You get only one bolt gun- which caliber do you pick?

[Hohn]

I think we'd all agree that some calibers are better than others for given applications. You probably don't want to shoot a .338 Win Mag for coyote (though it might be fun to watch!). Nor do you want to go into bear country with a 22-250.

What would YOU choose as the do-it-all bolt gun caliber?

I know there are cases to be made for .308 and 30-06, mostly due to wide ranges of loadings available.



But, imo, they are too big for a true do-it-all caliber. The bullets don't have as good a BC as smaller caliber rounds often do.

Which leads my to MY choice: 7mm. I don't care really if you choose a Rem mag, a WSM, 7mm-08 or what. The Rem Mag is probably the closest to a true do-all caliber.

A very close second to the wonderful and beloved .270.

JMO

 

[Bunnykid68]

.22

 

[NYFelon]

.308

when you absolutely positively need ≈4000j of muzzle energy, except no substitute

 

[Mosinguy]

.308 and 30-06,



But, imo, they are too big for a true do-it-all caliber.

I'll take 1 (one) Mosin Nagant of the Finnish variety please

 

[abraham743]

I would probably go with .308 with .270 as a close second. .308 has wide selection of rounds available and probably easier to come by in a shtf situation if it came to that.

 

[Kutnupe14]

.22

 

[roisigns]

.22

 

[william]

.408 Cheytac!


Kidding, I vote .308 mostly because othe the quantity and variety of ammo. .270, 30-06 and 7mm are all good choices too.

 

[strokin7.3]

7.62x54R :-D

 

[Grim714]

Ruger scout in .308

 

[fireball168]

375 H&H.

 

[whoismunky]

I'd take the .308 no doubt =) Bring enough gun!

 

[scatwater]

Ill take the 7.62x54R

 

[Donnelly]

Just one caliber? 30.06 with the .308 lagging closely behind. Both can be hand loaded with extremely light to quite heavy weight bullets.

 

[Leo]

I agree with Donnelly, the .30-06 or the .308 works great for me. 110 grain little bullets up to 175 grain covers a lot of ground. If you really like the 7mm, I once built a 7mm express, known alkso as a .280 Remington. Even though it is short of the 7mm mag performance, it gets up there pretty good, plus it is a lot easier on barrel throats. I have never experimented with the short mag type cartridges, they may have some good offereings also. Good Luck

 

[kawtech87]

If I could only have one bolt gun and no other guns period, or only one bolt gun but other firearms as well?

To answer the first probably .22

In the second case .308

 

[giovani]

270 win or 3006 And the 280 rem is right in there also.

 

[2in1evtime]

6.5 swdish or 7mm mauser all shoot flat and still versatile

 

[Colt556]

30 06 if I could only have one

22LR if I had other weapons.

 

[TheRude1]

8mm Mauser