Most common caliber

So as a beginner in long range hunting and a small time preppier kind of guy, what do you think the most common caliber in North America is? I know the 223/5.56 is the absolute most popular, but I think either a 300 win mag, or 30-06 Springfield would have to come in close seconds.
Leave it to a self identified PREPPY to confuse caliber with cartridge. Sorry could not help myself, I say that tongue in cheek. So you have identified 2 potential criteria, long range hunting and prepping. Prepping would indicate a popular "universal" cartridge that could be found everywhere. So a lot of 6.5C around, 300 Win MAG, 7mm Rem MAG and good old 30-06. 308 Win pretty universal but not my 1st choice for long range. Hope this gets close to what you are asking.
 
30/30 has taken more big game (primarily deer) than all the others combined and is still the most commonly used thru out North America.
 
Leave it to a self identified PREPPY to confuse caliber with cartridge. Sorry could not help myself, I say that tongue in cheek. So you have identified 2 potential criteria, long range hunting and prepping. Prepping would indicate a popular "universal" cartridge that could be found everywhere. So a lot of 6.5C around, 300 Win MAG, 7mm Rem MAG and good old 30-06. 308 Win pretty universal but not my 1st choice for long range. Hope this gets close to what you are asking.[/QUOTE
It's been pointed out numerous times.
 
So as a beginner in long range hunting and a small time preppier kind of guy, what do you think the most common caliber in North America is? I know the 223/5.56 is the absolute most popular, but I think either a 300 win mag, or 30-06 Springfield would have to come in close seconds.
If you are talking rifle, I would have to say the 308 Winchester is up there at the top somewhere.
 
This is a neat story. I can relate to the guy with the pre-64 270, as those types of shooting scenarios had presented themselves to me as well, but I figured they were way too far to entertain. BTW, this was in Clearfield county. I have very fond memories of hunting that area on several hundred acres that was owned by a refractory/ kiln company. They let everybody hunt back then and we'd rarely see anyone else other than our own hunting party - Even on Opening Day!
We had a camp on a state lease in Clearfield County. It became part of what is now the Quehanna wilderness area along with over 300 other camps and homes in what was a major land scandal. Thanks to modern GPS surveys, the old camp was found to be actually in Cameron County, not Clearfield.
 
So as a beginner in long range hunting and a small time preppier kind of guy, what do you think the most common cartridge in North America is? I know the 223/5.56 is the absolute most popular, but I think either a 300 win mag, or 30-06 Springfield would have to come in close seconds.
.223 is not as popular in Canada due to the restrictions placed on every gun working on an AR PLATFORM. All are restricted to gun ranges only and to own one you must have the appropriate Restricted license...
 
Just my opinions but if you want "bang flop" on whitetail, and I mean bang flop, go with a 30-06 with 150 grain bullets. Yes, other calibers are just as deadly but we are talking popular calibers here.

The most widespread centerfire now is the 223/556. If loaded with 62 grain "gameking" or similar soft nose bullets it works real well on whitetails. But you have to hit them in a vital spot.

If you have a new hunter starting out and you want a milder recoil to avoid them flinching but you want enough power to reduce the likely hood they will experience the disappointment of losing a wounded deer, one of the best choices would be the 250/3000 Savage. Admittedly those have become rare. The .257 Roberts and the 6.5x55 Swede are a little more popular and also fairly mild shooting, and have plenty of power for whitetail.

The 6mm Creedmoor appears to be the most popular "new" cartridge. I don't have one but I am sure it would be deadly on whitetail and still be relatively mild shooting.
 
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