Getting back to your original post, as many have mentioned, the ' 06 is far and away the best choice.

Any of the three will do all you ask. Pick the one that feels right and that gets you excited.

No question here....it' s .30-06

hands down , the .30-06 , it has such a wide array of loadings for it , it can be given a lighter bullet grn. loading for smaller thinner skinned game like coyote' s, or given a heavier grn. bullet loading for heavier skinned bigger game like elk

and the ammo is a lot cheaper than a magnum' s ammo

30-06, nice caliber

30-06!

I have used a 270 for all the game you mentioned and while it worked, it was not ideal for the bigger critters (especially Elk). I would suggest a 3006 or add the 7 Rem Mag to the list, as mentioned it will do what the 06 will do just faster and flatter...carring a good punch to take small to big game. I use a 7 Rem mag now for my all arounder and couldn' t be more pleased with its performance. Recoil is stiffer than an 06 but for most easily tolerable (i have a bummed shoulder and it doesn' t bother me when i do a range session with even just a T shirt)

I have been kept awake at night thinking the same question. I am about to get a " real" deer, etc. rifle and the question of calibers was also a sticking point for me. I am also settling down to the 30.06.

The 7mm and 300 mags have nice flat trajectories and good energy left over beyond 300 yards, but that is a pretty rare shot in the field. Also, the number of loadings available is tremedous from lightweight rounds for smaller game through 220 grain bruisers you can get anything for it.

And, to top it all off, you can walk into any place that sells almost any kind of ammo almost anywhere in the world and they will sell you a box. Competition keeps the price low, so there is no excuse not to practice.

Later, if I want to start shooting things 500 yards away or taking down full size bull moose, I can find another gun.

Chubber

270 WSM. The 30-06 is outright boring as all get-out.

Well heaven forbid anyone use anything other than the latest and greatest whiz bang cartridge that the gun writers tell us to use. The 30-06 may be outright boring but I bet it will still be knocking game flat on its butt long after the short magnum craze is all but forgotten.