Poll - One all around single cartridge under conditions

[USAF Ret]

Not for you to decide.
He can always sell a few and buy new.

Nope. I am not buying any more rifles. It will have to be something from my current inventory. I have some pretty nice rifles.

 

[cal30_sniper]

You have a 6.5 Grendel and a 25-06 per your other comments in the thread. Those cover 100% of possible deer and elk hunting needs, so you could just sell all of the ones you listed.

Of the ones you listed, 6.5CM is as close to an objectively best choice as you can get for your listed restrictions. Factory ammo is relatively cheap, available, and GOOD. 6.5 also has far more selection/availability in lighter weight bullets compared to either 7mm or .308, which is what you need to be looking at given your recoil constraints. Capable .284 or .308 bullets in the 120gr or less range are almost non-existent in those chamberings, while the 6.5CM is loaded with options in that bullet weight class.

You will notice the difference in recoil between a 120gr 6.5CM and a 140gr 7mm-08 or 150gr .308.