What's do you think the best all-around cartridge...

[RHC]

...for hunting all of North American big game at long range is for you? That would include: deer, elk, bears, moose, caribou, sheep, goat, pronghorn, and possibly Mountain lions.

For me, it'd be undecidable between the .280 AI or the 7mm WSM and the .300 RSAUM or .300 WSM.

What would you choose?

 

[FearNoWind]

You did say "all-around" cartridge. Your answer has been around for over a hundred years. 30-06 ....

 

[MudRunner2005]

If I could only pick 1 caliber for the rest of my life, it would be a toss-up between the .280 AI, 7mm RemMag, and 7mm STW.

You add long range into the factor, say 800-1200 yards, I would easily go with the 7mm STW with a 1:9 twist, because you could load it with lightweight bullets for varmints or deer, or big heavies up to 180gr for up close for bear, etc... And for long range deer and plains game.

So, I guess if I could only choose 1 caliber for LR, it would be the 7mm STW with the bug heavy 180's and a 1:9 twist sendero/varmint contour barrel.

 

[gohring3006]

300weatherby then I could get done everything I had to just some animals would have a little more damage than others but all would be very dead

 

[cohunter14]

Something in .338 would probably be the easiest choice and would be more than enough for everything there. Personally, I would probably choose a 300 RUM or Win Mag simply because it will take every single animal listed there at any distance I would care to shoot one. I would probably lean towards the RUM just to push the heavies a bit faster, but any of those calibers would do the trick.

 

[ramrod79]

I have gone through lots of cartridge hunting over the years , I have always had a few different ones on hand ,and usually one for a sheep rig. I have finally gotten rid of every thing I owned from customs to factory rifles ,and went with a Cooper 280AI for my plains long range rifle ,and a semi custom Kimber Montana in a 280 AI for a sheep rig . I figured I would get the best of both worlds, and the 280 AI seems to fit the bill , it is close to a 7 Mag without the recoil thus no break required. With the 280 AI I would not hesitate to shoot anything out to 800yards in relative good conditions , you could load up some 168 Bergers for large stuff ,and 120-140 for the smaller game . Just my opinion thou, and the 280AI seems easy to load for, and is mild to shoot but has legs to get out there due to the large selection of high BC bullets. I am sure that there are many who will disagree as they like the big magnums but like I said I don't like loud breaks or recoil so I think I have found a great compromise .

 

[gohring3006]

I have gone through lots of cartridge hunting over the years , I have always had a few different ones on hand ,and usually one for a sheep rig. I have finally gotten rid of every thing I owned from customs to factory rifles ,and went with a Cooper 280AI for my plains long range rifle ,and a semi custom Kimber Montana in a 280 AI for a sheep rig . I figured I would get the best of both worlds, and the 280 AI seems to fit the bill , it is close to a 7 Mag without the recoil thus no break required. With the 280 AI I would not hesitate to shoot anything out to 800yards in relative good conditions , you could load up some 168 Bergers for large stuff ,and 120-140 for the smaller game . Just my opinion thou, and the 280AI seems easy to load for, and is mild to shoot but has legs to get out there due to the large selection of high BC bullets. I am sure that there are many who will disagree as they like the big magnums but like I said I don't like loud breaks or recoil so I think I have found a great compromise .

I think if I had to take the magnums out of the equation it would be the 3006

 

[clambdin]

If your wanting something mild mannered and efficient 280 AI, If you want to deal with the recoil or noise of a brake 300 win mag !

 

[snox801]

My father has done exactly what you are talking about. He has killed everything on your list and more at all types of ranges. His gun of choice for all 45 years or so. 300 win mag. Shooting 180gr nobler partitions. He has since been using different bullets for different things such as bt for deer and accubonds for large game. There is also the 30/06 just have my own grudge against that round.

 

[Semper Fi 10463]

once i hit a target at 800 with my 270 cause my buddies who shoot 300s said it couldnt be done. however dont think it would have enough energy for game pass about 600. 200 or less is our ranges here anyway. always wanted to try a 270 wsm.

 

[doubleaclasper]

The 6.5x55 would be my choice. With the 156-160gr bullets it is very effective on moose, elk and bear. The 130-140 gr bullets are very effective on deer sized game. With the high b.c. of 6.5 bullets they are very good at long range.

 

[davkrat]

7mm Remington Magnum!

Perfect ballance of efficiency and horsepower. Not oversized for deer or antelope yet it can easily handle the largest game in the US. Fantastic selection of high BC bullets and an extremely broad and useable range of bullet weights. The .300 Win Mag would have to be right there with it but I think the BC and velocity of a 7mm 168-180 gr. beats out the .300 trying to throw the larger pills with comparable BC.

 

[Sully2]

You did say "all-around" cartridge. Your answer has been around for over a hundred years. 30-06 ....

high 5* 30-06

 

[Truc]

I have gone through lots of cartridge hunting over the years , I have always had a few different ones on hand ,and usually one for a sheep rig. I have finally gotten rid of every thing I owned from customs to factory rifles ,and went with a Cooper 280AI for my plains long range rifle ,and a semi custom Kimber Montana in a 280 AI for a sheep rig . I figured I would get the best of both worlds, and the 280 AI seems to fit the bill , it is close to a 7 Mag without the recoil thus no break required. With the 280 AI I would not hesitate to shoot anything out to 800yards in relative good conditions , you could load up some 168 Bergers for large stuff ,and 120-140 for the smaller game . Just my opinion thou, and the 280AI seems easy to load for, and is mild to shoot but has legs to get out there due to the large selection of high BC bullets. I am sure that there are many who will disagree as they like the big magnums but like I said I don't like loud breaks or recoil so I think I have found a great compromise .

I feel the same with one exception I like the short action rifles, so mines a 7 SAUM, same case capacity as the 280 AI, tough to beat that 180 Berger