Kachok's Caliber Guide
.17 cal.
5.56mm/.22 cal.
6mm/.243
.250/.257 cal
6.5mm/.264 cal
.270/.277 cal.
7mm .284 cal.
7.62mm 308 cal.
8mm/.325
338 cal.
35 cal
375 cal
I once calculated that if the most common cartridge for elk is 30-06, then scaling off the size of the cartridge and the size of the animal, the .223 would be too big for any deer.
But this is not how we play the game.
If we get out of the truck with a 12 pound rifle-scope-sling, the rifle will not feel heavy at first, but by the end of a 10 mile walk, that rifle will be switching from the right side to the left side or vice versa, every 5 minutes.
We carry something bigger than a .223 because we can.
Heavy rifles with light bullets are more accurate than light rifles with heavy bullets, because the rifle moves less distance in recoil before the bullet escapes.
So in choosing a rifle, we have an [accuracy - recoil - weight - range - power] trade off.
That is a 5 variable trade off.
Just because you change the game, and thus the terminal power requirement, does not mean the other 4 variables changed, so the rifle often stays the same.
The exception to this would be the law in Africa, requiring at least a 375 H&H. That is why they have rifle bearers.
I have rifles in 17, 19, 223, 224, 243, 257, 6.5, 270, 7mm, 308, 311, 8mm, 338, 358, 458, and 50.
But I shoot prairie dogs and ground squirrels with a 223.
I shoot antelope and deer with a 7mm.
The same thing goes for shotguns. They are heavy and they kick too.
I have 410, 20 ga, 16 ga, 12 ga, and 10 ga.
I shoot everything with a 12 ga.... even little tiny doves.
The same trade off for handguns has no good answers.
I have 17, 22, 25, 30, 35, 40, 44, and 45.
I am almost always carrying a 35 caliber, as I am right now.
It is so light, I have to feel the lump to know its there.