Best all purpose rifle catridge in a manual action.

[rangerruck]

22 lr, marlin mod 981.

 

[jacobhh]

Winchester 94 AE in .307. It's basically a .308 with thicker case walls
which reduces potential load a bit. With a variable scope and mission
targeted loading it will do just about anything including offer some
respectable range accuracy.

 

[LAK]

7x57mm in a Mauser pattern bolt-action.

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[General Geoff]

.308, remington 700.

 

[GRIZ22]

Another vote for bolt action 308 in scout rifle configuration.

When you say everything that is a pretty broad brush and a 308 scout rifle is about as close as you can come to fill the bill.

 

[M'bogo]

Col. Jeff Cooper solved this problem many years ago. Build yourself a .308 scout rifle based on his specs, 7mm-08 if it is not legal to own a rifle chambered for a military round where you live. Or buy a factory Steyr Cooper Scout.

If you chose the Steyr, set the rifle up for two scopes. One mounted scout style and another set of rings to mount one over the action like a normal rifle. With this set up you have the best of both worlds. Scout scope should not be over 2.75x and the it would be hard to beat a good fixed 6x for the action mounted scope. With such a rifle you would be well armed for +/- 95% of the duties that call for a rifle.

M'bogo

 

[OK-gobbler]

savage bolt gun with 3-9 glass in 308

 

[Legionnaire]

"Best?" I don't know if that can be defined in absolute terms. But I settled on a Remington Model Seven in .308. I put it in an H.S. Precision sporter stock (olive drab with black web) and mounted a Leupold 2-7X compact scope on it. It's a great all purpose, walkaround rifle.

 

[Slamfire]

Another vote for the 30-06. In a bolt gun.

Then you have to figure, which bolt gun?

 

[woof]

The problem with the question is "one gun to do it all" instead of "one gun to do everything you do." The meaning of "all" is variable. Obviously the vote for the .22lr wasn't planning on taking any bear or elk, or even deer. But I'll bet he has some good reasons for the choice. For me, if I could have only one gun it would be my wonderful little cz carbine in 7.62x39.

 

[greenflash107]

I agree with sm. Model 70 30-06

 

[retrieverman]

The 308 seems to have a pretty large following, and I have to agree. I have several "all around" guns, but my Blaser R-93 Tracker in 308 with a 19.75" barrel with sights and topped with a Swarovski 3-9x36mm in a QD mount pretty much fits MY bill as an all around of all arounds.

 

[Eyesac]

+1

Model 94 in 30-30
or
Model 70 in '06

 

[christcorp]

I've got many of the calibers listed in this thread. However, if I didn't have a specific use for one; i.e. survival mode, but because of finances and/or a law that said I could only have 1; (Wives say so counts as a "LAW"), then I would go with the 7mm Remington Magnum. Between 110-180 bullets can reach anything from a rabbit to a moose. Short range deer and hogs to long range sheep and elk. There's not 1 thing in all of North America that it can't take.

This however is where the "What If's" come into play. If you live in Ohio or Pennsylvania and are primarily going to shoot those woods, then the 7mm rem mag might be a little difficult. However, with a small scope it would be fine. On the other hand, if you lived in Wyoming, Montana, or other Rocky Mt states, then a 30-06 would be really pressing your luck. Especially if the closest shot to an antelope or elk is 300 yards away.

So, it really does depend on your environment. If it was strictly a survival mode thing where you only had one rifle, then as mentioned earlier, I would choose the 30-30 in Marlin or Winchester. See through sites would allow short 50 yd shots with feeling comfortable out to 150 yards.

Of course, if I could have the two I listed, then there wouldn't be any question. A 30-30 and a 7mm rem mag together will literally do it all. Of course, a 22lr/mag and 12 guage pump would make everything complete.

308 and 30-06 are nice and have proven themselves over the years. That however doesn't make them automatically better. I love my 30-06. It has taken a lot of deer. But it has a lot of limitations compared to a 7mm rem mag. Anyway, my 2 cents. Later... Mike....

 

[ozarkhillbilly]

East of the Mississippi a marlin lever action in 45-70, West of the Mississippi a bolt in 7mm mag. However a Enfield in 303 would also be a good choice for either side of the Miss.

 

[one-shot-one]

for the lower 48:
minimum 6.5x55(.260)
medium .308
maximum .338