat]

I would keep the 30/06. It's perfect for deer, antelope, and elk. But, if you really want two new rifles, maybe go with a 243 Winchester and a 300 WSM.

[TommyH]

The '06 and a .22 should cover most all of your rifle needs.

 

'06 is the all around rifle.

[sirmissalot]

Your 06 will work for everything we have here. I'd have no worries taking down a moose with a 180 barnes or accubond type bullet which is the biggest animal here you will encounter. It will blow a coyote to smitherines, which is fine by me. I have killed several antelope with my 300 weatherby and it doesn't "blow them up" a bit. Hit one in the neck and you won't have much of a cape left, hit it right behind the shoulder where you should and its gonna go in and out without a problem, dead goat.

If you really wanted to concentrate on varmints and are interested in saving some fur I'd go with a 223, probably in an AR platform because I think they are cool and are multipurpose as a self defense type of weapon.

[Skillet]

Gotta have a .22, but the request for for "coyote up to moose", so I'd say one needs a 25-06 and a 30-06.

30-06 is plenty for elk and moose, especially with modern bullet technology.  I spoke with a Colville native this last weekend that has killed a number of elk and moose with his 25-06, and claimed to do so at ranges I wouldn't try.

[kukusya]

http://www.chuckhawks.com/refining_hunting_rifle_battery.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/myth_busting_calibers.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/optimum_30_rifle_cartridge.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/moderate_cartridges.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/choosing_inclement_all-around_rifle.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_ballistics_table.htm

[Curly]

25-06

and

338 WM

 

[6x6in6]

25-06 and 300WM

[Hornseeker]

in a hurry and didn't read all the posts, so might be doubling up here...

The 06' is just fine for lope. Shoot a barnes and it will poke a nice little hole through and kill it where it stands... you wont blow nuthin up. It'll also work fantastically for coyotes... bear... moose... elk... deer... Prairie dogs... You can shoot 55 grains up to 220... but there really isn't any reason to shoot anything other than the 168 grain Barnes TSX.