I'd have to go with my .17HMR for small game and it's ability to shoot a turkey at some 200 yards here in B.C., and my 30.06, which works just fine on deer, elk, moose, and with it's 168 grain TTSX bullets would protect me from an ornery grizzly. If I were never going to hunt up north in grizzly country again, I'd choose my .270 Win with it's 140 grain Accubonds...soft recoiling and pleasant to shoot a lot...as well as working just fine on critters with antlers.