Poll - One all around single cartridge under conditions

[USAF Ret]

Yes, another poll because they are fun and provide me wisdom and knowledge from folks.

You have decided to downsize significantly. You want to keep one caliber with the following considerations:
1) Mostly whitetail hunting within 300 yards, with a possibility of 400 yards.
2) A possible elk or mule deer hunt once, twice at the most.
3) The possibility of future neck and shoulder problems worsening, causing additional recoil sensitivity.
4) You reload.

 

[Dsnow9]

Can’t beat the availability of box ammo when needed and a cartridge that does everything at reasonable distances.

I prefer some pink tip custom loads!

Edit: forgot to say .308

 

[Bowmannate2000]

308. Can load reduced recoil loads for deer, and something heavier for those elk hunts.

Although I recently got a 6.5 CM, and that is a pleasure to shoot!

 

[Sheltowee]

.308 got my vote but any of those save the 6.5Creed would be interchangeable for uses.

Given that you reload, my choice would be a .338-06 if not limited to the options above. Can load a 200 or 225 softpoint to .338 Federal levels for whitetails and hotrod it to kissing .338 WinMag performance for elk on up.

 

[Fire_9]

.308 got my vote but any of those save the 6.5Creed would be interchangeable for uses.

Given that you reload, my choice would be a .338-06 if not limited to the options above. Can load a 200 or 225 softpoint to .338 Federal levels for whitetails and hotrod it to kissing .338 WinMag performance for elk on up.

.338 and potential neck/shoulder problems don't really go hand in hand...

 

[Sheltowee]

.338 and potential neck/shoulder problems don't really go hand in hand...

You'd be surprised how tame it can be down around 200grains at 2500fps, especially with a suppressor on board.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I picked the lightest recoiling one - works fine for the game specified especially at the ranges specified. Suppressed/braked or whatever else - it is going to last the longest - as issues could get better or worse.

 

[nrpate05]

I've been digging my 6.5PRC lately. Its pretty new and I haven't shot anything with it yet. Recoil is moderate, it has good ballistics for messing around at the range and should kill elk cleanly further than I plan to shoot.

 

[WildWill]

I prefer a 7mm-08 over a 308 so it got my vote. 280AI has always interested me but I have no first hand knowledge of it.

 

[mevertsen]

.308

120 to 150 grain monos will handle it all.

The 7-08 and CM dont offer much more in the conditions you posted.

PRC and the 280 are going to have more powder.

 

[Fire_9]

For a rifle to hunt mainly deer 400 and in, I wouldn't pick any of your choices. I would choose a short action 6 mm or 22 cal of some sort.

If I had to choose one of the cartridges you laid out, it would be the 6.5 creed. You'll shoot it the best and it will kill anything you plan to hunt just fine

 

[WildWill]

For a rifle to hunt mainly deer 400 and in, I wouldn't pick any of your choices. I would choose a short action 6 mm or 22 cal of some sort.

If I had to choose one of the cartridges you laid out, it would be the 6.5 creed. You'll shoot it the best and it will kill anything you plan to hunt just fine

The ruger gen 2 in 22 creed just got stocked at the closest scheels. Gonna pick one up soon.

 

[WapitiBob]

A 6.5 CM and an eld-m would be my choice of those listed.

 

[np307]

.243 would be my real choice (as in, thats already my "forever" rifle) but of those listed I'd say 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Lou (Louis)]

.243 would be my real choice (as in, thats already my "forever" rifle) but of those listed I'd say 6.5 Creedmoor.

.243.
If you’re lucky enough to hunt bigger animals, ‘06.

 

[cgasner1]

My 6.5 prc with a can kicks like a rimfire and I’ve killed a pile of game at the 500-600 yard range with it. I’d go that route again since you hand load. That 156 Berger is nasty. If you don’t wanna reload I’d just do a creedmore

 

[MaddH]

I’m voting 6.5 Creed as it’s light on the recoil and can kill to 400yds. 308 isn’t a bad choice either, but I love the Creed

 

[FairWeather]

Chose the 6.5CM because of the mention of shoulder issues. That said, 308 & 6.5CM are the only two on that list that I’ve shot, so they’re the only two I could really speak to.

 

[Doublecluck]

My 6.5 prc with a can kicks like a rimfire and I’ve killed a pile of game at the 500-600 yard range with it. I’d go that route again since you hand load. That 156 Berger is nasty. If you don’t wanna reload I’d just do a creedmore

Hard to beat! killed multiples of every big game animal in Montana with that cartridge bullet combo now in less than great conditions and it’s worked flawlessly. Even in a 8-9lb platform suppressed the recoil is nothing. Also you can load a 6.5 prc to creedmore speeds/recoil.

I’d pick the 6.5 prc but there isn’t a bad choice in the poll.

 

[TN2shot07]

In all truth I would’ve voted 270 if it had been an option. The prc would be a ballistic twin for the scenarios listed. I voted 7-08 because I’ve never had a bad experience with either of mine and if you load for it the options are almost endless, especially for a rifle primarily destined for deer. Easier to shoot in a light, handy rifle too.