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


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[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.

 

[islandson827]

For the past 10 years I always thought 300WM would be one one caliber N. America game. This past year I picked up a 7PRC and just never looked back. 7 saum will probably take the lead once I get my reloading station tightened up.

 

[Steve O]

Easy way to do it is 30-06 as it has done just that very publicly and for a long long time.

I’d do 300 Win as I could load it down nicely and it would also give me more confidence on the bigger stuff as I identify as a Fudd.

I once passed up a giant grizzly in the Yukon because it was late in the day and in a bad spot and I was carrying my .270.

I will say I declined my guide’s .300 Win as well; there was nothing back then that would have convinced me to shoot…we were 6 days into my sheep hunt and I wanted a ram in the worst way. Looking back close to 25 years I really really wish I had taken that bear. Not sure I will get a chance at another.

 

[BuckSmasher]

Another vote for 30-06. Its a bit much for deer and pigs but perfect for elk and can be loaded heavy for moose. Its not a big powder wasting magnum, can be loaded either way up or way down is efficient and enjoys very wide supply of .308 bullets.

 

[grfox92]

7mm08. Hands down.

(Edit for the why.)

With a basic load of Varget in my X Bolt loaded to max magazine length my 7mm08 with 162 ELDMs is deadly at over 1000 yards at my elevation, farther than I will ever shoot. You can shoot the light 120gr all the way up to 168gr with common twist rates. You can neck down .308 brass which is plentiful.

Using Staball 6.5 you can get damn near magnum velocities if you wanted too.

6.5 Creed, .25 Creed and 6mm Creed are also great options.

I would like to rebarell my X Bolt to .25 Creed in the future better utilize the max COAL of the factory magazine. I know I am leaving a lot on the table by the limited COAL with the 7mm08. I would Ideally like to have my X Bolt in .25 Creed for deer and antelope and have a Tikka in 7mm08 as my dedicated elk gun.

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[wind gypsy]

You're either a resident of an area or have next of kin that allows you to hunt big bears unguided or you aren't. If you aren't/dont, you're spending $20k+ to hunt big bears so having more than one rifle probably isn't a problem. So for the overwhelming majority of us, the concept of picking a cartridge for the shit you're never going to hunt is dumb.

 

[Ozarkansas]

6.5x55 and 45/70 is my current do-anything duo. If I had to sell one of those it would be the 45/70 (it only sees use in straightwall season anyway)

Any cartridge developed after 1900 is a mistake.

 

[Mk44]

One cartridge for all North America game from deer to bear. 30-06
It’s a cartridge that could be found in most (gun) stores should you need more.

 

[grfox92]

You're either a resident of an area or have next of kin that allows you to hunt big bears unguided or you aren't. If you aren't/dont, you're spending $20k+ to hunt big bears so having more than one rifle probably isn't a problem. So for the overwhelming majority of us, the concept of picking a cartridge for the shit you're never going to hunt is dumb.

I couldn't agree more. If you are going on a coastal bear hunt, you have the means to buy a Seekins in 300 WM for that hunt.


Same goes for me with an Alpha spotter. When I draw a sheep tag, ill buy a $4k spotting scope, until then a Maven C or Athlon ares does everything I would ever need.

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[NorthIdahoDude]

7x57/7mm Mauser. Less recoil than a 308, and suitably loaded, has more reach than a Creedmoor, and more oomph at long range then a 30-06. Some will argue a 7mm-08 will do all the same things, but not if you load them to equal pressures it won't.

As an added benefit, you get to talk smack to all the 30-06 guys who say cartridge development could have stopped in 1906, and point out that it really could have stopped in 1893.

 

[solarshooter]

Is this Rokslide??? What year is it??

6.5CM. Out of a short barrel it's functionally identical to 6CM. Run it out of a 26" and it's functionally identical to 6.5PRC. Load anywhere from <100gr to >160gr bullets, any type of construction to suit the game of interest. Tons of powder and primer options. Factory ammo anywhere/everywhere. Any gun comes chambered in it. Teach your kids, buddies, grandparents to shoot it without issue. Accurate by design. Good barrel life. I think you catch my drift.