The problem here is that Petzel is trying to group the "ungroupable" so to speak. The issue with calling any one thing the "best in all circumstances," is that no two circumstances are exactly alike. Along that line of thinking, it would be correct to state that the .375 H&H is the best rifle for everything, anytime, any place, any game and any season. Sure..its overkill for coyote's and whistle dogs....and its as light as I'd opt for elephant and buffalo....but it will get the job done. Second...heck...why not the .460 Weatherby...or the ultra sporty 20mm Vulcan? I just have to look at lists like this out of the side of my eyes....

There are a few catagories that I think Petzel "left out," or more appriopriately, should have included. Although, it is his article and he can do with it as he wishes.

I do, however, think that a catagory for the flat shooters (bean field rifles to us southerners and mule deer/antelope guns for y'all out west) andwoods rifles (for the up north boys) would have been appropriate catagories. I also think that he should have split up "big game" to include a medium game, such as deer, mulies, coues, black bears,goats, sheep etc, and left big game to include the "bigger" stuff such as caribou, elk, moose, brown/whitebears and musk ox/bison.

With that spirit in mind....here is my vote for the two catagories I feel were unduely left out: Feel free to comment, and re-write your own.

Bean Field Rifles:
1) 25-06
2) .270 (in either long or short fat configuration)
HM) 6mm Rem

Woods Rifles
1) 30/30
2) Tie b/w .444 and 45/70
HM) .35 Rem. However, I can't help but feel love for the .348 Win and the .358 Win....all but obsolete anymore.

I also have to give one grand overall Honorable Mention to a chambering that you will not find in my personal list, but its usefulness and subsequent offspring abound in nearly every varmint, light and medium duty rifle found; that would be the .308. Infact, I would place it on the HM list for best all around. It is not, by any stretch, THE BEST, however, its benefits for darn near everything, and its family from the .243, 260, 7mmm-08 and 338 Fed are undeniably some of the best around. The 7mm-08, just happens to be THE best of whats around....but thats purely subjective now isn't it.