All-Around Big Game Caliber

[C-Money]

Its a toss up between the .270win & 30-06 on which I've hunted with most. Been packing a .243 the last 10 or so years since my kids started hunting, which are now pretty much grown and I still carry the .243. None of the 3 have ever let me down, but I do believe the 7mm-08 just may be the one I'd choose to do it all over again with.

[HillHound]

 
Same. I have a 300 win mag, two 300 wsms, a 7mm mag, 30-06, and I still carry one of our 243s or the 6.5 a lot since they are so light. Killed a bear, a cougar, and several deer with a 243 so they all work

[Rugsnfeathers]

I killed about the same number of big game animals between the 30-06 and 300 WM, from Alaska to the lower 48.    If I have to pick one, I'll pick the 300 WM just because it's lighter for a small person who likes to walk and climb.  As of late, I've been using the 6.5 CM for deer and antelope hunts and just like the other two calibers I mentioned, they go down in just one hit.  So, pick your poison.

[pianoman9701]

A .30-06 can kill anything in North America. KISS principle.

[huntandjeep]

Lower 48 I'm good with my 6.5x284.

My man! The 6.5x284 holds a special place in my heart. I've got a 20" 6x284 barrel coming soon that I'm pretty excited about though.

Yeah love the caliber . 25ish years ago I saw a Cooper Excalibur in 6.5x285 on the cover of a Cabelas and fell in love . Knew that was my grail rifle . Fast forward 15ish years and I'm up the Rattlesnake with my rifle builder breaking in the 7mm he built me . He gets out a Cooper Excalibur in 6.5x284 and shoots a few rounds cross canyon then let's me . Needless to say, the wife wasn't impressed when I came home with 2 new rifles that day . 

[hunter399]

For me ....
270
7mm mag
308

Have been pretty good to me.

[Trapper John]

I like my 270 Win.  I've been shooting it for 40+ years. I've Killed deer, elk, pronghorn, and black bear with it.
My next runner up would be 300 win mag for elk and moose.
If you want an all-around caliber the 270 hands down is the one.

[Killerhiller40]

Using a 300 wm now. Definitely going for a lower recoil caliber in my next rifle. 6.5 PRC is awfully tempting


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[WapitiTalk1]

I’ve killed elk with a 22.250 but come on gentleman, an all around caliber, that is capable of effectively doing the job at hand for small to big game, has got to be in the 30 caliber class, yes? You have got to have something that will break/shatter bone to knock down a big boned critter (elk, moose, bear) with no doubt or hoping for a positive outcome.

[chukardogs]

 Thank you Wapati, finally someone said it. I took a 25-06 to Alaska and killed a Caribou at 350 and it was all the gun needed for that job. Had I decided to shoot a Grizzly or a Moose, not so much!
 Rifles are tools and tools, like wrenches have specific jobs to do. Just like you wouldn't try to tighten a 1/2 inch nut with a 5/8 wrench, why shoot a deer with a 375 H&H when a 243 or a 25-06 would suffice?
 Plus, has anyone ever seen a gun safe that held only one rifle. There's a reason why even the small safes have a half a dozen slots or more.   

[Taco280AI]

30 caliber isn't very specific. Are you talking 30-30? 300 Ultra? Something in between?

Tell me what a 308 or 30-06 will do that a 280AI/7RM won't. And I have and like my 308 so I'm not bashing them.

My deer and elk from <50 to 510 thought the AI did quite well with the 145 LRX.

Blanket answer 30 cal, implying it does better than everything else, nope. Bullet construction matters, along with speed and weight, shootability, accuracy....

[Bullkllr]

Hmmm. It's almost like with improved bullets and loadings, even whole new cartridges, there are a lot of good all-around candidates. Who knew?

[BKMFR]

My main rifle that I have used on Coyotes, Deer, Bear, Elk, Antelope, Moose, Caribou, Goat has been a .300 Weatherby with 165 gr bullets. Never has failed me. I don't like recoil so always have a brake that turns the recoil into that of a .243.

[Loup Loup]

Now BKMFR, you been holdin out info on me! 300 Weatherby is my first choice also. I’ve always shot 180 gr bullets. But since I don’t hunt deer or elk on purpose anymore, and am still experimenting killing stuff with my .280, I’m gonna turn my 300 into a dedicated wolf gun. Got a new scope and I also picked up some 165 gr bullets to try. I need to get on it.
I have been thinking, when time permits, I want to question you on shootin bears. As I’m sure you have come up with a proven system.

[Irish_hunter93]

Used a 22-250 on a whitetail at 240 yards (in idaho) did the trick in one shot, wish we could use them on deer in wa