OK, You asked for it ... What is the most versatile cartridge?

[Johnn Peterson]

358 NORMA MAG. All capital letters ( i am yelling it) 158 grain pistal bullets for the small stuff. 250 gr. For medium big. 280 gr Swift A frame for the really nasty ones.

And there's two more I've acquired in fairly recent years. Initially, I was on a 'quest' for a Schultz & Larsen in 358 Norma Mag. In the meantime, from a gentleman up in your neck of the woods, I weakened and purchased a VERY nice Husqvarna model 1651 in 358NM. Then, as luck would have it, a short while later, I found and purchased a Schultz & Larsen model 68DL In 358NM.
After getting the Schultz I was 'thinking' of letting the Husqvarna go but have yet to do so, and probably won't. It just looks too good.

 

[rajczak_kashka]

5.56

 

[Weatherby Fan]

Well I would hunt anything in North America with a 280AI but I would have to give the nod to the 30 cal cartridges, I would go 300 PRC, you load it up or down for in close or heavy high BC bullets for long range hunting or target practice !!!

 

[1-trident-1]

so who asked for it?

 

[IvoB]

12 gauge
From slugs to 7 1/2 you have something for everything
and if it still moves you could whack it with the butt end

 

[Arietta]

12 gauge shotgun. Shot for things that fly, slugs for things that don't.

 

[freire]

so who asked for it?

Anonymous.

 

[hoytcanon]

If you are talking hunting, I would say .30/06... if you throw bulk range shooting into the mix I would say. 308.

 

[mikeyb]

Globally, the .375 H&H. Legal for everything, good weights from 235-350 gives you flexibility and choice.

In North America, I would feel comfortable with the .30-06. Similar scenario, 150's are fast and flat-shooting, 220's if there might be an angry bear a few meters away, lots of choices in between. 180's are the all-rounder.

My reality is that .270/.280/.30-06 or 7mm-08/.308 would do anything I need as far as medium to big game hunting unless the Polar bears decide to take a stroll south from Churchill. Deer yes, black bear yes, get a draw for moose or elk, also yes.

 

[trebor2880]

.22lr

Dirt cheap, fun to shoot and it will kill most everything North America has to offer.

But not legally. Yes, I know, shooting ducks with a 110 rd. drum, would be a hoot!

 

[chuck nelson]

There are all kinds of versatile cartridges. Where are all the versatile hunters?

 

[The Kurgan]

For me: 22 LR, 7.62x39, 7x57, 6.5x55, 308, 30-06, 8x57, 45-70, 12 gauge. All my bases are covered, with overlap (7x57/6.5x55 and 308/30-06/8x57))

 

[Gatehouse]

Six point five Creed

 

[riversrest]

I would have said the 6.5x55 but it is not legal to hunt Wood Bison in some Territory/Province. Good fun on the range and the 160gr round nose will deliver on big game.

So I'll say the 30/06 or 7.92x57 would be it for me around here.

 

[wonksy]

35 Whelen

 

[todbartell]

6.8 Western

 

[horseman2]

From 1987 to 2000 my 338 Win Mag was in the "If I could only have one gun" category.
Undefeated in our Club's Hunting rifle class with shots at various animals from 25 to 300 yards.
It was used to shoot grouse, gophers, groundhogs, coyotes, deer, black bears, elk and moose.

Crows . . . two with one shot. Hung around the silage pits to keep others from pecking holes in the plastic.

 

[DGY]

Well lots of 30-06 and 376H&H so what about we go right in the middle with either 9.3x62 or 35whelen?!?! I think these two are pretty darn good looking choices for everything up here and more!!

 

[9.3mauser]

Well lots of 30-06 and 376H&H so what about we go right in the middle with either 9.3x62 or 35whelen?!?! I think these two are pretty darn good looking choices for everything up here and more!!

Not the best cartridges for lobbing bullets way out there for pronghorn or caribou. I know mine is too danged heavy to be humping up a mountain for sheep & goats.

 

[cam1936]

Well lots of 30-06 and 376H&H so what about we go right in the middle with either 9.3x62 or 35whelen?!?! I think these two are pretty darn good looking choices for everything up here and more!!

I wouldn't want a 35 Whelen on a Cape Buffalo hunt, but would use a 375 H&H.

Pretty hard to argue with 375 H&H or Ruger. You can shoot as flat as a 30-06 with a 260 grain AB (good BC on that bullet too) or you can have Cape Buffalo medicine.