TJEN

308win
270win
35whelen

Antalope to Browns these have done it all, some of them for over 80 years and the game have not changed. But the bullets and powder are now even better.

bobfm10350

.243 (Or 25-06 if i can)
30-06 (Very versitile)
.375 Ruger (for the short action)

All with custom barrels and stocks

Dirt2

These games are fun. I love the .243 for deer, with premium bullets. I'm not a big fan of having my shoulder rearranged every time I pull the trigger, so I'd top out at a .300 Win Mag, then either slot in a .270/.308/7mm-08 in between, or drop down to a .223 for little stuff.

My personal battery:

1) All-around/long range -.270 Win.Ruger M77
2) For bad people- 7.62x39 Russian Ruger Mini
3) Stillhuntingspecial - still working on this one, either .35 Rem. Marlin336 or .308 Win. Remington 750 carbine.

millagerobert

243. win
300 win
22lr

Can buy ammo for all 3 almost anywhere, and all 3 are comparatively economical to shoot compared to more exotic rounds that basicaly do the same thing. If you are in an area where range is not as much of an issue go with a 30-06 instead of the 300.

fariswm

Great Thread!

If handloading I would have to say:
25-06
.280 Remington
.338-06

Covers it all comfortably

If not handloading:
.243
30-06
.338 Win Mag

idunno

As much as I like the 243 I don't own one yet. If I had to put that in my arsenal it would be bracketed by 22lr (can't give up my squirrel hunting) and .338 Federal. I too like the short actions and believe that as long as you maintain range limitations you can kill anything with these 3. 338 Federal may not be the best for the largest bears, but unless one escapes a zoo I'm not likely to run into one. I see no reason for the big magnums as the .338 Federal is only about 200 fps slower than a .338 Win Mag.

Scott Gags

223 30-06 338WM

fariswm

Since I'm not sleeping I thought I would compile what everyone has said so far on the thread. Some of this stuff is interpolated because some chose 5 or 6 calibers. .243 was added to those who only chose 2.
Shotguns are not included below- eventhough they are extremely versatile.

.204 1
22lr 18
22 Mag 4
.223 7
.22-250 3
.243 33
6mm 1
.25-06 5
.270 9
7mm-08 3
.280 1
7mm Rem Mag 16
30/30 1
.308 7
30-06 15
300wsm 3
300 Rsaum 1
300wm 10
300 Ultra Mag 2
.338-06(Federal)2
.338 Win Mag 16
.340 Wby 1
.338 RUM 1
.338 Lapua 1
35 Whelen 1
9.3X62 1
.375 Ruger 1
.375 Ruger 1
.376 Steyr 1

The jury seems to feel that the best of the best is the .243. with a second place going to the 22LR. Third place is a tie going to 7mm Rem Mag and.338 Win Mag, with the venerable 30-06 coming in next. The 300 WM also shows great support.

Have a great day.

fariswm

We who are new to this sometimes make big mistakes. Please see next message.

I finally figured out how to edit things, but that is after the fact. If there is a way to erase a posting please let me know so I don't do this again.

fariswm

Guess I ought to fix it right.

Since I'm not sleeping I thought I would compile what everyone has said so far on the thread. Some of this stuff is interpolated because some chose 5 or 6 calibers. .243 was added to those who only chose 2.
Shotguns are not included below- eventhough they are extremely versatile.

.204 1
22lr 18
22 Mag 4
.223 7
.22-250 3
.243 33
6mm 1
.25-06 5
.270 9
7mm-08 3
.280 1
7mm Rem Mag 16
30/30 1
.308 7
30-06 15
300wsm 3
300 Rsaum 1
300wm 10
300 Ultra Mag 2
.338-06(Federal) 2
.338 Win Mag 16
.340 Wby 1
.338 RUM 1
.338 Lapua 1
35 Whelen 1
9.3X62 1
.375 Ruger 5
.375 H&H 8
.376 Steyr 1

The .243 received the most notoriety. with a second place going to the 22LR. Third place is a tie going to 7mm Rem Mag and.338 Win Mag, with the venerable 30-06 coming in next. The 300 WM also shows great support.

Best three combo becomes: .243, 7mm Rem Mag, .338 Win Mag

Have a great day.