Best all around hunting caliber

justin16

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Im looking to purchase a new hunting rifle and im caught between a few calibers. Just looking for some info on which one is the best all around gun for all kinds of animals.

Thanks,
 
First off, the is no "best all around gun for all kinds of animals rifle" because all kinds of animals covers everything from moose to ground hogs. If you are talking deer to griz I would say 30-06.
 
With today's technology in projectiles and powders the o'le all around chambering question has definitely broadened.

You can load 6.5mm chamberings for large animals or varmint, as well as many 30cal or larger.

I always say that you find a rifle that fits you well and is comfortable in your grasp, then look at chamberings as a comfortable , patient shooter is way more effective than someone over compensating with a larger rifle who get's into panic mode.

I am not going to name specific chamberings but anything shooting modern pressures with modern components in the .260 to .338 cal range will work.

Personally I have a bias towards 7mm chamberings, but that is just me.
 
If you really want all kinds of animails from the largest, most dangerious, to the smallest game animals, then get a rifle in 375 H&H.

For most North Americian,inculding all the great bears, get a rifle in any cartridge from 7 MM Mag to 340 weartherby.

Taking the dangerious bears out of the equation get a rifle in any nin magnum cartridge from 6.5 Swede to 8mm Mauser.

In every case, the cartridge the rifle is chambered in should be secondary to how well the rifle handles, how it fits you and how often you practise with it.
 
Second that, there isn't an all around best cartridge. Personally my big game gun for the past 30 years is a 7mm Rem mag. A little more reach than a 30-06, but a bit much punch in the shoulder too. To be honest, lots of times I find it a little more gun than I need for deer. Now that I'm getting older I tend to prefer a lighter gun. So it really depends on what you want to hunt I suppose. Over all I've been very happy with my 7mm. Very accurate and puts down my game efficiently. My oldest boy hunts with a 308 and also find it a good all around cartridge. Maybe a little light for elk, moose or a big bear. Hope that helps some.

Gerry
 
The reason why I suggested the 30/06, is because if you are asking the question, chances are, you are new to the shooting sports,
not likely a reloader, and are looking for a rifle that is easy to come by, and likewise, the ammo.
What can top the 30/06 for a variety in bullet weights, in factory ammo?
From the 55gr. Remington Accelerator, to others having weights from 110grs., up to 220 grs.
No other rifle caliber with factory loads can take animals from gophers to grizzlys, that I know of.
 
Im not new to hunting but ive been shooting a 270 for about 6 years now and have shot elk deer and moose with it but my gun is getting old and im looking to get something like a composite stock and a bit higher caliber I dont hunt small gofers or anything like that just want something that I dont ever have to upgrade again. And Im getting a reloading set to
 
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