what do you think is the most versatile cartridge ever made?

buzzmagoo said:
My vote would be for the good old 12 gauge , it has been loaded with just about everything that can fit down the barrel . And I would think it has taken just about everything it has purposely been fired at . Hey its even has subcaliber adapters .
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After your 12 gauge stone sheep hunt, let’s reevaluate. :d We might as well get the .45-70 vote out of that way at this juncture too.
 
pete dobinson said:
It seems a few have forgotten the biggest game this continent has to offer along with the mountain game.
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How about the 50 bmg then? That should cover everything. Sooo versatile. LOL
I think its more impressive and versatile to use a smaller caliber for everything VS picking the biggest one. How does one decide what is too small or too big? That is definitely up to the individual. Personally I may never hunt bear of any kind. Ive never even hunted moose or elk so thats not a consideration for me.
Ive been hunting for many years and have not even seen a bear. I suppose if I lived out west I might think a little differently.
I dont think versatile means being prepared for the biggest animals. I think it means which has the ability to take the most different species and I suspect the vast majority of hunters dont come across grizzlies let alone hunt them.
 
Ardent said:
After your 12 gauge stone sheep hunt, let’s reevaluate. :d We might as well get the .45-70 vote out of that way at this juncture too.
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I was just watching videos of guys shooting them bows, so im willing to bet it can be done although it is for sure NOT the most versatile round out there

But most people spending the money to do it will want a rifle that can reach out quite a bit further or do it with a bow for the challange. No real reason to take a shotgun or a large bore modern rifle.
 
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Evanguy said:
I was just watching videos of guys shooting them bows, so im willing to bet it can be done

But most people spending the money to do it will want a rifle that can reach out quite a bit further or do it with a bow for the challange. No real reason to take a shotgun or a large bore modern rifle.
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Shotguns aren't legal for sheep in BC.
 
If the real question is what's a legal hunting calibre for every quarry in every province then the answer has to depend on some well-researched but boring technicalities.
 
simplest/easiest way is rarely the most fun/rewarding.

I personally wouldnt use a 45-70, but im sure over the last hundred and forty years it has killed atleast one of all the animals in NA.

Sure there is loads of better cartridges like probably all 50gr CC plus mid bores.

Edit; i reread the title and it seems ill retract the 45-70 statment. Sure it would work for all the animals out there. It is by NO means the most versatile round out there for sure. I was only thinking about IF it could be used to kill everytype
 
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My vote is for the 30-06, most versatile cartridge for North American big game. Many bullet weights and designs that offer a choice for any big game animal, with a very comfortable recoil.
 
I would stick with my 280 Rem. With its standard load of 150gr Swift Sciroccos at 2900+ FPS, it will do anything any 7mm or 30 cal will. At least that is my experience, I spent a good decade using a SS M70 in 300 Weatherby as my all arounder on deer / bear / moose / elk / goats / sheep / bison / wolves, and with 165/180/200 grain premiums it didn’t tip over big animals any faster than smaller cartridges with equally good bullets.

The 280 also lets me use high BC bullets like the new 180 grain Hornady for long range stuff. To match that with a 30 calibre requires much heavier bullets and a bunch more recoil.

Those are the only two bullets I need, a great hunting bullet and a high ballistic coefficient alternative for long range. With moderate recoil, flat shooting and slippery in the wind, decisive on game, five down in the mag box, it’s my most versatile.
 
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0faustus0 said:
Why is nobody mentioning the 12ga??

Far superior for small game with shot ... and with the right slug it can kill any animal on the North American continent!
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trebor2880 said:
Post says part of the requirement is light recoiling.
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I can shoot low recoil ammo out of my 12ga ... and it will still kill big game animals ... :)



Slimbo said:
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Because even though my 20 bore flint lock will kill everything on this continent I sure as #### wont be bringing it sheep hunting.
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I wouldn't bring my 12ga to a sheep hunt neither ... but within 100 meters ... my 12ga will kill any big game on this continent accurately.

After 100 meters, the stalk is on .... :)
 
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30-06, 300 win mag and 7 mm rem mag are not 'light recoil'. Light recoil calibers (6.5 and co) are not optimal for polar/grizzly. So the answer to the OP is: no caliber would work on everything and have 'light' recoil. The 30-06 can be considered as a compromise between killing power, versatility and recoil.
 
The 45-70 had the distinction of being outclassed militarily by both the 44 Rimfire and 7mm Mauser and being killed and buried as a hunting cartridge by the 30WCF.
 
0faustus0 said:
I can shoot low recoil ammo out of my 12ga ... and it will still kill big game animals ... :)



I wouldn't bring my 12ga to a sheep hunt neither ... but within 100 meters ... my 12ga will kill any big game on this continent accurately.

After 100 meters, the stalk is on .... :)
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Anything you can do to big game with a 12 gauge I can do better with a boat load of Center fire cartridges.
 
Crashman said:
Didn't some dude over a hundred years ago kill a bunch of elephants, lions and maybe bears (oh my!) with a 7X57 Mauser? 175 grain solids to the brain on the elephants, it is curious how over time the cartridge became less effective.
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and another dude shot a bunch of tigers.
 
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