One Cartridge for All North American Game

[sharps54]

If I was limited to one 30-06 is a logical choice but I'd probably take 45-70 with slow trapdoor to lever action level loads. If someone can sneak up close enough to kill it with the bow I ought to be able to get close enough with it. If not at least I had the experience.

That said I don't doubt that as long as you can pick your shots and keep it within the bullet's velocity range a .223 or 6mm Arc would do just as well with less recoil. Not as classy as an old classic carriage and rifle but the animal wouldn't know the difference.

 

[barrister]

30-06 for me. Used it for moose, elk, whitetail, mule deer, aoudad from 80 yards (whitetail) to 510 yards (elk). Two mule deer at 200 and 440 yards, two aoudad at 100 yards and 400 yards. Moose was 200. Same 180 grain Barnes TSX Federal factory load for all. Other than whitetails, I don’t get to hunt most of these animals that often, so I want a cartridge and system I trust when I get the chance.

 

[Ringbill27]

The 30-06 is the easy button. 6.8 western is what I’d pick. Reloading you could load 85-175gr bullets. Good brass is on the market now. Just always been a interesting cartridge to me.

 

[heavyhorns]

I went 7PRC. Happy with that choice so far!

 

[eaglemountainman]

A 7-08 pushing 120 TTSXs at 3170 or 139 LRXs at 2900, for everything from mice to moose. I have no desire to hunt the big bears, though the northern locals do so regularly, with a.243 Win.

 

[ProRoad]

I've had a 30.06 for the last 50 years because it is the caliber that answers that very question. However, this last year I have picked up a 7.08, then a 6arc and then a .223. It's so much more fun to shoot the smaller calibers! (and cheaper) Did you say Polar bear?! Give me the biggest, baddest caliber shooting Buffalo Bore Ammo please.

 

[LightFoot]

30-06 is the easy button.

I had one build recently and it’s boring but ultra capable for everything in NA.

150 TTSX
165 Accubond
178 ELD-X
200 Partition


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[3325]

If you had to pick one cartridge from pronghorn to polar bear, what would it be?

.30-06

And why?

Because I’d prefer to use 180 or greater for the bears. Otherwise, I’d pick .270 Winchester.

 

[prm]

I would happily live with my proven 338 Fed as my only rifle. It’s already worked on hogs, antelope sized animals, deer, kudu, and elk. Cartridge aside, it’s also my favorite hunting rifle, so that helps.

Been using my 6.5CM the last few years and it works. The visible and audible impact is not the same though, and animals have not gone down as well in my small sample. Still fine, but notably different. If I shot more and wanted to shoot longer ranges I’d lean to the 6.5 or perhaps my .308.

 

[3325]

I'd pick the .30-'06, as unfashionably "Fudd" as that is.

Fashion is fickle. I’ll wager the ‘06 will still be slaying elk in the Rockies long after the latest “6 point something or other” (or whatever comes next) has been relegated to yesterday’s news.

For maximum efficiency remember to wear a black and green checkered wool shirt. It just makes the ‘06 better. The ‘06 doesn’t work as well if you’re wearing Sitka. This is scientific.