556A2
Member
30-06
I am unbiased as I don't even own a firearm chambered in 30-06, and its not even one of my favorite cartridges.
I am unbiased as I don't even own a firearm chambered in 30-06, and its not even one of my favorite cartridges.
whats the best all around caliber
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garyhan
Member
.30-06
gary
gary
ATW525
Member
I'll be different and cast my vote for the .357 Magnum.
something vague
Member
My absolute favorite cartridge, not caliber, is the 22-250!! I can make these things shoot flatter than anything I've ever loaded for and seem to have great luck on the heavier bullets to keep wind factors down. I even like it better than my .308, which I used to be an avid fan of. If I had to I could def take down elk size animal with ease and odviously any small game. Just a beautiful all around cartridge design that I'm surprised hasn't gotten any responses for that I noticed, although this question is a bit unpractical.
I can't believe that someone is actually happy with their response to this question with an answer like .375 H&H Mag. Must be a tough guy syndrome thing. What in the h are you gonna do with that thing for more than one application? I wouldn't even shoot a deer with that round without worrying about wrecking some of the meat. That to me is a very un-versitile cartridge. But to each their own I guess. My next is the 7mm-08 but that is not the question.
I can't believe that someone is actually happy with their response to this question with an answer like .375 H&H Mag. Must be a tough guy syndrome thing. What in the h are you gonna do with that thing for more than one application? I wouldn't even shoot a deer with that round without worrying about wrecking some of the meat. That to me is a very un-versitile cartridge. But to each their own I guess. My next is the 7mm-08 but that is not the question.
I don't get this debate. For those saying a .22lr is enough to kill everything on this planet why would a .223 be worse? I don't see how price of ammo can be included in the debate as this is about what is being shot and not how expensive it is. We are going to say that being vastly underpowered for the bulk of the game mentioned so far is better than being overpowered for the smallest game we can think up? How does that make sense? Personally I would rather shoot a FMJ 30 caliber through a squirrel than be in the situation where I have to try to pull off a perfect shot on even something the size of a deer, let alone something trying to bite back.
There is a point everyone has to pick to determine how much power is enough which can be seen with the groups picking .22lr, .308/30-06, and 375. I can say with what I see regularly that a .30-06/.308 or a .243Win would be my pick though the .243 wouldn't be for anywhere with hungry people eaters around. I would much rather deal with a bit of meat destruction having to shoot a few extra squirrels than to have to pull of a once in a lifetime shot on something trying to kill me.
There is a point everyone has to pick to determine how much power is enough which can be seen with the groups picking .22lr, .308/30-06, and 375. I can say with what I see regularly that a .30-06/.308 or a .243Win would be my pick though the .243 wouldn't be for anywhere with hungry people eaters around. I would much rather deal with a bit of meat destruction having to shoot a few extra squirrels than to have to pull of a once in a lifetime shot on something trying to kill me.
gvnwst
Member
Theortically, look back at the OP:
This has no mention of price, what guns you can get it in, how big it is, how much it recoils, or how loud it is. technically, the 20mm Vulcan is best. But that is a DD, so i said .50 or 7mm RUM (best trajectory).
paperpuncher49
Member
"name one thing that cannot be killed by a .22 head shot or well placed body shot."
A six pack!
A six pack!
name one thing... hmm... okay, a Wright Whale. Or maybe an Architeuthis....
I imagine you could blind a whale by shooting it in the eye with .22LR, but whether it gets to his brain or not is anybody's guess.
Hey, the challenge was there..
I imagine you could blind a whale by shooting it in the eye with .22LR, but whether it gets to his brain or not is anybody's guess.
Hey, the challenge was there..
Big Daddy Grim
Member
.308 or the 30-06
MTMilitiaman
Member
Best all-around is vague and almost meaningless.
By the OP's definition, strictly ballistic performance is accounted for with no representation of the size, weight, portability, action type, or use of the rifle, nor of recoil, ammunition weight or cost, or other factors. By this criteria, when such factors do not matter, a .50 BMG or one of the various proprietary .4+ caliber cartridges would rule the roost.
When other factors come into play, other cartridges have proven themselves to be much better "all around" performers.
In terms of over-all versatility, little on the American market can compete with the utility of the .308 Winchester. This round can be had in any action type from single-shot to pump action to semi-automatic, and everything in between. Most riflemen will find a properly set-up M1A, FAL, or HK91 clone can accomplish most of what they need a rifle for from personal defense to hunting and competition. For purely hunting, a scoped bolt action in .308 will humanely bag at most ranges anything that can be hunted on this continent, though it may not be ideal for grizzly. These rifles are of moderate weight with low recoil, they are generally accurate, and even today, not really that expensive to shoot compared to other full power rifle rounds. Components and ammunition selection is broad, the round is extremely popular, and again, ammunition and components can be found to accomplish just about anything, from competition to personal defense.
The case is efficient and the round does 99% of what the venerable .30-06 can do while being offered in a wider variety of rifles suitable to a wider variety of tasks. The .308 also has slightly less recoil. While the .30-06 is versatile and popular, it is mostly used as a hunting cartridge, and availability of rifles in that cartridge suitable for other tasks are suspect. In particular, while a FAL Carbine or M1A Scout can be loaded to make them into potent defensive carbines, few such options exist for the .30-06. And even fewer exist for other cartridges.
In particular, for all around use, I don't think anything much larger than the .308 can be argued. While some cartridges boast similar versatility on game, none of the magnums and few other cartridges can claim the broad base of knowledge, availability of ammunition or components, or the rifle selection to make them viable in other areas. Magnums in particular also have more recoil and are more expensive to shoot.
Likewise, while other cartridges, namely the .22 centerfires, can be loaded to shoot accurately out to 800 meters, few of them can boast the terminal effect of the .308. Shooting HPBTs from 155 to 175 gr, the .30 caliber rounds retain both velocity and energy much farther than .22 caliber pills and are therefore useful to far greater distances for anything other than punching paper. If you want to shoot steel, or game, the .308 will be more effective, even if it is only a more satisfying report on steel. And while other .243, .264, and .284 caliber target cartridges exist that boast better ballistics than the .308, these are more often than not require handloading or suffer from extremely limited commercial ammunition selection. Additionally, they are usually limited to heavy barreled bolt action target rifles, sometimes without even the addition of internal magazines. Because of this, they too lack the availability and versatility of the .308, and are nowhere near as useful "all around." Little is, which is why my M1A would be the last of my rifles to go, and why the .308 is the last of the cartridges I regularly shoot to leave the stable.
By the OP's definition, strictly ballistic performance is accounted for with no representation of the size, weight, portability, action type, or use of the rifle, nor of recoil, ammunition weight or cost, or other factors. By this criteria, when such factors do not matter, a .50 BMG or one of the various proprietary .4+ caliber cartridges would rule the roost.
When other factors come into play, other cartridges have proven themselves to be much better "all around" performers.
In terms of over-all versatility, little on the American market can compete with the utility of the .308 Winchester. This round can be had in any action type from single-shot to pump action to semi-automatic, and everything in between. Most riflemen will find a properly set-up M1A, FAL, or HK91 clone can accomplish most of what they need a rifle for from personal defense to hunting and competition. For purely hunting, a scoped bolt action in .308 will humanely bag at most ranges anything that can be hunted on this continent, though it may not be ideal for grizzly. These rifles are of moderate weight with low recoil, they are generally accurate, and even today, not really that expensive to shoot compared to other full power rifle rounds. Components and ammunition selection is broad, the round is extremely popular, and again, ammunition and components can be found to accomplish just about anything, from competition to personal defense.
The case is efficient and the round does 99% of what the venerable .30-06 can do while being offered in a wider variety of rifles suitable to a wider variety of tasks. The .308 also has slightly less recoil. While the .30-06 is versatile and popular, it is mostly used as a hunting cartridge, and availability of rifles in that cartridge suitable for other tasks are suspect. In particular, while a FAL Carbine or M1A Scout can be loaded to make them into potent defensive carbines, few such options exist for the .30-06. And even fewer exist for other cartridges.
In particular, for all around use, I don't think anything much larger than the .308 can be argued. While some cartridges boast similar versatility on game, none of the magnums and few other cartridges can claim the broad base of knowledge, availability of ammunition or components, or the rifle selection to make them viable in other areas. Magnums in particular also have more recoil and are more expensive to shoot.
Likewise, while other cartridges, namely the .22 centerfires, can be loaded to shoot accurately out to 800 meters, few of them can boast the terminal effect of the .308. Shooting HPBTs from 155 to 175 gr, the .30 caliber rounds retain both velocity and energy much farther than .22 caliber pills and are therefore useful to far greater distances for anything other than punching paper. If you want to shoot steel, or game, the .308 will be more effective, even if it is only a more satisfying report on steel. And while other .243, .264, and .284 caliber target cartridges exist that boast better ballistics than the .308, these are more often than not require handloading or suffer from extremely limited commercial ammunition selection. Additionally, they are usually limited to heavy barreled bolt action target rifles, sometimes without even the addition of internal magazines. Because of this, they too lack the availability and versatility of the .308, and are nowhere near as useful "all around." Little is, which is why my M1A would be the last of my rifles to go, and why the .308 is the last of the cartridges I regularly shoot to leave the stable.
Actually I thought of that, If you handload you can load down. Back in muzzleloader days, 36-38 cal was considered smallbore, for squirrel rabbit. Personally as I live in Southern US, a good 22LR would suite me fine, but in some areas of North America or other countries where there is game that can severly bite, stomp you, I think something else is in order.
Ed Ames
Member
My second choice would be anything in the 6.5-7.2mm (say .250 to .284) range. E.g. 6.5x55. Nice flat shooting, can do plenty of harm to anything I want harmed, cheap to shoot (compared to 16"), and easy to carry.
so... cost and portablility of the cartrige is very applicable in this conversation as it has a direct effect on its usefullness. if you have to pay an arm and a leg for ammunition, then you wont get much use out of it. therefore it wont do you much good.
the question isnt most deadly, most devastating, most accurate, longest range...etc.. it was the best all-round caliber... you cannot ignore the details that MUST be included in such an assessment of valuable attributes. I cannot down any of the calibers being mentioned, nor can I say a .22 would do specific things better... but, to this point, the only other caliber mentioned with an argument over a .22 is a .
223... I would still give the .22 the edge, but I understand that position.
the question isnt most deadly, most devastating, most accurate, longest range...etc.. it was the best all-round caliber... you cannot ignore the details that MUST be included in such an assessment of valuable attributes. I cannot down any of the calibers being mentioned, nor can I say a .22 would do specific things better... but, to this point, the only other caliber mentioned with an argument over a .22 is a .
223... I would still give the .22 the edge, but I understand that position.
stevereno1
Member
I'm going to go with the 22-250. 3600+ fps, very little kick, and supremely accurate. I hunt deer with a 7mm rem mag. and have had nothing less that stellar results on deer, and coyotes. I WANT a savage model 12 in mossy oak break-up, in 22-250 for varmint hunting, and I am quite sure that it is perfect for whitetails as well.
Karl Hungus
Member
I agree with the .308 guys. But only from an accuracy/reloading/hunting/military/match/SHTF perspective.
Baba Louie
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Just to throw some fuel on the fire.
Think about the 6.5x55 SE. An oldie but goodie. I know I know, it's not 'Merican. Got some great BC numbers tho' don't it?
Load up, load down. Elk, moose, brown bear. Up close or waaaay out thar. Some kinda other worldly accurate too. Kitten like recoil (well, pretty soft anyway)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5x55mm
I did check out the "brown bear" link in the wiki article and yep, they're talking Russian browns.
For little critters, head shoot them gophers boys, unless you're planning on mounting the trophy.
Think about the 6.5x55 SE. An oldie but goodie. I know I know, it's not 'Merican. Got some great BC numbers tho' don't it?
Load up, load down. Elk, moose, brown bear. Up close or waaaay out thar. Some kinda other worldly accurate too. Kitten like recoil (well, pretty soft anyway)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5x55mm
I did check out the "brown bear" link in the wiki article and yep, they're talking Russian browns.
For little critters, head shoot them gophers boys, unless you're planning on mounting the trophy.
P.B.Walsh
Member
Yea .308 all the way Karl Hungus
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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On page 2 I explained that the answer is .22lr, since the criterion is "POUND FOR POUND", but if you lose the pound for pound part, then I'll cast my vote for .260 Remington. Honorable mention to 6.5x55 swedish and .243 Winchester.
Are you basing the pound for pound based on energy? At the muzzle or at distance? I would think down range energy at say 1000 yards would be more for a lot of other rounds especially those with better BC. I wish I knew the weight of a loaded .22lr and a few other centerfires to check that pound for pound thing out a little closer.
sang716
Member
how bout a 25-06.
Hoxviii
Member
For the sake of not having to be 15' (exaggeration) from a medium deer sized animal to take it, and for full versatility I'm going to discount the .22LR despite that it does have the ability.
For most versatile, best pound for pound, good trajectory, speed, accuracy, balance of power I'm going for the .243 (seems like every thread I roll into in a caliber war winds up with me here).
It'll drop a deer at 250 no problem, will work an elk over with correct shot placement, and with a light enough load will take small to varmint sized game without just destroying the animal.
If you're good with your stalking skills or an excellent shot, I'd be willing to drop back to a .223 or even a .22 Hornet- but for most folks I'd put the best overall caliber at the .243 or .223.
For most versatile, best pound for pound, good trajectory, speed, accuracy, balance of power I'm going for the .243 (seems like every thread I roll into in a caliber war winds up with me here).
It'll drop a deer at 250 no problem, will work an elk over with correct shot placement, and with a light enough load will take small to varmint sized game without just destroying the animal.
If you're good with your stalking skills or an excellent shot, I'd be willing to drop back to a .223 or even a .22 Hornet- but for most folks I'd put the best overall caliber at the .243 or .223.
I once had to put down an adult pig and the only firearm we had available was a 22lr. That pig took 5 shots to the brain bucket before it ran off to die. I tracked it down about 100 yards into a corn field and put a 6th killing shot into its brain. The 22lr is woefully underpowered and is way to limited in range to be considered the best all around.
+1 THingster: My pick is the .243 Winchester. It can be loaded from 55 to 105 grains and is versatile enough for varmints, small game, and large game in the heavier weights. I would say an 100gr 243 in the head could take down a bull moose cleanly, not necessarily something a 22lr is going to do consistently. Only the largest of game would be difficult to take with the 243 and only the smallest of game would suffer too much damage to be usable so while it doesn't fit every need I think it fits the widest range of uses, and still has good power, and range.
+1 THingster: My pick is the .243 Winchester. It can be loaded from 55 to 105 grains and is versatile enough for varmints, small game, and large game in the heavier weights. I would say an 100gr 243 in the head could take down a bull moose cleanly, not necessarily something a 22lr is going to do consistently. Only the largest of game would be difficult to take with the 243 and only the smallest of game would suffer too much damage to be usable so while it doesn't fit every need I think it fits the widest range of uses, and still has good power, and range.
Defense Minister
Member
The best all-around caliber I have found is the Horningchester .357-06 rimfire.
In all seriousness, I'd say 10MM for a handgun, and 30-06 for a rifle.
In all seriousness, I'd say 10MM for a handgun, and 30-06 for a rifle.
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