All-Around Big Game Caliber

[yakimanoob]

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

I don't.

7mm-08 for me. My wife bought it for me when I started big game hunting and I just can't find a reason to get anything else.

[yakimanoob]

That said, I killed my first elk and first deer with a borrowed 30-06. So I still fit into the very high % of big game hunters who have hunted with one of those calibers.

[sticky]

.30-06 if you're talking North American hunting. Versatile number of loads and can be purchased virtually anywhere.


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[Sunbkpk]

What I could shoot accurately without developing a flinch up to a 30-06. Then make sure I have good performing bullets and know what range they are still effective and where I want to place them for the most reliable kill.
If that would mean a 243 then so be it. I can shoot my dads 300 magnums accurately without flinching but he can not. Still I hunted with a 30-06 till switching to bowhunting.

[Goshawk]

I'll never part with my 1976 270 Winchester in Ruger M77.  Deer, Elk, Bear, and one vicious coyote round come calving season.  I have bigger guns, but they kick and don't group as well as this rifle does with Barnes 129gr LRX bullets.  Why get the snot kicked out of me when I already have enough gun for anything in Washington State?

[phildobaggins]

300 WSM for suuuuuuuuure 

[fish vacuum]

My most used is .270, only because that's what I had the longest. In recent years, I use a .243 for 100% of my deer hunting because I now have one with high sentimental value. Still have a .270 if I need it for things bigger than deer.
If I was buying a new rifle I'd look for a 7mm-08 for its combo of effectiveness and easy shooting.
The .270s I've owned were purchased because that was the caliber I found available in the rifle I wanted.

[Bareback]

.308 130-200 gr. Sonic to subsonic. Most readily available around.