The all-around hunting calibre?

I used to think the available everywhere was an important criteria. I now think commonly available is good enough. Having sighted in my rifle for a particular brand and projectile weight, it would be my own fault if I head out into the field with little or no ammunition and need to hit up a small town store expecting to find exactly the same ammunition I sighted my rifle in with. I think its a hunters responsibility to bring enough ammunition with him and not need to rely on finding it in timbuktu.
 
Grizzlypeg said:
I used to think the available everywhere was an important criteria. I now think commonly available is good enough. Having sighted in my rifle for a particular brand and projectile weight, it would be my own fault if I head out into the field with little or no ammunition and need to hit up a small town store expecting to find exactly the same ammunition I sighted my rifle in with. I think its a hunters responsibility to bring enough ammunition with him and not need to rely on finding it in timbuktu.
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I don't care at all about ammo availability. I don't see it getting lost as much of an issue - any more than 'forgetting' the rifle, optics or tags.

There's a bunch of things that would end the hunt if misplaced or forgotten, why should ammo be any different?
 
Fonix said:
I apologize if this topic has already come up a million times, my searches gave me nothing.

I don't know if it exists, but I'm looking for your guys' opinion of the most versatile hunting round. One that is enough for a bear, a deer or a moose, available at any shop, economical and accurate.

If you could only have one, what would it be?
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Simple, the 375 H&H Magnum.
 
This really comes down to an opinion poll because there are a number of cartridges that can be deemed effective for all North American game.

My vote goes for 3006.
- Available in almost every rifle configuration.
- Cartridges almost always available where ammunition is sold.
- Good ballistics and energy with factory loads.
- Mild recoil.

Whats not to like?

Having said that I "need" and do have several more calibers in my safe.
 
Calum said:
It's not that rare.
And yes I vote for the 300 Win Mag also. :D
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i agree it is not rare, but it is not available everywhere that sells ammo.

availability doesn't matter to me, i have taken rifles hunting that have zero practical availability with regards to store bought ammo.
 
My vote is for the .270 win, it just plain works...I own an '06, 300 win mag, .375 h&h:cool: and a few others but i always find myself reaching for my .270 first...It has never let me down and it has dropped everything that I have pointed it at, minus a few misses of course!;)

'rifle
 
Another vote for 30-06.I've taken grouse,deer,bear,coyote,and moose with mine.I shoot Winchester Accubonds 150gr for deer,180gr for bear and moose.

I co-worker just bought a Browning 7mm-08.Canadian Tire didn't carry that caliber shell.He had to drive an hour away.
 
I get asked this question a fair bit by new hunters at the gun shows here in Eastern Ontario. I generally tell the person who asks the question that .30-06 is pretty well right up there as an all-purpose North American cartridge. I do not particularly LIKE the cartridge, it just doesn't float my boat, but that is only personal preference.

I think I would be hellish hard-pressed to go to one rifle only, but if the unthinkable happened I am guessing it would be chambered in something OTHER than .30-06..... :p

Doug
 
BC Bigbore said:
Can't find ammo in most stores outside of major cities, the far north and Africa. Try to pick up box in Joe & Martha Average's hardware in Smallville, BC or Manitoba. Bet they'd have .30-06, .303, .308 though :)
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I have seen it on many a shelf. Inculding Smithers, Terrace and Prince Rupurt.
 
30-06 if you want ammo availability. Or 35 Whelen if you can remember to bring your ammo when you head off on a hunting trip.
 
Won't and can't argue with the 30/06 fans , or the .308win.
...but I'll stick with my .303brit.
Man , moose and Meschersmitts , the .303brit has dropped them all ....no argument there either.
 
I have a 30-06 and a 308. Followed the reccommendations of everyone I know that hunts. Not too much you cant do with those 2. Another big advantage to both (as well as the old 303) is that there are so many USED rifles out there that it is real likely you can get a real nice rifle fairly cheap too. Big advantage as well as every gun manufacturer on the planet makes new rifles still in those cals. Takes all the guesswork out of it. There are calibres that may be more ###y or obscure but in the field your backup should be one of these just in case....
 
Like beretta boy said:

Be like the rest of us ... You need at least half a dozen rifles, at bare minimum ... and you KNOW you WANT THEM !!!!

So true. Budget reasons may make you look at getting a versatile durable gun, but many of us have been through that phase. I convinced myself I was only going to buy one shotgun and one bolt action. Now I just admin that I will probably end up owning a rifle of every action type in darn near every calibre/guage.

Just admit it. That's the hard part. Then go out and buy a 30-06 to start! :)
 
The more I play around with the 375 Ruger, he more I see how effective it would be for one gun, anything , anywhere in the world. You would just need to have A few loads.

A full power 300gr Premium load @ 2500 fps for anything dangerous.
A full power 260gr Premium load @ 2750fps with a flat 30-06 liek trajectory for all other big game.
A full power 235gr load @ 2950fps to flatten trajectory for yotes and probably a great deer load.
A reduced load 200gr @ 1600fps for small game like grouse and plinking etc.


Mostly, you could hunt wih the 260gr load, keeping a few reduced loads in your pocket for grouse.

When predator seasons start, you could switch to the 235gr load.

I sure wouldn't suggest this for a beginner, there is an argument that this would be more versatile than the favorite "all around" cartridge, the 30-06.

:p
 
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