Poll - One all around single cartridge under conditions

What would be your choice for a single hunting cartridge based on the listed conditions?

  • 6.5 Creedmoor

    Votes: 69 41.8%
  • 6.5 PRC

    Votes: 20 12.1%
  • 7mm-08 Remington

    Votes: 37 22.4%
  • 280 Ackley Improved

    Votes: 12 7.3%
  • 308 Winchester

    Votes: 27 16.4%

  • Total voters
    165
Who knows, maybe im in the minority but i read

"based on the listed conditions?"
and I went looking for these "listed conditions". And i found them, in the original post.......right there at the top.

 
I lived for many years in VA hunting similar parameters. The 6.5 Creedmoor was my go to, as well as both of my sons. I lost track of how many deer we bagged with that gun. From 15 to 440 yards, it always got the job done. I have only shot two cow elk in Montana with it, but it worked fine. I never reloaded for it – just used Hornady’s 143 ELDX factory loads.

Needless to say, that’s my vote!
Much appreciated.
 
A little more information. Seems like the voting results have the 6.5 Creedmoor as the overwhelming choice, but a lot of the comments bring up great points about the versatility of the 7mm-08.

I will say the Bergara 6.5 CM is much more comfortable to shoot. I have a Grayboe Eagle 2 stock on the 7mm-08, and for some reason I really do not like the angled grip. I may, when I sell my other rifles, get a verticle grip stock similar to my Bergara and see if that makes a difference.

So much good information. Thank you everyone.

Side note, I also felt a push from the Holy Spirit to focus more on Him and less on the rifles. Having the big herd, I always think about what I am doing next. It is just the right time to simplify and downsize for various reasons.

Thanks to all who read, answered, and voted. The hunting and rifle community is a good bunch of folks.
 
All good choices. All very capable of meeting the requirements you listed. I think 6.5 CM is exceptionally well sized for deer and love how accurate it is. It is also what I used to shoot my first elk - when responsible decisions are made about effective range it can be good for that job too.
 
I think you should get a 6 Creedmoor!!!
It’s in no way related to what you ask, the list of rifles you own, or your poll, I just wanted to throw it out there, cause it’s the coolest thing since pockets.
 
Another note, I will be keeping a few smaller calibers I have that have low recoil. My Rossi 30-30 as well as my little 6.5 Grendel. Those are great for deer, but I would not take them elk hunting. Well, maybe the 30-30 within 100 yards, but whatever elk hunt I go on it will be a disabled veteran hunt and I doubt I will have the ability to do any significant stalking. I also have a 25-06 with super low recoil I will be keeping. Just getting rid of the larger calibers.

If anyone is interested...I have a Weatherby 307 Range 2.0 in 280 Ackley that has never been shot along with a Tikka Ace Game in 6.5 PRC that is new as well. I also have a 308 HOWA in a chassis that I ordered a Criterion barrel for that I will probably be selling. I also have a new AR-10 upper in 338 Federal I had a buddy build before I got so bad off. If I don't sell that, I may send it back to him to rebarrel in a 22 or 25 Creedmoor.
If you have a 6.5Grendal then keep the 7-08. You already have a 6.5 thats only a bit slower than the creedmoor. And at the ranges your hunting at the less speed is irrelevant.
 
Ugh. Given your conditions, I voted 7-08. But really, any of them will do the jobs you require. Which one do you like best?
 
Ugh. Given your conditions, I voted 7-08. But really, any of them will do the jobs you require. Which one do you like best?
It is truly a toss up between the 6.5 CM and the 7-08. I love the 7-08 cartridge more, but I like my 6.5 CM rifle better. It is a dream to shoot. That is why I was thinking of selling the stock on my 7-08 and trying to find a similar stock to the Bergara B-14 Crest.
 
I have 22-250, 243, 6.5 grendel, creed, and prc. If your keeping 1, creed takes my vote. Hopefully its a 24" and supressed.

If I was buying 1, idk... Haven't tried grendel on anything larger than whitetail, I don't think it's a 400yd elk rifle but at 150 it would suffice. It's a joy to shoot, and ugly on coyotes.
 
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