If you are on a budget and want to buy one rifle that will be used to hunt everything form coyotes to elk, which cartridge would you choose and why?

30.06 Because you can buy factory ammo from 90 grains to 220 grains. Luckily, I'm not on that tight of a budget.

+ 1 Nothing I can add to Lucky's comments !


Unless you're ready to pay to switch out barrels......................................

Jim Shockey said .338 will work on all big game animals in the U.S.

Without a doubt 30-06

.06 for sure.

If I ever had to get rid of ALL my guns but 1 it would be my Weatherby Ultra Lightweight w/ a Zeiss 3.5-10x44 on it.

Best all around gun I have ever owned.

300 Winchester Magnum. Same selection of bullets and factory loads as the 06. Can be loaded down to 06 levels and still maintain excellent accuracy. But an 06 can not be loaded up to 300 win capabilities.

I thought about the 300 Win mag but decided on the 30-06 instead . Availability of ammo being the deciding factor . If I'm so poor I can only own one rifle I probably wouldn't be able to reload either so I went with the 30-06 .

Reloading is cheap if you take a minimalist approach. You can get a hand held reloading press for $25 or a Lee anniversary kit for $120.

It would be tough to choose but I think I'd lean toward the 06.

Tom

Another vote for 30/06. Elk are not armor plated and a 165 or 180 grain bullet kills them just fine. Of course it is also suitable for the full range of smaller animals between elk and coyote.