The Best Overall Rifle Caliber

[Mr. T]

I'm just wondering what the opinions are out there on the best overall rifle caliber; things to consider:
* Best Overall Hunting Capability (widest range of game to hunt)
* Accuracy
* Widest Range of Ammunition
* Home Defense Applications
* Possible Military Applications
* Manageable Recoil
* Ballistic Charactersitics
* Cost of Ammunition

I know that there are a lot of calibers out there that I've possibly overlooked in my poll. If you feel strongly that they should have been considered, please list the caliber in your response and why. I have also considered that the .308 Win and the 7.62 NATO -- .223 Rem and the 5.56 NATO are equivalents, recognizing that there are slight differences in specific debates.

 

[Mr. T]

If you select "others", could you please comment on what caliber and why; just good for all to hear your opinion/philosophy.

 

[Oregun89]

You can't be serious...

 

[Big_E]

Each of the round you mentioned has their own specific uses. As for caliber, I would say .264 seems to be the most versatile.

 

[Bobarino]

i would have voted for .260 Remington if you had that option. instead i voted for 6.5 grendel, with .308 being a close second. a 139 grain Scenar in the 6.5G would be preference out of the ones you have listed.

Bobby

 

[SwampWolf]

Though I picked the .308 Winchester, I think the poll might have been easier to vote in if the op had better defined the hunting category. It's one thing to consider the variety of game found, say, in North America, and quite another thing when you start comparing elephants with woodchucks.

On the other hand, that might well have been the op's diabolical intent! And, given the possibility that such is so, I re-evaluated my choices and this time picked the 7.62 NATO...

 

[NG VI]

I missed all the Defense-Military parts of the question, and gave a hunting answer. .30-06 it is, from sabot .224 bullets to 200 or so grain heavies, the .30-06 gets it done.

 

[C-grunt]

I was gonna pick .308 but I decided the ability of the 30-06 to push heavier slugs will give it more use for large game hunting.

So its 30-06

 

[Rexster]

Indeed, .30-06 beats the .308 because it can better handle heavy bullets, so it covers the most bases. I might have voted "other" for the 375 H&H, a personal favorite, but it only really applies to the wide range of hunting applications, and is not a leading contender in any of the other listed considerations. I went with .30-06, even though it would be a bit much for home defense where I currently live. It is fortunate that I don't have to live with just one cartridge to do everything; I own rifles in five chamberings.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I really like the 303 and 7x57 for the all purpose rifle load. I do understand that these are dying and/or not gaining in popularity in the US. For all intents and purposes though these can be substituted with the 30-06 and 7mm-08.

To best qualify with the criteria you laid out though there can be no other choice than the 308.

 

[Mr Woody]

I took the question to mean the most useful in the largest number of situations. That means the .06 and its ability to be loaded for most any goal. However, in the last year and half my 30.06 has been hanging out in the closet in favor of a new 6.8 SPC.
Woody

 

[iamkris]

No such thing.

 

[andy*]

With the 30-06 I can hunt anything in North America. Of course some calibers are "better" in some ways than others. If I go after Deer or Black bear where I live, my Savage 219 in .30-30 is a excellent choice due to the terrain. When out for grouse and rabbits a .22lr rifle is my gun of choice.
My Mauser 98 in 7x57mm is a hoot to shoot and will get the job done on almost any animal in North America.
If I had to choose only one rifle caliber it would be the .30-06. Luckily I do not....
Andy

 

[Water-Man]

What you want doesn't exist. Otherwise, .30-06 & .223.

 

[susquehannaslim]

I'm a big fan of the 308 Win. But I would think the 338Win Mag would top the list. It will anchor any four legged animal on this continent.

 

[uspJ]

i didn't see the military aspect of the poll so i picked the 300 win mag, but with the military aspect thrown in i'd have to go with .308.

 

[NCsmitty]

Hands down, the 30'06 is the most versatile round of the bunch.



NCsmitty

 

[skifast]

7.62x39

20 cents per round
soft points for hunting deer
AK platform inexpensive and reliable
Excellent terminal ballistics for self defense distance
Plenty accurate for self defense and hunting

 

[Driftertank]

My reasoning for my choice: if I could have only ONE gun, in one caliber, for anything I might ever need it for, I would go with a .308.

 

[joed]

There is no best caliber or cartridge, that's why there are so many produced. You have to look at the intended use and choose from there. If you were going to hunt deer in brushy terain where underbrush is think, then it's the .30-30 in a lever action. Going to hunt deer out west, well then you need a cartridge and rifle capable of long shots.

For my purpose a bolt action .25-06 works for me. It worked so well that it was my only rifle for almost 30 years.

 

[Jackal]

.243. Can hunt most game with it, light recoil, great ballistics.

 

[R.W.Dale]

8x56R

duh!!!!

 

[Art Eatman]

In the lower 48, the '06 is as powerful as is needed for any legal hunting. It's readily capable of sub-MOA in a hunting rifle. Squib loads for squirrel; light bullets for varmints. It's better than the .308 if one desires the use of heavier bullets for better penetration in the larger game animals.

It's not the best for varmints; it's not the best for long-range big-game. But, as an all-around adequacy, "'twill do, 'twill do."

 

[Wickens]

I'm surprised to see all the 308--30-60 votes. as an outfitter in Mt. we hardly ever see either one. the 06 once in a while. Never a 308, not a great round hear they tend to fall out of the sky at any distance. 280, 280 IMP. 7 mag-270-25-06 ,300 win mag. great for this country.

 

[skiking]

I had to go with the .300 Win Mag. It one ups the 30-06 by pushing bigger bullets faster while recoil is still manageable, is used by the military, same range of game for hunting but hits the target harder, factory ammo can be had at less then $1/round and reloading costs are very close to 30-06.