Building or buying ONE nice rifle. Which caliber and why?

[xnader]

I have never had a “nice” rifle. My current go to rifle is a .30-.06 savage axis with a custom boyds stock. I want to build or buy one nicer rifle that can handle anything in north America and likely won’t ever shoot at an animal over 450 yards (big game not predators or small game). Mostly midwest whitetail hunting but I do go out west almost annually and fully plan to hunt mule deer and elk with this gun. Having a hard time deciding on a caliber, my .30-.06 has not let me down one single time and I love that caliber but I already have a couple of them so that makes me want something else just for variety and a little more downrange energy. Want something in the 7mm-30 cal range, I like the sounds of the 7 rem mag or 7 prc, love the performance of 300 win mag but don’t want a cannon that loud if I can avoid it, .308 seems like a slight downgrade from the .30-.06. I only shoot factory ammo, not a reloader. I am looking at going suppressed as well. Would love to hear your recommendations and why you recommend it!

 

[ShakoMako]

Around here you’ll largely get recommendations for a Tikka action based medium-smaller caliber. 6.5 creed, PRC or a 243 1-8 twist will be a popular recommendation over the big magnums. Sort thru the data-driven threads to understand why- it’s all about shooter performance. Good luck with your search. ETA- suppressed? Go shorter. Consider that 308 in 18-20” barrel won’t be too long but will perform magnificently at the range limitation you’ve set.

 

[Sled]

I'd look at a .260 or .277

 

[Steve300xcw]

I'd be looking at a 223, 243/6creedmoor or a 6.5 creedmoor. Easy,fun,cheap to shoot.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Tell me what's your idea of a "nice rifle". I always say..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Sounds to me like you have the right caliber.

 

[BreechFace]

If I didn’t reload I would consider a 18” 7mm Backcountry and buy a nice direct thread suppressor for it.