All-Around Big Game Caliber

[Wingin it]

For years I hunted all big game with the same rifle, a 30.06. I have since then added a 6.5 CM that I tend to use the most now. If I am hunting elk or larger I'd grab the trusty .06 though. I know the CM will work on elk too, but having a 30 caliber I’d rather go with that. So I guess if I had to pick one of those two for my all around rifle it’s the .06.
Lots of good calibers listed though!

[tgomez]

I absolutely love the 30-06 and have used one for 30 years. I own two:
* Browning X-Bolt Stalker Long Range
* Remington 1903 (C-Style Stock)
If I had to pick any other caliber it would be a 7mm Magnum.

[brokenvet]

Hunted with a 7x57 Mauser for many years, now I use a 6.5x55 Swede

[MeatMissile]

If I had to pick one, I would be hard pressed to pick between the 270, 7mm Rem Mag, 30-06, or 300 Win Mag.  I guess the 30-06 with a 180gr Partition or 150gr TTSX would shoot flat enough for my uses and velocities won’t compromise bullet integrity up close.

[Sliverslinger]

I have a Hells Canyon LR McMillan in 300WSM that is my #1 go to, particularly if shots may be long, but it’s pretty unwieldy. 190 Berger VLDs at 3,000 and I’ve taken it out to 1,000 multiple times and to a mile once. Not very fun to carry around at times. Hunting the west side I have 2 Kimber Montana’s in .308 and 30WSM, accurate rifles and super light, but definitely not seeing impact through the scope with either and as I’ve gotten older I enjoy shooting the super light 300wsm less and less. Have a 6.5 CM that’s awesome for spotting impact, but I’d like a little more oomph for longer shots on bears in the open country in particular.
I’m thinking about either selling or rechambering the Kimber Montana 300wsm to 6.5 prc for a super light and lighter recoiling rifle for the high country stuff.

Thinking a 6.5 PRC and a 30WSM would be a perfect combo for anything I want to hunt.

[Rat44]

30/06 with 180 gr Partitions has been my go to for 40 years.
It just works.
Have a Remington 700 bolt and Browning BAR in that caliber.
Have played with others but thats what goes to the woods with me every year . 

[webbspinner]

270 win with 130 accubonds then my 7mm rem mag with 160 accubonds then my 338 win mag with (yep ) 225 accubonds.  Depending on the day and the game i feel quite well covered.  makes it hard to talk the missus into more rifles tho


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[actionshooter]

I will have to say, for me the 7RM....  The only thing I would not use it for in North America would be the big bears... comfortable with every other critter.

[BeerBugler]

Thinking about converting the 6.5 CM to a 6 CM to get a few hundred FPS more out of it. 7” less drop at 500 with it. That with 108 ELD-M’s and a .223 with 77gr TMK’s for everything.

“Big boned animals” is funny.

[Jimmy33]

270wsm

[MADMAX]

270wsm

Drops em like a sack of chit 👍👍

[elkrack]

270wsm

Drops em like a sack of chit 👍👍

Great round. Last year in MT my 2 sons and I all used the same rifle. 3 bullets 3 deer! Nuff said

[birdshooter1189]

6x45. Probably the lowest recoil and big-game legal caliber.  User discression required for ethical shots. But that applies to any caliber, so why not this one?

More realistically, I'd probably choose a 7mm rem mag.  Great and versatile caliber, and there's plenty of good deals on them since most guys are chasing the current marketing favorites that end in arc, prc, or creedmoor.

[BD1]

270 

[bhawley76]

I would guess there's not too many people that hunt with a rifle that don't have either a 7 mag, 270, or a 06 in their selection