ORIGINAL: 8mm/06

I think it is one of the best choices for a "nearly everything" rifle cartridge. But the smaller stuff (smaller than little deer and big coyotes) and the bigger stuff (bigger than medium/small elk) are best left to other cartridges. I'm not saying that the 30/06 shouldn't be used for the smaller and bigger stuff....but its certainly not the best choice in the extremes of smaller and larger.
I constantly mull over what it would take to have the fewest but most versatile # of rifles in my cabinet. The 30/06 would be amoung them that is for sure. I have the smaller stuff covered with my .243 and my 6.5's, and the middle to larger medium stuff is covered with my 30/06 and my 8mm/06, ... but I seriously lack the punch of larger calibers and more powerful cartridges in my cabinets. That is why I keep trying to narrow my choices for at least one more cartridge....perhaps a .375 H&H, perhaps a 9.3 X 74R ........choices choices choices