All-Around Big Game Caliber

[WoolSocks]

Polling the audience. What’s your most-used caliber for big game, and why? If you had a chance to replace with something new, would you switch calibers?

I hear lots of love for the 6.5CM and the three new PRC’s. Wondering if they are really that popular, or if most folks would just reach for something familiar like a 30-06 or 300win if they were in the market for a new rifle.

[WapitiTalk1]

308, all those Army snipers can’t be wrong.

[MADMAX]

My go to

270WSM Kimber mountain ascent
Or
7 rem mag Christianson ridgeline

[Buckjunkie]

Something in the .284 caliber

[Taco280AI]

280AI, 145LRX @ 3090. It simply works 

[Timberstalker]

Either a 300 WSM or a 300 WM

[WapitiTalk1]

Either a 300 WSM or a 300 WM

Two flat shooting, knock ‘em down rounds. Spot on TS 

[huntnnw]

375 Cheytac

[WapitiTalk1]

375 Cheytac

A bit overkill for all around?  I think the OP is looking to make his hamburger after the shot, not during 

[10mmg]

If I had to choose one it would be a 30 cal starting at 30-06 or higher.

[jrebel]

As of late....our choice has been 300 wsm shooting 168grain Hammers (3100fps) and 180 grain Accubonds (3000fps).  Both are super accurate and will kill anything in North America. 

I also think 7-08, 6.5 creed or 6.5 prc would be great all around cartridges.  Lower recoil and more manageable for most shooters. 

Lot of very good cartridges on the market these days.  Combine that with bullet technology and I'm not sure a guy could wrong with with any when paired with the right bullet.   

[follow maggie]

I’m old school. I like my .30-06 & 300 win mag. I’d like to get a synthetic .30-06 for the nasty days when I don’t want to bring the Enfield out.

[greenhead_killer]

This is a question with 10000 answers. Everyone has had good and bad experiences on a number of calibers. Some will swear a 243 is fine for everything while others will say you need a 338. Just comes down to preference.

As for me, I’ve shot a 7mm the last 20 years and will continue to do so as long as I can.

[Ingwe]

I have been using my .338 win mag for almost everything including deer, elk, moose, bear and many African animals since about 1988. It shoots great and I just feel comfortable with it. Confidence in your rifle means a lot. I have used a 270 and a 30-06 a little for deer

[Bob33]

I've settled on using two big game calibers: 257 Weatherby for antelope, and 300 WSM for everything else. Lots of good choices but I would pick one in the .270 to .30 caliber range.