Poll - One all around single cartridge under conditions

[brymoore]

.308 end of conversation.

There are 20+ cartridges that would meet the end of conversation criteria.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

.308 end of conversation.

-factory ammo, selection.
-reloading, most availability for those burn rates of powders and bullet selection. Also one of the cheapest big game rounds to reload. I should mention bang for your buck, can get about 140-160 loads per lb of powder.
-rifles, efficient with short barrels. Doesn’t require a 24/26” tube to maintain muzzle velocity.
-recoil, manageable in light weight rifles.
-not a man bun cartridge.
-can load it for coyotes or moose.
-doesn’t have a metric size in the name.
-short action.
-factory rifle selection is great.

I totally agree and will add more reasons for an "End Of Conversation" status

It is newer and ever so powder efficient, so it operates at a higher pressure than a 30-06 thus equals extra velocity.

It is .30 cal and that opens the door to cheap lead bullets downloaded for endless practice and small game hunting

You can buy ammo anywhere in the world and at any country store.

It is also military ammo.

And Brass!!! Every few months I get an e-mail that my local shooting range is closed for a day of Law Enforcement Practice. I go there right after that and pick up 500 to a 1,000 once fired premium brass they leave on the ground.

Had them all, am done with the 257 Roberts, 250 savage, the 280, the 280AI, three 7x57's. the 7mm mag, the 260, the 6.5x55 Swede, the 30-40 Krag, a bunch of 30-06's, the 300 Win Mag, two 338's, two 35 Whelen's
Even the 30-30's when I can download 30-30 bullets in the 308, best yet in a Savage 99 in 308

 

[Redraider7]

Farthest elk was 587 yards and mule deer was 525 yards.

With the barnes copper bullets?

 

[El Jason]

These “end of conversation” rationales are the epitome of mental masturbation. If you added them all up you might have a gnat’s eyelash worth of real world significance.

 

[3006Sprng]

These “end of conversation” rationales are the epitome of mental masturbation. If you added them all up you might have a gnat’s eyelash worth of real world significance.

Your use of vocabulary is well above what is .308 believers can even comprehend brother.

 

[El Jason]

With the barnes copper bullets?

Depends on the bullet and the chamber, but you can easily get 600+ yards of minimum velocity form reliable expansion with copper bullets.

 

[3006Sprng]

There are 20+ cartridges that would meet the end of conversation criteria.

They all work,

 

[dcarnell]

With the barnes copper bullets?

Yes the 127gr lrx Barnes bullets.

 

[Redraider7]

Yes the 127gr lrx Barnes bullets.

Heck yeah. nice shooting. Glad are good that far on elk!

 

[USAF Ret]

I like the 280 Ackley Improved, especially if you're headed out elk hunting a couple of times and reaching out to 400 yds for deer. 280 AI is now available in factory loaded ammo and its easily handloaded if lighter loads are desired. Its just a tad slower than 7mm Rem Mag. I prefer to be over-gunned to being under powered. It boils down to personal preference.

I love that caliber as well. I finally outfitted mine with an MDT Field Stock. Right at 9.5lbs with a scope. I don't expect a lot of walking since, well, I am disabled and can't walk much over 100-200 yards at a time. I had a carbon stock on it and I loved the weight, but the dimensions were just odd. It was a Stocky's. The vertical grip was way far back and you had to really choke up on it.